Henry rust

[bhp1410]

Took my brass Henry BigBoy 357 out of the safe (its in a soft case) and was unhappy to find the lever loop completely covered with surface rust spots. No rust anywhere else on the gun strangely. The lever looks like its blued steel. Not sure how this happened, just a couple months ago it was perfect, I always store it with a thin film of oil on the gun, and I assumed it wasn't a big deal because it's so dry in SoCal.

Some CLP took off the rust, but when you dry the lever loop off you can still see the spots. How should I go about cleaning this? Some mildly abrasive polish?

[Garv]

Soft case storage can hold moisture in the fabric.
The lever may not have had as much protection at manufacture or may be worn a bit more from use.

[HUTCH 7.62]

1.Gun socks are your friend, Google not so much.


2.Use some oil and a pre 1980 solid copper penny on the lever, the rust will disappear.

3.Get a dehumidifier if you don’t have one already.

[ar15barrels]

Took my brass Henry BigBoy 357 out of the safe (its in a soft case) and was unhappy to find the lever loop completely covered with surface rust spots.

Don't STORE guns in soft cases.
They need to breathe.
Socks are fine to keep them from bumping each other in the safe.

[Cincinnatus]

https://henrypride.com/products/large-loop-levers-for-lever-action-henry-rifles

[kcstott]

Took my brass Henry BigBoy 357 out of the safe (its in a soft case) and was unhappy to find the lever loop completely covered with surface rust spots. No rust anywhere else on the gun strangely. The lever looks like its blued steel. Not sure how this happened, just a couple months ago it was perfect, I always store it with a thin film of oil on the gun, and I assumed it wasn't a big deal because it's so dry in SoCal.

Some CLP took off the rust, but when you dry the lever loop off you can still see the spots. How should I go about cleaning this? Some mildly abrasive polish?

It has not been dry in SoCal in a couple years. it's been over 60% in the last few months and over 75% in the last few weeks.

[Scota4570]

"Some mildly abrasive polish?"......No! That will remove the finish.

CLEAN steel wool and oil will do as much as possible without damage.

The freckles can not be removed. They are there because the finish was removed by the rust, Only refinishing will fix that.

[kcstott]

"Some mildly abrasive polish?"......No! That will remove the finish.

CLEAN steel wool and oil will do as much as possible without damage.

The freckles can not be removed. They are there because the finish was removed by the rust, Only refinishing will fix that.

0000 steel wool at the most. I highly recommend brass wool in the same grade.

[kendog4570]

Call Henry. They will probably give you a new lever.

[d33pt]

That happened to mine too. I just live with it. Same thing, surface rust on the lever only.

[faris1984]

Like they said never store a gun in soft case and buy gun socks.

[L.A. Saiga]

Call Henry. They will probably give you a new lever.

+1
I'm 99.999% certain that Henry will replace your lever

Create a service request here
cheers

[kendog4570]

+1
I'm 99.999% certain that Henry will replace your lever

Create a service request here
cheers

Henry has the some of the best customer service in the gun world.

[CWL]

Next time, grease the lever with some RIG grease and put it in a silicone gun sock.

Oil isn't actually effective for long-term protection of metal as it likes to migrate as well as allows moisture to get under it and into the steel (it actually floats on top of water).

[Capt.Dunsel]

Make sure you wipe them down every time you touch it . Just the acid from your hand will cause it to rust over night .

When I worked at a gun store every time a gun got touched I would wipe it down with a silicone cloth before putting it away . Owner thought I was crazy until he noticed brand new guns in the case showing rust where someone touched / fondled them , when people came in to pick them up , they had rust spots and wanted to know why they couldn't get some money back cause we sold them a rusty gun .