Corrosion from shooting wet?

[Will_M]

How big of a concern is corrosion in a silencer after shooting it wet? Specifically only once or twice in a can with 17-4 Stainless Steel baffles?

[doubloon]

Might depend on what you are using to wet your suppressor.

Are you worried about rust building up on stainless steel?

[Will_M]

Might depend on what you are using to wet your suppressor.

Are you worried about rust building up on stainless steel?

1. I'm using water.

2. Less worried about oxidation and more about the mixture of water and powder/primer residue becoming corrosive. Gemtech says this is a concern. I'm using non-corrosive primers and Solo 1000 powder if that makes a difference.


The Osprey is sealed and SilencerCo still warranties it if it's shot wet so it can't be that bad, right?

[doubloon]

So you are specifically referring to this snippet or something like it from the manufacturer's recommendations/FAQ?

This is a generic warranty disclaimer covering a myriad of materials, components and additives. Some suppressors contain aluminum components which are much more susceptible to corrosion from chlorinated water, salts and some cleaning/lubrication products which simply hate aluminum. Mild steel components are obviously very susceptible to corrosion from water based products.

Corrosion on an all stainless/titanium suppressor or stainless/titanium with inconel components is going to be much less of a concern.

Even so, it is advisable to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer and contact the manufacturer about any specific concerns to get the answer most likely to help you maintain your warranty. Mixing and matching manufacturer warranties and products isn't recommended for the best consumer experience.

What should I use as media/ablative to "wet" my suppressor?

Water is most effective, due to its high heat of vaporization, but it can run or evaporate out of the suppressor and can mix with residue in the suppressor to form acids that cause corrosion. Grease, while messier and less effective than water, can be left in the suppressor indefinitely without losing effectiveness. Petroleum based greases will tend to smoke quite a bit as well. Oil is often the easiest to apply from either a small bottle or aerosol can, but is the least effective and least preferable, as it runs like water while being messy like a grease, and leaves behind a fine mist of aerosolized oil after each shot. Water-based gels, such as wire-pulling lubricant gel, are a good compromise; they offer the efficacy of water with less mess, as they do not run or drip (but can still cause corrosion). However, they take longer to apply, as they must be cleared from the bore of the suppressor to ensure a clear path for the bullet (grease requires this step as well).

Should you choose to use water, or water based ablative, you must thoroughly clean the suppressor and submerse it in something that will displace any traces of water that remain (such as WD-40 or Acetone).

[rimshaker]

After shooting wet, the worst thing is probably storing it back in the safe without letting it dry out first. Wet cans should be left out in the open as much as possible.

I know this applies to plain water, not sure about the gels.

[Capt. Link.]

After shooting wet, the worst thing is probably storing it back in the safe without letting it dry out first. Wet cans should be left out in the open as much as possible.

I know this applies to plain water, not sure about the gels.

This applies even if you don't shoot wet.We were taught to to store our weapons upside-down with a spent cartridge keeping the bolt open for air circulation if a can was attached.If you worry switch to Break-free clp it will inhibit the accumulation of carbon build up and rust in your sealed can as well.Every once in a while wash the whole can out with a good solvent to remove any build up.I think that should be standard practice for any suppressor.

[Will_M]

I guess I should clarify. I'm using an Octane 9HD.


I only ask because it's been a couple of weeks since I last shot it, and shot it wet. I pretty much just put it back in its pouch and threw it in the safe. I wanted to know if I was asking for trouble or if every time I shoot it wet I need to break it down and scrub it well.

[Emilio]

Well, you added moisture to your safe.

Takes one minute to take it apart.

[Will_M]

I think I'm going to try to tumble it in walnut shell tonight. It would be easy to take it apart and throw the baffles in the tumbler for an hour after shooting wet. The walnut shell would soak up any moisture as well as remove some of the fouling.

[rimshaker]

Glad I bookmarked this thread a while back:

http://www.silencertalk.com/silencer-fo ... =2&t=88219

[doubloon]

I guess I should clarify. I'm using an Octane 9HD.
...

Doesn't really matter what kind of suppressor you're talking about if you are mainly talking about maintenance after shooting.

All the comments from rim, capt. and emilio are good advice.

If you're worried about corrosion and erosion during use that's one topic.

If you're worried about corrosion from poor maintenance habits I'm not sure many here would tell you what you're doing is a good idea or even OK not to worry about it.

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will...

My rifle and I know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will...

Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!

[Will_M]

Just picked up some more walnut shell. I'm going to start throwing the baffles into the tumbler after shooting the can wet. Or just not shoot wet at all as it was more trouble than it's worth.


Thanks for the advice, gentlemen.

[Historian]

Just picked up some more walnut shell. I'm going to start throwing the baffles into the tumbler after shooting the can wet. Or just not shoot wet at all as it was more trouble than it's worth.


Thanks for the advice, gentlemen.

Also consider making a cheese cloth bag and filling it with a cup full of rice, it absorbs water
effectively in closed surround.

You might also think of swabbing a thin film of Permatex anti-seize on all internal
parts and threads to mitigate crud's adherence.
Even if you try to wipe it away a desirable layer will stay.

[Will_M]

Also consider making a cheese cloth bag and filling it with a cup full of rice, it absorbs water
effectively in closed surround.

You might also think of swabbing a thin film of Permatex anti-seize on all internal
parts and threads to mitigate crud's adherence.
Even if you try to wipe it away a desirable layer will stay.

Not a bad idea. Now I've just got to figure out how to get up under the bird cage inside the Octane.

[Bendersquint]

We are talking about the Octane, I wouldn't personally worry about corrosion with the Octane.

The only baffles I would be concerned with for corrosion wen shooting wet is nonanodized aluminum.