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Accuracy International AT Rusting?

S

Steenlife

Private
Minuteman
Mar 13, 2019
9
3
I recently purchased an Accuracy International AT rifle (serial number 23AT2****), which is supposedly made in 2023. After shooting for the first time the next day, I noticed rust had developed on the import mark portion of the receiver (see pic). I shot 20 rounds to zero in my scope recently on a rainy day (it has been raining in Northern California every weekend recently), and I wiped it down as much as I could at the range and then cased it. Several hours later, when I got home, I noticed rust spots developing.


I know rain is bad and the rust is only cosmetic, but it bothers me that a $5k rifle could behave like this. Rust is also found on the nitrocellulose certification marking and the bolt release catch (pic 2&3). Even my 80+ years old surplus military rifle is more durable than this. How could AI not consider the elements as a factor when engraving this rifle (the 2023 version, at least)?

If I remember correctly, the import marks on the AW and even earlier AT rifles were painted over with white paint or some sort of finish instead of leaving engraved bare steel letters exposed to the elements. Has anyone else experienced this issue? I’m wondering if this is covered under warranty. Many thanks!

Steen
 

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Use 0000 steel wool and oil. after cleaning wipe it down with a high oil or clear finger nail polish.
 
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Almost looks gouged in the areas it rusted. Assuming you get a lot of salt in the rain out there?
 
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Spray a bunch of WD40 on it clean it up good, cover it with some clear finish and call it good.
You'll be done in less time than it takes to make a phone call.
 
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Carbon Steel and even Stainless Steel do not take kindly to being put away wet. It should have never been cased or at least if it was, leaving the case open allowing the water to evaporate. Wiping it down was not a bad thing but it was probably not enough. Especially in areas where there are impressions such as stamped labels. Either oiling it and spraying it down with a good moisture displacement chemical helps a lot. But a warm firearm, water and a nice enclosed and thus very humid space is the best way to get corrosion started.

Living in North Louisiana, where despite what we like to say, is like living at the bottom of a warm swimming pool, one learns all about steel, rust and how to preserve.
 
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cro789 said:
Use 0000 steel wool and oil. after cleaning wipe it down with a high oil or clear finger nail polish.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. I tried using CLP (which is what I have at home) and Q tips to scrub it good but it’s still pretty observable. I’ll try the steel wool or some white vinegar next.
 
Dead Eye Dick said:
Carbon Steel and even Stainless Steel do not take kindly to being put away wet. It should have never been cased or at least if it was, leaving the case open allowing the water to evaporate. Wiping it down was not a bad thing but it was probably not enough. Especially in areas where there are impressions such as stamped labels. Either oiling it and spraying it down with a good moisture displacement chemical helps a lot. But a warm firearm, water and a nice enclosed and thus very humid space is the best way to get corrosion started.

Living in North Louisiana, where despite what we like to say, is like living at the bottom of a warm swimming pool, one learns all about steel, rust and how to preserve.
Click to expand...
Thanks, yes, even after wiping at the range the surface is still moist (leaning this the hard way). Next time I’ll have the oil packed as well in case something like this happens again. I hope the rainy season is over soon and I can *finally* take it out to again have some burden-free fun.
 
I thought the AI would have a better finish than what you're describing. I have an AI-AT rifle with serial number that starts with 15. I live in a semi-arid part of the country . My AT has been rained on a few times and I never did anything special to dry it off or oil it up. No rust anywhere.
 
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Could it be that some metal shavings got blown on the finish before it cured and that’s what’s rusting and not the actual receiver?
 
918v said:
Could it be that some metal shavings got blown on the finish before it cured and that’s what’s rusting and not the actual receiver?
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I think it’s the actual receiver. The patina is mostly localized in the letters’ angles and cannot be easily scrubbed off. I used CLP with cleaning patch and CLP with Q tips to scrub as much of the superficial particles off but the result is not really satisfactory. I was really hesitant to use stronger media like steel wool as do not know what it may do to the delicate surfaces. I have reached out to AI and am waiting for their suggestions.
 
ShtrRdy said:
I thought the AI would have a better finish than what you're describing. I have an AI-AT rifle with serial number that starts with 15. I live in a semi-arid part of the country . My AT has been rained on a few times and I never did anything special to dry it off or oil it up. No rust anywhere.
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I used to have an ‘08 made AW in 308 and shot it in rain and snow without any special cleaning and it was just fine with no issue. I know this is probably one of those unintended consequences that the low key engravings was never thought to have this issue but…
 
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I have a 2015 AT and live on the New England coast...no rust despite shooting in the rain and snow. I wipe it down and put a little oil on it everytime I shoot in wet weather
 
Steenlife said:
I used to have an ‘08 made AW in 308 and shot it in rain and snow without any special cleaning and it was just fine with no issue. I know this is probably one of those unintended consequences that the low key engravings was never thought to have this issue but…
Click to expand...
I wonder if AI wasn't as careful manufacturing the latest AT rifles since they knew the AT was going to be discontinued.
 
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you can always krylon or cerakote it to protect the metal. The import marks are through the finish and into the steel.

Yes you can clean the area with fine steel wool and oil or various other ways. If you keep it protected with oil or some kind of film it’ll be ok. If it’s exposed to water it’ll do the same thing again.

This is something you accept when you buy a steel action. If you want something more durable buy a stainless action.
 
My guess is some of the (not stainless steel) machine tool that did the engraving has been left on the rifle after the operation and it's actually that that is rusting. It can be a tiny amount.
Try grinding some stainless steel with a used grinding wheel and then leave it in the weather and you will see what I mean.
 
To me, that's not AI"s fault, they coated the Action, which the Importer damaged with their marking process, stamping or whatever it is.

Don't blame AI for something that they didn't do
 
That was my guess, since their name is on the Action.
As anybody can se, AI marked the Action by engraving or whatever and it´s coated afterwards.
And that coating is now partially damaged, where AINA did Stamp or Engrave the Name and exposed the bare Metal. On a Rifle like an AI, which is not cheap at all, i would expect at least something preventive on the new marking.
 
Lawyer said:
That was my guess, since their name is on the Action.
As anybody can se, AI marked the Action by engraving or whatever and it´s coated afterwards.
And that coating is now partially damaged, where AINA did Stamp or Engrave the Name and exposed the bare Metal. On a Rifle like an AI, which is not cheap at all, i would expect at least something preventive on the new marking.
Click to expand...
So true and this is AI’s response “The area of concern is a laser engraved area, so it is showing an untreated surface. The customer stated it being rained on and if not cleaned/dried off, and coated with some kind of oil surface rust is bound to happen. This is not a manufacturing defect. Use gun oil and tooth brush to help clean the area and keep dry as much as possible.“
It’s surely common sense/ ideal to dry off rifles and the rust is only cosmetic but I would guess something more economic has at least some consideration to the durability of the finish in adverse weather conditions (even more so if AT is living up to its “tactical” name plate). You can have all kinds of toughness you want to advertise on the surface treatment but it does not make any sense to deliberately leave weak spots on the said surface (for such expensive item nonetheless).

Probably the AT is the cheapest in AI’s lineup and not as much engineering consideration has been put into that.
 
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Clean it off and hit it with cold blue. It’s not that huge of a deal. Mine was in a monsoon and I dried it off and left it out of a case, not a spec of rust
 
deadly0311 said:
Clean it off and hit it with cold blue. It’s not that huge of a deal. Mine was in a monsoon and I dried it off and left it out of a case, not a spec of rust
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Its curious though that the older ATs don't get surface rust after being exposed to precipitation. The explanation from AI was pretty lame. They're busy filling the pipe with the AT-XC. They don't want be bothered with AT or AT-X issues.
 
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ShtrRdy said:
Its curious though that the older ATs don't get surface rust after being exposed to precipitation. The explanation from AI was pretty lame. They're busy filling the pipe with the AT-XC. They don't want be bothered with AT or AT-X issues.
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They probably do. Most of us just don’t look that close. I use mine in rain/mist on occasion. But I always set in my gun room under a ceiling fan when it get wet. I also always set in there and open the case and bolt. I also wipe down with oil rag when dried.

Very different type of humidity thought when you’re in the Great Lakes region vs near salt water. The vehicles we drive in Michigan would be a great demonstration of that with the salt we use on the roads vs somewhere that uses non

All metal if not covered will rust. Personally I wouldn’t worry to much about it. Can always send to get cerakoted or hit with some spray paint and away it goes 😁👍

You want to see rust buy a Remington. Like they treated them in saltwater
 
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I'm a big fan of Fluid Film. Stops rust even on guns kept on the Texas coast. Great for cars and trucks as well.
 
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TorF said:
It's made in the UK. Of course it will rust.
My first car was a well used Ford Cortina Mk2. You could actually hear it rust when parked :)
Click to expand...

I had one of those too. I'm surprised it didn't leave chunks of metal behind after every pothole.

Re, the rust removal:
An old tooth brush and some toothpaste will also do the trick.
It'll need to be clear coated or just rub some candle wax or chapstick on it.


Oh, and OP,
You might want to clean your barrel after that soaking and warm, wet storage.
 
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