Cleaning rust off magazines

[trekvana]

Hello all-

I just received a 15 round mag with bullets that was sitting in an attic for at least 20 years. As you can see there is not much rust on the mags but I dont want to ruin the bluing by scrubbing too much. Does anyone have a preferred way of removing rust from a magazine.

Attachment 20038
Attachment 20039

Also the bullets are tarnished. Can I still clean and use them? If so how do I clean them?

Attachment 20040

And lastly, does anyone know the manufacturer of these mags and if they are original USGI. As I understand it, original hardbacks were blued and the IU on the mag is from Underwood. Is this correct?

cheers!!
george

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Use the round after just a quick wipe to remove foreign matter. The mags can be cleaned with a bit of oil and fine steel wool. Then wipe off. Only the rust should come off.

[Bill Hollinger]

Okay this is going to sound crazy but......

Try a #2 pencil and where ever there is rust mark the rust with the lead/graphite from the pencil. Then use the errasor and remove the rust, lead/graphite. It will not take away the etching but it will take away the rust. Then oil it down and BLAM!

[GUTS]

I use 0000 steel wool and gun oil, it will take off the rust and to the bluing.

[Tired Retired]

Actually I would try using BRONZE wool and CLP. Bronze is softer than steel and is available at most marine supply stores. You may also want to use some copper wool - if you can find it. A third idea would be to rub it with a penny - an old-timer once told me that trick.

Hope that helps...

[Johnny Peppers]

4/0 steel wool is the softest material of that type that is made. Wipe the magazines down with oil and let them set a few days. Then go over the rust spots with 4/0 steel wool. It won't harm the blue if used with any care at all.
Bronze wool was developed for the boating industry. Removing paint from wood or fiberglass boat hulls with steel wool leaves tiny particles imbedded in the wood or fiberglass that will rust when put in the water. Unless it has changed, bronze wool only comes in fine, medium, and coarse where steel wool comes in eight different grades.
Steel wool is used in removing the rust on firearms that are rust blued. After the parts being blued have rusted from the bluing solution, wads of steel wool are used to remove the rust which leaves the blue underneath. Bronze wool cannot be used as it contaminates the steel where it rubs off.

[USGI]

IU marked 15 round mags were manufactured by International Silver for Underwood - genuine USGI. I just cleaned up an old KSG mag last week with 0000 steel wool and gun oil. I wasn't able to get all the rust off, but it definitely helped - looks much better, and the bluing was hurt very little. I took mine apart and cleaned inside also - not that hard to do. The term "hardback" refers to the first design 30 round magazines. - Bob

[INLAND44]

Unfortunately there will be pitting under the rust pictured, but the #0000/oil treatment will work - just take it easy and keep it wet with oil. Good old Ballistol is wonderful for this purpose as is modern synthetic 'Eezox'. I bought a handful of mags like that except much worse, but the insides were fine. I treated the mag bodies with Phosphoric acid rust remover which of course removes the bluing too, and coated them with a Brownell's bake-on lacquer in the 'Dark Parkerizing' color. Worked great and they made good range mags.

[G26ster]

Okay this is going to sound crazy but......

Try a #2 pencil and where ever there is rust mark the rust with the lead/graphite from the pencil. Then use the errasor and remove the rust, lead/graphite. It will not take away the etching but it will take away the rust. Then oil it down and BLAM!

Tried the pencil/eraser thing on a few CMP mags I just got. Wow, it works! Rust is completely gone, and now just looks like finish wear in those areas. great info. Thanks Bill! Larry