Ruger 10 22 receiver finish problem - The Firearms Forum

pinkerpv · 06-01-2008, 08:17 AM

I recently purchased a 10 22 stainless w/composite stock. I took it to the range last week for the first time and fired 50 rnds thru it. When cleaning it later I used some Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber. It marred the finish on the receiver. Afterwards I realized the receiver finish was painted. I was very surprised although in hindsight I guess I should have realized this earlier. I had assumed the finish on the receiver was some sort of hardened finish similar to a parkerizing or something else. I called the Ruger Customer Service and explained the problem. The representative was very nice and said to send it back to Ruger and they would refinish it or replace it. By the quick way she responded I gathered this problem was common or at least not rare. I haven't sent the rifle back yet but will probably next week. Anyone else had this problem? What did Ruger do about it and what did the returned rifle look like?

williamd · 06-01-2008, 04:07 PM

Do not plan on a fast return. Ruger is not nearly too interested in their customers these days! Two to four months ism y guess based on experience. And, yes the finish on some, not all, are too easily damaged. Yet, their competitor's guns survive a good spraying with Scrubber!

My old (two decades +) 10/22 has never had a problem. I am careful with my new model.

Bill DeShivs · 06-02-2008, 02:09 AM

The receivers are aluminum, and it sounds like they are clear-coated, rather than clear anodized. You could just scrub the rest off with steel wool.

LDBennett · 06-02-2008, 07:32 AM

I built a Ruger 10/22 out of a well used Ruger and a collection of Volquartsen stainless parts and pieces. The receiver was bead blasted and use in the raw, so to speak. Aluminum without being anodized is subject to oxidation but once the microscopic oxidation stops it generally stays at that point without further appearance changes. I did this several years ago and the receiver looks as if I did it yesterday. The ozidation of the surface is clear and not visible. It the aluminum gets a small scatch it is not noticeable because the underlying metal is the same color as the former surface.

A clear coated bead blasted surface looses it sheen to the coating. It is an entriely different look than raw bead blasted metal. I would not use steel wool to remove the finish on your receiver as it leaves fine visible scratches. Bead blasting leaves a very fine pebbly looking uniform surface that is more satifying to me. Nothing more than normal care is required unlike clear coatings that can be attacked by some cleaning chemicals. Even clear coated powder coating can be attacked by aggressive cleaners as I found out the hard way on a motorcycle project.

LDBennett

06-01-2008, 08:17 AM	#1
pinkerpv V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 61	Ruger 10 22 receiver finish problem I recently purchased a 10 22 stainless w/composite stock. I took it to the range last week for the first time and fired 50 rnds thru it. When cleaning it later I used some Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber. It marred the finish on the receiver. Afterwards I realized the receiver finish was painted. I was very surprised although in hindsight I guess I should have realized this earlier. I had assumed the finish on the receiver was some sort of hardened finish similar to a parkerizing or something else. I called the Ruger Customer Service and explained the problem. The representative was very nice and said to send it back to Ruger and they would refinish it or replace it. By the quick way she responded I gathered this problem was common or at least not rare. I haven't sent the rifle back yet but will probably next week. Anyone else had this problem? What did Ruger do about it and what did the returned rifle look like? -->

06-01-2008, 04:07 PM	#2
williamd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 772	Re: Ruger 10 22 receiver finish problem Do not plan on a fast return. Ruger is not nearly too interested in their customers these days! Two to four months ism y guess based on experience. And, yes the finish on some, not all, are too easily damaged. Yet, their competitor's guns survive a good spraying with Scrubber! My old (two decades +) 10/22 has never had a problem. I am careful with my new model. __________________ "Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!" But, we are moving that direction. NRA Benefactor, Vet VN '64-'65 Never sell a gun or a car and you can retire right!! Last edited by williamd; 06-01-2008 at 04:08 PM..

06-02-2008, 02:09 AM	#3
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,470	Re: Ruger 10 22 receiver finish problem The receivers are aluminum, and it sounds like they are clear-coated, rather than clear anodized. You could just scrub the rest off with steel wool. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

06-02-2008, 07:32 AM	#4
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,714	Re: Ruger 10 22 receiver finish problem I built a Ruger 10/22 out of a well used Ruger and a collection of Volquartsen stainless parts and pieces. The receiver was bead blasted and use in the raw, so to speak. Aluminum without being anodized is subject to oxidation but once the microscopic oxidation stops it generally stays at that point without further appearance changes. I did this several years ago and the receiver looks as if I did it yesterday. The ozidation of the surface is clear and not visible. It the aluminum gets a small scatch it is not noticeable because the underlying metal is the same color as the former surface. A clear coated bead blasted surface looses it sheen to the coating. It is an entriely different look than raw bead blasted metal. I would not use steel wool to remove the finish on your receiver as it leaves fine visible scratches. Bead blasting leaves a very fine pebbly looking uniform surface that is more satifying to me. Nothing more than normal care is required unlike clear coatings that can be attacked by some cleaning chemicals. Even clear coated powder coating can be attacked by aggressive cleaners as I found out the hard way on a motorcycle project. LDBennett