M4JOHN Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 What the heck does one do about ammo that has rusted inside a magazine (HK/223)... the Mags are reusable, they didnt do much of the rusting, but is it safe to handle? I have never seen ammo rust like this, the brass is pretty green and crusty. I guess what I want to know is , is it safe to handle? Any recommendations on how to get the ammo out of the mags? thanks in advance boyz! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoAtrox Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) There's actually a lot to consider, based on what is corroding and to what extent. First of all, if you're uncomfortable with the ammo, dispose of it properly. Don't shoot anything if you aren't reasonably certain that it is safe to shoot. If it's non-corrosive ammo and it just seems that the copper jacket on the projectile got a bit too much moisture, it may be safe too shoot. But I'm not going to tell you to shoot it ... I can't afford the liability; especially on ammo that I haven't examined with my own fingers and eyes. If the casing/brass is actually rusted or corroded, I would not shoot it. Dispose of it. If the corrosion or rust that you are speaking of has weakened the case, firing it could result in some unwanted consequences. Edited February 1, 2010 by LeoAtrox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M4JOHN Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 I appreciate the response but the main question here is basically, is it safe to handle corroded/corroding ammo. I dont want to loose a hand or part of my face... or anything else for thatmatter... I dont intend on reusing the ammo... I will despose of it properly... I just want to save the magazines.... TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tucker301 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Unburnt powder needs an ignition source, ie primer, to get going. Older powder that has been subjected to moisture will be less likely to ignite, but it can still be set off with a spark, even a static one. If you're unsure, take the magazine to a gunsmith for further advice before proceeding. I, personally, would make sure that I'm well grounded and start digging away at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tucker301 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Unburnt powder needs an ignition source, ie primer, to get going. Older powder that has been subjected to moisture will be less likely to ignite, but it can still be set off with a spark, even a static one. If you're unsure, take the magazine to a gunsmith for further advice before proceeding. I, personally, would make sure that I'm well grounded and start digging away at it. And I'm not even going to ask how you got to this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldFlick Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 I have found magazines that have ammo left loaded tend to weaken the spring and cause mis-feeds. If it has been loaded that long the magazine might be junk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoAtrox Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 (edited) I appreciate the response but the main question here is basically, is it safe to handle corroded/corroding ammo. I dont want to loose a hand or part of my face... or anything else for thatmatter... I dont intend on reusing the ammo... I will despose of it properly... I just want to save the magazines.... TIA I don't know exactly what the chemical composition of that is, but it is likely not any more volatile/flammable than your typical fresh smokeless powder ... Although, some smokeless powders may contain very small quanities of nitroglycerin left over from the manufacturing process. This isn't all that common; but it is a possibility. Take the necessary procautions suggested by Tucker to avoid a spark, and handle it gently. You're pobably safe not to baby it, but it wouldn't hurt. Edited February 2, 2010 by LeoAtrox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M4JOHN Posted February 2, 2010 Author Share Posted February 2, 2010 OK, sounds good... thanks... I am just going thru some old stuff on a freind and I did tell him that leaving a mag loaded for 15 years is a bad thing... might have to(more then likely, more to the point) replace the follower and the spring in the mag, but those are far less expensinve than replacing the mag itself... HK mags are BUCKS!!!! thanks for the insight guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zee10103 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 What the heck does one do about ammo that has rusted inside a magazine (HK/223)... the Mags are reusable, they didnt do much of the rusting, but is it safe to handle? I have never seen ammo rust like this, the brass is pretty green and crusty. I guess what I want to know is , is it safe to handle? Any recommendations on how to get the ammo out of the mags? thanks in advance boyz! Just remove the Floor plate and be done with it. Burn the old stuff. Save the $65. HK 33 53 93 Mag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas skeeter Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 My question is JOHN, where the Heck did you get mags with rusted ammo in them??? did you leave some laying around in the backyard all winter?? or pick up some WW-II mags at a garage sale?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M4JOHN Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 (edited) Zee... thats so obvious it didnt cross my mind, great advice!!! Skeet ( Mr Sarcastic... LOL ) no, this is an older freind of mine who had them stored in boxes for like 15 years... he says he forgot about them... he lives by the beach so its fairly humid.. Even the silica gel pacs he had in the box with them didnt help... so yea... its worth geting all the junk out of them and saving the mags... they are bucks to replace! Edited February 3, 2010 by M4JOHN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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