[mrc545]

Hey everybody. First time poster here. Also, first time FN owner. Sort of a bittersweet introduction into the brand, however. Just picked up my new SCAR 17 today, and upon takedown, I noticed the piston and housing had rust on them. There is also some bare metal visible on the front sight. Pictures were taken after a scrubbing with some hoppes was given, so the rust isn't going anywhere. The firearm was ordered from Buds and sent right to my FFL, and is brand new.

I know some of you might say "just go shoot it", but I've been saving my pennies for this gun for a long time, and is definitely the most expensive purchase I've made in a while. When I paid $400 for my cheap Romanian AK some years ago, all the internals were spotless, but when I paid more than 6x as much for this, there's rust and missing paint on the front sight. Just seems kind of off that there would be an issue with this model. Thoughts?

 

[SONYtec]

Welcome!!!

 

[farmerted]

Hey everybody. First time poster here. Also, first time FN owner. Sort of a bittersweet introduction into the brand, however. Just picked up my new SCAR 17 today, and upon takedown, I noticed the piston and housing had rust on them. There is also some bare metal visible on the front sight. Pictures were taken after a scrubbing with some hoppes was given, so the rust isn't going anywhere. The firearm was ordered from Buds and sent right to my FFL, and is brand new.

I know some of you might say "just go shoot it", but I've been saving my pennies for this gun for a long time, and is definitely the most expensive purchase I've made in a while. When I paid $400 for my cheap Romanian AK some years ago, all the internals were spotless, but when I paid more than 6x as much for this, there's rust and missing paint on the front sight. Just seems kind of off that there would be an issue with this model. Thoughts?

The tappet will likely lose that rust when you, shudder, shoot it. It's taking the blast of gas to that face, which has been sitting since being test fired. The front sight post, when folded down, is hit with vented gas from the gas block. That's the spot you noticed.

If you're not happy, sell it as new (you haven't fired it) and purchase something else.

People are looking at the price and expecting a custom hand polished product. Simply put, not what the SCAR is and if that's your expectation, you will be disappointed.

 

[DevsAdvocate]

For the rust on the piston, it'll go away when you shoot with it. For the marred front sight, you could always send it back to FN and get it replaced. Thing is, you just got it, so how willing are you to part with it for a few weeks?

 

[Smokeshow60]

Welcome... Definitely go shoot it. Makes absolutely no difference in the end.. But DO NOT apply any oil to the piston

 

[xCavalryx]

Well, as one old character would say on TV...donkeyspittle! That's not a new rifle. What's the barrel look like? I have never seen corrosion like that on any part of a scar and I own a few that all live in the outdoors, rain or shine.

 

[Fnpurist]

I've never seen rust on any of mine either. If I would have bought that rifle, I would've made Buds make it right because that's complete bull**** even though it doesn't affect function

 

[jeffriso]

Try some Flitz on those spots you indicated. That stuff should take it right off. Get the paste, it comes in a toothpaste looking tube.

I would be kinda upset too because it looks like FN did not properly clean your rifle after test firing.

 

[jhs27275]

it looks like FN did not properly clean your rifle after test firing.

You think they clean them after test firing?

 

[SONYtec]

Pictures were removed, but here's a link with some good info.

http://fnforum.net/forums/fn-scar-16s/19286-scar-piston-before-after.html

 

[SONYtec]

Another thread.

http://fnforum.net/forums/fn-scar-16s/32221-how-clean-gas-piston.html

 

[Smokeshow60]

Try some Flitz on those spots you indicated. That stuff should take it right off. Get the paste, it comes in a toothpaste looking tube.

Do not do this^^^.... Go shoot it and it will be gone. Faith..

 

[jeffriso]

You think they clean them after test firing?

They should.

 

[jhs27275]

They should.

They don't.

 

[fnfalman]

They don't.

Nobody does that. Not even the vaunted HK.

 

[fnfalman]

Apropos of nothing, you guys ever noticed brand stanking new cars on car lots having rusts on the disc brakes? They go away after you start driving the cars...

 

[SONYtec]

If I am buying a new gun and it's clean, I wonder who's been shooting it after the factory.

 

[mrc545]

For the rust on the piston, it'll go away when you shoot with it. For the marred front sight, you could always send it back to FN and get it replaced. Thing is, you just got it, so how willing are you to part with it for a few weeks?

And therein lies the rub. It took Buds a week and a half to ship it out, just got it today, and now I have to make that hard decision on if I want to send it in (I really wanted to get some trigger time next week!). I'm not super worried about the front sight (black touch up pen will take care of that), but I'm worried about the long-term effects of the rust. I always thoroughly clean my firearms after shooting, so if there was never any rust to begin with, it would be a non-issue. If it's just surface rust, and shooting it makes it go away, would the affected chromed/stainless areas lose their anti-corrosive properties?

 

[STL]

It's not rust.
It's copper from the bullet jacket.
If you have some KG-12 and a cotton swab, that'll take care of it.

 

[fnfalman]

If it's just surface rust, and shooting it makes it go away, would the affected chromed/stainless areas lose their anti-corrosive properties?

Stainless steel is throughout. It's not a coating.

Yes, chrome plating can wear through, but usually by then the anti-corrosion properties will be gone anyway.