M14 Forum

m14nm · January 26th, 2012, 11:25 AM

I know the corrosion on men and dag has been discussed before. But, for a lack of better things to do, I opened a few more battle packs and there was some pitting on quite a few of them. Some not so bad, but about a 1/3rd. to 1/2, showed some degree of corrosion.

Some of the ones with the pinkish colored, pitted corrosion, was corroded all the way through to the inside of the case. Although many were not.

On the ones that were, the corrosion was starting to effect the powder, and some of the powder was stuck fast to the inside of the case. A lot of the new members may not be aware of this particular type of corrosion, so I thought I would show that this type of corroded case, was not safe to shoot, and what they looked like on inside. The little spots inside the cases, are where the powder was stuck, and started to corrode the inside of the case.

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I should also state, that the ones with light corrosion, such as these, are perfectly safe to shoot. Just clean them up with 0000 steel wool.

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I hope this clears up some of the confusion about shooting corroded Dag or Men ammunition. I've never bought any of the ''slightly corroded'' Portuguese ammo from SAMCO, so I can't report on that.

KyAggie · January 26th, 2012, 11:29 AM

Wow...thanks for the pics! I will have to take a little closer look at my stock of this stuff.

Hamstrosity · January 26th, 2012, 11:51 AM

Thanks for posting that. I pulled all of my battle packs down, and put them into .30 cal cans with dessicant when I got them. In the case lot I got, there wasn't too many that had corrosion on them, and the ones that did have corrosion on them, it was very mild, like the 3rd picture, front row, very right side cartridge.. No pink corrosion on them. Guess I was lucky..

conditionone · January 26th, 2012, 11:57 AM

looks like I have a weekend project. Thank you for that.

Wayne M · January 26th, 2012, 12:01 PM

If this ammo(MEN and DAG) was priced about $200/K the corrosion wouldn't be so bad: throw out the bad ones and you're still ahead but the way it is now with the price at $450/K(+or -) it isn't any good deal. Too bad 'cause when it's good it's REALLY good ammo. For a few bucks more you can buy new Privi(also really good in my rifles) or shop around for RG on the strippers, usually priced pretty well also. Guess I'm getting old but I didn't buy mil surp to scrub corrosion from cases.

m14nm · January 26th, 2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

If this ammo(MEN and DAG) was priced about $200/K the corrosion wouldn't be so bad: throw out the bad ones and you're still ahead but the way it is now with the price at $450/K(+or -) it isn't any good deal. Too bad 'cause when it's good it's REALLY good ammo. For a few bucks more you can buy new Privi(also really good in my rifles) or shop around for RG on the strippers, usually priced pretty well also. Guess I'm getting old but I didn't buy mil surp to scrub corrosion from cases.

Agreed.

I've gotten Radway from SOG, and no corrosion of any kind. Ordering two more cases from them this week. The bonus is it's cheep, clean and on stripper clips in bandoleers.

1KPerDay · January 26th, 2012, 01:26 PM

Amazing pics. Thanks

Whatsinaname181 · January 26th, 2012, 01:56 PM

Thank you for that.

geepee3 · January 26th, 2012, 02:10 PM

Thank you for taking the time to do this post.
You are doing us a great service and it is much appreciated.

Thanks again,
Glenn

Hamstrosity · January 26th, 2012, 02:32 PM

I have a question - If you don't clean the corrosion off of the case, will the case continue to corrode even though it's out of the individual boxes?

XXIV Corps · January 26th, 2012, 02:57 PM

Well done presentation m14nm with pictures of outside and inside corrosion marks on the German military surplus ammunition.

Clear pictures of the before and after corrosion marks on the cartridges with cleaning. Plus even the lot number MENH0008 documented on which lots you have show here.

Thank you Sir.

m14nm · January 26th, 2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamstrosity

I have a question - If you don't clean the corrosion off of the case, will the case continue to corrode even though it's out of the individual boxes?

Yes. It's just like rust. Once it starts it's tough to stop.

You would have to get to the bare brass under the corrosion in order to stop it. But that may make the brass to thin.

Here is what I have done with some Dag 93, they had a lot of green corrosion on them. I lightly cleaned them with 0000 steel wool and put a light coat of gun oil "only" on the corroded spot and rubbed it in. After a few seconds, wiped it off.

This is what they look like after 1 year, in a ammo can with desiccant. The only one with any green on it is front and center.

You can still feel the oil. That will have to be cleaned off before firing, but it did seem to stop the corrosion. As soon as good weather gets here, this Dag will be used up.

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Vos Parate · January 26th, 2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamstrosity

I have a question - If you don't clean the corrosion off of the case, will the case continue to corrode even though it's out of the individual boxes?

"Rust never sleeps"

MemphisMachinists · January 26th, 2012, 06:14 PM

Was this ammo sealed in rubber battlepacks? I have quite a bit that is sealed in battlepacks. Hate to think it is wasting in there.

Mocos · January 26th, 2012, 06:39 PM

I somewhat recall that when the corrosion first appeared (2009-2010?)that one op indicated the rounds with green corrosion could clean up but the ones with pink corrosion sometimes caused the cases to be perforated and would split or have case separation when fired.....so if you have pink corrosion on the outside, I would toss em...