doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Rust resistance of CSMC RBL-20 finishes?

Some of you may have already seen this question which I asked on another board, but in an effort to get the most responses possible, I am asking here too. I ask because I am in the process of ordering an RBL-20 and want to get the most durable finish for upland hunting:

Which finish is the most rust resistant on the CSMC RBL-20; french grey or case colors? Please let me know any personal experience you may have had with rust or lack thereof on the RBL-20.

Thanks.

--shinbone

RBL20, case color finish. Sunday was out rabbit hunting and after stopped to talk to the land owner. As we stood in his garage, it started to chnage from a light mist to thunder and rain. He asked if I would shoot a few sqirrels around the house as they were geting out of hand. Went to the vehicle and took out the RBL20 and dispatched three in the rain. Put the gun back in full length case and went home, wiped down with silicone cloth when home and again yesteday. Today will spray with BirchWood Casey protectant but no rust anywhere or any evidence of any. Personally, I can't think of a better actual test.
-Dick

Dick_dup1 - Thanks for relating your experience with the case color's rust resistance on your RBL-20. Though I like the look, I tend to avoid case colors because my guns spend alot of time being carried by the receiver in my sweaty hand, which wears off the colors relatively quickly. I am re-thinking my preference, though, because some reports make me think that the case colors on the RBL-20 may be more durable than the french grey.

I am wondering if some people's experience with the french grey rusting is a problem with early production guns, and that CSMC has fine tuned the finishing process in the later guns so the french grey is more rust resistant.

--shinbone

I don't think you can order an RBL-20 any longer. Last I saw, they had stopped taking orders on the RBL-20, and were filling previous orders only. They are taking orders on the RBL-28, but it comes only with case colors, no gray available.

They are still shipping RBL-20s from orders placed almost two years ago.

If you have an existing order for a RBL 20g and are contemplating the two finishes, I don't believe that either will provide significant rust resistance. Both will require reasonable care to assure at least daily removal, if handled, of hand sweat salts/acids and lube/wax protection .

There was a waiting list from which they have started accepting orders. I wouldn't be the least bit suprised if there are quite a few available through the CSMC gunroom when this is all over.

The only "rust problem" I've heard of involved someone storing the gun cased.

Replacement - I called CSMC after the RBL-20 ordering deadline had passed and was lucky enough to get on a wait list. CSMC emailed me last week to let me know my name was up if I was still interested. I called Mark and placed an order that day.

BTW, I just talked to someone at CSMC who said the case coloring was a more durable finish than the french grey. Not sure what this statement was based on, whether it applied to rust resistance, whether it was specific to the RBL-20, etc., though.

Some posters have suggested that a plus for case colors is that the gun will still look good if the case coloring wears away.

After listening to everyone's comments, I decided to switch from french grey to case coloring. Probably doesn't matter all that much for a gun that gets hunted, I guess.

--shinbone

I ordered my RBL 12/05, PIF. Went with the French gray because I thought it would be more durable on a hunting gun. Mine arrived at the FFL last week, and I'm awaiting instructions from CSMC for the return shipping. Butt stock has two small cracks in it (may just be checking of the wood), but one is at the head of the stock and that's just unacceptable. They'll make it right, I'll love the gun, and all will be right with the world.

If I were doing it over, I'd opt for the case color. The gray just doesn't look that good on mine, and it seems to highlight the laser etch engraving. Case color would subdue that effect, and would be worth the extra $250.

If CSMC's French Grey is anything other than steel in the white it sure doesnt have any better resistance to rust. My RBL is awaiting some treatment after two weeks in the UP. It looks like its going to take some navel jelly to get the brown out of the engraving on the trigger guard. A messy prospect I have put off for a month now!