doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Rib Solder / Corrosion Problem

Gentlemen, It would be extremely helpful for any advice on this matter.

On a new Browning Belgium Superposed B25, the top rib after a flurry of shots at clays the barrels became warm. There appeared to be a very small amount of clear liquid bubbling out from underneath the top rib just forward of the chambers.

I don't think this is moisture left after the rust bluing process because the barrels have got hot enough several times to thoroughly dry them out.

If the gun is stored after every two to three weeks there appears to be slightly brown small moisture bubbles appearing at the side of the rib. I wipe it off, oil the gun and put it away. This reappears occasionally every 2 or 3 weeks.

The gun is 100% dry stored as are all my other guns, yet this keeps occuring on this gun. Is it something to do with the solder, flux or something else that is attracting moisture and causing it to condense in this one specific area?

To me it looks like there is something under the rib or in the solder that is pulling in, moisture from the atmosphere.

Was the wrong type of solder used, wasn't it neutralised properly or what - I can't see FN Browning using the wrong flux...

any advice on the cause and cure would be well appreciated.
regards,

Jonty

Is the joint separated and the rib loose? Push on it laterally just ahead of the "scarf" (diagonal joint) with the short section of rib over the chambers. Does it move? May be nothing wrong except separation OR solder-starved section original to the gun which collects moisture. Might not be apparent that it's loose or separated due to the fact that the rib is mechanically trapped and held down by the scarf. One possibility anyway; I'm sure there are other explanations having to do with flux residue.

jack

Hi Jack,

thanks for the speedy response.

The rib is absolutely solid, no separation and doesn't move at all. It does though look like there is a very tiny section of solder starved joint approx 1/4" long on one side. It is through this tiny gap where the moisture comes from. The daft thing is I never ever use this gun in the rain and it is absolutely bone dry.

Would it be possible that solder residues could be gathering moisture and seeping out through this solder starved spot, or is it just flux. Its tiny spots of clear to brownish liquid and they appear there after the gun has been wiped down and stored.

many thanks
Jonty

Hi,
You say the gun is new. I'd ask Browning to fix it.

The liquid could be oil

Since it is new, I would suspect moisture from rust bluing. But also since it is new, I would let the warranty take care of it. That's what it is for.

Hi Jonty, I black and brown barrels and the biggest nightmare for me is barrels that leak as it makes rust blacking hard, sometimes alot of these guns are finished with caustic style solutions this can get in under the ribs and will leak out in the way you describe, another possibility is, I refinished a purdey recently and they put a resin in between the barrels and ribs thats fine if the ribs are sound but if they are not it gets all over the barrels, I would think it is most likely the first option and I would return the gun and ask for a rust finish instead, regards Paul

Jonty,
I have an old Beretta ASE manufactured in the late 1950s in 98% original condition that is doing the same things as your Browning. As with your Browning, the barrels and ribs on this ASE are solid and ring nicely, but when I get the barrels really hot I have a spot that weeps a barely noticeable bit of moisture.
I do not have a warranty... so I guess I just have to bite the bullet and find someone to do a repair.
NCTarheel

I'm not an expert on these things but I have done quite a bit of soldering though out my life. From what your describing it sounds like flux weeping through a small gap that didn't completely get soldered. Flux melts at a much lower temperature than solder does and it sounds like when you get the barrels warm the residual flux in melting and seeping from a small area the solder didn't take on. If this were a joint on a copper water pipe you would have a small leak at this joint.

You may be able to confirm this by taking a thin liquid like cleaning solvent and putting a drop were the leak is and seeing if it wicks into the rib joint. The other thing you could do is if there are small holes somewhere in the rib apply some low pressure compressed air and see if you get leakage in the concerned area.

Just my 2cents worth.

Jonty,
It's almost certainly flux. To be certain, submerge the barrels in hot water. The heat will expand the air between the ribs and it will exit at any flaw. I use this as one preliminary test before any extensive bore or barrel work.
Jim