Somethings Lost have been Found/ 30rd Mags

[jojeep]

In the late 1990's 30RD Thompson Magazines were Cheap by today's Standards. $10-$12 maybe $15 if perfect Bluing. I once found/ bought Thompson Mags in a Red Rubber Coating and a  friend once bought 30rd, new in Cardboard boxes,....then made the mistake of throwing the boxes away....hey nobody knew then what we know now. 

So at a Pennsylvania Gunshow came across a Vender with big cardboard box filled with 30rd Stick Mags.....$10 each in fair condition. I bought 3.   But how much for the crappy rusted ones at the bottom ??, he replied $5.....I  grabbed 15 and offered him $4 each....and home I went with those 15 Mags. Soaked them in a Gal of WD40,disassembled...then packed them away till could get to them.

Divorce,  Moved, new Home, recently just found in a Box in my Garage...about 20+ years after put them for the move.

So ordered Brownells Aluma-Hyde Dark Parkerizing to paint after sanding them. I want to test the color for an Retro AR15 project, late war Vietnam. Had success with Regular Grey Parkerizing on two Reto AR15 that I built.  If anyone needs to touch up a Parkerized Firearm, the Regular Grey almost has a greenish grey tint like some of the Gov't Parkerizing( see photo) Dark Parkerizing will eventually go on a GM Retro Semi project. Aluma-Hyde, was painted at night in my Attic and left to bake for about 2 weeks during the Summer. Will be doing the same with these newly found 30rd Stick Mags.

"Just one last thing" Years ago(2000) a trip to Numrich, I picked up Double Date 20rd Mags, hand selected by me from a box.....$20 each....boy prices have changed.

 

Edited July 8, 2024 by jojeep

[Doug Quaid]

I had a bunch of really rusty mags that had been left in an abandoned house under a broken window.  Had rust freckles all over them.

I found that lightly buzzing them with a wire wheel would eat the rust off and leave the bluing only slightly burnished away.  It worked amazingly well.

The wires get in the crevices nicely.  Just don't press too hard.

You might want to give that a try before sanding those rusty mags.  

I used the kind of wire wheel that goes on a bench grinder.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW4904-Crimped-Wheel-Brush/dp/B00004YMDI/ref=asc_df_B00004YMDI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7914901310980814646&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007261&hvtargid=pla-2281435178538&mcid=e5b80884ede23058abc0e2589b5a92f0&hvocijid=7914901310980814646-B00004YMDI-&hvexpln=73&gad_source=1&th=1

 

Edited July 9, 2024 by Doug Quaid

[ppgcowboy]

What are mags going for now?

[2ndArmored]

10 days ago I was at the Ft. Worth gun show.  There were darn few 30-round mags for the Thompson.  (Acres of 'em for the M16.)  All had some rust with little to no pitting.  All were functional.  Price was $40 or $50 per mag, depending on the vendor.

[Tiz]

WD40 makes a rust removing soak. I have no experience as to how well it works but I have always kept it in mind in the event i needed to derust, is that even a word, something. 

[tommyboy]

The WD40 Rust Remover Soak works good but note that it will also remove all of the bluing.

[Tiz]

Oh, I didn't know that it would remove the bluing as well. Thanks for the heads up.

[Rekraps]

15 hours ago, Doug Quaid said:

I had a bunch of really rusty mags that had been left in an abandoned house under a broken window.  Had rust freckles all over them.

I found that lightly buzzing them with a wire wheel would eat the rust off and leave the bluing only slightly burnished away.  It worked amazingly well.

The wires get in the crevices nicely.  Just don't press to hard.

You might want to give that a try before sanding those rusty mags.  

I used the kind of wire wheel that goes on a bench grinder.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW4904-Crimped-Wheel-Brush/dp/B00004YMDI/ref=asc_df_B00004YMDI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7914901310980814646&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007261&hvtargid=pla-2281435178538&mcid=e5b80884ede23058abc0e2589b5a92f0&hvocijid=7914901310980814646-B00004YMDI-&hvexpln=73&gad_source=1&th=1

 

Exactly how i just repaired four of my Suomi (modified for S&W M76) magazines last night. Wire wheel got all the rust, and then I just used Brownells Blue in a bottle and that's good enough for me!

[Doug Quaid]

18 hours ago, ppgcowboy said:

What are mags going for now?

I got about 10 of these about a year ago.  I think I paid $35 then.

They were fine.  Not wonderful, but OK.  Typical use and wear marks on the bluing.

I did a lot of searching, that's the best deal I could find for "shooter" grade mags.  

https://www.northridgeinc.com/product-p/thom-3sey.htm

Edited July 10, 2024 by Doug Quaid

[jirahice]

The WWII era 20 and 30 rounders seem to go for 25-40 each on Gunbroker. I sold a lot of three good condition ones a few months back and got 80 plus shipping - they were mostly Crosby. The 20 round magazines stamped with the small-print Auto Ordnance info seem to go for more if in nice shape - I saw a few lots of three from the same seller go for 150-180. 

A few years ago Bowman had a magazine sale with NOS 20 round magazines, 10 for $100. 

[ZK383]

I'm looking for some VERY worn USGI 20rd and 30rd magazines if anyone has a few available, essentially with little to no finish remaining. Please reach out if you have 1-5 available, I'd love to pair some with my 1942 Savage 1928A1.

[Chip]

I've used this with and a dab of CRP or Clenzoil with great success to remove rust on blued firearms.  Have not tried it on Parkerized surfaces.  Big45metalcleaner.com

 

[Rabbit57]

Chip, I have used Big 45 FRONTIER metal cleaner to get the lead out of my barrels after a cast bullet session with any of my firearms. It works, and has caused no harm. 

Mark

[Doug Quaid]

On 7/20/2024 at 4:11 PM, Rabbit57 said:

Chip, I have used Big 45 FRONTIER metal cleaner to get the lead out of my barrels after a cast bullet session with any of my firearms. It works, and has caused no harm. 

Mark

 

A lot of people wrap strands of "chore boy" around a brush for that purpose, and it works extremely well.

Since it's made of copper, there is no risk of damage at all.

https://www.amazon.com/Chore-Boy-Copper-Scouring-Count/dp/B0779D9BSG/ref=asc_df_B0779D9BSG/?gad_source=1&hvadid=692875362841&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvexpln=73&hvlocint&hvlocphy=9007261&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=11810736238823956545-B0779D9BSG-&hvpone&hvpos&hvptwo&hvqmt&hvrand=11810736238823956545&hvtargid=pla-2281435179778&linkCode=df0&mcid=f28432c9944734b792c1149354ac70b9&psc=1&tag=hyprod-20

[Tiz]

I think I posted this before but for those who missed it. A most easy and effective way to remove lead from a barrel is as follows:

Lead Removal

Liquid Solution
For really stubborn lead removal try a 50/50 mix of  3% Hydrogen Peroxide (the common drug store variety) and white vinegar.  Plug the bore, fill it up using a dropper or syringe and let it stand for 2 to 3 minutes.  (Do not let it stand for too long.) You may get some foaming so protect the barrel's external finish as this solution is not kind to bluing. Drain and wipe out the black muck that used to be lead and then immediately clean well with bore cleaner.

One special note.   The solution works by changing the lead to lead acetate, which is water soluble, so wear protective eye wear and latex gloves to prevent lead poisoning.

[Rabbit57]

Doug Quaid, Tiz, I think I will give both of those methods a try. Thanks

Mark

[jojeep]

6 magazines were cleaned up. Prepped with Brownells TCE Cleaner Degreaser are got a light first coat of Brownells Aluma-Hyde Dark Parkerizing.

Will let dry several days in my hot Attic. Will post a few photos when all done

[jojeep]

An update on those rusty old Magazines. First batch done and ready for reassembling. Second batch I want to dry in hot Attic few more days. Color is Dark Parkerizing Aluma-Hyde by Brownells.