"plum" Ruger wheel gun

[MissouriFree]

I have heard rumors that some Ruger single actions will turn a plum color after a while. any one ever heard about this ?

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

Wow. I haven't heard that question asked in a long time! Yes, it's true but it doesn't apply only to Rugers.
It's more of a Metallurgical / Chemical problem but it poses no harm.
Blueing salts are formulated to be applied to most grades of steel with good results. Steel (an alloy of Iron and Carbon) compositions with higher amounts of Nickle may or may not take on a full 'blue'. In most cases, steel alloys with a very high Ni content will come out of the bluing tank with a plum color that can't be darkened. Steel alloys with less Ni content may, at first, take on a full blue but not be able to retain the blue during use.
There's no cause for alarm. Some manufactures will even go out of thier way to advertise the distinct coloration.

[jim]

I had that on a BM59 (Garand action) and it was the prettest plum you ever saw. I caught h--- at the range every time I took it there until I could afford to get it parkerized. :D

jim

[AARTY]

I had that on a BM59 (Garand action) and it was the prettest plum you ever saw. I caught h--- at the range every time I took it there until I could afford to get it parkerized. :D

jim
;D ;D ;D
I bet you had the purdiess gun there!!! I have seen this many times mostly on single-actions and have heard of no strength problems.

[otterbob]

We Black powder shooters intentionally make our guns a plum color by using the “browning” process instead of “Bluing” process which can be applied to any gun that can be blued.
The barrel on my Remington 22 has been “browned” .

If you like the color then have your handgun or long-gun “Browned” .

Otter Bob

[kberg]

Hmm I have not hear about this but I would say that's why I purchased a stainless vaquero ;D ;D ;D neat question!

[FotoTomas]

I had a older Beretta with a plum colored slide release from the aged blueing.