Brand New Sig Cross - Is a rusty bore OK?

afish29

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Hello, first of all I'm not going to name the business involved yet, because I'm hoping for a positive resolution. I'd like to take possession of the rifle if the rust isn't a big deal.

I bought a Sig Cross in 6.5CM online for local pick up (the last one I meant to buy was sold while I was thinking about it.) I went to pick it up today, and when it was brought out I noticed that the tape sealing the box had been cut open before. I asked if it had been returned. The salesman said no and told me that it was probably to check that everything was there. This is only my second firearm purchase, so I don't know if that's normal. I said I'd like to inspect it. It looked fine overall, still full of packing grease, but I noticed some rust in the bore at the muzzle. Then I looked down the bore and saw that it was not shiny at all and looked extremely crusty. The salesman looked, and said it was probably dust and grease. I said I'd like to put a cleaning patch through it to see if that's true. He said they didn't have any. They sell them, but he didn't want to open a package. I did a quick Google about rusty Cross bores, and I saw someone mention the pitting. I told the guy I wouldn't take the rifle until I'd done more research on the issue, and that I'd like a refund in the meantime. He told me that I just needed to shoot and clean it a few times, and it would be fine. He said that it was because Sig test fires it but doesn't clean it after. I said show me the bores of some other rifles here then. I looked at one with a bore light, and it was shiny, a bit dusty, but looked clean and new. He didn't acknowledge that. I insisted on the refund. He said I'd need to pay 3% of $2600 to cover transaction fees. I said absolutely not. If the rifle is defective or damaged, and I don't take possession of it because of that problem, our contract is no good and I don't owe a cent. He said the manager wasn't there today, but he did go to the back with his colleagues to discuss it and came back confirming that I was on the hook for the 3%. I said I was not taking possession of the rifle, that we don't have a deal, and that I would be in touch.

Like I said at the start, I'd like to take the rifle if there's no permanent damage. But I'm concerned about the rust, and I don't trust that this business is looking out for me with their advice. I attached some pictures of the muzzle. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a useful picture of the bore.

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A brand new rifle coming out of the box looking like that… and he’s not willing to clean and see if it will do the trick, I wouldn’t deal with that store!
 
Last part the bullet touches, would affect accuracy. From the pictures if I owned that rifle I'd think of recrowning it. Brand new => pass
 
Sounds like excellent advice: fire the gun a few times to loosen the rusty crust. A real safety third/put on yer safety squints approach.

I'm no expert with guns (my first two purchases also arrived today), but I have some experience with metal and machine tools.

I would suggest taking a plastic pick or a toothpick and see if that rust comes off, or push a patch through. If it does, it's likely not rust but dusty packing grease. Not saying it is, but it might be.

I note there is no pitting on the face of the muzzle. OTOH it looks like someone did some strange wiping/rubbing on it with some radial marks, so maybe there had been some.

Tread carefully and good luck. As a beginner, I'd odi profana copia, et arceo.
 
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I wouldn’t take that home without them allowing me to push a brass brush through it and clean it properly for a real inspection, if they refuse I’d do a cc reversal and walk away. You should name the dealer so we all know who not to deal with in the future.


I believe that is a stainless barrel on that rifle. Are you sure you are looking at funky grease deposits?

Stainless will rust depending on the grade of it.
 
It certainly does not live up to expectations and does not inspire confidence. If a credit card purchase (hence 3%), you can review your credit card features and may find a purchase insurance clause that will allow you to reverse the charge or get compensation. Or you can work with the store to get a replacement rifle. They can order another one from the distributor. Or you can contact the distributor (I assume it is MD Charlton) and ask them to get involved.

I would personally try to get a replacement from the store.
 
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Stainless will rust depending on the grade of it.

Unless it was used as a tomato stake in the garden for a year there should be no rust on it.

A new in the box rifle should not see the type of exposure that would cause it to rust like that.

I still feel we are looking at oil or grease mixed with powder residue from the test firing.
 
I doubt very much that is rust. New firearms often come with all kinds of goop on them. I had a BNIB Mossberg come with something that looked like rust in the bore and elsewhere. Turned out to be some kind of machining compound. That said, something i might expect on a $500 shotgun, not a $2500 bolt gun.

Regardless of all that. I would never deal with that store again. I know gun stores are disappearing in the country thanks to the government, but maybe one more has to go for garbage customer service.
 
Looks like it Just Might be a POS ! I can’t believe they would expect you to take it Home looking like that ! HAS That store has NO Pride in what it Sells ?
Get your money back and RUN as Fast and Far as you can from that Joint ! JMO RJ

Better to loose the 3% then end up with a $2600 POS rifle.
 
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Did you pay with a credit card? If so I'd request a charge back if they try to ding you for the 3%. My cross was test fired at the factory and had some carbon at the muzzle but it wasn't rusted.
 
I would at least bring a rod and a few patches from home or borrow some from someone before taking possession of it. Sometimes what looked like rust in the bore is actually just grease or oil residue, I’ve see it on brand new rifles I’ve bought. But unless you actually run a cleaning patch through you won’t know for sure.
 
I would demand my money back from the store manager, there is NO WAY a new rifle bore should look like that !
After I got my money back I would deal with a different store.
Cat
 
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