Barrel rifling rusting??

[capnkirktm]

I cleaned my 45 the other day and and looked down the barrel and noticed that it wasn't as smooth as it used to be and had lost that nice mirror shine. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the grooves were showing a rust coloring in the corners of the rifling. It actually doesn't look like rust, but more like the finish has been worn away to reveal a brass or copper surface, which I'm pretty sure isn't what the barrel is made from. Is this normal (which I seriously doubt) or to be expected? I've only had it for less than a month and have shot only about 300 rounds through it. When I first got it I shot about 150 rounds and didn't clean it for a while, but now I'm very adamant about cleaning it after each little session. So that's basically it. I'm pretty much a worried noob looking for insight and advice from you more experienced XD lovers. Any info is much appreciated.

[Kaboom]

most likely just residue from the copper bullet jackets.

[capnkirktm]

That's what I was thinking. But I always see pictures on the net of barrels that are absolutely perfect, as if the person posting the pic is saying "Look at me, I shoot 1,000 rounds through my gun and could eat off it afterward."

[Cannibul]

What you have is copper fouling from jacketed bullets. It indicates less than ideal cleaning on your part.

Get some bore cleaner made to remove copper. Get a nylon brush. Get to work.

[Lab_guy]

Originally Posted by capnkirktm

That's what I was thinking. But I always see pictures on the net of barrels that are absolutely perfect, as if the person posting the pic is saying "Look at me, I shoot 1,000 rounds through my gun and could eat off it afterward."

It all depends on how you clean your barrel and what you clean it with. Remember there are cleaners that are good at powder and lead fowling and others that are good at copper, lead, and powder. Every once in a while in order to get rid of build up I use a great cleaner that gets the copper very well. Then after I swab everything out I follow it with a different cleaner that is really good at lead and powder fowling. Normally I just use the all purpose cleaner and get it clean but every once in a while I want the "Look at me, I shoot 1,000 rounds through my gun and could eat off it afterward." look

[ichy_trigger]

Get some foaming bore cleaner , plug the end of the barrel and fill it up, let it soak overnight and then swap it out.

[capnkirktm]

Originally Posted by Cannibul

What you have is copper fouling from jacketed bullets. It indicates less than ideal cleaning on your part.

Get some bore cleaner made to remove copper. Get a nylon brush. Get to work.

Is Hoppes #9 not good at removing copper? Also, is it bad to use a back and forth motion with a nylon brush? I've read that people think its best to just push it through and unscrew the brush and do it again.

[Kontiki]

I agree .... residue from the copper jackets. You were right to vow to be more conscientious about cleaning, lubrication and protection.

[Krackels]

probably copper fouling.

Use bronze bore brush, Blue Wonder gun cleaner, and clean as normal repeating as necessary.

I just cleaned my XD after putting few hundred rounds through it, and now the bore is mirror shiny again.

[bountyhunter]

Originally Posted by capnkirktm

Is Hoppes #9 not good at removing copper? Also, is it bad to use a back and forth motion with a nylon brush? I've read that people think its best to just push it through and unscrew the brush and do it again.

1) Hoppes makes a copper attacking cleaner, the regular #9 is not for copper. Copper attacking cleaners have ammonia in thm, just sniff and you will know.

2) No, it does no harm to reverse direction with a nylon brush.

3) If there is any rust in the bore, auto chrome polish on a nylon bore brush is the best way to get rid of it.