Rust in a NEW gun!!!

[Shim]

Picked up a Brand NEW Ruger mini 14 tactical yesterday and was going to shoot it today but I noticed rust in the action all along the bolt. The top of the action where the magazine engages has a little also. Is this normal for a new gun? Haven't experienced this before and I'm going to attempt to clean it tomorrow. It looks like the gun has been stored for a while, not at my gun dealer but at the distributor. I just didn't expect rust on a gun I paid good money for. I did glance at it at the dealer but didn't notice it until I was wiping it down today. What would you do, clean it or take it back? What can you advice? Thanks.

[skipper]

I have seen light surface rust on a brand new Winchester Model 70 Safari before. A thorough cleaning took care of it. I always clean a new gun, cycle the action, etc before shooting it.

[Rick in Oregon]

Hummm, I'm pretty picky about my 'stuff', so if its just a small amount of very light surface rust, I'd clean it thoroughly as Skipper suggested and see if the rust has been removed. It probably will be. It's most likely from condensation in the warehouse where it sat for some time.

A good scrubbing should set things right if no pitting is seen. I'd feel the same way with a brand new gun and want it right.

A dealer will not want to replace your rifle, as the paperwork is already done. He may offer you a cash back arrangement if you show it to him prior to doing any work to it yourself. But once you dink with it, you're done.