Why are people so worried about finger prints on their guns?

Question

Why are people so worried about finger prints on their guns?

I understand that the oil on your hands is slightly acidic and it supposedly damages the bluing on your gun but how come people handle guns and their bluing (especially hand guns cuz people like to c**k them and dry fire) at gun stores and they're always ok when you buy them? Do the owners wipe all the guns or is touching the bluing really that big a deal?

Answer 1

Because fingerprints can lead to corrosion.  This is especially bad with a blued gun, less bad with nickel plated one and least bad with a stainless steel gun.  Still it is prudent to wipe a gun clean with a soft silicon cloth after handling.  

H

Answer 2

I work in a CNC shop on a brake press, bending metal. The tooling we use is primarily A2 heat treated steel, in the white, meaning no extra protectants or bluing other than the dark carbon buildup from the the heat treat oven.

Handling the tooling on a hot summer day with bare hands will leave sweaty handprints on the steel. In about 24 hours, a rust spot will show -  it's deep and permanent. All carbon steel will do that. Most firearms use non heat treated steels in the 4000 class. They will visibly rust in a few hours, hence bluing,parkerizing, coatings, and the use of stainless to get around it.

It is a big deal at a gun shop to keep from damaging a new firearm. A prospective owner wants a shiny new finish, not something marked up from corrosion or rust. Carbon steel firearms will rust if left in a motor vehicle where condensation can collect, so many gun owners quickly learn to use gun cases, and attempt to acclimate the firearm to a severe change in environment - such as leaving their rifle outside in cool weather, rather than bringing it in to a warm, humid shelter.

Many carbon steel pocket knives have the identical problem, knife shop owners do the same with their stock. They understand even stainless blades are just that, stain - less, not rust - proof.  

Answer 3

i have a rifle that had white spots on the finish of the lower receiver because of sweat not being wiped off. wipe each firearm off just before it goes back into the safe/cabinet.

Answer 4

Evidence. LOL

The salt in our skin causes corrosion.

Answer 5

It takes a lot of time for fingerprints to damage the finish.  Years of sitting around covered in hand oils.  

My issue with finger prints on my guns, is that they detract from their looks in the rack.  I can't stand them covered in smudges and finger prints. I would compare it to owning a nicely restored car, but leaving dirt on it, rather than cleaning it off.

Answer 6

Yes, it is a big deal when I have several thousands of dollars in inventory. I don't allow dry-firing and wipe off all the corrosive oils and residue off after a potential customer handles a firearm. Plus it makes the firearm look better to the next potential customer, not handling a dirty handgun with lots of other peoples fingerprints.

Answer 7

Yes the oils in your skin will damage a blue finish in time

And yes gun stores wipe down their guns every time they come out of the case

When I sell at shows I am constantly wiping my guns down

Answer 8

G'Day  mate i think you have got it wrong non of my oils are acidic but i do know yr finger prints are acidic that's y a lot of shooter don't touch there gun barrel's after they have oiled it because it can cause the barrel to  get surface  rust on it if stored 4 a long time. oh sorry mate just read over it again  ok yr right ...cheers mate

Answer 9

human sweat is salty, and people touch everything with their hands, including wiping the sweat of the forehead. also you do not know what people have touched. maybe the last guy to touch the gun just finish eating a a salty pretzel or a nice greasy pizza, all of which can cause some sort of damage to the blue or finish of a gun if left on for a long time. there could also be nothing on the gun, thus, being perfectly fine. but why risk it, over 5 seconds of a quick wipe down. better to play it safe than sorry.

Answer 10

People don't like finger prints burned into the finish. Simple as that. It makes the gun look bad. If your selling it that could be a way for the buyer to lower their price which is kinda why gun stores and people at gun shows wipe the guns that were handled down. My handgun has fingerprints and it really bugs me. You don't understand how one feels until it happens. Stainless steel can also get fingerprints on it. And now that I have just remembered a Friend handled my stainless mkii, I better wipe it down.