Every hunter knows the heartbreak of pulling a rifle or shotgun from its case mid-season only to find orange freckles already forming on the steel. Some guns hold up to moisture and abuse better than others, but there are models that seem almost destined to rust if you so much as breathe on them. Cheap finishes, poor bluing, or shortcuts in protective coatings all contribute, and hunters who carry these rifles and shotguns into wet weather learn quickly that neglect isn’t an option.
It’s not always about how careful you are. Even with routine oiling and wiping down, certain guns will show rust before you make it through a single season. That’s why these firearms have earned a reputation among hunters as high-maintenance. If you’ve hunted long enough, chances are you’ve either owned one of these or know someone who gave up on theirs. These are the guns that fight the weather about as much as the game you’re after.
Remington 710
When hunters talk about rifles that rust before the season ends, the Remington 710 often comes up. The factory finish was shallow, and the metal parts had little real resistance against moisture. Many hunters found rust forming even after a light rain if they didn’t immediately strip it down and oil every inch. For a rifle marketed to budget-conscious buyers, that lack of durability caused plenty of frustration.
The rough bolt design didn’t help either, as scratches in the finish exposed bare metal that rusted quickly. Some hunters reported corrosion in the bore after only a season or two of use, especially if they weren’t religious about cleaning. While it was cheap and accessible, the 710 left many owners disappointed when their “affordable” rifle became a rust-stained headache before they even finished their first hunting season.
Remington 770
The Remington 770 carried the same reputation as its predecessor, the 710, when it came to rust. Cost-cutting in the finish process left hunters dealing with corrosion faster than expected. Even under light use, the bluing showed wear, and wet weather accelerated the problem dramatically. Hunters often joked that the 770 seemed to rust if you took it out of the box on a humid day.
Once rust set in, it was difficult to stop. The rifle’s construction didn’t leave much room for refinishing or upgrading. That meant hunters either fought a losing battle with oil and steel wool or traded it away. For many, the 770 became a reminder that saving money upfront could lead to disappointment later. Its reputation for poor finishes and quick rusting sealed its fate in hunting circles.
Winchester Model 94 (Older Production)
The Winchester Model 94 is one of the most iconic deer rifles, but older production models with traditional bluing are notorious for rusting in the field. The design leaves a lot of exposed steel, and the finish wears quickly along sharp edges and around the lever. Once those areas are exposed, they rust fast, especially in damp climates.
Hunters who carried them in the brush or during rainy seasons often saw their rifles showing orange before the end of the hunt. While some love the “worn” look on their 94s, others found themselves constantly wiping and oiling to keep the rifle looking decent. The Model 94 remains a classic, but anyone who’s carried an older one through a wet November knows how fast rust can creep in if you’re not careful.
Marlin 336 (Older Models)
Like the Winchester 94, the older Marlin 336 rifles with traditional bluing often rusted faster than hunters liked. These rifles were workhorses in deer country, but their finishes didn’t stand up well to repeated exposure to rain or snow. The receiver and barrel were especially prone to spotting, and hunters learned to keep a rag and oil handy in camp.
Even when wiped down daily, many 336 rifles showed wear and rust along the action and barrel bands. The rifles could keep working fine despite the cosmetic issues, but hunters often complained that they looked beat up far too soon. While later versions with better finishes fared better, those older 336s became known as rifles that demanded near-constant maintenance during the season.
H&R Pardner Shotguns
The budget H&R Pardner shotguns filled a role for many hunters, but they also filled up with rust if not babied. The bluing was thin, and many hunters noticed pitting starting after only a season of duck or deer hunting. With so much steel exposed and little protective coating, these single-shots required meticulous upkeep.
Moisture around the hinge and chamber area seemed to accelerate corrosion. Once pitting set in, the guns looked older than they were. Many hunters kept them in circulation for years, but almost all of them showed rust scars early in life. For those who bought them as affordable knock-around guns, the rust factor was often shrugged off, but it didn’t change the fact they were among the quickest to corrode in wet seasons.
Savage Axis
The Savage Axis has become a popular entry-level rifle, but the earliest runs of this model were known to rust quickly. The factory finish wasn’t as durable as it should’ve been, and many hunters reported rust forming on barrels and bolts after a few days in damp conditions. For rifles marketed to hunters who often hunt in harsh weather, that was a major letdown.
Even careful cleaning didn’t fully prevent it. Hunters often noted surface rust creeping along the barrel where hands and moisture had made contact. Over time, the reputation stuck, with many recommending that Axis owners upgrade finishes or be extra vigilant with maintenance. While later models improved, the early Axis rifles earned their place in hunting lore as rifles that rusted fast.
Mossberg 500
The Mossberg 500 is one of the most common shotguns in America, but hunters with the basic blued field versions often complain about rust. In wet duck blinds or deer stands, the finish wears thin, and orange specks show up fast. Without a lot of oiling, the barrel and receiver can look rough after only a season or two.
It’s not that the Mossberg 500 is a bad gun—it’s reliable and versatile—but the cheaper blued finish simply isn’t built for constant exposure to water and mud. Hunters who wanted longevity often upgraded to camo-dipped or parkerized models. The blued field versions, however, earned a reputation for being guns that demanded constant maintenance or they’d rust before the season was over.
Remington 1100
The Remington 1100 is a beloved semi-auto shotgun, but hunters know its finish wasn’t built for rough, wet conditions. The blued steel showed rust fast if you hunted in rain or snow without cleaning it daily. Waterfowlers, in particular, saw their 1100s corroding quicker than other shotguns in the blind.
Moisture around the gas system added another issue, making it a constant battle to keep rust at bay. Many 1100s in circulation today show heavy wear and orange scars from years of use. While the shotgun earned respect for performance, its rust problems made it high-maintenance in damp hunting environments. Few would argue against its effectiveness, but most admit it required more babying than hunters preferred.
Ithaca Model 37
The Ithaca 37 has been a reliable pump gun for decades, but hunters know that its early blued models had poor rust resistance. With so much exposed steel and sharp lines, any scratch or wear in the finish quickly turned into orange spots. Duck hunters especially struggled with keeping them clean and protected.
Despite being a well-loved shotgun, it carried a reputation for looking old before its time if used heavily in wet environments. Many hunters learned to accept the patina as part of the gun’s character, but others saw it as proof the finish wasn’t up to par. The Ithaca 37 could handle the workload, but cosmetically, it often lost the battle to rust before the season ended.
Ruger American Rifle
The Ruger American is one of the most popular modern budget rifles, but hunters carrying the basic blued versions quickly noticed surface rust. The factory finish isn’t as durable as some competitors, and in wet weather, orange specks often appeared on the barrel or action. Hunters in humid climates found themselves wiping it down constantly.
While the rifle itself is accurate and dependable, its finish makes it a high-maintenance choice if you’re out in the elements. Many hunters opt for stainless versions to avoid the problem, but the blued Americans are well known for showing rust faster than you’d expect. For those trying to keep their rifle looking new, it becomes a constant chore during the season.
Savage Model 110 (Older Bluing)
The Savage 110 has been around for decades, and older models with traditional bluing are notorious for corrosion. While the rifles performed well, their finishes wore quickly, especially around the barrel and bolt handle. Once exposed, the steel took on rust fast, and hunters had to fight to keep them looking decent.
Hunters who carried them into wet weather often saw spotting by the end of the first trip. Despite being dependable rifles, many 110s ended up looking heavily worn after only a few seasons. It wasn’t that the rifles were weak—it was that their finishes simply weren’t tough enough to withstand repeated exposure. For many hunters, the rust battle became part of owning one.
Stevens 320 Shotgun
The Stevens 320 is another budget shotgun that earned a reputation for rusting quickly. Its basic finish doesn’t stand up well to rain, mud, or even high humidity. Hunters reported rust forming on the barrel and action before the end of their first season, especially if they weren’t meticulous about care.
While it functions reliably, the cosmetic wear and rust issues make it feel cheap. Many hunters buy them as inexpensive workhorses, but the tradeoff is knowing they’ll look old fast. For those who don’t mind the scars, it’s manageable, but for hunters hoping their shotgun would hold up for years without constant upkeep, the 320 was a disappointment.
CZ 712 Shotgun
The CZ 712 semi-auto shotgun gained attention as an affordable alternative to bigger names, but hunters soon discovered rust was a major issue. The finish doesn’t hold up well in wet blinds or damp woods, and orange spotting often shows up within weeks of hard use. Even with cleaning, it needs more attention than many are willing to give.
Hunters like the way it shoots, but the upkeep is constant. Without a stainless or upgraded finish option, the 712 falls behind competitors that withstand harsh hunting environments better. Many hunters end up laughing that the gun rusts before you even finish your first season, making it one of those high-maintenance shotguns few want to deal with long-term.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
