Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum, but ive been hunting and shooting guns since I was little. I am very upset about the last few days. I went to my local gunshop around 2:30pm on saturday Dec 8 and bought a brand spankin new thompson center Pro Hunter muzzelloader with the realtree stock! I brought the gun home and put it in my spare bedroom. It stayed there untill monday when I took it and shot it a few times(4). When I got home I began to clean it. When I took the gun apart and found that there was rust on the breech, the ejector,the barrel, the inside of the barrel,and also down where the trigger is located. I could not believe my eyes! I literally got sick at my stomach! This almost two day old gun should NOT be rusted! I have already called and emailed TC, no responce yet??? Has anyone had anything similar happen to them? Also has anyone dealed with warrenty work on their TC's? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sincerly Nick West.

Unless it's light surface rust that wipes off with a solvent like WD-40, I think I'd bring it back to the local shop and demand a refund. If it wipes off, I'd give it a good cleaning, rub it down with a good oil, and go shooting.

Makes me wonder if the gun was "brand new", returned after a test run by another buyer. I'd take it back and show the shop if you've been left with any sign of wear.

Don't panic. If it was minor then I would simply detail clean and lube it and enjoy.

Remember, it was test fired at the factory so there is a possibility there could have been some flash rust from that.

What powder where you shooting? (Some are more corrosive than others).

Did you detail clean andlube with a quality oilit before you took it out to go shooting?

I've seen surface flash rusting occur pretty quick on just about anything.

Doubtful it wassold, fired, returned and then resold. Possible, but doubtful. Reason being, if there was something wrong with it from another purchaser and they returned it to the dealer, the dealer should have returned it to T/C.

If you are still not pleased with the purchase, I'm quite sure that T/C will tell you to return it to the point of sale and have the dealer return yours to T/C and then issue you a new one.

Let us know what happens.

Tahquamenon

My P.H. kind of did that but really it was my fault. I got some surface rust from taking the gun hunting on a foggy morning and not wiping it down afterward. The rust was on my blue Warne bases also. The thing with stainless is that gun makers can build a gun from a "tough" grade of stainless that is very rust resistant, the trade off is that it won't shoot well. So you have to use a "softer" stainless for an accurate rifle, of course it will rust a little easier just like blue. If it was there when you bought the rifleI would return it... if it could be your fault try Flitz or Brasso to remove any rust spots that oil will not.

I'd like to see the rust you are describing. Can you post pictures for us?

This is the trird time I've heard of this happening. The Pro Hunters seem to be very sensitive to moisture in the breech area. It seems amplified after it's been shot. My buddy's acually rusted shut after he cleaned it due to some moisture in the breech plug. Now after shootng and cleaning the action is flushed with alcohol then lubricated.That seems to help alot.

First off welcome to the forum. It is good to have you here.

If this is a deep rusting process, it would be apparent that it did not form in two days. This should rifle should be taken back to the dealer and you should ask for a new rifle. Anyone would be able to understand that the rust is "old" and therefore not your fault. If the dealer will not do anything about it, contact Thompson Center and see what kind of satisfaction they can offer.

If this is just a light surface rust, some solvent and a strong cleaning will often times remove it. Then make sure you use a high quality gun oil and protect those surfaces. I personally like a brass tooth brush to use, when I scrub that area.

Good luck with your rifle. It sounds like the rifle is a lot more intricate then I initially thought them to be. The simplicity they suggest in their commercials might be a little short stressed if these are areas of concern as well.

Hi everyone and thanks for your thoughts. Im sorry it has took me so long to reply, butI have been working late.I am happy to say that Thompson Center returned my call yesterday, with good news. The women thatI talked to was very nice and told me every step to take. She asked if i had a hunting trip coming up,and I told her yes. She told me to go ahead and keep my gun for the hunting trip. After the trip was over she told me to send my gun and all documentation of what had happenedto the factory and they would send me a new gun!!!. I was so relieved.

That's a happy ending and another fine testimonial to the excellent reputation Thompson Center enjoys for standing behind their products.

I wonder what happens to a gun like that when TC takes it back?