Galvanic corrosion in firearms, is it a concern?

[Bullets n BBQ]

I recently ordered a pair of Lok's GridLOK solid brass grips for my stainless CZ75.

I remembered reading about galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals. Apparently it can be an issue between stainless steel and brass, but most of the sources I can find are plumbing related.

The grips especially may be subject to sweat or moisture during carrying or handling, and I worry about corrosion in the single threaded hole they mount to in the frame.

Is this a realistic concern? I've seen lever action rifles and single action revolvers that seem to be a mix of brass and steel, and they seem to hold up alright.

[Earl Keese]

Sweat is a pretty effective electrolyte, but if you keep it cleaned and oiled I think you'll be fine. Quite a few people run aluminum grips on SS guns w/o issue. I'd be most concerned about the mating area between the grip panels and frame.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

I've seen it first hand in the automotive field for decades. They mix aluminum and steel and they will corrode together in a bad way especially in the northeast. The addition of anti-seize compounds has helped. The good news is you're not going to be dragging your pistol down a salty winter highway or dousing it in a rainstorm so if you simply keep it cleaned and lubed as has been said you'll never have an issue.
They have been making guns with dissimilar metals forever.

[M1A4ME]

Would waxing the grips help?  Car wax?  Two or three coats, put it on, let it dry, buff it off, second coat the same way, then a third coat?

[Bullets n BBQ]

Good points,

Most info I can find on galvanic corrosion is geared toward the automotive, marine, or plumbing industries - all involve lots of exposure to the elements.

I like the wax idea. The grease I normally use on the slide rails might make a good dielectric barrier if I smear a thin layer on the mating surfaces of the grips before installation. Or maybe I could even spray the grips with some loctite 3900 - it's a transparent, acrylic based conformal coating. Though this may all be overkill. It's sounding like dissimilar metals in guns aren't a big concern. I'm probably being overprotective since I found the stainless models are discontinued.

[M1A4ME]

I've seen it first hand in the automotive field for decades. They mix aluminum and steel and they will corrode together in a bad way especially in the northeast. The addition of anti-seize compounds has helped. The good news is you're not going to be dragging your pistol down a salty winter highway or dousing it in a rainstorm so if you simply keep it cleaned and lubed as has been said you'll never have an issue.
They have been making guns with dissimilar metals forever.

There was one time I had a flat tire and absolutely could NOT sweet talk, beg, cuss or beat the rim off of the car.  I ended up having to unscrew all the lug nuts really loose and drive around in a circle in a church parking lot to finally get the aluminum rim to pop loose so I could change it.

BTDT - just once though. 

[Gunnerdad80]

This is something I’ve experienced as a mechanic but never even considered it as a potential issue with firearms.

[skyydiver]

Interestingly it seems to be of much concern with steel barrel nuts in aluminum threads in the AR platform, but this is the first mention of it I’ve ever seen or considered regarding steel slide/aluminum frame/brass grips on a handgun. Maybe the smaller the mating surface the more concern? Interesting.


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[jwc007]

With Firearms, it's not been a problem, so far.  I have several Handguns that have Aluminum Frames and Steel Slides.  I will admit to keeping my Slide Rails well greased/oiled, however.

[M1A4ME]

When I fooled with cars more I used form a gasket - the blue formula, for bolts/studs around aluminum manifolds.

One of the first things I did when I got a new (to me) Chevy was to change the intake to a good aluminum model and rebuild the Quadrajet (to make sure it was good to go).

I used form a gasket on the intake manifold gaskets and on the threads of the bolts that hold the manifold on the heads.

Then I bought and installed studs for the thermostat housing, the carb. and the distributor hold down.  The studs had form a gasket smeared on the threads before they were screwed in.  Never an issue, after that, changing thermostats or adjusting the timing.

The form a gasket doesn't just stop leaks it puts a pretty good "seal" between the metal surfaces.

[Earl Keese]

With Firearms, it's not been a problem, so far.  I have several Handguns that have Aluminum Frames and Steel Slides. I will admit to keeping my Slide Rails well greased/oiled, however.

I think this is the key. The oil displaces moisture. An electrolyte is required for corrosion to form.

[eastman]

The biggest firearm issue with galvanic corrosion is dirty rimfire barrels. Lead deposits (the dissimilar metal) and powder fouling residue + atmospheric humidity (source of electrolyte) can lead to pitting.

[Rmach]

Three things are necessary for corrosion to occur: an electrolyte, an exposed metal surface, and an electron acceptor.
Corrosion can be prevented by removing one of these conditions.

[Bullets n BBQ]

Those grips came in today, in case anyone was wondering what they look like.
 

I was worried they would make the trigger reach worse, because they're the thick palmswell type, but they're thin at the top, se it's not a problem at all. They're very comfortable.

If I keep these on longterm it sounds like greasing the mating surfaces will be the way to go. M1A4ME, does that form-a gasket have an adhesive characteristic when it dries?

[M1A4ME]

Only a little.  Some times parts will peel off, sometimes a brass putty knife will help scrap small areas off.  I have no idea why it peels off some areas and sticks to others.

I've never used it on a fire arm, just on car parts.  Makes getting gaskets off much easier in a few years when you replace the thermostat.

If I'd have used it on my Combat Commander's grip screws in the early 80's I probably would not have unscrewed the grip bushing with the grip screw that day I was giving it a thorough cleaning/lubing.  The sweat from my arm where it rubbed the right side in the high rise duty holster got in under the grips in a very short time that first summer.  After that I kept a regular routine of removing the grips and wiping the frame down with an oily cloth before reinstalling the grips/screws.