Brand New Walther PPS .40 (possible rust?)

[gtmtnbiker98]

Just bought a new toy, a Walther PPS chambered in .40 S&W. During my initial cleaning, I noticed some orange colored discoloration in the joints adjacent to the locking block and areas just forward of the locking block. I swear that this looks like rust, but doesn't quite look like rust. Any ideas of what this could be?

I've looked over at Walther Forums and noticed a brief discussion; however, nobody seemed to have a definitive answer. Has any other owners of the PPS .40 noticed this discoloration?

TIA

[CharlestonG26]

Sounds like this could be the factory lubricant. Since it's always wise to give a new firearm a thorough cleaning and lubrication before shooting, see it this gets rid of the offending "rust".

[gtmtnbiker98]

I tried cleaning it off and it still persists. It isn't a cream like the copper anti-seize found on Glocks, it is hard and appears to be as hard as the metal that it's on. Just seeking owner feedback. I've already fired an e-mail to Walther America (i.e. S&W).

[CharlestonG26]

Will be interesting to hear what Walther has to say.

[lee2]

is your gun blued by any chance? it may well be rust.
when it was dipped,they may not have all the corrosive salts out of the joints when it was rinsed.
my .02.

[MacG22]

Could be lube for sure. Without pictures, though, I'm afraid you won't be able to get an accurate opinion.

If it helps, I have a PPS and the finish is great. I've carried it all summer with no rust at all, not even on "sweaty" days. That's what makes me think it's not rust. But if you can show a picture, we can really take a look.

[gtmtnbiker98]

Spoke with Walther America (S&W) and they stated that it is a metal treatment applied in Germany and that it should wear off over time. It isn't rust and the new PPS' has this treatment applied. Thought I would share the follow-up.

[gtmtnbiker98]

Here's the discoloration I'm talking about. This picture was taken from another poster over at Walther Forums; however, it depicts exactly what I'm seeing on my new PPS .40.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd254/gtmtnbiker98/closeupcoloredarea.jpg

[zoyter2]

And what did the other guy find out about his discoloration?

[gtmtnbiker98]

It appears to be a common occurrence on recent manufactured PPS'. I contacted Walther America (aka S&W) and they stated that it was a metal treatment applied over in Germany during manufacturing and that it would wear off over time. They informed me that it wasn't rust and nothing to be concerned about. I guess, long story short, kind of like the Glock anti-seize compound - but not on the rails.