Best way to clean an old rifle?

[Bubba1235]

Had an older .22 semi-auto rifle given to me and it's pretty rusty and the slide is "sticky". Obviously needs cleaned and oiled but wondering what's the best way to go about it. Sanding seems a little harsh...

 

[rbh]

Re: Best way to celan an old rifle?

Re: Best way to celan an old rifle?

Had an older .22 semi-auto rifle given to me and it's pretty rusty and the slide is "sticky". Obviously needs cleaned and oiled but wondering what's the best way to go about it. Sanding seems a little harsh...

If it was mine, I would dismantle it, hit it with some wd40 all around (inside the barrel as well).
Wipe down and pull a bristle bore brush through then a couple of barrel wipes (soft cloth) till clean.
Inspect for pitting inside the barrel (hold up to light and follow the rifleing marks) "Possibly" pitting would have bean done due to the caustic powder residue eating away at the steel because it was not cleaned and not rust.

Any thing metal on the outside could be lightly sanded the blued if you want.

 

[gm280]

Re: Best way to celan an old rifle?

Re: Best way to celan an old rifle?

If it was mine, I would dismantle it, hit it with some wd40 all around (inside the barrel as well).
Wipe down and pull a bristle bore brush through then a couple of barrel wipes (soft cloth) till clean.
Inspect for pitting inside the barrel (hold up to light and follow the bore marks) "Possibly" pitting would have bean done due to the caustic powder residue eating away at the steel because it was not cleaned and not rust.

Any thing metal on the outside could be lightly sanded the blued if you want.

Most any type bore cleaner on the market should do the trick. And yes the outside could be WD40'ed and some 0000 steel wool. Just make sure the bore is as nice and clean as you can get it. Make sure you then use a good oil on the outside and a very little amount of the inside after cleaning to keep further rusting from taking place. Have some safe fun shooting it...

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Best way to clean an old rifle?

Would you guys suggest re-bluing?

Is it a collectable? If so, no don't re-blue it can lower the value quite a bit, if it is just going to be a kick around plinker, then sure re-do it right for the protection.

 

[gm280]

Re: Best way to clean an old rifle?

Would you guys suggest re-bluing?

Bubba1235... Again if it is a rare collectable NO NO NO. Don't touch anything except to clean it. Don't even refinish the stock either.

However if it is just going to be a plinker type rifle for everybody to shoot and enjoy...well...maybe no also. Because the price of having a decent true bluing job will most likely exceed the total cost of the rifle. Bluing is not cheap unless you simply do a quick cold blue yourself with some Birchwood Casey cold blue available at most any store even Wally Marts... There are certainly many options available for making that old rifle look really nice. DuraCoat is one such option. It can be bought in many colors (including a coat that looks exactly like a nice blued finish) and easy applied. You simple follow the direction from the manufacturer and buy a cheap airbrush type sprayer and go to it. Way easier then painting (although it really is just that). The finish is very durable and holds up to near anything thrown at it... Check it out...

DuraCoat Firearm Finishes

I?ve used it myself with perfect results... :joyous:

 

[JB]

Re: Best way to clean an old rifle?

You ever gonna tell us the make and model, Bubba??