An Old Friend

[Good Ol' Boy]

My father randomly brought out an old rifle tonight that we both grew up with and that I hadn't seen in 25+yrs. Now that I'm a little older and interested in not only shooting guns but the actual guns, I found it very interesting to look at.

It's a Winchester model 69 with a Weaver 344 scope. Apparently they were both introduced around 1935, and my father insists that his father had the gun before he was born ('44).

Anyhow, it seems as if it's in operating condition. Aside from the finish on the stock I'd say it seems in very good condition for its age. Brought back quite a few memories.

He brought it out with the suggestion that I clean it. It's been ages since I've had any dealings with bolt actions so any advice on breaking it down would be welcomed. I'll check the normal resources but I'd like to hear from the experienced folks here as well.


A few pics...

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Hold trigger back, pull bolt out, clean from breech, then oil her up. A little oil on 0000 steel wool will take that surface rust off.

 

[LoonWulf]

Thats a sweet little rifle. I really like the older guns for some reason, especially .22s

 

[Dog Soldier]

Just out of college and out of money. I wanted a .22 rifle up grade from my old single shot. I some how managed to come with $50 dollars. That bought a like new Winchester 69A with a K-4 Weaver attached. Yes, that was long ago. The 69A is still with me over 50 years later.

 

[AZAndy]

If you have any lead-removal cloth, that works well for light surface rust.

 

[SwampWolf]

If you have any lead-removal cloth, that works well for light surface rust.

I'd advise against doing this. Lead removal cloths are way too aggressive to use on any blued finish (most of them have warnings on the package about not doing so). ColtPythonElite's advice is better: try using "a little oil on 0000 steel wool" first.

 

[JWF III]

I have my dad's 69. Given to him at birth, by his godfather, in 1939. It is an absolute tack driver. It'll shoot one, .22 to .25 caliber hole at 25 yards. He "upgraded" to a newer Tasso scope in his later years due to the clearer optics. But I still have the old K2 where I could get it back to how it was.

Wyman

 

[Ks5shooter]

Nice. Many people who are not familiar with guns don't realize that shooting is only a small part of being a gun owner. I spend a fair amount of time just looking at and handling my firearms. Very cool piece,I could get into cleaning that jewel up. The family history is priceless.

 

[chicharrones]

That is a mighty fine old school rifle!

 

[kBob]

GOB,

Nice rifle and great pictures. Thanks for posting them.

-kBob

 

[SwampWolf]

Many people who are not familiar with guns don't realize that shooting is only a small part of being a gun owner. I spend a fair amount of time just looking at and handling my firearms.

So true, Ks5shooter. Too many people miss just what you're saying and they miss out on a lot of pleasure.

 

[Legionnaire]

A little oil on 0000 steel wool will take that surface rust off.

This. Take your time. Good looking rifle; should clean up nicely.

 

[7mmsavage]

I want to add something like that to my collection for just the reason you stated, enjoy the rifle as much as the shooting.

I have plenty of fancy new high power high capacity guns that I love to own and shoot but there is something about those old guns.

They always make me think about the day when they were in their prime. How no doubt a previous owner thought it was as state of the art as we see our M4 or sniper type clones today, but in almost all cases they were tools, not just part of a collection or a hobby like most of mine are now.

 

[bersaguy]

That's a nice rifle. I have my grandfather's Western Field (Mossburg). Shoots 22 S-L-LR. He and his brother went in together to buy it in the late 30's. It is still the most accurate rifle I own. Only thing I had to do with mine was oil the outside, just used a cotton rag, clp and elbow grease. Most of the original blue has long since left but now it has a pleasing brown patina. I did have to take the bolt apart and clean out the varnish that had developed from years of my grandfather applying 3in1 oil or WD40 to the action. Since then it feeds and fires reliably. Have fun with yours

 

[lemaymiami]

It was probably "3 in 1" oil since that stuff does turn into varnish as it ages (and it doesn't take too many years either...). Over the years I've torn down and cleaned/repaired many, many fishing reels where the owner had used that stuff... I normally use simple mineral spirits to (label on can usually says "paint thinner) to soak it in before vigorously scrubbing it out with an old toothbrush while the parts are still in that mineral spirits bath... Many times I've restored something frozen up and not working at all - just by cleaning off that varnish that "3 in 1" leaves behind as it ages and dries out.... Afterwards any good quality gun oil is far superior to "3 in 1"... for fishing reels as well as guns.

 

[Reloadron]

Hold trigger back, pull bolt out, clean from breech, then oil her up. A little oil on 0000 steel wool will take that surface rust off.

That's about it. I would remove the action from the stock and get any minor surface rust below the wood. Those old .22 rifles are just a joy to shoot. If you get really motivated you could use any of several Birchwood Casey stock refinishing products to clean up or refinish the stock. Enjoy that old rifle!

Ron

 

[Scooter22]

Nice rifle. Get a Big 45 rust remover pad. http://www.big45.com/ . These work great without removing blueing, patina or scratching. I've used them on dozens of old guns and it's amazing how well they clean up. Many I thought would need reblueing but most didn't. I never use steel wool and oil anymore. Good luck!

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Awesome.

Family guns hold a special place for me as well, but that scope is really cool!

 

[Curator]

Bronze wool and light oil (I use automobile ATF) will take off rust and not harm the bluing underneath. If there appears to be a copper coating after using the bronze wool, simply wipe with a cloth damp with household ammonia cleaner. This is what we used in the museum business to remove and neutralize rust without damaging the original metal finish or patina. Bronze wool is available at high end cabinet makers or boat painters.

 

[entropy]

Nice looking model 69! They are great rifles. I use CLP and my fingernails to remove light rust. Absolutely will not scratch or leave marks.

 

[Dog Soldier]

My Winchester 69A lives in the safe these days. But every time I look at that old rifle I can hear a fat Fox Squirrel "Plop" as it hits the forest floor. It will go to my Grandson in Texas. It really needs to kill some Grey Squirrels.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Thanks for all of the replies guys. The 0000 steal wool and a bit of gun oil worked well. Cleaned what I could with just the bolt out really good. I did not attempt to disassemble the bolt as I wasn't confident I'd be able to get it back together after looking at it. Nevertheless it's much smoother in operation than it was and the surface rust is gone.

Only thing left to do is clean the mag. When I mentioned that to my dad he said that was the only one he has, so now I'm on a mission to hunt one or more down online for him. I have no idea how hard they are to come by.

 

[Reloadron]

WINCHESTER 52 5RD MAGAZINE 22LR from Brownell's. These are aftermarket but the ones I have gotten for my old Remington guns have worked well. Numerich gun parts corporation also offers aftermarket Pro Mag magazines for your rifle. Looking long and hard you may find an original Winchester magazine but it will likely cost a good buck.

Ron