Best way to preserve two old rifles?

[Beethoven]

Hi all.

I have two ooooold bolt-action rifles, a 514 and 341P, both in .22 Long or Short.

341P has a tubular mag, 514 is single-shot.

What is the best way to preserve these rifles?

I have recently gotten brave enough to undo the single screw holding the gun together, removed the action from the stock, cleaned as much gunk as I could, lightly oiled with a high-quality CLP (Eezox) and reassembled.

What else should I do?

I do not plan on shooting these a lot, if at all.....I haven't decided yet. They were my grandfather's rifles and I of course do not want to damage them at all.

How to best preserve the stock? Metal?

Thanks

 

[jsalcedo]

sounds like you did good.

Just keep em cool and dry.

A silicone treated cloth and some oil once in a while won't hurt

 

[4v50 Gary]

After you've cleaned them...

apply Rennaisance Wax. It's developed by the British Museum and is good for wood, metal and leather. PH neutral, the microcrystalline wax will repel moisture and protect your guns from wear. Wear cotton gloves and apply a light coat. You can buy Rennaisance Wax from your local Woodcraft Store. I picked up a jar for the American Legion recently.

 

[Sunray]

If you decide not to shoot them, run a greased patch through the bore and lightly oil the outside of the metal. Wood is wood. A light coating of regular paste wax will do, so will varnish. No storing in a case. Mind you, the factory finish served Grandpa well, so putting anything on may not be required. Depends on the current condition.
If you decide to shoot them, anything in the barrel must be removed first.
jsalcedo's cool, dry, secure place is good advice too. Humidity is the enemy of stored firearms. If you store them in a safe, the best place for the safe is inside. No garages or damp basements unless you put in a 25 watt light bulb that is left on all the time. The light bulb will keep the safe warm enough to prevent humidity. Won't drive your electric bill up either.
"...do not want to damage them at all..." You really have to work at damaging a firearm. The worst you can do is bugger up the screws by not using the proper screwdriver. As long as the blade is the right size for the slot or whatever, you'll have no problems.

 

[Johnny_Yuma]

I'll bet that

I do not plan on shooting these a lot, if at all.....I haven't decided yet. They were my grandfather's rifles and I of course do not want to damage them at all.

I'll bet that your grandfather would want you to shoot them! Grandpas are like that .

If the rifles haven't been fired in awhile and have a lot of gunk in them, take them to a gunsmith for a good going-over. You may have some pitting that needs to be addressed before it gets out of hand.

 

[Beethoven]

I'll bet that your grandfather would want you to shoot them! Grandpas are like that .

If the rifles haven't been fired in awhile and have a lot of gunk in them, take them to a gunsmith for a good going-over. You may have some pitting that needs to be addressed before it gets out of hand.

Can you explain what exactly "pitting" would look like?

They seem to be in good shape with no gouges, marks, rust, pits on the metal, and the bores were clean and shiny the last I looked several years ago.

I should run an oiled patch or something down the bore, but don't have a .22 cal rod.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I should run an oiled patch or something down the bore, but don't have a .22 cal rod.

Tie a small oiled patch to a string with a small split shot or other wgt on the other end that will drag the string down the bore and then pull the patch after it. This will get you by until you get a proper cleaning rod.

 

[Johnny_Yuma]

Pitting

Can you explain what exactly "pitting" would look like?

They seem to be in good shape with no gouges, marks, rust, pits on the metal, and the bores were clean and shiny the last I looked several years ago.

I should run an oiled patch or something down the bore, but don't have a .22 cal rod.

Pits in the metal are "pitting." It sounds like you've already looked for it.

With older weapons I always like to take a look at the metal under the stocks. People often forget about that and let things go in those places.

 

[Guntalk]

Discount on Cleaning supplies

Just a little secret.

If you go to www.brownells.com and put "Gun Talk" in the search box, you'll be presented with some discounts on gun cleaning supplies.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Beethoven]

Just a little secret.

If you go to www.brownells.com and put "Gun Talk" in the search box, you'll be presented with some discounts on gun cleaning supplies.

Merry Christmas!

Thank you sir!

I've caught your show on the radio a few times and enjoyed it greatly!

Keep up the good work!