Bolt holding the stock to the receiver in some long firearms...need to be greased??

[saturno_v]

I did some work in the stock of my Mossberg 500 shotgun (it is old, probably built in the 70's) and I noticed that the long bolt holding the stock together with the receiver has several surface rust/dark spots on its entire length, including the head.

Same condition for the similar bolt in my Remington 740 rifle (built in 1957), when I installed a syntethic stock

When I put it back together, I used some lithium grease for the part of the thread engaging the hole in the receiver.


Now I wonder if I should take the bolt out again and cover it completely with grease (the Marine grade grease for example) including the bolt head sticking out of the stock socket in order to repel humidity and water.

In the shotgun, when I put back the recoil pad, I sealed it to the stock butt with black silicon and then screwed it securely.

The humidity and rain should not have a way to get to that protected bolt...still I wonder why the bolt surface has so many superficial rust spots in both firearms....

Should I take these bolts off and cover them with grease or do you think the superficial rust will never get worse???


Thanks

Regards

 

[Uncle Mike]

Those bolts rust from time to time...they aren't exactly the easiest pieces to access.

I don't think your silicone trick is going to stop the rust.

putting grease, ANY stiff grease will cure your problem, its been used for ever and it works.

No need for expensive, military, space shuttle approved nuclear submarine grease...just what ever you have that is grease, and that has a stiff consistency.

You may also spray the bolts with a good quality sealer of some sort...plain ol' enamel will work...but the grease thing has worked for me the best. Gotta prep your parts correctly if going the sealer/ paint rout. Grease is easier.

Just try not to get a great deal of grease gobbed all over the wood of the stock.

 

[rcmodel]

I have always made it a habit to completly cover the stock bolt & washer, and rear of the receiver tang with R.I.G. grease when I have occasion to take one apart.

rc