How to prep before shooting older gun?

[SnubbyMan]

How do you guys prep your older guns before you shoot them for the first time? I'm talking about when you buy a LNIB revolver that has probably been sitting somewhere for years (or decades). I just bought a LNIB M19 (dates around 1975), but don't know if I should just do a regular cleaning, or actually attempt to open it up and make sure the internals are clean and lubed. I've never opened up the sideplate on a S&W so am a little hesistant...even though I know everyone tells me it's easy to do. I'm just paranoid I'll mess something up, like the scratch near the slide stop on my first 1911.

I've bought other older guns (from the 50s) that have worked fine with just a regular cleaning. But was thinking maybe I should be doing more before going shooting. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Start with the obvious -- inspect the gun (see the sticky at the head of this forum.) If it needs external cleaning, or if it feels "gummy" or gritty when you cycle it, the sideplate needs to come off.

I like to use a spray cleaner once the sideplate is off (brake cleaner works fine) followed by draining and drying, then lubing.

 

[Old Fuff]

Unless you know how, don't try to remove the sideplate. If you want to service your own revolver instead of going to a gunsmith you need to learn the right way first.

Purchase a copy of Jerry Kuhnhausen's "The S&W Revolver - A Shop Manual." (Avilable from Amazon.com, Brownells, and www.gunbooks.com).

This book is well illustrated and explains step-by-step what to do. You will also nee a set of correct screwdrivers (also available from Brownells).

If you just have-at-it there is a good chance you could seriously damage the revolver, and that's not worth it.

Your other option is to take the gun to a 'smith for cleaning and inspection.

 

[sm]

I admit I am really lacking in the Gun Book Dept. I have a long want list of various books tho' ...

Well, On my latest personal Revolver - a '28 Det Spl the person whom found it for me did the clean up. I just double checked it - loaded it and fired that sucker.

I recently cleaned up a Model 10 snubby, that had been keeping socks company in drawer- in the attic...

Removed stocks, removed cylinder, leaving the sideplate intact. Tossed in a pan of Mineral Spirits to soak. Later just toothbrushed, sloshed, air hosed dry, assembled and re-lubed. The bore didn't need anything...it had been treated with RIG before being put up some 10 yrs ( or so they guess). Basically all I did was remove the RIG on this one, and re- lube.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Personally, I always strip a new old revolver to the frame, soak everything in mineral spirits a day or two, clean it all within the proverbial "inch of its life," oil, and reassemble the gun.

Unless you're completely comfortable doing all that and have the appropriate Kuhnhausen book(s) and quantity of patience, I'd recommend a thorough cleaning.