mosin nagant bore...how clean is clean (aka: lands clean & grooves dark)

[kmrcstintn]

I just got an M38 from a friend who did a custom camo fleckstone paint job (M44 stock so no loss to collectability); he bought it as a used surplus rifle; he has shot several boxes of surplus fmj and 'cleaned' the bore between each session;

suspecting that the surplus was corrosive, I have been trying to get the bore clean (2-3 sessions over the last 2 days) using a combination of aerosol solvent, Hoppes 9, J-B paste, and gun oil; I found out that a .30 cal bronze brush won't engage the grooves, so I have been wrapping patches around the brush and passing them several times until they are no good anymore;

the lands are clean and shiny, but the grooves are still dark and each time I use the J-B I get patch after patch of black fouling...over and over; between using the J-B I use solvent to remove the excess and oil to neutralize the solvents...

for a Mosin Nagant bore...how clean is clean...do I need to see bare metal in the grooves or just quit while I'm ahead??? if I need to press on, what size brush and combination of cleaners work best for getting the crud out;

after this, I will not use large amounts of surplus ammo; I just want to shoot it occasionally with modern production stuff and concentrate on a good soft point for camp defense and as a back up hunting long gun...

 

[_N4Z_]

I had a project rifle from a relative a few months back. It was a Type 53 (Chinese version of the M44 which is an M38 +bayonet) Vietnam bring back that has been passed down thru the family. The relative that gave it to me to look at was not sure if it was safe to shoot. The bore looked like a sewer pipe and had probobly not been cleaned in 40+ years. There was muck, turds, and rust in this barrel, but the rifling could still be seen.

Tore it down and cleaned everything else. The barrel though I capped off the business end, and filled the bore up to the chamber with apple cider vinegar. Left it soaking for 2 full days and then dumped it out. Nasty stuff came out. From there I hit it with the usual solvents and brushes.

It was pitted but servicable, and at the first opportunity I took it out and put 40 rounds of Czech surplus thru it.

Flushed the barrel with Windex when finished, brought it home and cleaned as usual. Actually brought some shine back to it by running rounds thru it. Gave it back to my brother inlaw and told him to enjoy.

So it can be done. You can try my trick, it might help. Just be sure to oil the bore down well when you dump the vinegar out and finish cleaning it.

 

[CajunBass]

Thanks N4Z. I'm going to try that. I just got two T-53's and the bores on them are rather funky. I don't know if I'll ever shoot them or not, but I'd like to get them clean.

 

[_N4Z_]

just be sure your careful and keep that vinegar inside the barrel.

i think it can play havoc on exterior finishes of both metal and wood.

and oil well afterwards.


somebody either here on thr or on surplusrifle forum told me about the vinegar thing. worked great for me. good luck with it.

 

[rangerruck]

stand it up on end, plug the muzzle with wax or cloth, then spray one of the foaming guncleaners in there, and let sit for 15 mins. swab out , then repeat, twice. if this doesn't do it, then that is as clean as it will get.

 

[Cosmoline]

I use 8mm brushes on all my Mosins. They will give you better contact. Once you've neutralized any corrosive salts in the bore, there's nothing wrong with just getting the worst of the crud out. Otherwise you'll spend hours cleaning the thing.

for a Mosin Nagant bore...how clean is clean...

Remember, there are bores and there are bores. There's nothing special about Mosins. The older and more worn the bore, the more cleanup will be required. My Tikka M91 has a mint bore and takes no time at all to clean, even after shooting nasty ammo. But most M38's, like yours, will have much more wear and tear on the bore.