New Lyman Great Plains...cuppla questions

[BConklin]

I just picked up a new, old stock Lyman Great Plains rifle. It's new in box and still has the sticky stuff on it from the manufacturer. It's been in its plastic wrap in the box since 1992.

The owner's manual suggests cleaning the barrel thoroughly with a solvent before using it. They recommend a solvent - maybe WD 40. Would naptha be better?

Also, the manual says the stock is "scaled with oil" but will benefit from several applications of a finish like True Oil. As it is, the stock is very sticky, should I clean the stock with something before applying an oil finish? Again, my plan was to dip some 0000 steel wool in a bit of naptha and lightly rub the old sticky oil off the stock.

The wood of the stock is wildly figured from one end to the other - it's really a beautiful piece of wood - but it seems to me that the stain might be too dark to really bring out the grain on this stock.
Any recommendations?

 

[BullRunBear]

To clean the shipping grease on my GPR I just used rags and Hoppe's. Once it was "de-stickied" and completely wiped down I used a VERY light coat of gun oil on the metal parts. I wouldn't use any abrasive for cleaning, not even one as light as 0000 steel wool. I've done the same with military surplus rifles that were drowned in cosmoline. Takes a while and a lot of rags but got the job done and didn't hurt the finish or blueing.

Make sure any oil, etc. is removed from the bore and touch hole or nipple before firing it. Don't ask why I mention this.

There are others on the forum who know more about refinishing the stock. Wish the wood on my GPR was pretty enough to consider refinishing.

Jeff

 

[Pete D.]

cleaning

Try Ballistol.....it doesn't smell very nice but it will do what you need on both the bore and the wood without harming the finish. You can use it for general maintenance and cleaning as well as making up a batch of Moose Milk. Good stuff to keep around.

Pete

 

[mykeal]

I recommend brake cleaner (not brake fluid) for the metal parts, especially the bore.

Don't use the steel wool - let the solvent do it's job. Lots of rags. Follow it with Ballistol or Barricade by Birchwood Casey.

Wood can be cleaned with naptha, although I'd use isopropyl alcohol. I have one factory GPR and the factory oil finish was pretty light, so adding your own is probably a good idea. Several hand rubbed coats of tung oil are best for bringing out the grain. It takes a lot of work and a long time.

 

[BConklin]

Thanks for the tips guys.

The wood on this stock is spectacular...looks like a custom rifle. I'll see what a cleaning with solvent and a rag does for it, then I'll proceed slowly and carefully.

 

[Trad Archer]

I have the same gun. It is an awesome smokepole. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.