Ruger 10/22 Rebuild

[illini52]

I bought a Ruger 10/22 that was rough on the outside (someone had spray painted the barrel and stock). I figured it would make a nice project. Come to find out that the thing has most likely been left out in the rain or something because the trigger housing was full of gunk and there was light rust where the barrel attaches to the rest of the gun. I'm going to have to strip the whole thing down and clean everything individually. What are some tips for getting this rifle back to clean again? I've already purchased a new barrel and stock ($20 for both, what a deal).

Just a minor basic clean already did wonders for the rifle but I want to totally rebuild from the ground up.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

Check out perfect union for lots of tips & tricks on the 10/22:

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=100

Also rimfire central:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/

Brownell's will carry any parts you need to fix whatever it is that you feel needs to be done.

I am not sure what it is you mean by "rebuild". I would just clean the rifle as good as I could, and, if safe to shoot, just go out and shoot it.

You can leave the rifle in it's stock configuration or put all sorts of bling-bling on it.

The 10/22 has one of the most incredible aftermarket parts supply of nearly any firearm ever produced, with the probable exception of the 1911 and Remington 870.

Read the forums and see what is is you would like to do, and order Brownell's catalog and thumb through it - they have whole pages of stuff for the 10/22.

 

[illini52]

Thanks for the links. I am just going to make the rifle "stock" for now. What I mean by rebuild it take each part off and clean them. I guess that's what we call cleaning anyways. For something like this, I am thinking I need to soak all the parts in cleaner. I've heard brake cleaner works good. Is this correct? As for as the spray paint on the receiver and trigger group, what would be good to get that off?

Thanks

 

[nicholst55]

Spray-on brake cleaner will take a lot of spray paint off; otherwise try paint thinner. If that doesn't work, use paint stripper.

Personally, I'd soak the parts in ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid); it's a great, inexpensive parts cleaner.

 

[RexDart]

I've been working on an Ishapore 2A, known for the crappy black paint put on them before storage. I've been soaking the small parts (the rear sight in particular was gummy with paint) in undiluted Simple Green. Left them in for a week, and the paint just sloughed right off; took a toothbrush to get the small crevices clean. Dandy stuff.

 

[illini52]

I guess I'll give some updates on this project. I've got the trigger housing group apart and just about cleaned. This rifle has for sure been left out in the mud or in the woods. Used a combination of simple green and brake cleaner along with a toothbrush, Q-tips, and one of those small dental scrapers to get all the nooks clean. I'm going to put that all back together tonight or tomorrow.

Now, the part I didn't think was going to be a problem but is. The whole receiver has been spray painted and I wanted to get that off. I used brake cleaner and a brass brush (not the best method, but this receiver already has a few places where there is pitting). This has taken some of the paint off. It actually looks like a WWII battle worn Garand. I haven't figured out how to get the bolt apart yet, but that's next.

This rifle definitely won't be a competition gun, but I hope to get it all back together as a nice plinker.