Hi, everyone...
I'm relatively new to owning firearms. It started with an AR15 a while ago and then expanded into a .22lr (Marlin 795) a couple years ago and now a Mossberg pump shotgun (535).
This past spring and summer, I barely got to shoot at all. So, when I went to the range over Thanksgiving, I opened up the case of the 795 rifle... There are small spots of rust and minor 'pitting' in the outside of the barrel. Similarly, I left the Mossie in the trunk after the range day and came out to a light sheen of rust on _that_ barrel.
I didn't grow up with firearms, so I learned what I know about firearms care here. I knew to brush the guns down with oil, but, in the case of the Marlin, I guess I didn't do it well/consistently enough. So, there are three questions I have for the group:
1) For the Marlin, what should I do to address the rust/pitting on the barrel? I've read that the barrel needs to be rubbed down with something mildly abrasive (steel wool?) to remove the rust and then liberally oiled. I want to check, though, before I make it worse.
2) For the Mossie, if I brush off the surface rust with a really oily rag, and I g2g?
3) How often should I be treating the firearms in my collection to prevent future damage? The AR15 was so hands off that I guess I completely underestimated how much more care a non-combat firearm would need.
Thanks... everything I know I've learned from lurking here. I appreciate all your help.
I'm relatively new to owning firearms. It started with an AR15 a while ago and then expanded into a .22lr (Marlin 795) a couple years ago and now a Mossberg pump shotgun (535).
This past spring and summer, I barely got to shoot at all. So, when I went to the range over Thanksgiving, I opened up the case of the 795 rifle... There are small spots of rust and minor 'pitting' in the outside of the barrel. Similarly, I left the Mossie in the trunk after the range day and came out to a light sheen of rust on _that_ barrel.
I didn't grow up with firearms, so I learned what I know about firearms care here. I knew to brush the guns down with oil, but, in the case of the Marlin, I guess I didn't do it well/consistently enough. So, there are three questions I have for the group:
1) For the Marlin, what should I do to address the rust/pitting on the barrel? I've read that the barrel needs to be rubbed down with something mildly abrasive (steel wool?) to remove the rust and then liberally oiled. I want to check, though, before I make it worse.
2) For the Mossie, if I brush off the surface rust with a really oily rag, and I g2g?
3) How often should I be treating the firearms in my collection to prevent future damage? The AR15 was so hands off that I guess I completely underestimated how much more care a non-combat firearm would need.
Thanks... everything I know I've learned from lurking here. I appreciate all your help.