Dionysusigma
Member
just sitting around this morning passing time and thinking randomly... what would be the best way to treat an old firearm, whether you've just purchased it or it was passed on to you, etc. High value, low value, no matter...
Treatment of an old rifle
- Thread starter Dionysusigma
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Spieler
Member
For me a greased-up and packed away gun serves no purpose, as I think it should be enjoyed and available either for study or useage. Alas, I have committed this sin in the past due to storage/space problems but that will soon come to an end. For the same reason, a historical firearm shouldn't be chopped, channeled and mutilated just for the sake of doing so. Just peruse some of the gun boards and see the number of people lamenting all those once-upon a time cheap and plentiful WWII guns that were 'sporterized'. I think an old gun should be cleaned up as best as possible without destroying it's value (if any) or damaging it. Keep it in good shape and share it with others.
DMK
Member
Definately not option two! 
You didn't list the option: "Take it out to the range and enjoy shooting it for what it is." That's the one I'd vote for.
Out of the options available, I voted to clean it up. Just remember, if it's a surplus firearm, it's a tool of war. From the day it was unboxed from the factory, it was never babied. It was used hard and lived a spartan existance. It may never be a pretty "new rifle". The dings, scratches and scrapes are badges of honor.
You didn't list the option: "Take it out to the range and enjoy shooting it for what it is." That's the one I'd vote for.
Out of the options available, I voted to clean it up. Just remember, if it's a surplus firearm, it's a tool of war. From the day it was unboxed from the factory, it was never babied. It was used hard and lived a spartan existance. It may never be a pretty "new rifle". The dings, scratches and scrapes are badges of honor.
Oh, but it should matter. If you are dealing with a pristine Broomhandle Mauser, you need to coat all parts and put away.
If you are dealing with a 1944 Turk Mauser with most bluing gone then, you don't have to be nearly as articulate.
Hkmp5sd
Member
Cosmoline, grease, rust or other impurities must be removed...
#1 Under absolutely NO circumstances do you alter it from its original configuration.
#2 If come other expletive deleted individual has altered and/or sporterized the firearm, restore it to its original configuration.
#3 If I can't shoot it, I don't want it.
#1 Under absolutely NO circumstances do you alter it from its original configuration.
#2 If come other expletive deleted individual has altered and/or sporterized the firearm, restore it to its original configuration.
#3 If I can't shoot it, I don't want it.
MeekandMild
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If it was a milsurp rifle I'd be tempted to touch up the rust spots with navel jelly once I got most of the rust bunnies off it. But then I'd consider having it re-parkerized, once all the active rust is killed.
Why, they're best cleaned up and shot of course.
Shot with, not at.
Who'd shoot *at* a lovely 03A3, anyway?
Got a Winchester Garand and a Remington 03A3, and they're both younger than my Remington Targetmaster. They all get shot. There are others that won't be considered "old" for at least 10-20 more years (Marlin 336 that may've been built in the `70s, Marlin model 60 of similar vintage, Winchester 9422 that's probably pretty young (`70s also?)). You know, come to think of it, the only rifles I've got that was made in the last 20 years is a Savage in 270 and a 10/22. The 10/22's broke in, but the Savage needs a little more time.
Use em, don't abuse em.
Shot with, not at.
Who'd shoot *at* a lovely 03A3, anyway?Got a Winchester Garand and a Remington 03A3, and they're both younger than my Remington Targetmaster. They all get shot. There are others that won't be considered "old" for at least 10-20 more years (Marlin 336 that may've been built in the `70s, Marlin model 60 of similar vintage, Winchester 9422 that's probably pretty young (`70s also?)). You know, come to think of it, the only rifles I've got that was made in the last 20 years is a Savage in 270 and a 10/22. The 10/22's broke in, but the Savage needs a little more time.
Use em, don't abuse em.
It all depends on its value. An unfired Luger would definetly need to be put away in cosmoline. A well worn Turkish Mauser would be a lot of fun to shoot.
Historical guns that are mismatched or reblued can be fired without altering their value and the big suprise is how accurate many of them are even with bores damaged by corrosive ammo. Mint bores often astound their owners with their accuracy.
Under no circumstances should you ever alter a historical rifle. Each year armies of Bubba's destroy thousands of original historical rifles by altering them or shooting corrosive ammo through them and the ones that are left in original condition rise constantly
Historical guns that are mismatched or reblued can be fired without altering their value and the big suprise is how accurate many of them are even with bores damaged by corrosive ammo. Mint bores often astound their owners with their accuracy.
Under no circumstances should you ever alter a historical rifle. Each year armies of Bubba's destroy thousands of original historical rifles by altering them or shooting corrosive ammo through them and the ones that are left in original condition rise constantly
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