When to see the gunsmith?

[2ndretread]

Just bought my first handgun, Ruger standard cir. 1969 (by serial #). I test fired it (approx. 70 rounds) and it appears to be functioning well. Rounds feed well, ejects ok, seems to shoot low but allowing for my lack of recent experience consistent groups.

I broke down the gun and cleaned it (as per manual), looking the pieces over. The bore looks fine, the gun in general seems fine. No rust or pitting at all. The bluing is almost completely intact, just a minor spot of rub wear on one side of muzzle. The main thing is there is a bit of crud is the hard to reach corners and cracks. After 42 years I would really expected more wear, but that is why I bought it.

Money is tight but what should it cost for a "good" gunsmith to do a full break down and clean and give an opinion as to condition?

 

[788Ham]

Get a can of brake kleener and lightly spray the "crud" areas, then wipe off, done. Put a light amount of oil on spots cleaned, leave gunsmith out of this.

 

[MMCSRET]

The Standard Model is very basic in design. If you download and print out the owners manual and follow it you will not need a 'smith. The only time I ever took a SM it a 'smith was to stake the standing ejector back in place after it became loose. Great little gun. I still have mine and it is about the same age as yours.

 

[rcmodel]

I just spent two hours cleaning the crud out of the hard to reach corners and cracks on a 98 Mauser.
My friend had just paid a gunsmith $50 bucks to clean & inspect it before bringing it over for me to finish the job.

On a Ruger standard pistol, there is nothing at all difficult inside one you can't clean yourself just as well or better then paying a gunsmith to do it.

Buy a $2.98 can of auto brake cleaner at the auto parts store, field strip the gun, and take the whole mess out in the driveway and hose it out. Then use a 100PSI air compresser on it if you have one available.

Then, Q-Tips, pointy bamboo skewer sticks, and dental picks can all be used to good effect by anyone to pick out the final stubborn crud the brake cleaner missed.

rc

 

[Liberty1776]

These members have given you excellent advice. The Ruger standard is virtually bullet-proof. (pun intended ) If I don't have little bamboo skewers available for the nooks and crannies, I just use a toothpick. These guns will run virtually forever. My buddy and I both have models that are over 40 yrs old and they work perfectly and always have.

 

[MMCSRET]

But!!!! get a copy of the owner/operators manual!!!!!!!!

 

[Drail]

Another good tool for cleaning the nooks and crannies is a short piece of copper wire with a point ground on it or a chisel shape by cutting it at an angle. Won't hurt the bluing and will pop stubborn crud out. You can also use it in the chamber to pop out lead fouling without scratching the bore. I have used these on Mk IIs for years (especially where the front of the receiver meets the chamber - lots of crud in those corners)

 

[2ndretread]

Thanks for the great advise.

I have downloaded the manual.

Several toothpicks and q-tips have done wonders using Hoppe's # 9 solvent.

You guys gave me the push to do it myself.

I think I am going to have an affair with this beauty!!

I am finding after about ten or twelve mags the action seems to stiffen up a bit but after a cleaning it loosens up again.

Wonderful feed back!!! Thanks again.