never shot colector rifle best way to preserve it
I have 2 Winchester 94/22 lever action boy scout commemorative rifles. One of them has never been cycled. I was wondering what you veteren gun collectors do to take care of a rifle while keeping it in the best condition possible. i have heard that you have to cycle the action to properly maintain the rifle. but i don't want to cycle a rifle that never has been.
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Rest assured, if it passed quality control checks, it has been cycled and probably fired at the factory. However, if you intend to preserve it in "NEW" condition, there are some real no-no's. Don't even get a can of WD40 near it![:D] Don't store it standing with the barrel up (this will allow oil to soak into the stock). Don't let it go more than a few months without inspecting and wiping it down. Don't leave fingerprints on it, EVER!
I know I have left a lot of things off the list. Some of the other guys will probably add to it.
Good Luck!0 -
As Grdad said ( NO WD-40 ) If you can locate one of the "silicone socks"
to put it in so much the better. Also steer clear of leaving it in a zippered gun case as it can and will retain any moisture around. Don't leave it with the hammer mainspring loaded either as it can take a set over the years in storage. Check on it once a month, and wipe it down again, and it will be fine
for years to come. Assume that it was fired at the factory and clean the bore and oil it too before storage.
Gun control is hitting what your aiming at.0 -
I don't recommend oiling once a month. I turned a "new" gun into a "used" gun by over-wiping it; eventually, they will show handling signs.
I recommend cleaning & oiling once, then put them in your gun safe with either a Goldenrod or dessicant (which should be refreshed as often as needed). If you have a big enough sealing plastic bag, you can put one in a bag with a packet of dessicant (don't let the dessicant touch the gun). Correct storage will make re-oiling necessary unnecesary.
Neal0 -
Neal is absolutly right. I use Gun Treatment G-96 at the very most once a year. The biggest enemy is moisture. Keep the humidity down to 30% or less if you can. Heat helps trmendously to keep the humidity low. Stay Safe.................................... 0 -
Neal is absolutly right. I use Gun Treatment G-96 at the very most once a year. The biggest enemy is moisture. Keep the humidity down to 30% or less if you can. Heat helps trmendously to keep the humidity low. Stay Safe.................................... 0 -
One rifle is is a padded case and the other is in a plastic type case from walmart. the paded one is in front of the other in the back corner of the safe. So Would you cylce the rifle? What about the internal parts getting rusty? we had a golden rod in the safe. i usually wipe it down 1 time every few months with FP-10 gun oil by shooters choice. 0 -
Forget about the above and use it for what it was designed for SHOOTING. [:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D] If it ain't worth shootin it ain't worth havin. 0 -
It sounds like you have a good plan.
I hope that you noted mrbruce's advice about avoiding any case with a zipper. And, be sure that neither gun directly contacts foam, as foam will eventually break down.
Neal0 -
One final comment...
Winchester test fires every single gun during the manufacture process... that is how they earn the "WP" proof stamp. I would be willing to bet that every lever-action gets cycled at least a dozen times during the manufacture process.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
do the commemoratives get shot at the factory too? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by tatercats
do the commemoratives get shot at the factory too?
Yes
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0
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