How to clean ??
Hey Guys: I purchased (very reasonable) a Winchester model 74 .22
It was stored in a damp basement in a rag sleeve. It has considerable surface rust, does not look pitted at all though. It appears to have ruined the blueing. The action looks rust free and so does the rifling. My question is, how do best I approach cleaning this rifle? Shoud I use steel wool or emery cloth or oil on a rag or what ?? Or would a gun of this model be worth getting reblued? Thanks
Chiselerinwood
It was stored in a damp basement in a rag sleeve. It has considerable surface rust, does not look pitted at all though. It appears to have ruined the blueing. The action looks rust free and so does the rifling. My question is, how do best I approach cleaning this rifle? Shoud I use steel wool or emery cloth or oil on a rag or what ?? Or would a gun of this model be worth getting reblued? Thanks
Chiselerinwood
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I've always found that 600 fine Steelwool and Hoppes #9 would give Me a Real Nice light Patina and No Swirls...and besides...I like the Smell of Hoppes # 9....Just a Considered Opinion.....As for having it re-blued...? Thats a decission for you to make...How much You want to spend on this Gun?
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff<P><BR>0 -
What would a gun of this model be worth reblued? I have 30 bucks invested. Do you have an idea of what rebluing costs?
Chiselerinwood0 -
Hoppes no. 9 and 0000 steel wool does do a good job.I recently tried the Blue Wonder Gun Cleaner with the steel wool and i think it works even better. 0 -
If it was in exc cond it would be worth about $275 yours as discribed about $150. Model was mfg 1939-1955.
I would probably just ry and clean it up as suggested by the others here.
Blue Wonder does the job.
Note this model is either 22LR only or 22 Short only
Amphibious Squadron 7
Mission....Assault0 -
CHISELER,
Rust creates pits. Can not get around that. I do not care what the value of the arm actually would bring. You have a bargain. My suggestion-and have been an FFL for over 15 years-use Brownells "Steel
White". Removes rust and blue but does not attack the base metal-follow the instructions. Then proceed with what ever turns your crank.
There are some excellent cold blues available. May wish to looking into www.brownells.com for metal finishes. Use as a shooter and enjoy. 1010 -
You are right, there is pitting, I got a chance to wipe it off with a light oil rag. The pitting is slight but it is there. Can anything be done about that? I mean by myself?
Chiselerinwood0 -
The only way to remove pitting is with grinding and a re-bluing. Personally I'm turned off to re-blued guns and I'd pay more for your pitted gun than if it was re-blued. Accept if for what it is or sell it and roll the cost of the sell (and cost of a re-blue) and pick up gun of higher quality. Now if it has sentimental value then its a keeper. (I realize you just purchased this gun) My Winchester Model 61 is rust pitted but its a keeper because its my first firearm and I grew up with it as a boy. Oh the memories. Just my two cents.
Vipereater0 -
I'm going to a gun show this weekend, I think I will look for some blue wonder or hoppes 9 and go with one of those and leave it like that. Thanks for your advise guys.
Chiselerinwood0 -
Hi Guy, My first rifle was a 74 winchester shot 22 long rifle held 14 in the mag in the stock. I still have it and it still shoots great, a little worse for ware. My Dad said that he bought the rifle the same year I was borned in 1937, but one of the posters said that they did not start making them untill 1939 so who knows. It's a great rifle but the barrel is long and it is heavy.
And a little caushion, don't oil the action to much or the first shot will give you a eye full of oil. Good Luck0
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