cleaning a old gun

ladyhunter

found an old pistol a few yrs ago so rusted that i can't even open the cyc, do you guys have any suggestions on free this up can't read any of the markings to get the make would love to know what it is in it condition not worth alot just wondering about it

leeblackman

Spray it with a penetrant. Like wd40, screwloose, kroil, etc. Let is soak, give it time to creep, let it do as much as possible so you can do the least, and cause less damage. After it sits, spray it again.

Then use a rubber mallet, wood blocks, and a punch set to break it down. From there I would probably break it completely down. Use a bronze wire brush and steel wool to remove the surface rust. If there's pitting, its probably not worth the work, if there's not then you ok. If there's pitting and your determined, you will have to polish it out. Either way, when your done, you'll have to reblue, or refinish the metal.

I've done it a couple of times with some old 22's. And had some great results. Its alot of elbow work, probably not worth most peoples time, but I find it to be a satisfying and fufilling way to use freetime.

ladyhunter

thank you just looking at it i would say its a 32 revolver but i may be very wrong it a bigger cal than a 22

roysclockgun

Instead of spraying, immerse the revolver in the penetrating oil and go do something else for six weeks. Do not even think about the firearm, maybe even forget about it. Most of us try to get the freeing up of the rust done too quickly. When the rust is softened by weeks of laying the penetrating oil, try to begin to get the piece apart. I would avoid steel wool. The cuticle sticks that ladies use on their cuticles are good. Push off the rust with the stick, this will prevent any further metal loss. Scrapping off rust with wood gets off the rust down to what metal and maybe finish remains.

gotstolefrom

I had a similar problem a few years back and my pop suggested trips to the oven and the freezer with solvent before using a mallet.

I wasn't expecting much, but it did help get things moving. The cylinder wouldn't rotate yet, but at least it wasn't still frozen up completely.

It ended up in a shadowbox on the wall. The exterior polished up for the most part, but it was too far gone to get it in shooting shape again.

Good Luck

rhmc24

To take off all the rust, go to a farm supply store and buy a gallon of muriatic acid, costs maybe less than $5. Attach a wire to it and put the gun in a pottery, glass, enamelware pan, tray or other vessel, but not metal of any kind. Pour on enough acid to cover it and let stay a half hour. Lift it out with the wire and look at it. Wear rubber gloves if you are likely to get acid on your hands. I have never had anything so rusty that a couple hours would not bring it up clean. Incidentally, muriatic acid is commonly used in servicing rural sewage systems. To get rid of the acid after you are finished with it (if you don't want to keep it in its jug) just flush the toilet and pour the acid in as the water goes down.

Tailgunner1954

Diesel fuel, heating oil, kerosene, or even that fancy "lamp oil" (the stuff my wife likes the smell of) can also be used to soak your pistol in.
Lay it in the bottom of a "tupperware" dish, cover with the oil and forget about it for few weeks.

captkirk3@dslextreme.com

Some times, its better to leave it as found.....and just Shadow Box it As Is....Makes for an interesting conversation piece...9 times out of 10 most Collectors will walk by a Cleaned Pickup Piece...and almost get into a fist fight to buy a Rusty that hasn't been touched.....It's something to think about!............

buddyb

A good penetrating oil to soak rusty parts(or entire pistols)can be made from equal parts kerosene and automatic transmission fluid.Cheap and works well.

Dean Cascio

Good advice.
Dean
quote:Originally posted by roysclockgun
Instead of spraying, immerse the revolver in the penetrating oil and go do something else for six weeks. Do not even think about the firearm, maybe even forget about it. Most of us try to get the freeing up of the rust done too quickly. When the rust is softened by weeks of laying the penetrating oil, try to begin to get the piece apart. I would avoid steel wool. The cuticle sticks that ladies use on their cuticles are good. Push off the rust with the stick, this will prevent any further metal loss. Scrapping off rust with wood gets off the rust down to what metal and maybe finish remains.

Madman

soak it in Kroil, rubber mallet it to loosen it up and then clean parts with a wire wheel. Rust comes right off and you would be surprised that it doesn't mar the finish base metal. Have done this many time in restoring older rusted up weapons.

Paul
Mountain Magic Gunsmthing