Cleaning up an older gun? Need advice?

[Sniper66]

My nephew inherited a Remington 121 pump 22 from his uncle who is now in a nursing home. The gun is in fairly good shape, given that it's been stuffed in the back of closet unused for decades. It has light rust on the visible metal parts and the action works OK. I haven't seen the rifle myself but have photos. I suggested they give it to my gunsmith who could disassemble it, clean it inside and out, and give it a clean bill of health for $70. To me that's a bargain and would ensure a safe gun. What are your thoughts?
Also, what's the best way to clean that light rust off the barrel and receiver?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

$70 for a detail strip, clean, lube, safety and function check is reasonable. I usually charge my buddies $50 for that service, but thats friend prices.

There are several methods for polishing light speckled rust. For blued steel, lightly oiled 000 or 0000 steel wool works best for me. Some prefer to use the edge of an older, true copper penny and a dab of oil (new pennies are mostly zinc) if the surface is flat enough.

On stainless, I use chrome polish with a dremel and a buffing wheel.

 

[Jim Watson]

Not an unreasonable charge but find out what HE means to do about the "light rust." A wire wheel would get the rust off, but it wouldn't exactly improve the appearance.

It all depends on what the definition of "is" is. Or what "light rust" is in this case.
A lot of oil and a rough rag will get off what I call light rust.
A brass brush or bronze wool - and oil - will get off more.

I went over a 10/22 that was smoked but not burnt in my burning house with 0000 steel wool and Ballistol; metal and wood alike.

There is plenty of video and text on the 121, cleaning up the old rifle might be a project for you and Nephew.

 

[film495]

70$ is well worth it. for light rust - yup, 0000 steel wool, rib lightly for a while with lots of oil, rub off oil with a white cloth - and continue until no more rust appears to come off, then do it a few more times just to be sure. It isn't a refinish, but I've used Oxpho Blue - for touch ups, seems pretty good to me.

 

[Scooter22]

STOP and get a Big 45 pad for the rust. They work and are safer to underlying blue than anything I,ve ever used. Thats not just me. Anyone who has used one will tell you the same thing. You can clean the rust yourself to see what the blueing is like. Then decide what you want done at the gunsmith. Buy it directly from the maker in the link. It,s the cheapest and you know your getting the real thing. Not a stainless steel pot scrubber. I don,t like steel wool anymore since most id China crap that disintegrates, scratches and imbeds in everything. Plus the Big ,45 will probably last the average shooter forever. Good luck.
https://www.big45metalcleaner.com/

 

[Sniper66]

STOP and get a Big 45 pad for the rust. They work and are safer to underlying blue than anything I,ve ever used. Thats not just me. Anyone who has used one will tell you the same thing. You can clean the rust yourself to see what the blueing is like. Then decide what you want done at the gunsmith. Buy it directly from the maker in the link. It,s the cheapest and you know your getting the real thing. Not a stainless steel pot scrubber. I don,t like steel wool anymore since most id China crap that disintegrates, scratches and imbeds in everything. Plus the Big ,45 will probably last the average shooter forever. Good luck.
https://www.big45metalcleaner.com/

Hey that is really helpful. I've used the stuff before and had completely forgotten about it. Gonna order some for myself today. All the suggestions are helpful. Thanks everyone! Tom

 

[wiscoaster]

...Also, what's the best way to clean that light rust off the barrel and receiver?

#0000 steel wool liberally soaked with clean motor oil. Rub lightly.

 

[Catpop]

I always used 0000 and WD-40
Late addition: I had forgot about Kroil! It works better than WD-40. But Kroil is harder to find in my area

 

[midland man]

I always used 0000 and 3 in 1 oil!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I always used 0000 and Kroil, Remoil, motor oil, or whatever other oil was sitting on the bench.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Sounds decent as long as he doesn't *search* for work inside it.

Me? I'd charge $85.00 an hour / 1 hour minimum.

Todd.

 

[Clemson]

If it is going to the gunsmith, won't he clean that rust off as part of his cleaning process? I always do. (And I use the 0000 steel wool and oil method)

 

[Sniper66]

If it is going to the gunsmith, won't he clean that rust off as part of his cleaning process? I always do. (And I use the 0000 steel wool and oil method)

Yes. The gunsmith I use will do the whole thing for $70. He will charge for any parts that need to be replaced, but otherwise it is $70. I'm trying to convince my great nephew's grandfather to have it done. The gunsmith is the best I've found. He used to teach at the well-known Colorado Gunsmith School. I think it is a real bargain.

 

[Reloadron]

Yes. The gunsmith I use will do the whole thing for $70. He will charge for any parts that need to be replaced, but otherwise it is $70. I'm trying to convince my great nephew's grandfather to have it done. The gunsmith is the best I've found. He used to teach at the well-known Colorado Gunsmith School. I think it is a real bargain.

All things considered I would be taking the $70 route. Even being retired with a surplus of time on my hands. If I were to do it myself I would start with the light oil and #0000 steel wool and once done maybe some Flitz or similar polish after all the oil residue was removed.

Ron.

 

[tachelberry]

Hey that is really helpful. I've used the stuff before and had completely forgotten about it. Gonna order some for myself today. All the suggestions are helpful. Thanks everyone! Tom

Ditto on the Big 45 pads, They are one of the best kept secrets of the firearm industry. They remove the rust and leave the bluing. As far as internal cleaning you can try to split the rifle using the takedown screw. Use "Gunscrubber" and compressed air to clean the innards. Lightly oil and reassemble.

 

[entropy]

I use light oil, (3-in-1, Kroil) and my fingernails on very light rust. 0000 Steel Wool with no pressure on it, and the same oil if that isn't enough.
I agree having the gunsmith do it for $70 is a good deal.

If it is going to the gunsmith, won't he clean that rust off as part of his cleaning process? I always do. (And I use the 0000 steel wool and oil method)

Many do not, unless it is specified. Especially on an older gun like that. They might douse it down with oil, I have seen many do that, but not clean rust off unless asked.

 

[Armorer 101]

Take the gun to your smith, tell him you want to understand what he is going to do, ask him to look at it and explain what he will do with it. If he says $70 to take it and return it like you want, give it to him and smile a lot.

 

[AeroDillo]

You'll laugh...but if the rust isn't deep or widespread you can probably knock it off with a pencil lead.

Oil and four-ought steel wool would be a secondary option.