Gun cleaning, restoring? From last night.

[dog24fret]

ROLEXrifleman this is the gun I was talking about. It's a 1939 Fabrica Dearmas,or Dearnas can't make it out clear, Oviedo 7mill rifle. The barrel was shortened for dear hunting before I got it.

Sorry for so many pics but this way you see all of it. My question is how can I smooth out the color and finish of this rifle without destroying the value and patina anymore? The bolt's discoloration and the barrel is a distraction to me it looks bad. I had it at a gun shop one time 12yrs ago to have a scope mounted and they chipped my stock and didn't tell me it would drop its value. I have had this gun for 25yrs now.

[LT.Smoke]

Your best bet is going to be find a seasoned gun restoration professional in your area that can restore the rifle without destroying it... Will cost some $$ but its a good investment to have a professional handle a job like that

[dog24fret]

Where do I get the G96? What is it? I have only done routine cleaning with typical cleaning kits. So not as much knowledge as some of you guys on here lol.

[ROLEXrifleman]

Oviedo is a Spanish arsenal licensed by Mauser back in the day to produce these rifles for the Spanish army. By the time they made it state side many people " sporterized" them by cutting down barrels, stocks and in some instances rechambering them in different calibers. Also, as was done to yours, drilled and tapped for optics and or different sights. These rifles don't command more than 3-400 in pristine shape so other than sentimental value you can't do much to effect the value if yours.

With that said I would take the rifle completely apart and spray it down and soak in G96. after soaking for about 10 minutes take 0000 steel wool to the areas effected by rust or heavy grime. Keep the 0000 well lubed. Use gun scrubber to hose off the oil and dirt, reapply g96 to prevent rusting. Using 0000 will allow you to clean it up without stripping off the patina like some harsher chemicals can.

I did one 6 months ago for another officer in my dept. It came out good.

[dog24fret]

Your best bet is going to be find a seasoned gun restoration professional in your area that can restore the rifle without destroying it... Will cost some $$ but its a good investment to have a professional handle a job like that

That is something I haven't found yet. The ones I have checked out want to replace the stock with a plastic stock and stuff like that. Not at all what I want to do. The important question is my ocd the problem on the looks. Or should I leave it alone for now cause when I can find places to shoot it I target shoot still. Don't want a shelf queen lol.

[dog24fret]

Oviedo is a Spanish arsenal licensed by Mauser back in the day to produce these rifles for the Spanish army. By the time they made it state side many people " sporterized" them by cutting down barrels, stocks and in some instances rechambering them in different calibers. Also, as was done to yours, drilled and tapped for optics and or different sights. These rifles don't command more than 3-400 in pristine shape so other than sentimental value you can't do much to effect the value if yours.

With that said I would take the rifle completely apart and spray it down and soak in G96. after soaking for about 10 minutes take 0000 steel wool to the areas effected by rust or heavy grime. Keep the 0000 well lubed. Use gun scrubber to hose off the oil and dirt, reapply g96 to prevent rusting. Using 0000 will allow you to clean it up without stripping off the patina like some harsher chemicals can.

I did one 6 months ago for another officer in my dept. It came out good.

Yes sir that is hitting the nail on the head. It wasn't much but it was 335 at a gun apraiser when I decided to find out more about it. Then it went down cause of the scope mounting work. As I said don't know much more than basics so what web site do I go to learn how to do this stuff you mentioned. Yea it is more sentimental than value as I went through hell to earn this from my dad when I was a kid before he went into the hospital. Just want to keep it usable for another 40yrs then give to my boy.

[LT.Smoke]

Oh well according to Rolex you MAY not want to pay a pro to restore it man... unless you are just dead set on it because you will certainly pay the pro more than the rifle is worth for restoration

[n8ball2013]

you can do it yourself. its not that big a deal. and if you need to redo the stock there are many techniques out there for it. once that barrel got cut it was downhill on the value. shoot the hell out of it and enjoy it.

[dog24fret]

I would like to shoot it everyday like the old days but around here it's hard to find a place to shoot it legally.

Do any of you guys have any children who could give me some pointers on teaching my teen? If so I can give you reason I ask.

[ROLEXrifleman]

I'm on my cell phone so typing detailed instructions ain't happening right now! lol

It's not as hard as you think. As alwaysctaking your time is key. No one is going to invest the time into that stock cause labor rates will easily exceede it's value. The G96 with a micro fiber cloth should take care of the stock. The G96 can be found at most big box outfitters and some mom and pop gun shops. Chamber casting is something that requires some skill, but the clean up your looking for is a DIY labor of love.