Eliminating rust on innards

This gun has light rust on some surfaces and nooks and crannies in the magazine housing. It would be a nightmare for someone of my skill level to disassemble and its very difficult to get at the rust with abrasives. I am wondering how it would work out if I tried soaking it with CLR, then flushing the CLR out with boiling water, then flushing the water with WD-40 and applying some coating like Rust Check rust inhibitor or Break Free Collector. Advice please.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...johnson1-1.jpg

Don't do it! That stuff is great for what it's meant for, but instantly removes gun blue. I like Ballistol for old guns with wood. Spray the innards down with it and use a toothbrush wherever it will reach. The Ballistol works over time to soften rust. Wherever the rust was, expect pitting and/or dark stains. Ballistol is the all-purpose product for guns like this as it nourishes and protects the wood too.

That's the wierdest Johnson rifle photo I've ever seen!

But, INLAND44 is correct. If there's no unusually active corrosion, then clean the metal with old GI bore cleaner, if you can find it, or a black powder solvent, then oil. No WD-40 on moving parts- it will gum them up after a spell.

If it's old inactive rust, just oil. Keep most gun oils away from the wood though. Ballistol is supposed to be an exception.

Thanks INLAND44 amd jmoore. I''ll use synthetic ATF and see what a week of soaking does.

I use Waxoyl on my cars, guns and tools. 30 years and corrosion free. it's British. Google it. Gary

The big problem with most rust removers/neutralisers, is that they also remove blueing, which in itself is a form of rust.
There really is no quick fix, without damaging the remaining surfaces. Elbow grease, steel/bronze wool and any type of light oil/penetrant,
sharp picks for the hard spots, slotted dowel with fine sanding paper, whatever it takes for how long it takes.

I need to clarify. Waxoyl does not remove rust or blueing. It stops rust and nurtures wood and leather.To remove surface rust on friend's old guns, I use Waxoyl and 00 steel wool.It leaves a protecting coating. I mix it 50/50 with white spirits. The spirits evaporate and leave a thin wax coat. Gary