Tearing down my new MK 1 before taking to the range.

[Capt Mil Coll]

Tearing it down and doing a complete inspection and cleaning as I always do on new milsurps. Do you think I should take the stock off as well?
I usually leave the butt stocks on a MK1 and dont usually take things like front sights off. I dont really see any point in taking them off.
But I usually dont take the butt stocks off a MK1 and I think this time I will.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Better still, just clean it externally, view and gauge the bore and headspace, ensure that the bolt is numbered to the rifle then take it to the range. See how it shoots first and if it's getting a group of 5 shots inside or cutting a rectangle 1" horizontal x 1.5" vertical at 25 yards with only the fore-arm resting, it shows that all is well. And if it is, then leave it alone!

If it's all greased up under the wood, then leave it. It's there for a good reason

[newcastle]

What he says ^^^^^^^^

[Capt Mil Coll]

Ok all apart and cleaned up nicely. A lot of crudded up crusty cosmo on this one. A wonder it still functioned. Now to oil it all up and put her back together when its dry. Probably after I get home from work.

Umm why would I take the grease of the bottom of the barrel???
Unless it was cruddy old cosmoline why would I do that?
In this case not needed. I checked it looks fine. Would be just more work re-greasing it.

---------- Post added at 03:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:26 PM ----------

Ok and now the wood. Anyone have a really good way to clean but not refinish wood?

[vintage hunter]

Why would you take the grease off the bottom of the barrel? To see whats underneath. Nothing wrong with taking it off as long as you put it back before reassembly.
If you look in the Restorers Corner Forum you'll find more info on cleaning stocks than you can shake a stick at..............

[Peter Laidler]

You ask '......why would I take the grease.........'
I answer, I don't know why anyone would, but they all seem to do so, so I just politely suggested that you leave it

[RJW NZ]

Its all about condensation and the rifles internal humidity and slowing the onset of invisible corrosion, rust never sleeps, grease is good, sounds like pop song for enfielders.

[muffett.2008]

Just put music to that and I'll buy a copy.


"Clean me, why won't you clean me?, come on and clean me, before you put me on the shelf"

sorry, got carried away.

[Capt Mil Coll]

So you think I should take that grease off and check it before I re grease and reassemble?
I usually dont with the thinking that it should be good if it has grease on it.
I havent started any reassemble yet so could still do it.
I love taking these rifles apart and seeing how they work. Dont you guys?
Get em all cleaned up before I take em out and dirty them again.

Heck I was taking apart the M1 Carbine bolts by hand and reassembling them before I even knew there was a jig to make it easier.

[Capt Mil Coll]

Umm actually if you put oil on rust it does make it sleep. Iron rust is oxidation. It needs three things for it to happen . Iron or Iron based metal, Humidity or water, and air. If you cover rust with oil it will make it sleep at least until the oil disseminates enough to allow air to reach the oxidation again.