New addiction starting... picked up my first two

[kellzey]

Picked up an SKS 59/66 and a Russian M44.

I went to the gun show looking for an SKS (per everyone's suggestions on GT) and found one.

The Yugo SKS I found was "new" but the stock had nicks from storage. It could also use a major cleaning up. Tons of cosmoline everywhere. I missed the pretty one by two minutes. I may strip and refinish the wood..

The Russian M44 is overall in very good shape. Bore is very good. Bolt isn't sticky.

The M44 I found at the last second and I really like this rifle. I can't wait to shoot it. The simplicity is amazing, and it seems very sturdy.

Questions...

1. What's the best way to remove cosmoline from the wood stock?

I figured Brake Cleaner is okay for the metal once I strip it form the stock. Am I correct? And then a generous cleaning with CLP or Eezox.

Anything else I have to be careful of?

2. Ammo? What are the best deals for 7.62x54 non-corrosive in bulk? Vendors/links would be helpful.

http://www.914club.com/bbs2/uploads/blog-1128222897.jpg

[jack19512]

You probably won't know if the bolt is sticky until you shoot it some. If you want cheap ammo most of that would be mil-surplus and most of it is corrosive.

[kellzey]

Found some good articles on the cosmoline.

Also read up more on the 44 and the sticky bolts situation since I first posted.

Thanks.

[mud390]

Check on Surplus Rifle (http://www.surplusrifle.com) for complete disassembly instructions if you don't know how to yet. There are also some good articles on there on cosmo removal. I highly recommend completely disassembling the rifle. When I get mine, cosmo was caked on everywhere. For the stock, it seems that low, steady heat works best. Either in an over at 150 degrees for a couple hours, or until the stock stops bleeding, or in a car parked in the sun. If you do the oven method, make a "boat" out of tin foil and put the stock in the "boat." Set the oven to bake at 150 degrees. Take the stock out every 10 - 20 minutes and wipe it down with a rag that is damp with mineral spirits and put the stock back in the oven. It makes the house smell of (this is a quote from a friend) "old musty house and guns." Its an acquired smell.

Kris

[Sapperstang]

I recentely got a Yugo SKS just like that. I used the CLP solvent to remove the cosmo followed up with regular CLP. It worked pretty well. I took it all the way apart which made it much easier.

[axel]

1. What's the best way to remove cosmoline from the wood stock?

After wiping off as much as possible, I used two layers of paper toweling and my wife's iron on the steam setting. Push the steam button periodically and change the toweling often. I was amazed how it kept pulling the cosmoline out of the wood.

[kf4zra]

i think i sold those rifles to you. did you buy them from a fat guy in a bright green shirt?

[kellzey]

I bought them from two separate dealers, but I probably bought one of them from you.

[kf4zra]

cool, i recognized the case of brown bear, i think the shop i work for was the only ones selling it there.

[kf4zra]

for me it all started about 6 years ago with a russian m44.

now i have 31 milsurp guns and a glock. :)

be prepared for some fun, inexpensive shooting.

[daath7]

Originally posted by kf4zra
i think i sold those rifles to you. did you buy them from a fat guy in a bright green shirt? Don't know about him but I got one from you at the last Orlando show. I was looking for you at the show this week but your guy's told me you were at another show. Anyway love mine and look foward to getting a few more thing's later! F.A.T.

[kf4zra]

im the young fat guy, Phil is the one that looks like santa claus. he was working the Ft. Myers show.

hope you are enjoying your sks, the nice ones are drying up.


dang, i love old guns.

[kellzey]

Gonna get these two cleaned up. Maybe refinish the stock on both of them.

My C&R should be here in a couple of weeks.

Next on the list...

Swiss K31
Mauser 98K
M1 Garand