safe way to de-cosmo C&R rifles?

[savasyn]

I'm getting my M44 on monday and will be cleaning it up that night. What is a fast and safe way to get all the comsoline off it without damaging the finish or the wood? I've heard brake cleaner works great on the metal but can be hard the wood or wood finish. I've also read that kerosene works well for the metal but didn't see whether it is hard on the wood or not.

Should I disassemble the rifle(metal from wood) to clean it or keep it together and just clean the outside, barrel and action?

Thanks!

[ocabj]

You should detail strip the entire rifle to clean it. There aren't that many parts on a Mosin, so it's pretty simple to do.

Use hot water. Dry appropriately. Use an oily rag to wipe down all metal parts.

[Cato]

I use the dishwasher method if my stock fits in my machine. I don't have a Mosin, but my SKS fit; my 24/47 did not. Some stocks are too big, so you can fill up a bathtub with hot water use some Cascade and scrub with a medium to soft brush. Let the stock dry in the sun for a few days before you sand and refinish.

The dish washer method might take two wash cycles. It's the easiest method I know of. You can use mineral spirits for the metal parts. Get a disposable "turkey" pan and put all the parts and a small can of mineral spirits to soak and scrub.

A good purchase to make would be one of those heater like paint strippers. If this is your first C&R, there will be more to follow. I think they run like $20-$30. I wish I bought one of those from the get go.

[FinweElensar]

Go to surplusrifle.com and learn how to disassemble your rifle down to the bolt. Separate the stock and metal and proceed to remove as much cosmo as you can. Cosmo on metal is easy as pie: boil it, brake cleaner... whatever. Cosmo on wood is much more fun. These guys have their own version of cleaning cosmo off the wood: ParallaxBill's Curio & Relic and Military Surplus Firearms Forums

[savasyn]

Thanks for the link to surplus rifle, I found the complete disassembly instructions.
I'm always nervous taking a new rifle apart for the first time, especially beyond basic field stripping. Good to have a photo guide!

[.22guy]

Mosins are pretty easy, I think you'll get the hang of it quickly. I use WD-40 to remove cosmo from metal. And then set the stock in the sun on a hot day and it will bleed the cosmo. Make sure you put something under it, like newspaper or tinfoil.

Another stock method I might try is using a barbeque. I'm trying to figure out if I can do it without damaging the wood.

[savasyn]

Would this thing work for cooking the cosmo out of the wood?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96289

[bigthaiboy]

+1 on stripping the action off the wood to clean. Otherwise when you take the rifle to the range to test out for the first time, as the barrel heats up, melted cosmoline will start seeping out of everywhere.

I used a combination of 91% rubbing alcohol (it's kinder on the wood finish), and carb cleaner on the metal work. Leaving the action wrapped in newspaper in a black trash bag on the dash of your car on a hot day works well too. Just remember to change the newspaper every hour.

[fireblast713]

I read on the "box of truth" website that Mineral Spirits work really well.

[Vigilante]

You can use mineral spirits for the metal parts

Thats what I use on the metal. I usually use Murphy's wood soap on the wood.

[Scout106]

The easiest and most effective method I've found to clean the cosmo from the metal is to use a hand held steamer. Available at Walgreen's, etc. It will melt the cosmo out of all the crevices and corners. You'll need an OveGlove on the hand holding the barrel as it will get too hot for bare hands. It can also be used to steam dents out of the stock.

Depending on how badly soaked the wood is will determine what you must do to get the oil/grease/cosmo out of the wood. Some wood cannot be saved, no matter the methods and effort used. Some of the Greek return M1903 wood had sat in grease for 60-85 years. I have had some luck with the Easy Off method, providing you take care of the wood afterwards.

[trever1t]

Mineral spirits. I'd like to emphasize the need to detail strip everything, especially the bolt which can retain gobs of cosmo. Double check striker pin protrusion with your tool kit.

[KenpoProfessor]

I use a Steam Machine, heat gun that I got at Harbor Freight, Gun Scrubber, and a brittle brush (tooth bruch works well) for the little tiny bit left in crevices. The steam and heat gun really pull it out of the stock, it literally runs off into the rag.

Have a great gun carryin' Kenpo day

Clyde

[cr042202]

simple green is the best

[Fate]

Dishwasher/Easy-Off methods are HORRIBLE for your stock. Easy off will actually continue to degrade the wood over time slowly turning it to mush.

The simplest, least-damaging method is to put it in a black plastic bag with kitty litter. Wrap stock in paper towels if desired too. Then place in the back window of your car. It is unrecognizable as a rifle so don't worry about your neighbors freaking out. Do this for a couple days, shaking up kitty litter/replacing paper towels daily.

This will remove much of the deeply imbedded cosmo without affecting the overall finish of the rifle that much. You won't have to "refinish it" to try and restore the original color with stain, like you will have to do with the Easy off or dishwasher methods.