Cleaning an old side by side?

[B.D.Dubloon]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32624411@N07/3211957562/

What would be good to spray into the mechanisms in here to clean them? I would like to spray the hell ut of it, lightly wipe in there with something, and they use an air hose to spray it out. Then I'd oil it and put some sort of stock on it. Is there a certain length it has to be overall, because I'd like to put a pistol grip on it.

Thanks,
BDD

[nick]

What about disassembling it and wiping it instead? The barrel length has to be 18", and the overall is 30", I believe.

[B.D.Dubloon]

As simple as a 50+ year old shotgun is, I am afraid of having to put it back together. I am pretty handy at things in general, but things with small parts intimidate me for some reason. Also, I am afraid to try and take out the pins to do that. They look pretty stuck in there. I am starting my first ak build and getting the barrel retaining pin out was impossible, I am mailing the thing to a guy on Gunco who said he'd punch it for me if I paid shipping. That has got me soured on removing pins for a while. If I have to I will take it apart, but I'd like to try something else first.

Thanks,
BDD

[nick]

Ah, I see. When, I can't advise anything better, sorry. Never had an old SxS, or a new one, for that matter. The over/under I have is fairly simple, but it's not nearly as old. Have you shot this shotgun? Are you sure it's ok to shoot? I heard older shotguns were made of rather soft steel, and the loads were different, too.

[B.D.Dubloon]

I haven't shot it yet. My plan is too take it with me next time I go to the BLM land south of King City, lock it into a small vise and tie strings to the triggers. I'll load it with estate birdshot, duck down behind my rv 20 feet away and give a yank. I'll have a camera up close recording in case it does explode. I figure that estates are probably one of the less powerful loads (just basing this on they are about the cheapest), I figure I'll do a few sets like that, then, after doing one hell of a job inspecting it for warping, etc, I'll make a stock out of a couple of pieces of 2x6 and enjoy it.

BDD

[nick]

Heh, that's how I try old guns. None blew up on me yet, but I'm not taking chances. People at Angeles made fun of me for it, but I do lik having my brains, I use them sometimes

Sounds like you'll be having fun.