Barrel Removal from Bolt-Action Rifle for Cleaning
- Thread starter Clevinger
- Start date
FrankenMauser
New member
Barrel removal is not necessary for any type of standard maintenance (even once every 30 years), and doing so is likely to affect accuracy.
There is no bolt action rifle I have ever heard of that is designed to have the barrel removed and re-installed as part of the cleaning process.
What would you clean with the barrel out anyway? Barrel & receiver threads are the only portions you cannot access when it is assembled, and there is no need to clean them, unless you are already changing the barrel for some other reason.
other than the rare switch barrel bolt action designs, no conventional bolt action is intended to have the barrel repeatedly removed and reinstalled. Some things are just not made to be taken apart and put back together on a regular basis. Things get worn, or damaged. Tight tolerances get looser. Bad things are almost certain to happen eventually. Perhaps the very first time, unless you do things just right.
There are many things that can happen, up to and including damaging the action if your tools or technique are incorrect.
The Savage bolt guns that use a barrel nut system would probably tolerate it better than other designs, but no bolt gun is built with the intention of having the barrel removed on a regular basis. Even the military guns designed with the intention of them being regularly stripped for cleaning never envisioned taking the barrel off for cleaning.
Essentially, there is no need for it, no point to it, and much is risked if you do it. So I would consider it a poor idea.
What would you clean with the barrel out anyway? Barrel & receiver threads are the only portions you cannot access when it is assembled, and there is no need to clean them, unless you are already changing the barrel for some other reason.
other than the rare switch barrel bolt action designs, no conventional bolt action is intended to have the barrel repeatedly removed and reinstalled. Some things are just not made to be taken apart and put back together on a regular basis. Things get worn, or damaged. Tight tolerances get looser. Bad things are almost certain to happen eventually. Perhaps the very first time, unless you do things just right.
There are many things that can happen, up to and including damaging the action if your tools or technique are incorrect.
The Savage bolt guns that use a barrel nut system would probably tolerate it better than other designs, but no bolt gun is built with the intention of having the barrel removed on a regular basis. Even the military guns designed with the intention of them being regularly stripped for cleaning never envisioned taking the barrel off for cleaning.
Essentially, there is no need for it, no point to it, and much is risked if you do it. So I would consider it a poor idea.
If you’re worried about getting crap and fluids into your action or stock get one of these. I own one for every caliber bolt gun I own. This allows you to put the patch in the guide and put cleaner on the patch without getting anything on the action.
http://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-cle...-specialty-cleaning-rod-guides-prod40914.aspx
http://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-cle...-specialty-cleaning-rod-guides-prod40914.aspx
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Caught in a rainstorm? As soon as you can get indoors, remove the stock and get everything all dried and oiled. As far as the trigger group, most of the cleaners will repel water; then the usual oiling.
Me, I'd be liberal with WD40--but I follow that with 125 psi air from my compressor.
Me, I'd be liberal with WD40--but I follow that with 125 psi air from my compressor.
I am thorough about cleaning my guns, but I did get caught in an unexpected rainstorm last fall and it was a pain to clean.
I'm always afraid of getting rust somewhere I can't see.
I like that with my shotguns they can be completely disassembled for cleaning. My rifles make me a little more nervous. I want to be able to see everything.
I'm always afraid of getting rust somewhere I can't see.
I like that with my shotguns they can be completely disassembled for cleaning. My rifles make me a little more nervous. I want to be able to see everything.
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IMO, you're worrying needlessly - last Fall I slipped on a mudbank & fell onto my side into a huge puddle I was trying to circumnavigate.
I ended up with the right side of my body submerged - with my rifle under me !
I just cleaned it normally, flushed out the bolt lug recess' with a water displacement spray (WD-40), and lubed all the metal, inside & out.
Zero issues, so far (3 mos, so far)
(I'll omit the back story, of how I disrobed right there in the woods & spread out all my wet clothing on a huge boulder, so it could sun dry............. and the hoot-down I got from my companions, when they came across the nekkid me)
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IMO, you're worrying needlessly - last Fall I slipped on a mudbank & fell onto my side into a huge puddle I was trying to circumnavigate.
I ended up with the right side of my body submerged - with my rifle under me !
I just cleaned it normally, flushed out the bolt lug recess' with a water displacement spray (WD-40), and lubed all the metal, inside & out.
Zero issues, so far (3 mos, so far)
(I'll omit the back story, of how I disrobed right there in the woods & spread out all my wet clothing on a huge boulder, so it could sun dry............. and the hoot-down I got from my companions, when they came across the nekkid me)
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jglsprings
New member
How about two weeks hunting in Alaska where it rained, snowed and was miserable everyday?
Each night when I got back to camp I wiped my CZ down and gave it a shot of Amzoil MP. Never a spec of rust - anywhere. After we flew out and were back at the lodge I took the stock off - double checked everything under the action - Never a problem.
A couple of years later I pulled the scope off and there was nothing to note under the mounts.
In 38 years of shooting I've never pulled a barrel off of a rifle for cleaning. Replacement, creative customizing, bobbing - yes. Never for cleaning.
P.S.
In case anyone cares...
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/other-products/cleaners-and-protectants/mp-metal-protector/?page=%2fstorefront%2famp.aspx
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Maybe you should consider the T/C Dimension line?
https://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/dimension
Hey, 9x19--that's a good idea.
To the OP: If you have a rifle or other firearm that is subjected to nasty weather on regular occasions, consider Cerakote. It is extremely durable and will provide lots of protection to the gun's exposed parts.
Here is my duty gun, after a 3-gun match. I was out all day in 40 degree weather, where Mother Nature wanted to do her best impression of a pressure washer. My poor Colt came out looking ragged.
A bit of a close up...yes, I figured that my poor pistol needed an extreme makeover. So....
A two tone Cerakote was done, by GH Coatings in Aberdeen, WA.
Not bad for a 22 year old pistol...and it's been out in the elements since then. A simple wipe off, and we're back in business looking good as new.
To the OP: If you have a rifle or other firearm that is subjected to nasty weather on regular occasions, consider Cerakote. It is extremely durable and will provide lots of protection to the gun's exposed parts.
Here is my duty gun, after a 3-gun match. I was out all day in 40 degree weather, where Mother Nature wanted to do her best impression of a pressure washer. My poor Colt came out looking ragged.
A bit of a close up...yes, I figured that my poor pistol needed an extreme makeover. So....
A two tone Cerakote was done, by GH Coatings in Aberdeen, WA.
Not bad for a 22 year old pistol...and it's been out in the elements since then. A simple wipe off, and we're back in business looking good as new.
My dads 30-06 spent 10 days in saltwater.
The worst we found was pitting in the barrel (its possible that was there as it was a 1903 Sporterized but we think not). Stock was fine (and not sure how it was treated until it was handed over to us at lest weeks if not more than a month latter) .
It took 40 years for something to finally show up in the chamber. Still shot, just tore up brass.
If you get it in and clean it as soon as you can you are fine.
WD40 is preferred initial as it displaces water.
So, take it out of the stock, WD40 all the metal and bore, let the stock dry out. Do the bolt disassemble and WD40 it and then clean and lube as well (and that should be done new and periodically anyway)
The worst we found was pitting in the barrel (its possible that was there as it was a 1903 Sporterized but we think not). Stock was fine (and not sure how it was treated until it was handed over to us at lest weeks if not more than a month latter) .
It took 40 years for something to finally show up in the chamber. Still shot, just tore up brass.
If you get it in and clean it as soon as you can you are fine.
WD40 is preferred initial as it displaces water.
So, take it out of the stock, WD40 all the metal and bore, let the stock dry out. Do the bolt disassemble and WD40 it and then clean and lube as well (and that should be done new and periodically anyway)
Dragline45
New member
Remove the stock, and go at it with a hairdryer.
MarkDozier
New member
pull the stock. blow-dry the metal spray it with Amsoil MP. Dry the stock, let it all sit for a day or 2 wipe it down again and put it together.
There are plastic/rubber caps that fit over a rifle muzzle to keep out rain. The action can be wrapped with a plastic film and handguns can be dropped into a freezer bag and sealed. All allow the gun to be gotten into use quite quickly if necessary, and the muzzle caps and baggies can be shot through.
Jim
Jim
I've said it before and can't stress it enough - I DON'T EVER LET WD-40 TOUCH MY GUNS!!! It will eventually gum up actions and trigger mechanisms.
If you used it sparingly on the outside, fine, but it's probably caused more trigger problems and misfires than any other product that people spray into their guns.
I use Break-Free CLP sparingly and haven't had any problems. The outsides get automobile wax and it keeps moisture out better than any liquids I've used.
If you used it sparingly on the outside, fine, but it's probably caused more trigger problems and misfires than any other product that people spray into their guns.
I use Break-Free CLP sparingly and haven't had any problems. The outsides get automobile wax and it keeps moisture out better than any liquids I've used.
Picher, you are right about using WD as a regular cleaning product. The way I read the above posts, people are saying to spray down with WD-40 to initially displace the water, then clean as usual. This will remove the WD-40 just fine if it's not left on there for an extended period of time.