Help me clean up this S&W 15

N

no_agenda

New member
Just convinced my dad to give me his S&W Model 15-4...a lovely little .38 Snubnose. Except dad didn't care for his weapons as much as I do mine. I'd like to get your suggestions on how to clean it up. I'd like to take it to a gunsmith (or if I can do it, even better) to get the hammer and trigger cleaned up (what should I ask for? Terminology?).

Also, the barrel is really dirty. I let bore cleaner sit in it over night, did nothing. Used my Lewis lead remover, nothing. I'd like to have my local gunsmith really get it clean.
 

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I personally wouldn't take it to a gunsmith just to clean it up. If you don't feel comfortable field stripping the gun then have a gun smith do it, but it really is very simple. I can completely strip and re-assemble a S&W revolver in a matter of a few minutes. For the bore see if you can find some of that non-abbrasive bore paste.
 
It is hard to say what is in the barrel if a Lewis lead remover won't get it out. I think I would keep trying with the lead remover, as some lead fouling can be tough to get out.

As to the rest of the gun, I would remove the grips, then just soak the gun in a solvent; if you have a sonic bath available, that would be best. Then let it drip dry and put 5-6 drops of gun oil down in front of the hammer, a few drops in front of the trigger, and a few more on the cylinder ratchet and the extractor rod. I think the soaking and oil will take care of what looks like light rust on the trigger. There is nothing wrong with the hammer that I see; the colors are case hardening, normal for an S&W. (The trigger should look like that also.)

Jim
 
You mean the color from the case hardening? It is supposed to be that way.

Maybe you should take it to a gunsmith before you damage it.
 
How do I get that nasty color off of the hammer and trigger? Fine grit sand paper?
Click to expand...

NEVER use grit or sandpaper on a gun!

As Jim K said, the colors on the hammer and trigger are normal and are the result of the cyanide process used to case harden those parts.

A good quality bore solvent and a stainless brush would be a good way to deal with the leading in the bore.

Overall, that gun actually looks to be in pretty good condition; It just needs a little "dust" removal and some good quality oil.
 
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