Gun care question

[jamesh319]

I recently purchased a M60 no-dash snub nose that appears to be unfired, and I've decided to keep it that way. Not because I think of the gun as an investment. I don't. I'd have to live a lot longer than I will to get back more than I paid for it. Rather, I just like its pristine appearance. To me, it's an objet d'art (a highfalutin term, but in this case, one that fits). Don't get me wrong, I don't regard the gun as something precious to be stored away somewhere. I find myself picking it up a lot, handling it. (My wife would say that I fondle it.)

Anyway, here's my question: How do I maintain this revolver that will be handled (ok, ok, fondled) but never fired? After reading lots of postings about gun care, I'm more confused than ever. It seems everybody has a different opinion on the best way to preserve firearms. For those of you who are kind enough to take time to reply to this post, please suggest a good but uncomplicated solution, as I have no gunsmithing expertise whatsoever. One idea I had was to lightly coat the bore and cylinder chambers with Ballistol and then apply Renaissance Wax to the frame. Might this be a way to go? Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[Will Carry]

I wouldn't put too much oil on it. The oil may accumulate dust, dirt and "hand oil". I store my safe queens as clean as I can get them, with no oil residue visible. I take them out periodically and clean them and wipe them down again. I am no expert on this. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in....

 

[Waywatcher]

One idea I had was to lightly coat the bore and cylinder chambers with Ballistol and then apply Renaissance Wax to the frame. Might this be a way to go?

Yep! I would use CLP for the internals instead of balistol, but that is definitely minor.

 

[2rott]

Yep! I would use CLP for the internals instead of balistol, but that is definitely minor.

The Gun Zone -- Corrosion Test
Read this test & decide for yourself. I finish my cleaning routine with CLP all the time. If I may be storing for any length I might put the gun in a silicone impregnated sock also.

 

[loeman]

I wouldn't put too much oil on it. The oil may accumulate dust, dirt and "hand oil". I store my safe queens as clean as I can get them, with no oil residue visible. I take them out periodically and clean them and wipe them down again. I am no expert on this. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in....

This is pretty much what I do too! I get out the queens every once in a while to "fondle" and admire and then wipe them off with a soft clean t-shirt rag. I then wrap them in the same type rag and put them back in their original box (if I have it) and then back to the safe. Every once in a while I'll run a very lightly oiled patch down the barrels and/or cylinders. I've had some of my safe queens for 35 years and they look just as good as they day I bought them.

Another thing I do from time to time is take off the (wood) grips and give them light coating of lemon oil. I use a lemon oil dampened rag and then let them sit for a few minutes before wiping them off with a clean rag. This keeps the grips from looking all dried out as well as preserving and protecting the wood.

 

[ben_g1]

I lightly, "very lightly" oil the inside parts and use Renaissance wax on the frame including the barrel bore and cylinder charge holes. Store in a silicone impregnated gun sock to keep the handling nicks and bumps down. Don't forget the have a humidity/heater stick in the safe as extra protection.

Re-wax every couple years or so.

I would not store in the box as continually getting the gun in and out puts added wear and tear on the box.

 

[2rott]

After I go over my gun with CLP, I store in the following for long term storage.....

....BORE STORES LONG TERM STORAGE CASES | Brownells

or....BORE STORES LONG TERM STORAGE CASES | Brownells

They're made by different manufactures & carried by many suppliers.

 

[Waywatcher]

The Gun Zone -- Corrosion Test
Read this test & decide for yourself. I finish my cleaning routine with CLP all the time. If I may be storing for any length I might put the gun in a silicone impregnated sock also.

Um, yeah. The link you provided agreed with my oil recommendation (and didn't test his current oil.)

 

[jamesh319]

Thanks to all for your responses. One last question, if you don't mind: Does the frame need to be totally free of any trace of CLP or Ballistol before applying Renaissance Wax? If so, what should be used to remove it?

Again, thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Laketime]

I've held onto un fired guns for thirty years.I only use one oil that was recommended to me years ago for long term storage.Remington oil with Teflon.dries without leaving any gummy residue. Ok to saturate the lock work with this product, provided that you degrease it if you decide to fire it at some point.Performs we'll in all temperatures of storage as well. Everyone has their favorite method of maintaining a firearm. I have left mine for as much as five years without a hint of a problem.So you decide which product will work well for you.lots of good recommendations here.