Hi All,
I took the grips off and sprayed the action with a citrus-based degreaser, then let it sit for 5 minutes, after which I poured very hot water over the action to remove the debreaser (It's water soluble). Then placed the gun in the oven at 50 degC (113 deg F) - not quite hot enough to burn one's skin- for 30 minutes) to get rid of any water / moisture still present in the action.
Then placed a light coating of gun oil on the trigger bar, safety and other inner workings to protect from rust.
Today the gun was difficult at first, then suddenly behaved like normal- light trigger pull- firing every time. 50 rounds were fired, every so often the trigger felt heavy, but still fired. With 2 rounds, gun would not fire, but after releaseing the trigger and pulling again, the gun did fire.
So it's better than it was before.... for the time being I will clean the barrel, breech and firing pin port only, I'm leaving the action alone for now. After earlier adjustment of the trigger adjustment screw, Nedlate, that factor seems to have improved things too.
Likely a "gumming effect, as suggested by Camster..... perhaps another "purging, together with compressed air will drive out any other dust and dirt still hanging around- if the trigger continues to stick after this.
Thanks for all the interest and suggestions!!
Cheers,
RShaw