New to me model 17

[deck-101]

I recently inherited a 6" model 17-2 from my grandmother when she moved into a nursing home. The gun has been sitting in a drawer for at least 12 years loaded. It appears to be in good condition and the finish appears to be mostly intact. I am new to revolvers and wanted some tips on the best way to take care of an older revolver. I do plan to shoot the gun occasionally, although I would like to keep it in as good of condition as possible. I am familiar with cleaning and maintaining my M&P 40 and 22A, but wanted to know if I can use the same methods on an older revolver. Can I use a bore snake to clean the bore and/or the cylinder. What sort of cleaner should I use? Hoppes #9, Rem oil, CLP or something else? What do I need to do/avoid to protect the finish? Is there any type of ammo that I should avoid? Are there any issues that I should watch for.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[mike from st pete]

Nice Mod17

I love mine. Because the grips had a little piece broken off the top of the left side I put aftermarket grips.
I use Kano Kroil as a powder and lead solvent. This is a penetrating oil not a lubricant. A proper fitting bronze bore brush and cotton patches. wipe it down with a silicone cloth. I have some sheets of nox/rust vapor wrappaper. you can get this type of paper from Brownell's.

 

[redbos]

I also take them out every 3-4 months and wipe them down with my gun rag and some oil. Also, if they are in a safe, use a Golden Rod and some silcone bags......

 

[fyimo]

The best way to get the revolver in as good looking condition as you can is to use 4 (0000) steel wool or 4 (0000) bronze wool with a little gun oil and wipe it down. This will remove any oxidation on the finish. Once you do that wipe the finish down with a soft cloth to get all the steel wool dust off. Then wax the exterior with Johnson's floor wax or Renaissance wax. This will seal the surface and stop oxidation. The ren wax is what museums use on their guns and other stuff for preservation.
On cleaning the revolver I would buy a bore snake for a 22LR pistol and then you put your solvent on the part of the bore snake where the brush is and pull it through the bore and cylinder chambers a number of times until it is super clean.

If you are a little more advanced on revolvers I would get the correct screw driver (preferably the small S&W screw driver) for the grips, cylinder screw and the thumb latch that opens the cylinders and remove them. This little screw driver fits them all. Flip out the cylinder and slide it forward and it comes out. The pull the crane out of the cylinder and clean them individually and then spray a little gun oil on inside the crane and extractor rod. After the screw is out of the thumb latch just slide it forward a little and lift and it comes out.

On the grips once you remove the screw you need to take care taking the grips off as not to force them and chip them. The easiest way is to unscrew the grip screw leaving it in and the gently tap the end of the screw and the left grip will fall off. Then turn the revolver over and gently push through the frame in the center of the grip and the grip will fall off.

After reassembly I would go out and shoot the tar out of it and then redo the above process over and over again for many years to come.

 

[deck-101]

Thank you for the information. I will be sure to clean the revolver before I shoot it for the first time because it has been sitting for so long. Do I need to use any form of lubrication on the cylinder and if so, where should it be applied. I will pick up some wax to put on the finish soon.

 

[somethtodo]

Before cleaning

One important step before cleaning is to take it out and fire 2-300 rounds of your favorite .22 ammo through it. It is such a nice shooter and ammo is no money!!!

ENJOY!!!

 

[mike from st pete]

Always Contentious

Thank you for the information. I will be sure to clean the revolver before I shoot it for the first time because it has been sitting for so long. Do I need to use any form of lubrication on the cylinder and if so, where should it be applied. I will pick up some wax to put on the finish soon.

What to use as a lubricant?
I use MobileOne synthetic motor oil and very sparingly. Just a drop or two is all I use.
Now is the action smooth and light? If this revolver has set around for years the lubricant maybe dried out and need to be cleaned out. If you are going to use a strong degreaser, remove the grip panels.