How to clean an old (with some rust) gun

[Hammer Handle]

I inherited an old gun with some rust on it. It works, but is quite stiff.

What do you recommend for cleaning it??

[BoxMN]

I'd first hit it with lots of Gun Scrubber. If shotgun, I'd also hit with some of that wad dissolver, not sure of the name, but it is quite corrosive, so keep it away form plastic parts.

I would hit barrel or rust with VERY fine steel wool to remove rust.

Then for lube I have found Break Free to be the best I have used - very light and just a touch will do it.

Good luck!

[The_Duckslayer]

If you can let it sit a couple of days tranny fluid works great for cleaning up rust! Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[96trigger]

Steel wool works great, doesn't take too much off, but still gets most of the pits out. I take each individual piece apart when I work on guns, trigger, action, slides, bolts, etc... I clean them up with steel wool and then lube the heck out of them. They look and work better after that.

I've never heard of soaking it in tranny fluid. Would brake fluid work also? The reason I ask is that brake fluid can be a great cleaner but is washable with hot water. I'm not sure about Tranny fluid.

[irvingdog]

You've received good advice so far. I'll add this:

WD40 is not a good lubricant for guns, however, it is great for removing rust. Especially in conjunction with X fine steel wool.