Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: 92xj on April 04, 2013, 05:02:31 PM

Title: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on April 04, 2013, 05:02:31 PM: History - skip down for my questions
At age 5, my father decided it was time for me to sit in a stand and kill a deer instead of sit at the base of the tree that he sat in for the 2 years prior. His father, my Grandpa, decided that the gun I needed was his 32 special that he hunted deer with his whole life. That Christmas break from school my dad and I were getting dressed and Grandpa walked in asking what I was going to shoot a deer with. Me being young and still somewhat shy around everyone besides the folks, I just stared at Dad and had no answer. After a few moments Grandpa handed me this rifle and said good luck with the hunt. That evening, I shot my first deer at age 5. The following year, I was allowed to sit in my own ladder stand and killed my second and third deer. Soon, the age of ten rolls around and dad showed me how to run the edger and lawn mower and I started making some money to save up for a 270. Got that 270 and put the 32 special in the back of the safe. My cousins then started to grow up and I let them use the rifle. During their hunting adventures, they decided they needed to be more stealth and wrapped the 32 in camo tape and proceeded to hunt every day it rained. After 19 years, I talked to the cousins at my Grandfathers funeral 2 months ago and they got the gun back to my Dad. He then flew out this weekend and brought me the gun.

Advice and guidance-
I have an old gun that has been wrapped in camo tape and hunted in the rain. The stock is still in great shape, but the metal/ barrel are rusted. There was also a side mounted scope on it and around the base has rusted some. The rust is more of pits instead of rust flakes like I think about when I hear the word rust. What can I do to clean this up some? WD40 and brillo pads? the finest grit sand paper made?

Here are some crappy cell phone pics, but hopefully they help show what I need help with.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi452.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq243%2F92xj92yota%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fmms_picture_zps2abe998f.jpg&hash=494d5d8527d6b2c9e605d69b623ce01748d5023e)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi452.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq243%2F92xj92yota%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fmms_picture_zpsad35c788.jpg&hash=8085633d6320684c0ad961c47fa7b60df0d82015)
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: Smossy on April 04, 2013, 05:13:46 PM: Whatever you wind up doing with it, Goodluck and I hope the gun still fires safely. Its a nice piece. I like those old repeaters. Wish my dad could pass down his turkish double barrel hunting shotgun to me but unfortunetly I was an idiot in my younger days as we all know. So that wont be happening.
Good story. Sorry about your grandfather passing away =/
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: washelkhunter on April 04, 2013, 05:24:42 PM: One word - Gunsmith!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: BNAElkhntr on April 04, 2013, 05:28:48 PM: Quote from: washelkhunter on April 04, 2013, 05:24:42 PM
One word - Gunsmith!
:yeah:
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: Maligator on April 04, 2013, 05:43:01 PM: Quote from: BNAElkhntr on April 04, 2013, 05:28:48 PM

Quote from: washelkhunter on April 04, 2013, 05:24:42 PM
One word - Gunsmith!
:yeah:
:yeah: x 10

Spend the money & get her professionally restored! Lots of memories there!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 300rum on April 04, 2013, 05:54:34 PM: Not much you can do now. They were tools, not prized possessions back then, just leave it a tool.

You can use a copper penny, pre-1954 if I remember right but it is probably way to far gone to make to much of a difference.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: NoImpactNoIdea on April 04, 2013, 05:54:46 PM: Quote from: BNAElkhntr on April 04, 2013, 05:28:48 PM

Quote from: washelkhunter on April 04, 2013, 05:24:42 PM
One word - Gunsmith!
:yeah:

For an heirloom such as this I would pay to have someone restore it the right way. If you dont have the money now put it back in the safe till you do.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: rtspring on April 04, 2013, 05:56:58 PM: Hey 92, I also have a 32 special in great shape that I paid 400 bucks for 5 years ago! In In the late 90's it was appraised for around 1400.00. Have since had it looked at by old gun collectors, and was told never ever no matter what restore the gun! Mine is in great shape! So I guess sentimental value is what you are looking at??

Get that baby shooting, we can go shoot them some time! Mine is dead nuts!!!

Rt
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on April 04, 2013, 06:06:40 PM: I dont really have a desire to do a full restore on it. I only really want to clean the surface rust that the tape created. Grandpa used it all the time and for hus truck gun for years and years, it's in great shape.
RT, bought 2 boxes of shells last night, ready when you are!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 300rum on April 04, 2013, 06:14:54 PM: Try the penny the best you can but if it is pitted, there isn't much you can do. Then go use it to shoot your cousins or whomever put a scope on it!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: hirshey on April 04, 2013, 06:26:26 PM: Boy someone would probably beat me for saying it but I've carefully removed small patches of rust on my muzzleloader with vinegar.. I don't know about the whole barrel though. Best of luck!!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: mkcj on April 04, 2013, 06:37:56 PM: I would think a gunsmith.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: AWS on April 04, 2013, 07:07:51 PM: oooo streel wool and Kroil shouldn't hurt any bluing that is left and won't scratch the surface. Pull the forend and try it where it can"t be seen if you are unsure. Do NOT use sand paper.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: smdave on April 04, 2013, 07:14:37 PM: Was taught to use a wool sock on our shotguns that we used in the bay, after 12 hours of hunting they would come back with rust on them. Wool sock and wd-40. Use your lubricant of choice.
Title: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on April 04, 2013, 07:20:19 PM: Try some flitz to remove the rust and the use their gun wax. If that don't work learn a lesson from it. You can pay a gunsmith to restore it but honestly, who the heck wraps camo tape around a rifle? Need help... Idiots.
Title: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on April 04, 2013, 07:32:37 PM: Quote from: Smossy on April 04, 2013, 05:13:46 PM
Whatever you wind up doing with it, Goodluck and I hope the gun still fires safely. Its a nice piece. I like those old repeaters. Wish my dad could pass down his turkish double barrel hunting shotgun to me but unfortunetly I was an idiot in my younger days as we all know. So that wont be happening.
Good story. Sorry about your grandfather passing away =/

*censored* (next time it will be a ban)
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 300rum on April 04, 2013, 08:36:33 PM: It is just making me sick that someone put a scope and a sling on this at one time.

If you would have posted a pic with the tape on it, I think I would have thrown up!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: Huntbear on April 04, 2013, 08:57:54 PM: 92xj,

am not going to comment here, sent you a PM..
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on April 04, 2013, 09:07:22 PM: some new pics after a little work.....
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi452.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq243%2F92xj92yota%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fmms_picture_zps7a89e96f.jpg&hash=9027fb60d43dfee33068bda02521f6d3ed98f475)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi452.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq243%2F92xj92yota%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fmms_picture_zps3fc5447b.jpg&hash=42bbe13c2f50edbe7cb8336c22e8433871c704e5)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi452.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq243%2F92xj92yota%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fmms_picture_zpse665528e.jpg&hash=4a3b72b875e4f69a3947bcbdec2d9c0b4e807c92)
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: bearpaw on April 04, 2013, 09:09:09 PM: wow, big improvement... :tup:
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: rtspring on April 04, 2013, 09:09:53 PM: Looks better! I tried to post pics of mine from my phone but they wont load for some reason!!!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on April 04, 2013, 09:12:48 PM: Another thing I need help with is some screws. The large hole and the two smaller ones in the last picture need a filler screw. They were where the side mount scope was. Anything to long and they stick out inside but I do want them flush on the outside. Anyone have any recommendations? Im in the tri-cities and the only "gunsmith" i have heard about local is at hole in the wall and there is no way I would ever take one of my guns there.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: rtspring on April 04, 2013, 09:18:23 PM: 92xj, hey man. I was a welder for 20 years in the Navy. We could tig weld the wholes up! If not I know a gunsmith in Umatilla that works on my guns. Hole in the wall guy dont exist anymore!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on April 04, 2013, 09:25:00 PM: I dont want to weld them us, yet. If i could just find an allen key stud to fill them thats what I would like to do. Maybe one day soon we can run down to Umatilla and see if your guy has any that will fit or see what he recommends.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: snowpack on April 04, 2013, 09:26:51 PM: have you tried midway/brownells/numrich for screws?
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: NoImpactNoIdea on April 04, 2013, 09:27:22 PM: What did you use to clean it up?
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: rtspring on April 04, 2013, 09:56:54 PM: here is my 32 Winchester
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: AWS on April 04, 2013, 10:32:00 PM: I'm one of the idiots that wraps their barrels, seems to work for me.. If your trying to spot a camoed hunter the thing that will stand out the most is the black barrel of their gun, a straight black line is out of place in the outdoors. One of the easiest ways to spot a deer in the brush is by the straight horizontal line of their back.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FAzandNM2013014_zpsf8eab297.jpg&hash=4d071436ffa05c5382f847f05e40796d329f5858)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2Fmontanaandmoseslake2010021.jpg&hash=fb5cc5f55ce1d80c5c8bbb523cc7cd7a01d866ff)

I also take it off when I'm done using it, it only takes a couple seconds to unwrap it.

Your rifle looks good, when you get to it it should blue up pretty nice.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on April 05, 2013, 06:14:43 AM: Quote from: snowpack on April 04, 2013, 09:26:51 PM
have you tried midway/brownells/numrich for screws?
I have not. When I get the bag with the scope mount and hardware unpacked I will take a look and measurements to see what screws I actually need.

Quote from: NoImpactNoIdea on April 04, 2013, 09:27:22 PM
What did you use to clean it up?
I got the brass "wool" scrub pads that you would clean a nice pot or pan with. Going with the fact that brass will give before the steel limiting the amount of scratches and harm. Used with rem oil. Spraying the oil a ton of time keeping the brass cleaned out of rust particles.

Going to work more on it tonight and see what happens.
This gun will never leave my family, as long as I am still around. It will be used as a brush, bear, sub 125yard gun.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: high country on April 05, 2013, 07:11:12 AM: 000 or 0000 steel wool and any oil to move the rust away. Stay clear of vinegar unless you wish to strip the bluing. If you just want to plug the holes.....any halfassed smith should be able to get some blind screws......or make them.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: elkoholic1 on April 05, 2013, 08:54:41 AM: :tup: looks good
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: woodswalker on April 05, 2013, 09:12:00 AM: Another option would be to have John Taylor restore it.

John Taylor. john@johntaylormachine.com
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: Eli346 on April 05, 2013, 04:37:10 PM: Good job on what you've done so far. I'm impressed with the improvement. I would leave it at that for now and get some more advice here and there until you find out exactly what it's worth as is and with more cleaning. Leave it original as it is now and it's probably worth a lot more to you in memories than any amount of money can do for you. Neat gun!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: nwwanderer on April 05, 2013, 07:32:42 PM: If it is priceless to you, never to be sold, do all the work yourself. You will apppreciate it and learn. It looks great, keep going.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: lokidog on April 05, 2013, 10:25:37 PM: It looks like you cleaned it up nicely.

I had a bunch of guns that had not been oiled in a long time. Through reading, I found out that I should use copper scrubby pads and I also used Outers brand Rust Remover. This did not mess up the bluing and cleaned the surface rust well.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: winshooter88 on April 05, 2013, 11:47:17 PM: Midway sells a replacement screw kit kit for pre 1992 model 94 lever action rifles. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/446782/galazan-replacement-receiver-action-screw-kit-winchester-model-94-pre-64-blue-package-of-18 (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/446782/galazan-replacement-receiver-action-screw-kit-winchester-model-94-pre-64-blue-package-of-18) This link should take you to it. The 2 small holes you should be able to fill with standard plugs available at most gunshops. The replacements are blued so you might have to remove the bluing to match your old gun.
Hope this helps.

Also, those holes for the scope mount are factory drilled so they are not some weird one off screw. The one for the large hole is a shouldered screw so you need the correct replacement for it.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: brush hunter on April 06, 2013, 07:58:57 AM: Don't destroy it...I mean restore it, you have already done enough damage!
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on April 06, 2013, 11:40:43 AM: Explain the damage I have done to this gun.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: brush hunter on April 06, 2013, 12:22:37 PM: value, when you do any restoration on older firearms you decrease the value. I myself think you have done a very good job on it and it looks almost showroom new, just don't forget to use metal sealer
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: Sportfury on April 06, 2013, 12:43:53 PM: 92xj... that is a great story. I too received a Model 94 in Winchester .32 Special for my tenth birthday. I loved that gun and still have it in the safe. I never got to shoot a deer with it as I got a .308 the next year because of the wide open country that we hunted. I still like to take it out of the safe every now and then and give it a once over. One day it will pass on to my son and his kids.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on June 25, 2013, 10:20:37 AM: Took the gun out while on a spring bear hunt. Found 6" snow balls set at 25, 50, 75 and a 4th at 100ish yards. 4 shots, all 4 snowballs gone. I am hoping I can fill my 2 deer tags early to go chase fall bear with this gun and get a kill on the west coast under it's belt. Im excited to have this gun back and won't let it go again, unless I have a child....
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on June 25, 2013, 10:34:07 AM: Also, another question...
You can see the three bolt/screws that I have missing where the side mount scope was mounted. I fouind the replacing screw kit for the pre 64s 94s but I cant find those screws for post 64. Anyone know if these are the same, or where I could find just those three screws. Im not going to replace any of the existing screws only add the ones I am missing. Also, I have no idea of a gunshop/gunsmith in the tri-cities that would have these. Hole in the wall is not an option for me.
Ideas or help?
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: suga on June 25, 2013, 11:03:57 AM: Numrich has quite a few schematics, to help determine which parts you need. I have found them to be reasonable, price wise. Here is a link to the schematics page: http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Winchester-33573.htm (http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Winchester-33573.htm)
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: boneaddict on September 17, 2016, 09:16:56 AM: What technique did you use to clean it 92? Steel wool? Elbow grease and hoppes?
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: Special T on September 17, 2016, 10:51:47 AM: Looks good. Curious to hear what you did. I would have removed all the wood and scrubbed with copper pot scrubber and atf if all the bluing was gone. If there still was bluing I'd use some kind of gun lube.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: JDHasty on September 19, 2016, 08:31:00 PM: Renaissance Wax is the right thing to use in the future on a project like this. It will clean up metal that is rusted really well without doing any thing to lessen the value of it.

It is also called museum wax I think. I have a jar of it I have had for thirty years.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on September 19, 2016, 08:37:04 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on September 17, 2016, 09:16:56 AM
What technique did you use to clean it 92? Steel wool? Elbow grease and hoppes?

A lot of elbow grease with brass or copper( can't remember which) wool scrub pad thing soaked in gun oil.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: syoungs on September 19, 2016, 08:52:34 PM: If you haven't found the screws and such that you need. Check out cowboys and Indians in West Richland, they are only open a few days a week, but the guy does great work, and I'm sure he could square you away with whatever you need. They are out in West Richland.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: 92xj on September 19, 2016, 08:58:52 PM: Quote from: syoungs on September 19, 2016, 08:52:34 PM
If you haven't found the screws and such that you need. Check out cowboys and Indians in West Richland, they are only open a few days a week, but the guy does great work, and I'm sure he could square you away with whatever you need. They are out in West Richland.

Good to know. I still haven't bought any screws but would love a place walk into with the gun and have them round up 3 screws to install.
Title: Re: A priceless rifle.....need advice
Post by: syoungs on September 19, 2016, 09:01:10 PM: If it's gonna happen here, it'll be with those guys, they are open Tuesday from 4-8, thursday4-8, and Saturday I think in the morning.