10/22: Redux

[Nine]

During my recent trip up north, I headed out grouse hunting with the 10/22. While strolling down some old logging roads, the sling on my 10/22 gave out at the top swivel, and I had the horrific experience of hearing my prized grouse gun meet ground. I felt it going, had my hand on the butt stock and stopped it from totally falling, but the barrel met the stoney/sand grit of the road. Piss me off. I was totally bummed.

BUT, the scratches were slight. Mamoth to my eyes, but repairable. I got home tonight, and after a quick unwinding, I grabbed some 320 extra fine water proof sand paper I had laying around and gave the offending area a quick buff. Not too shabby, I thought. Gave it a matte finish. Daddy like. So I did the whole barrel. (slicing my finger on the V block part of the barrel! sharp!) After the bleeding stopped. I sat looking at the receiver. It had seen better days, starting to show it's age. I recalled seeing online that the receiver is merely painted aluminum, and that the paint could be easily removed. Well, I have all this sanding stuff out already I thought to myself. After a rough scrub with a synthetic paint removing brush, and a once over with the same 320 sand paper... the ruger has been reborn. I am VERY impressed.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

[NaOH]

Well I know what I'm doing tonight.

What the hell is a synthetic paint removing brush?

 

[(Ronin)]

Good job! I did the reciever on my plinker a few weks ago aswell

 

[CanFire]

Nice work - the raw aluminum receiver & matte barrel finish makes the rifle look better then it did before you dropped it!

 

[Bull's-Eye]

I am thinking of doing the same to my receiver, how long did it take you?

 

[Nine]

Well I know what I'm doing tonight.

What the hell is a synthetic paint removing brush?

Well, more of a sponge than a brush... worked like a freak'n charm. The receiver took me about an hour to do. Wear a mask!

 

[Bull's-Eye]

She looks really good. Now the only thing you have to do is the trigger assembly.

 

[Barbecue]

Nine, that looks unbeleivable. Good job.

 

[KDX]

Looks pretty nice.

 

[daBear]

Hey 9, Suh-weeeeeeeeeeeet!! Well done. U should have dropped it a long time ago . Nice job
Cheers
dB

 

[(Ronin)]

She looks really good. Now the only thing you have to do is the trigger assembly.

the trigger is cast low grade..it wont polish up..

 

[sametwinnie]

Hi,
it's very nice, I did the same thing to a false muzzle break that I made for a M16 clone in .22; perfectly polished on a lathe and it was beautiful. But you have to put a clear or something that will protect aluminium because aluminium WILL oxide. Aluminium oxide in contact with oxygen; so protect it!!

 

[Nine]

Hi,
it's very nice, I did the same thing to a false muzzle break that I made for a M16 clone in .22; perfectly polished on a lathe and it was beautiful. But you have to put a clear or something that will protect aluminium because aluminium WILL oxide. Aluminium oxide in contact with oxygen; so protect it!!

I was actually thinking about that. I'm probably going to give it another rub down and put a coat or two of a matte clear coat.

 

[(Ronin)]

Clear may peel from the heat.Hit it with aluminum wheel polish now and then,it should be fine

I was actually thinking about that. I'm probably going to give it another rub down and put a coat or two of a matte clear coat.

 

[Nine]

I dunno about that, I'd only be doing the receiver. The barrel is SS on both ends.

Clear may peel from the heat.Hit it with aluminum wheel polish now and then,it should be fine

 

[Kodiak Outpost]

A good quality clear coat should handle the heat no problem. Think about how hot the metal on a car gets on a summer day. Granted, car paint does have the advantage of being laid over a primer. What is important is the difference between if the aluminum is scuffed or fully polished. If it's super polished it will be harder for the paint to stick and it may peel over time. If it's scuffed really well the paint should bind nicely. However, from the pictures it doesn't look like your receiver is shiney polished so what would be the point in clearcoating? It won't dull too quickly. Maybe once a year just give it a touch up with a scuff pad.

I have a ruger receiver that's polished like chrome (almost anyway). I've thought about clearcoating it but I think I'll just polish it when it needs to be. Even to keep a nice shine isn't too much work.

BTW that looks like a nice grouse gun

 

[Nine]

Good to hear. I'll wait and see what happens.


AAAWWW CRAP! Now I have to buy another one!

 

[eltorro]

nice job.
I got me one of these for my 10/22, but I haven't shot it yet.

it makes a big difference ,,,, it is really compact and the pistol grip fits just perfect.

 

[Donny Fenn1]

someone start a poll on "have you cut yourself on a 10/22 barrel v-slot?"
everyone i know who has taken one apart has cut themselves....

 

[Nine]

someone start a poll on "have you cut yourself on a 10/22 barrel v-slot?"
everyone i know who has taken one apart has cut themselves....

I've taken many apart AND handled many a barrel. Did not realize that they were THAT sharp. When I was sanding it, I had no idea. "whoa! scratched myself!" Then I saw the blood well up and it start dripping out like crazy. Sharp sharp sharp. After cleaning up I saw I had a lot of "near misses", skin shavings and small "paper cut" style cuts all over. whoops.