A question for Milsurp collectors

[Polar_Hunter]

I have stumbled on, what I believe to be, an unfired "as issued" 55 or early 56 Russian SKS. I am not a collector so I intend to pass it one to someone that is. Should I clean it or leave it in the cosmoline? I'll most likely take it to the North Bay ON gun show in the fall.

 

[BlackVoid]

Leave as is.

 

[leebuilder]

Leave it. Like a Virgin or a new car. The new owner may want to have that bonding time.

 

[Grock-co]

How do you know it is functional,

 

[Eaglelord17]

I would simply leave it in the cosmoline if your intending to resell.

 

[kjohn]

Leave it. It isn't an absolute necessity to clean and fire every firearm in the world.

 

[jaroslav]

Leave it in cosmoline. It might be rusty underneath.

 

[verminaard]

How do you know it is functional,

If the plan is to flip it in the cosmo, function is irrelevant.
The next person is basically buying a scratch ticket, they may win, they may lose.

 

[sigrunes]

99% of sks in cosmo will be/are functional for sure. If on the very slim chance you get one that isn't , a relatively cheap and readily available part or parts will fix it. Also , a collector will likely leave it unfired anyway.

 

[Polar_Hunter]

Thanks for the input. I decided to clean it by rubbing off the cosmoline with a rag and I ran a couple of patches through the bore with no solvent. I definitely won't shoot it until I have decided whether I'll keep it or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqtgDFBZL8s