Cleaning/restoring a Mossberg 151k

Kirk1701

Kirk1701

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U.S.S. Enterprise, Deck 5, 3F-121
The Cooey restoration sticky has inspired me to go to work on my dad's Mossberg 151k. It's been in a sorry shape for at least 40 years. The buttplate was set on a space heater where it melted. The wrist cracked taking the trigger guard with it (if anyone has a Mossberg finger groove trigger guard kicking around, I'd buy it). And I've been shooting it since I was old enough to hold it. It's got some mileage on it. So I'm feeling good about practicing on it. I'll post pics of my progress as I have time.

I've got it completely disassembled (except for the sear—it's a #####). I've got it sprayed down with Ballistol (miracle product btw. Peter Smith Trading in Toronto has it). Now I'm cleaning the old rust pits with 0000 steel wool. I'm working at it gently, but many of the pits don't want to cooperate. Any tips for removing the rust without taking more blue than necessary? I find that anything stronger than 0000 steel wool takes blue off. Kind advice welcome.
 
Here's some "before" pics. I've started to clean the barrel and the mag tube.

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Here's the broken trigger-guard. If anyone has one kicking around, send me a PM. I tried to glue it, but it didn't work.
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The buttplate was set on a space heater.
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Here's the final product. I didn't end up reblueing the barrel. It could use it, but that's a project for a later date. I like to keep things as original as possible, for as long as possible. Refinished the stock with simple tung-oil and replaced the broken trigger guard.

This is a really well made rifle. The only tool marks I could find were in the stock cavities and even then were not very noticeable.


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I have a couple of 151M [Full-Stock] Versions of that rifle.
I have nothing but respect for these older Mossbergs.
Accurate, very rarely malfunction, and well built.

I also own several other bolt action Mossys, including the
epitome of Mossberg target offerings, the 144 LSB.

They are all heavily underrated, IMHO.

Regards, Eagleye.
 
Well Kirk, you did a good job on that Mossberg. Their stocks are usually walnut and always turn out well after refinishing. Just keep the barrel well oiled with a penetrating oil and the rusted pits will eventually work themselves as clear as they can get. Using a good synthetic CLP in the action when shooting will guarantee an easy cleanup. Try Havlin sales for Mossberg parts, or Western Gun Parts in Edmonton.

Yes, Mossbergs are under rated.

P.S. It'll also be way more effective on a Gorn.
 
Nice restore !
If you need any Mossberg parts try Lever76 on this site. He likely has the rear sight part you are looking for and won't charge you a rediculus amount to ship it.
Scott...
 
Ok, a bit of an update. I finally got the piece back to my dad and he's saying it's not extracting properly. He suspects it's because the mag follower spring is worn out. Could this be an issue? I'm quite sure I assembled it correctly.

Actually, when the mag follower is locked into place, it will settle back slightly. It's not a tight snap to the mag tube.
 
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I could see weak follower spring make it feed poorly, shouldn't affect extraction.

Make certain your extractor moves freely, has a good edge (to grab rim), and it's spring is strong. Another good place to look would be the well beside the chamber the extractor fits into, make sure it's not full of crud.
 
I'm almost done with my 151M-C. It also had a broken wrist but you can hardly tell with a darker stain on the stock. It drives tacks with the aperture sight and the selectable front pins.
A buddy gave me this rifle and I'm glad he did. Nice shooting accurate guns.


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