polishing up the inside of a ruger 10/22 receiver (now with pic's!)

wayupnorth

wayupnorth

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hey there.

i have heard it said a couple of times that people take their Ruger 10/22's and take the overflow paint off the inside of the receiver housing.

i never really thought much about it, but i did notice that a new receiver housing i put on one of mine has a LOT of overflow (overshot) paint on the inside and the action on this new gun feels like its grinding away on the inside whenever i work the action.

so i thought maybe i should look into this.

what is the best way to go about doing this?
some 220 over a wood dowel and take it off?

the dremel with a sanding stone?

ive never cleaned up and polished the inside of a receiver before so i was wondering if anyone can give some guidance on how best to do this.

thanks in advance!
 
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600 grit wet/dry paper from CT. Tear off small pieces and do all work with your fingers. I've had my "blued" receiver in the raw for years now with no ill effect.
 
Do not use a stone on a die grinder in that reciever unless you want to buy a new one lol. As Nine stated use fine grit sand paper to remove it. Now most of the grinding you feel is actually the guide rod. The new ones are horrid from the factory. A good polish there will really smooth things out. And +1 on raw aluminum. Mines been polished since the mid 90's and hasn't been touched since. Its got some scratches but zero corrosion.
 
If I were to attempt such a task, I would start with AIRCRAFT chemical paint stripper. Has to be aircraft/aluminum safe, or you'll destroy the aluminum receiver.

I too suspect that most of the drag you feel is the poorly finished guide rod, and would suggest you start there.
 
wayupnorth said:
hey there.

i have heard it said a couple of times that people take their Ruger 10/22's and take the overflow paint off the inside of the receiver housing.

i never really thought much about it, but i did notice that a new receiver housing i put on one of mine has a LOT of overflow (overshot) paint on the inside and the action on this new gun feels like its grinding away on the inside whenever i work the action.

so i thought maybe i should look into this.

what is the best way to go about doing this?
some 220 over a wood dowel and take it off?

the dremel with a sanding stone?

ive never cleaned up and polished the inside of a receiver before so i was wondering if anyone can give some guidance on how best to do this.

thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I did my aluminum receiver with 800 grit sandpaper and then 1000, and it's nice and smooth now. Finish off with Remington Dri-Lube.
If you want a nice smooth action, get a Kidd cocking bolt that's precise, stainless, and nitrile hardened. You won't believe the difference.
By the way, polish the bolt while you're at it as well.
 
On the inside of the receiver I use a small piece of 600 grit extra fine silicon carbide sandpaper to get the paint off and then finish with extra fine steel wool.
 
sorry, i should have said at the beginning, its not the guide rod, or i hope it isnt, i replaced the factory one already!

and the receiver is a Dlask one.
im almost thinking that maybe the entire inside of the receiver is anodized black?
but it sure is ruff.
the bolt feels like im cycling with it full of sand!
 
There are lots of videos on YouTube, but the trick is to take your time! You can always take a little more of but you cant put it back once its gone!
 
Use grit on a sanding block (400-600-1000). Power tools are not necessary (or recommended) for this application, too easy to remove too much material.

Your new guide rod can probably benefit from a polish regardless of its origin, as can the bolt itself and the hammer strut. It all adds up...
 
alpining said:
Use grit on a sanding block (400-600-1000). Power tools are not necessary (or recommended) for this application, too easy to remove too much material.
Click to expand...

OP is asking about polishing the inside of a receiver. Pretty hard (ok...impossible) to get a sanding block inside one?
 
I was thinking of picking up a dlask receiver, but if I have to modify or sand it out, I might as well keep the ruger receiver which is already polished up nice. Thanks for the info. Anyone know where a Kidd receiver can be bought in Canada?
 
Wham-O said:
OP is asking about polishing the inside of a receiver. Pretty hard (ok...impossible) to get a sanding block inside one?
Click to expand...

Sanding blocks are as big (or as small) as you choose to make them. :)

When people are new to this sort of modification process, I always suggest using a block of some kind, as it helps preserve the flatness of surfaces and square edges.
 
alpining said:
Sanding blocks are as big (or as small) as you choose to make them. :)

When people are new to this sort of modification process, I always suggest using a block of some kind, as it helps preserve the flatness of surfaces and square edges.
Click to expand...


I've been using my fingertip for years....
Works like a charm!
...and it actually conforms to the inner contours of the receivers where a block wouldn't.
 
Wham-O said:
I've been using my fingertip for years....
Works like a charm!
...and it actually conforms to the inner contours of the receivers where a block wouldn't.
Click to expand...

I did too, with complete satisfaction, until I learned the benefits of using a block from an AGI video. Wherever a block can be used, it really should be. It's just a good habit.

The "problem" with the fingertip method is that it will polish the "bottom" of imperfections in the finished surface, which doesn't help operation at all since they never actually touch the bolt. It's the contact surfaces that matter, and a block makes sure you are staying on the top of the finish, reducing the high points only. It's exactly why gunsmithing stones exist. Using your fingertip does smooth the surface out and helps a lot, but using a block (or a stone if you can afford them) will be better.

The bolt surfaces that ride against the receiver are all flat and square, so if it's a curved surface inside the receiver, polishing it will do nothing to improve operation (though it won't hurt either). If it's a tight corner, the right size and shape of sanding block will preserve the angles while getting into the corner.

Again, I'm not saying the fingertip method is wrong, it's just better to use a block (or stone).
 
alpining said:
I did too, with complete satisfaction, until I learned the benefits of using a block from an AGI video. Wherever a block can be used, it really should be. It's just a good habit.

The "problem" with the fingertip method is that it will polish the "bottom" of imperfections in the finished surface, which doesn't help operation at all since they never actually touch the bolt. It's the contact surfaces that matter, and a block makes sure you are staying on the top of the finish, reducing the high points only. It's exactly why gunsmithing stones exist. Using your fingertip does smooth the surface out and helps a lot, but using a block (or a stone if you can afford them) will be better.

The bolt surfaces that ride against the receiver are all flat and square, so if it's a curved surface inside the receiver, polishing it will do nothing to improve operation (though it won't hurt either). If it's a tight corner, the right size and shape of sanding block will preserve the angles while getting into the corner.

Again, I'm not saying the fingertip method is wrong, it's just better to use a block (or stone).
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with your method, I just think it's a lot of anal, time consuming work to take some overspray off the inside of a 10/22 receiver.

I guess it's "whatever floats your boat"! ;)
 
Wham-O said:
I just think it's a lot of anal, time consuming work to take some overspray off the inside of a 10/22 receiver.
Click to expand...

I could not agree more! If it's just overspray, then of course, you're right. But it sounds like the OP is looking to do a "serious" polishing job with more than cosmetics in mind. In that case, spare time and fiber are recommended ;)
 
langbanger said:
I was thinking of picking up a dlask receiver, but if I have to modify or sand it out, I might as well keep the ruger receiver which is already polished up nice. Thanks for the info. Anyone know where a Kidd receiver can be bought in Canada?
Click to expand...

They have an outfit they deal with that sells their stuff in Quebeckistan, you can ask them for their details on the Kidd website.
Or, you can buy direct and have it sent to a receiver on the US border, and go get it...
 
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