Proper Care and Feeding of New, Degreased 305

[OldGravy]

Hello!

I'm a nub. I've purchased and had an m305 degreased and so she's ready to go. That said, there's lots of work that can and should be done to improve the overall appearance of a virginal m305, as well as the routine maintenance.

After ordering and viewing the Hungry / Skullboy Clinic Video of massiveness, I thought about how I should care for my new rifle. I have the following specific concerns I'd like to alleviate:

1) The metal's finish looks somewhat fragile in high-wear areas like the op-rod and bolt. Is there some kind of oil / lube that can be put on there to protect it a little?

2) I live in a wet climate. Given the state of the bare metal, how can it be kept rust-free for as long as possible? I put packets of dessicant in my gun case but as this is a battle rifle I'm not intending to be shy about getting it wet; is the 'parkerised' finish going to resist rusting and can it be maintained with gun oil, etc.?

3) Besides the tips contained in the video, are there any other cleaning / lubing procedures that should be followed after every trip to the range? What should I be doing?

- clean bore with solvent and lube as with every other rifle
- clean chamber with brush included in the stock -- using solvent? Oil afterwards?
- what else?

4) After how many rounds should I be looking at a gas system cleaning?

5) Is there a sighting in routine that you recommend given that there have been reports of the rear sights being drilled off-centre?

I figured I'd ask these questions for my own information but also so that some other newb in the future can search and learn!

 

[the_big_mike]

Hello!

I'm a nub. I've purchased and had an m305 degreased and so she's ready to go. That said, there's lots of work that can and should be done to improve the overall appearance of a virginal m305, as well as the routine maintenance.

After ordering and viewing the Hungry / Skullboy Clinic Video of massiveness, I thought about how I should care for my new rifle. I have the following specific concerns I'd like to alleviate:

1) The metal's finish looks somewhat fragile in high-wear areas like the op-rod and bolt. Is there some kind of oil / lube that can be put on there to protect it a little?

Grease and grease only. I went with the wheel bearing grease from canadian tire. smells bad, works great.

2) I live in a wet climate. Given the state of the bare metal, how can it be kept rust-free for as long as possible? I put packets of dessicant in my gun case but as this is a battle rifle I'm not intending to be shy about getting it wet; is the 'parkerised' finish going to resist rusting and can it be maintained with gun oil, etc.?

A little quality gun oil on the bare metal and you'll be fine. For ontario, anyways.

3) Besides the tips contained in the video, are there any other cleaning / lubing procedures that should be followed after every trip to the range? What should I be doing?

- clean bore with solvent and lube as with every other rifle
- clean chamber with brush included in the stock -- using solvent? Oil afterwards?
- what else?

Not sure if this is included in the video, but put a spent 12 gauge shell overtop of the flash hider + drill a hole in it large enough to accomadate a cleaning rod. I recommend just getting a bore snake though -- better for this rifle imo.

4) After how many rounds should I be looking at a gas system cleaning?

At first I cleaned the beast after almost every range trip. Now though I give it a check every 200-300-400 rounds to see if it needs cleaning. Remember: DRY GAS SYSTEM. Don't oil it up.


5) Is there a sighting in routine that you recommend given that there have been reports of the rear sights being drilled off-centre?

See how it shoots. some people like drilling out the sight for themselves. I like the cheapie ghost site idea someone posted on the forums.

I figured I'd ask these questions for my own information but also so that some other newb in the future can search and learn!

We all start somewhere! My responses are bold above.

 

[OldGravy]

Thanks for the reply!

Not sure if this is included in the video, but put a spent 12 gauge shell overtop of the flash hider + drill a hole in it large enough to accomadate a cleaning rod.

OK. Why? To protect the flash hider somehow?

I recommend just getting a bore snake though -- better for this rifle imo.

Not a bad idea! Just drop it in and go. Do you find that there's lots of fouling from surplus / factory ammo that would require more extensive brushing?

 

[the_big_mike]

Thanks for the reply!



OK. Why? To protect the flash hider somehow?



Not a bad idea! Just drop it in and go. Do you find that there's lots of fouling from surplus / factory ammo that would require more extensive brushing?

Yes to protect it from cleaning rod damage

 

[Wendell]

Buy Duff's book.

Except for the bore, the M-14 should not be lubricated with oil. Grease, such as Lubriplate or Tetra, is what is specified.

To protect the exterior from rust and corrosion you should use a polarized rust preventative such as Birchwood Casey Sheath or Outers Metal Seal (AKA Outers Barricade). With the use of quality (polarized) products like this, rust is no longer an issue.

I recommend buying a copy of The M14 Owner's Guide and Match Conditioning Instructions by Scott A. Duff and CWO John M. Miller. It has almost everything you should know about the M-14 type rifle. You won't regret buying it.
http://www.scott-duff.com/