SKS caked and dried cosmoline or rust?

N

NordicSKS

Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Montreal
Hey guys just bought a 1949 Sks which is greasy with cosmoline has not been shot since leaving Russia. The gun is rust free all over and in great condition. However when I looked down the barrel it seems to be covered with either huge rust particles or dried cosmoline. Thought it might be rust due to dark orange color however was told it could be cosmoline. What do you guys think and how should I proceed with cleaning. Thank you for your imputes.
fxh6he.jpg
[/IMG]
2zs2v4i.jpg
 
The stuff inside the muzzle looks like rust. Clean the bore with solvent or varsol and you'll know pretty quickly what it is. If it's rust, get some Big45 metal cleaner (or Tipton knockoff brand), wrap it around a slightly smaller bore brush and give'r. Or try the Rustwash stuff from Canadian Tire. Shoot a few rounds through too!
 
Looks like moisture got stuck under the cosmoline yes. Grease can protect. But can also harm if water seeps under it. Just for example it's a safety issue on things like cables on things like car hoists. Looks all nice and new on the outside. But on the inside it may be filled with water and corroded.
 
Update: After cleaning the bore with hot water and clean patches followed by solvent and more patches, and a bore brush, most of the gunk is gone however the bore appears to be quite pitted and possibly rusted on the surface. The rifling is still strong but the bore is less than ideal. I just used some wipeout and will let it sit for 1 hour or so and see if that does the trick. I purchased the rifle from a well known retailer for a substantial price, what should I do if it is indeed rusted out? Thanks.
 
NordicSKS said:
Update: After cleaning the bore with hot water and clean patches followed by solvent and more patches, and a bore brush, most of the gunk is gone however the bore appears to be quite pitted and possibly rusted on the surface. The rifling is still strong but the bore is less than ideal. I just used some wipeout and will let it sit for 1 hour or so and see if that does the trick. I purchased the rifle from a well known retailer for a substantial price, what should I do if it is indeed rusted out? Thanks.
Click to expand...
I recommend to you for the next time by from EE instead of dealers. You will have better prices and better descriptions of the item.
 
Looks like a bit of surface rust, clean it well and see if it clears it up,, the 1949 were all carbon steel barrels with no Crome lining so may have a bit of surface rust from 60 years of storage! If it is pitted though, you have a decision to make!
 
The retailer is not Marstar and has agreed to a replacement and or refund. Should be receiving pictures of replacement rifle also a 1949 sks before accepting. Not sure if I should just get a refund my confidence in these particular 1949 rifles is not high, will see!
 
NordicSKS said:
The retailer is not Marstar and has agreed to a replacement and or refund. Should be receiving pictures of replacement rifle also a 1949 sks before accepting. Not sure if I should just get a refund my confidence in these particular 1949 rifles is not high, will see!
Click to expand...

Probably rust but it doesn't look like it extends very far down the barrel. The '49 was un-chromed so you'll need to look carefully. As other replies stated, a thorough examination of the gun is in order because you must not have bought a '49 as a shooter. I take it this gun came from Westrifle? They had a few on their website but the cupboard looks bare now.
If this is not a shooter, I'd be sending it back for an exchange or refund if any more damage is found. You can always get a really nice one on the EE if you watch for one to come up.
 
NordicSKS said:
The retailer is not Marstar and has agreed to a replacement and or refund. Should be receiving pictures of replacement rifle also a 1949 sks before accepting. Not sure if I should just get a refund my confidence in these particular 1949 rifles is not high, will see!
Click to expand...
That’s great to hear. Hopefully it’s a one off issue and the next is everything you expect it to be.
 
barrel looks like rust the outside looks like cosmoline…. tough to tell. Either way i'd bargain you down if I was buying in person looking at it thinking it may be rust too. If your using it you need to clean it and if your going to sell it you'll likely do better cleaning it too. if it is rust it looks like new rust to me in the end of the barrel, that could be easily cleaned off now before it get to be too bad. A little WD-40 and G96 have done wonders on rifles that I thought were rust buckets.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom