Posted: 11/12/2011 5:24:40 AM EDT
So my dad dropped this off yesterday. It is my Grandfather's pistol but unfortunately he can't use it anymore. I guess it had been kept loaded in a drawer for decades with no PM. Finish is kinda rough and there is a little bit of rust on the outside of the barrel. I've got the lower soaking in some CLP. Any hints on cleaning this thing up? I got excited and didn't get pictures before I started cleaning it.....so I took pics of the upper, which hasn't been touched yet. The SN puts it being made in 1915 It also has a holster and a Jersey pistol permit in the name of a great uncle. The rounds are ooooold too. You guys think they're ok to fire? I would say no but that's just me being cautious.
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Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner is downright awesome for removing rust.
I know it looks horrible, but the stuff really works as advertised. Have used it on a Winchester 62 and polished S&W revolvers with zero damage to the remaining finish. |
I have had luck with the repros with a little adjusting .
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Looks like its in good shape overall. I wish my dad would drop a 1908 like that on me! I found a nice 1903 .32 for $350 several years ago, and the wife adopted it shortly after I showed it to her LOL.
Id shoot the .380 ammo. I doubt it would kaboom. More likely be duds if anything. I shot some .38 spl that my grandfather had in a drawer from the 50's and evrey round shot fine. You might want to keep the ammo though and not shoot it because its in an interesting old box. Great conversation starter. Enjoy your Colt pocket - great gun! |
| Oil, steel wool, and elbow grease. PLEASE don't get it re-finished. How is the bore? Keep it out of the holster; if that was how it was stored, that is what happened to the finish. I'm pretty sure "Kleanbore" means non-corrosive, so if it goes bang it's good. You mentioned the frame but the slide might also be soaked; firing pin and springs. In my opinion you own a pocket pistol that could not currently be manufactured at a competitive price. I have two model M Colts but neither is a .380. Ps: Watch out for CLP if you don't wear gloves. It absorbes through the skin; I've had a severe allergic reaction. |
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I think the bore looks fine. It was stored in a holster all these years......it won't be from now on. I'm typically a tupperware pistol kind of guy. I have a TRP......but god forbid it acts up, b/c I don't have the knowledge to work on it. I'm going to shoot it, but I doubt it'll see much use. Something cool to keep in the family, my son will definitely be seeing this when he's old enough to shoot.
I don't plan on getting it refinished at all. I soaked the whole thing in CLP. I broke it down as much as I could without parts going flying. It's good now I think. |
