I have an M1a stock (dear old dad gave it to me) that looks pretty unused, but has this black gunk on it. Looks like years and years worth of open storage in a warehouse type stuff, dust and perhaps exhaust that gets on it. Just wondering if anybody has any good ideas on what to use to clean it off. I don't really want to refinish the stock at this point, just make it useable by cleaning.

Is it as simple as Murphy's Oil Soap and a sponge, careful not to get it too wet?

TIA,
jim

Depending on how clean you want to get it, I've used the following three methods on M1 Garand stocks.

Murphy's Oil soap and a soft to medium bristle brush. Work up a good lather and scrub it well, alot of stuff will come off this way. Rinse it and dry with a rag or towel.

Dishwasher. Run it through a cycle in your dishwasher with regular dishwasher detergent and dry it with a towel as soon as the cycle is done. Gets off more than Murphys. Be sure to rinse dishwasher with another cycle of soap to clean out any residue that made have been left in the washer. This process is best done when the wife is not home.

Oven Cleaner. Spray down entire stock with ordinary cheap oven cleaner. Let sit for 30 to 45 minutes and rub down with a Scotch Brite pad. Rinse with water and dry. This will strip the stock of all finish and take you down to the bare wood.    

Much obliged Wessono!  

you've come to the right place, I'm an expert at refinishing stocks......If the rifle is a collector piece, and all original, DO NOT STRIP THE OLD FINISH!!!!!!!! You'll ruin it's value. I'd use a strong mixture of Murphy's Oil Soap and a sponge. The trick is to remove the grime, but not the finish........

Just do a google for 'gun stock refinishing'. You'll have so much info that it will take you two days to decide which method t use!

Purple power.