Any Suggestion

[rainydays]

Hi Guys, I just picked up an old Remington Semi-auto .22 and its in dire need of a good cleaning. I'm not very familiar with any maintenance on semi-autos. Just wondering what is the best way or any tips on cleaning the action and bolt of carbon deposits and such, and the best way to clean a barrel on a semi-auto. Thanks for any suggestions. tr

[Gil Martin]

Cleaning a semi-auto .22 is not difficult. You will have to clean the barrel from the muzzle and be careful not to rub the bore with the cleaning rod. I use a plastic coated rod and wipe it often. A good solvent, a snug brush, gun oil and patches should do just fine.

Getting carbon deposits off the bolt can be handled by a good solvent and an old toothbrush. It may have to soak a bit to get the crud off. Then wipe the bolt and apply a fine film of oil. Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

[Rocky Raab]

Gil has it pegged.

I'd just add that rimfires don't need as much lubrication as centerfires. So go very light (by which I mean none or next to none) with the oil.

Rimfires bullets are wax-lubed, and that's all the gun really needs. Shooting - especially a sem-auto - spreads the wax around throughout the action. No other lube needed or wanted. Too much lube will just turn to burned crud and force faulty operation or early cleaning.

After a good intial cleaning as Gil describes, all you need to do is pull a Bore Snake through a rimfire on occasion. How often? I do mine about every six months. One pull, wipe down the bolt and re-assemble. Done.

[rainydays]

Thanks to the both of you for the info on cleaning this old remington. I did as suggested, put it back together and shot it.
It worked very well after the cleaning, and is a nice old remington.--tr