Cleaning the M44

Cruacious · Sep 27, 2015

*WARNING: PIC HEAVY*

Thanks to fellow member yellowsled, I traded for my first M44. I'll be the first to admit, it's rough. But I've been wanting to try one of these cleaning and light restoration projects and so-far it looks like it's a tough one. Tons of Cosmo, rust issues, and plenty of crud in the nooks and crannies. I'm about halfway done now (bolt and barreled receiver are finished) and will keep you all posted on the progress.

MilsurpDan · Sep 27, 2015

Wow thats pretty grimy. Good luck, and I look forward to seeing how it comes out! I hope the pitting isn't bad enough to where it can't be fired safely.

offthepaper · Sep 27, 2015

You have your work cut out for you there.

toolness1 · Sep 27, 2015

I'm in.

I have a Type 53 that's just about as rusty, what are your plans for dealing with the rust?

Cruacious · Sep 27, 2015

For the rust I used 0000 steel wool and Bar and Chain oil. For the cosmo I liberally applied Mineral Spirits. It worked quite well for me.

yellowsled · Sep 27, 2015

I really hope it cleans up for you well. That one of those non-refurb original ones that was rode hard. How does the bore look?

Cruacious · Sep 27, 2015

Bore looks very bright with strong rifling. Just was caked in cosmo and crud. Took an hour to get it running clean patches.

lee2 · Sep 27, 2015

wow.

i hope you got a really good deal on that one. :innocent0

Cruacious · Sep 27, 2015

lee2 said:
wow.
i hope you got a really good deal on that one.

Well... I gave him an Enfield No.4 Mk.1 with a #3 bolt head. Headspace was still in spec and fired alright. At least this is cleaning up VERY nicely.

Threeband · Sep 27, 2015

Maybe an electrolysis set up?

BigT5g · Sep 27, 2015

wow! thats quite a project. looking forward to seeing the "after" photos

Cruacious · Sep 27, 2015

Here's the only post-cleaning shot you'll get tonight. I'll get on more once I'm further along in getting it up to my par and spec. Barreled receiver and bolt. I apologize for the poor quality but it IS late and I want to highlight just how MUCH of that crud was cosmoline and dirt, not rust.

toolness1 · Sep 28, 2015

Cruacious said:
For the rust I used 0000 steel wool and Bar and Chain oil. For the cosmo I liberally applied Mineral Spirits. It worked quite well for me.

My rust must be deeper than yours. The rust on mine would laugh at steel wool.

Sent from my XT901 using Tapatalk

toolness1 · Sep 28, 2015

Threeband said:
Maybe an electrolysis set up?

I have all the equipment to do this sitting in a box. I'll try it one of these days.

Sent from my XT901 using Tapatalk

Melnic · Sep 28, 2015

There is pitting on the bottom of the barrel. I'm curious to know at what point does one worry about barrel integrity and is it more an issue near the chamber or any place in the barrel?

lee2 · Sep 28, 2015

Cruacious said:
Well... I gave him an Enfield No.4 Mk.1 with a #3 bolt head. Headspace was still in spec and fired alright. At least this is cleaning up VERY nicely.

i think i would have kept the enfield!

toolness1 · Sep 28, 2015

Melnic said:
There is pitting on the bottom of the barrel. I'm curious to know at what point does one worry about barrel integrity and is it more an issue near the chamber or any place in the barrel?

Good question. I wondered this about mine as well, although I have shot it.

Crazy how the bore is in great shape but the outside of the barrel is so pitted. It had sand/dirt trapped between the barrel and the stock on my T53

yellowsled · Sep 28, 2015

Keep the pics coming!

Cruacious · Oct 4, 2015

Well I've finished cleaning the rifle up and decided to save stripping the stock for later. So here's the pictures of the rifle assembled after I touched it up. Don't mind the cosmetic rust, it's only cosmetic.

Straightbolt · Oct 4, 2015

The rust on the bolt is still active. Might want to touch it up with a wire wheel on a bench grinder.

Cleaning the M44

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