Gun Checks/Cleaning for Winter

Machodoc · Dec 5, 2015

I got some of my stuff out of deep (off-premises) storage this weekend to clean, inspect, re-pack, etc. I thought that I'd take some photos and post them while this is going on. I'm only doing handguns now. Long guns will require some help that I don't have available this weekend.

I'll start with some of the Mak. and Mak.-sized stuff.

Machodoc · Dec 5, 2015

Here are some Toks ...

Machodoc · Dec 5, 2015

This is a grouping of Stars. They are (top - bottom / left - right):

Star A converted to B
Two Star BMs, both ex Spanish secret police (CSP)
Two Star Bs, both ex Guardia Civil, and one with Union of South Africa cartouche
A Star BS; a Star M (with both early and late Guardia Civil markings on the gun and the magazine); a Star B Super. The Star M also has the name of an early Israeli fighter (later newspaper editor) engraved on it in Hebrew.

Rapture · Dec 5, 2015

Nice!

Jimbob2.0 · Dec 5, 2015

I need to do some clean out this weekend. Been meaning to for about 10 months, its actually a fairly large chore.

Cruacious · Dec 5, 2015

Let me know if you ever plan to downsize... nice collection there sir!

Melnic · Dec 5, 2015

mac,
What are you using as a preservative?

lee2 · Dec 5, 2015

now if i can just remember where i buried them.... :innocent0

Machodoc · Dec 5, 2015

Now moving on to my favorite group -- the Argentines! Again, left - right /top - bottom:

Ballester-Molina, Gendarmeria Nacionale
Sistema, Policia de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Venturini .22LR modification)
Sistema, Policia Santa Fe (Province)

Ballester-Molina, Armada Argentina (matching nos.,no import mark, German proofs)
Ballester-Molina, HOLY GRAIL ... British SOE WWII contract, matching, no import, British proofs, nearly perfect!
Sistema, Ejercito (Army), nearly perfect, no import marks, matching nos.

Sistema, Ejercito presentation piece, early Peron administration era, all matching, no import marks.

Argentine licensed copy of Hi Power (NIB)
Hartford Colt Government Model, very rare "M-" series sold to the Argentine Navy in two shipments of 79 each. Matching and no import marks.
Sistema - Plain old "shooter" grade Sistema with bubba sights on it, but no import marks and matching numbers. This gun shoots exceptionally well, with great trigger. Not sure if it's a U.S. or Argentine modification.

Machodoc · Dec 5, 2015

Melnic said:
mac,
What are you using as a preservative?

Ballistol, primarily, but the main thing is they are multi-sealed with dessicant packs, and are stored in a secure facility that has very stable temp and humidity. Under controlled temps and humidity, the preservative isn't all that critical. Regular gun oil would be fine--especially if they are checked periodically.

Rick3bears · Dec 5, 2015

Drool....Those sir, are magnificent. I am green with envy.

AACo · Dec 5, 2015

Beautiful collection Machodoc.

If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been using Ballistol? I just picked up a can and will be using it on one of my cheaper rifles as a test. Hard to break away from the traditional Hoppes and Oil.

reverendbeer · Dec 5, 2015

Machodoc said:
Now moving on to my favorite group -- the Argentines! Again, left - right /top - bottom:

Ballester-Molina, Gendarmeria Nacionale

Sistema, Policia de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Venturini .22LR modification)

Sistema, Policia Santa Fe (Province)

Ballester-Molina, Armada Argentina (matching nos.,no import mark, German proofs)

Ballester-Molina, HOLY GRAIL ... British SOE WWII contract, matching, no import, British proofs, nearly perfect!

Sistema, Ejercito (Army), nearly perfect, no import marks, matching nos.

Sistema, Ejercito presentation piece, all matching, no import marks.

Argentine licensed copy of Hi Power (NIB)

Hartford Colt Government Model, very rare "M-" series sold to the Argentine Navy in two shipments of 79 each. Matching and no import marks.

Sistema - Plain old "shooter" grade Sistema with bubba sights on it, but no import marks and matching numbers. This gun shoots exceptionally well, with great trigger. Not sure if it's a U.S. or Argentine modification.

That is a damn sexy list....

Machodoc · Dec 5, 2015

AACo said:
Beautiful collection Machodoc.

If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been using Ballistol? I just picked up a can and will be using it on one of my cheaper rifles as a test. Hard to break away from the traditional Hoppes and Oil.

About 3 years, I guess. It is very good at flowing over metal and clings to it rather tenaciously. But, as I stated earlier, temp and humidity control are much more important than what you have on the metal. Gun oil has worked very well for generations.

If the firearm has any noticeable freckling or other corrosion, I'll clean it carefully and store it with a coat of Kano Kroil.

I sometimes think that the average person uses solvents like Hoppes a bit too heavily. It's great stuff, but it's made to go on, get taken off very thoroughly, and then followed up with oil. If the gun hasn't been fired, more Hoppes isn't really necessary. More to the point, I've seen people use it as a replacement for oil. (Not suggesting at all that the OP would. I'm sure he knows better!) If you are using modern powder and primers, solvent isn't necessary for every cleaning, so long as you clean the piece after shooting.

Machodoc · Dec 5, 2015

lee2 said:
now if i can just remember where i buried them....

Clearly that skinny ass is NOT mine!

AACo · Dec 5, 2015

Machodoc said:
About 3 years, I guess. It is very good at flowing over metal and clings to it rather tenaciously. But, as I stated earlier, temp and humidity control are much more important than what you have on the metal. Gun oil has worked very well for generations.

If the firearm has any noticeable freckling or other corrosion, I'll clean it carefully and store it with a coat of Kano Kroil.

I sometimes think that the average person uses solvents like Hoppes a bit too heavily. It's great stuff, but it's made to go on, get taken off very thoroughly, and then followed up with oil. If the gun hasn't been fired, more Hoppes isn't really necessary. More to the point, I've seen people use it as a replacement for oil. (Not suggesting at all that the OP would. I'm sure he knows better!) If you are using modern powder and primers, solvent isn't necessary for every cleaning, so long as you clean the piece after shooting.

Thanks for the reply! Nice to hear that it has been working for you. Like you said, moisture is more of my battle.

Yeesh....solvent as oil sounds like a bad time. I guess I can understand why people would, hoppes does leave a oily residue behind.

Machodoc · Dec 6, 2015

This is the last one for awhile. I didn't include the majority of my "modern" guns or my wife's stuff, nor did I include items like crusty stuff I've bought as part of a Sack O' Guns or Sack O' Parts. I need to clean these, check them out, and re-pack them.

Jimbob2.0 · Dec 6, 2015

I would love to see your storage solutions for these.

Are you using racks? Just stacking them in bore store sleeves?

Struggling with my handgun collection and how to store. Right now just have them stacked up in bore stores.

somd_mustangs · Dec 6, 2015

I just started using Armory Racks.

http://www.armoryracks.com/Products/Multi-Gun-Racks

on the face of it a bit pricey, but when you add up the cost of all those Bore Stores, very competitively priced.
They allow you to pull a complete tray out and carry it, which makes it easier to move stuff.
Keeps the pistols from banging around like they might in an "open style" rack.
Also enough space underneath the pistols so you can store things - like another pistol in a Bore Store, or mags, etc.
Owner is an avid collector, and designed to his specs.

Machodoc · Dec 6, 2015

Provided you have a safe place to lock them up, and you can find them in top-notch condition, these can be very handy cases for sealed storage. I'm very fortunate that I have access to a secure, temp/humidity controlled, place where I can keep a stack of these. The key thing is to remember that the atmosphere inside the case is what you put there, so pack it DRY, add plenty of dessicant packs, and I use humidity indicator cards, too.

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