My late Grandfathers S&W 629, untouched and unfired for 25 years
Posted by OsvmaBinSmashin@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 19 comments
Going through my Grandfathers safe, 20 years after he passed. Safe’s been opened maybe 3 times since then, guns have sat untouched for years. Safe moved since then and some moisture got in, might see a bit of that on the receiver.
I’ve been slowly checking everything over inside the safe, and preparing to have these guns inspected and repaired. Figured I’d share a few photos of his .44, who doesn’t love an old S&W
Comfortable-Story-53@reddit
That was a fun one. My Dad had one but when he got all demential, he sold it. And the Python. Still kind of bummed.
AbleNecessary2518@reddit
629-3 or 629-4?
In any case, for me the best configuration: stainless steel, 6" barrel, forged parts,...
OsvmaBinSmashin@reddit (OP)
It’s actually a -1. Looking around online, that’s pretty unusual. First year transitional build, they didn’t normally come P&R
AbleNecessary2518@reddit
Ah he doesn't have the endurance pack, don't shoot too much large load ammunition
firearmresearch00@reddit
For being "untouched and unfired" that thing looks like it's been around the block a couple times
Kromulent@reddit
Stainless guns are easier to clean up than blued ones.
Remove the grips, put on some gloves and eye pro and step outside with a can of break cleaner (or aggressive aerosol gun cleaner) and hose it out. You can squirt the cleaner into the open grip frame where the grips were, and into whatever little openings present themselves. Let it sit for a minute and hit it again.
Once it drips dry, hit it with a can of aerosol RemOil, which will leave behind a nice clean lubricant layer when it dries.
Put the grips back on and off you go.
WD40 turns to varnish when it dries, and a lot of old guns need this sort of bath. Many people disassemble them for cleaning but it's really unnecessary most of the time and the risk of causing a new problem is not insignificant.
Blued gun are a little tricker because they can 'flash rust' with surprising speed once they are degreased. Stainless guns are more forgiving, and once you have the wood off, everything inside is either a steel spring or a stainless steel part.
OsvmaBinSmashin@reddit (OP)
I might do this if the safe they say in wasn’t actively infested with mold. They can’t leave the safe, not permanently and not right now, for family reasons. I’ll have them cleaned by a professional, although I’ll do some light cleaning where I can.
pewpew1764@reddit
That’s the right way until you are confident you can disassemble and clean yourself. Should be fine but a new spring set is cheap while a gunsmith is cleaning it.
PoweroftheINTERNET@reddit
Someone shot that thing without hearing protection back in the day
OsvmaBinSmashin@reddit (OP)
Ears still ringing to this day
highvelocitypeasoup@reddit
Ahh the classic wd40 gunk on the hammer.
OsvmaBinSmashin@reddit (OP)
I assume it’s old gun oil, noticed that as well when I pulled the hammer. Nasty stuff
No-Average6364@reddit
For sure get those cleaned. in the past, lots of people used deputy forty interchangeably with gun oil, and you see a lot of those kinds of residues left over on those guns. not that only deputy forty leaves residue, i'm sure plenty of others do, but really good high quality gun oils typically don't. can't wait to see the rest of your goodies.
OsvmaBinSmashin@reddit (OP)
For sure. I appreciate the info! Every firearm is gonna go to a great gunsmith, to be inspected and restored. Then I’ll be able to actually maintain them. Locked away in the damn safe, would have been eaten away by the mold in the safe had I not opened it when I did.
No-Average6364@reddit
good catch.
highvelocitypeasoup@reddit
A lot of old timers used to pull all their guns out and spray them down with wd40 once in a while. Over the years it dries and accumulates into this. Its kindof a thing. Fortunately it comes off to hoppes or other solvents
OsvmaBinSmashin@reddit (OP)
That’s awful. I appreciate the heads up. I’m told he would spread them all out in the living room and clean them one by one. I’ll have to get all that out, for sure.
SukOnMaGLOCKNastyBIH@reddit
Send it
OsvmaBinSmashin@reddit (OP)
I’ll post detailed photos of the rest of the collection in the coming days, roughly 15 guns. Other photos on my profile, if you want to see. Lots of wood, lots of real high quality craftsmanship. Particularly excited about the T series Hi power and West German Weatherby MK. V