Gun oil and one of those green scrubby pads you use on crusty dishes. Be firm but gentle.
You can send it to me so I can take a closer look at it ;)
Actually that same CLP you used on your M16 should remove any light rust....
There is a metal polish that is called “Flitz” does a good job of taking off small spots of rust without hurting the bluing. Use a light touch.
Just give it a good cleaning with CLP or something similar. Don’t get too aggressive or use anything abrasive.
Have it checked by a competent gunsmith for safety and then have fun with it.
L
I wouldn’t know. All the firearms I used to have are rusting too. They were in the boat, and . . .
Join the M-1 CMP forums. They know EVERYTHING about that sexy rifle. One of these days I’ll make it to Camp Perry to find my own.
http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=7
Great rifle. As others have said, CLP. Keep a CLP soaked rag on it for a day or two then go slow. CLP will dry out so keep it wet.
Tetra. Clenzoil. Gun Scrubber. Or just old fashion Hoppe’s #9. Finger nail. Or finger pressure should do it. If not, spray it down good and leave overnight. Let the stuff work.
BTW be careful in your choice of ammo in a Garand. The fast burn rate of many commercial '06 loads causes a high bolt velocity and can damage the operating rod.
Surplus ball ammo, or ammo made to military specs is good to use for general fun shooting. Remington 150 grain in the green box is a good hunting load.
If you get into handloading, IMR4895 is a good powder to use that has a correct burn rate.
Don't store any firearm in a case or a bag, those are made just to take them to the place where you're going to shoot. Keep it in a dry, well-ventilated place that is (obviously) secure. A gun case will trap moisture next to a gun.
Fortunately now with the internet there's a world of information available at your fingertips, like how to break it down and clean it. And load it...
Have fun!
It’s a terrible gun. Totally unsafe. Worthless. Worse than garbage. Very dangerous. Don’t even touch it.
Just send it to me for safe and eco-friendly disposal.
You may want to look into using some Ballistol oil as a metal protector once you get the thing cleaned up. It’s great as an anti-corrosive.
WD40 takes rust off pretty well. Then wipe it down and oil with Hoppe’s.
Be careful oil, elbow grease and TLC.
If it were mine I’d have it put in a display case. What a great foundation to a Man Cave collection.
Sell it to me and don’t worry about it.
In the 80’s Woolworth in downtown Houston sold them for $100.
I bought and sold so many the ATF paid me a visit.
Only got one left. Those were the days.
WD40 and #0000 grade steel wool
I put my 770 away in the case after a day of shooting and didn’t let it cool.
The handle on the bolt started rusting.
Took it to local gun shop and they recommended what I wrote above.
Worked...
Go with the CMP forum mentioned above or good general advice on any military surplus weapon, cleaning and care, here:
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com
What a great gift. But you must immediately go boating. Guns sink right to the bottom. Guns are dangerous and should not be in any houses period. Especially a military assault rifle like the M1 Garand.
That being said. If you have a piece of steel that needs some light rust removed a little elbow grease, some lightweight oil, and a scotch bright pad (I use the brown ones I have in my machine shop which are a lesser grit than green) will take care of it. Only rub as hard as necessary. You may find you hardly apply any pressure. Then, wipe off with a clean rag, I prefer flannel. You’ll then want to rub the entire piece of steel with some protective oil as well. Also, it would be a good idea to dissasemble the entire assmbly and clean and oil all the steel bits.
I have a paste called “Gun Brite” which is pretty good for removing rust. It is full of grit tho so it might not be exactly right for your purpose. If it gets into the sight it has a tendency to gum up the works.
I sometimes use a penny to remove rust. It leaves a copper colored smear but you can remove it easily with one of the blitz cloths.
Then I use Duro or some other rust converter. It turns the bare metal into a blackish looking coating. Then just cover it with 30 weight non detergent motor oil. Any other oil will work too but the 30 weight is really cheap and as good as anything I have tried.