Cosmoline cleaning for Mosins.

marinevet1010 · 04-05-2008, 08:57 PM

Hey guys! I'm pretty new to the forums and to surplus guns alike. I have a few guns, but all were new guns. I first found out about this "cosmoline" in the "First Time Cleaning of Miltiary Surplus Firearms" topic, and I am utterly confused on the topic. I plan on getting a Mosin 91/30 at a local gun store soon and I have a few questions:

1. If I want to clean out the cosmoline, should I completely take the gun apart? I'm scared if I do that I won't remember how to put it back together and totally screw up my Mosin.

2. What way of removing cosmoline would you recommend for a Mosin?

3. Where is cosmoline generally located in a Mosin?

4. If I were to take apart the Mosin completely and couldn't figute out where the pieces go, what do you recommend I do?

Also, if there is a guide on cosmoline removal specifically for the Mosin 91/30 or Mosins in general, please post a link here. Thanks everyone for the support!

WW2Junkie · 04-05-2008, 09:09 PM

I would recommend taking the gun apart and clean EVERYTHING the first time through. There are lots of ideas on how to clean the cosmo but be careful. Some things like paint thinner, etc. WILL ruin the stock finnish. Another reason why you should tear it down completely. If you find you can’t figure out how to put it back together you can send it to me!

Seriusly, go the the stickys at the beginning of this forum. It explains how to clean very well.

marion57 · 04-05-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinevet1010

Hey guys! I'm pretty new to the forums and to surplus guns alike. I have a few guns, but all were new guns. I first found out about this "cosmoline" in the "First Time Cleaning of Miltiary Surplus Firearms" topic, and I am utterly confused on the topic. I plan on getting a Mosin 91/30 at a local gun store soon and I have a few questions:

1. If I want to clean out the cosmoline, should I completely take the gun apart? I'm scared if I do that I won't remember how to put it back together and totally screw up my Mosin.

2. What way of removing cosmoline would you recommend for a Mosin?

3. Where is cosmoline generally located in a Mosin?

4. If I were to take apart the Mosin completely and couldn't figute out where the pieces go, what do you recommend I do?

Also, if there is a guide on cosmoline removal specifically for the Mosin 91/30 or Mosins in
general, please post a link here. Thanks everyone for the support!

YES at the top of this forum!!
Read sticky on cleaning

Geo M44 · 04-05-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinevet1010

Hey guys! I'm pretty new to the forums and to surplus guns alike. I have a few guns, but all were new guns. I first found out about this "cosmoline" in the "First Time Cleaning of Miltiary Surplus Firearms" topic, and I am utterly confused on the topic. I plan on getting a Mosin 91/30 at a local gun store soon and I have a few questions:

1. If I want to clean out the cosmoline, should I completely take the gun apart? I'm scared if I do that I won't remember how to put it back together and totally screw up my Mosin.

2. What way of removing cosmoline would you recommend for a Mosin?

3. Where is cosmoline generally located in a Mosin?

4. If I were to take apart the Mosin completely and couldn't figute out where the pieces go, what do you recommend I do?

Also, if there is a guide on cosmoline removal specifically for the Mosin 91/30 or Mosins in general, please post a link here. Thanks everyone for the support!

1. Yes, disassemble. The MN is about as simple as rifles get. You really can't screw it up. See the stickies at the beginning of this forum.

2. Pick one from the list. For the bolt, magazine, and first cleaning of the barrel use mineral spirits and a cheap 2" utility paint brush. For the breech... I like boiling water, Dawn Power Desolver or Cascade diswasher liquid, and 12GA brush on a drill, but others like more toxic methods (brake cleaner, etc).

3. Everywhere... and it is addictive so wear Nitrile gloves.

4. Read the stickies at the beginning of this forum. Read my comment in item 1... nuff said.

Russian cosmolene is pretty much the same as anyone else's, melting point ~130deg.F and as I said before addictive as hell. We use it for cologne, and jock itch.

Welcome to the MN forum.

WW2Junkie · 04-05-2008, 09:15 PM

Here's a link that will show you how to disassemble a carbine. i.e. M38, M44, etc.
Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2005) - Surplusrifle.com
And here's one for the 91/30.
Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2006) - Surplusrifle.com

marion57 · 04-05-2008, 09:18 PM

Gee guys didnt mean to hijack your thread and answers

Geo M44 · 04-05-2008, 09:21 PM

Ya didn't, and the more the Marion... er merrier.

We know that you would never hijack a thread.

Please move to the Group W bench.

thebluesbox · 04-05-2008, 10:57 PM

I might get wet noodle flogged but I will put this out there for the new guy.
Both of my mosins the m44 and the m38 came in with not a whole lotta cosmo so not having a lot of time and scared to completely take it apart just like you I cleaned the bolt, inside the rifle really good and out side the stock etc. I didnt take it completely apart because it didnt seem to be fully ingulfed with cosmo. I went shoot it and I didnt have the leaky hot cosmo dripping all over me like I heard the horror stories of. Matter of fact till today I have not taken them completly apart because I didnt want to damage the stock parts and I didnt wanna screw anything up.

My point is, I guess the right way to do it is fully disassemble them to clean but like me if it doesnt look like it totally saturated in cosmoline you might be able to get away with cleaning the inside real good and the outside with out taking it completely apart.

If it does look like it has a lot inside the stock and it might be a problem once it gets hot or something then you might want to risk the scare and take it down, but Im just saying I didnt and I think I pulled it off.

texnmidwest · 04-05-2008, 11:02 PM

All I did with mine was take the bolt completely apart and clean that with mineral spirits, lube and reassemble. Then I ran patches down the bore soaked in Mineral spirits followed by hoppes. I also took gun scrubber and blew out the chamber real well. Careful not to get it on the stock. It will take the finish off.

Only had one rifle that was drenched. Still cleaning that up.

Geo M44 · 04-05-2008, 11:20 PM

For minimum cleaning just make sure that the bore is clean, and the bolt works. Again this rifle is as simple as they get.

sh4d0ww4rri0r · 04-14-2008, 12:52 AM

I took in my 91/30 into work today. I decided that instead of using my wife's hello kitty hair dryer I would go a little more powerfull and use a heat gun. Bad idea. On settings of 9 and 5 the cosmo came out so fast it raised the wood and pust some weird bubbles in the finish. Worst of all the stock smells like a chimney now. It has a few dark spots where I think it burnt even as I was turning down the heat. I hope this does not ruin the intergrity of the stock as to make it brittle or such. Oh well, she started out real ugly with realy bad wartime machining and now she is even uglier. shes got a little more character now though. I am not totally disappointed. I still can't wait to shoot her. Then I can name her! She will always be my ugly duckling. Something to compare to when I get more pretty ones.

I'll love her just the same. This is my second rifle and I will just keep learning to be more gentle as I go. At least I didn't ruin a finn or something. But who said I ruined it huh? hehe
Will a slight burn stain the wood in that area forever? Even after sanding? Does it harm the integrity of the stock? Just asking....
DSCF9404.JPG

DSCF9407.JPG

DSCF9410.JPG

DSCF9412.JPG

DSCF9415.JPG

Mooseman684 · 04-14-2008, 01:47 AM

Depending how bad you burnt it...You may be able to sand it out...You weren't supposed to use the heat gun Directly on the stock.

You set up a container to act like an Oven 140 to 150 degrees will melt the cosmoline...It takes 3 times that temp to burn wood !

sh4d0ww4rri0r · 04-14-2008, 01:50 AM

Yeah I was following the directions of my boss. Serves me right to listen to him huh? JK, he's a pretty good boss. Probably not the best gunsmith/carpenter......

Kismet · 04-14-2008, 02:03 AM

In my generally ignorant opinion...

You bought it to shoot, right? It was made to shoot in some of the most hostile and debilitating conditions on the planet. You might assume that most of the conscripts and regular army who used these weapons were not...uh...fastidious in their care.

You didn't hurt the stock. You didn't hurt the rifle. You gave it your own texture and will recall from time-to-time, as you use it, how the marks, burns, and small scrapes on it came to be.

It is truly yours now.

Enjoy.

sh4d0ww4rri0r · 04-14-2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kismet

In my generally ignorant opinion...

You bought it to shoot, right? It was made to shoot in some of the most hostile and debilitating conditions on the planet. You might assume that most of the conscripts and regular army who used these weapons were not...uh...fastidious in their care.

You didn't hurt the stock. You didn't hurt the rifle. You gave it your own texture and will recall from time-to-time, as you use it, how the marks, burns, and small scrapes on it came to be.

It is truly yours now.

Enjoy.

Now thats what I like to hear! thanks.

I mean... even if it was ignorant.... jk hehe

marion57 · 04-14-2008, 04:17 AM

shadow I have a really ugly looking type 53 that I love to shoot !1 You will find you love them all hehe

SwedeSteve · 04-14-2008, 04:51 AM

Caution Marion!!!

marion57 · 04-14-2008, 07:59 AM

I cant help it steve there all my babys

Mike82 · 04-14-2008, 09:24 AM

ok, i'm ordering new stuff for my 7.62 calibres....the stuff i need is this? Hoppe's no9 bore solvent....20ga chamber brush....are those what i need?

sh4d0ww4rri0r · 04-14-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marion57

I cant help it steve there all my babys

I hear ya!

04-05-2008, 08:57 PM	#1
marinevet1010 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Goodrich, Michigan Posts: 314	Cosmoline cleaning for Mosins. Hey guys! I'm pretty new to the forums and to surplus guns alike. I have a few guns, but all were new guns. I first found out about this "cosmoline" in the "First Time Cleaning of Miltiary Surplus Firearms" topic, and I am utterly confused on the topic. I plan on getting a Mosin 91/30 at a local gun store soon and I have a few questions: 1. If I want to clean out the cosmoline, should I completely take the gun apart? I'm scared if I do that I won't remember how to put it back together and totally screw up my Mosin. 2. What way of removing cosmoline would you recommend for a Mosin? 3. Where is cosmoline generally located in a Mosin? 4. If I were to take apart the Mosin completely and couldn't figute out where the pieces go, what do you recommend I do? Also, if there is a guide on cosmoline removal specifically for the Mosin 91/30 or Mosins in general, please post a link here. Thanks everyone for the support!

04-05-2008, 09:15 PM	#5
WW2Junkie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Middle of Wisconsin Posts: 128	Here's a link that will show you how to disassemble a carbine. i.e. M38, M44, etc. Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2005) - Surplusrifle.com And here's one for the 91/30. Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2006) - Surplusrifle.com Last edited by WW2Junkie; 04-05-2008 at 09:23 PM. Reason: Forgot some info.

04-05-2008, 09:18 PM	#6
marion57 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 3,056	Gee guys didnt mean to hijack your thread and answers __________________ You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers!(Charlton Heston)

04-05-2008, 11:02 PM	#9
texnmidwest Where's that Coyote?! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 4,014	All I did with mine was take the bolt completely apart and clean that with mineral spirits, lube and reassemble. Then I ran patches down the bore soaked in Mineral spirits followed by hoppes. I also took gun scrubber and blew out the chamber real well. Careful not to get it on the stock. It will take the finish off. Only had one rifle that was drenched. Still cleaning that up. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

04-14-2008, 12:52 AM	#11
sh4d0ww4rri0r Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 186	I took in my 91/30 into work today. I decided that instead of using my wife's hello kitty hair dryer I would go a little more powerfull and use a heat gun. Bad idea. On settings of 9 and 5 the cosmo came out so fast it raised the wood and pust some weird bubbles in the finish. Worst of all the stock smells like a chimney now. It has a few dark spots where I think it burnt even as I was turning down the heat. I hope this does not ruin the intergrity of the stock as to make it brittle or such. Oh well, she started out real ugly with realy bad wartime machining and now she is even uglier. shes got a little more character now though. I am not totally disappointed. I still can't wait to shoot her. Then I can name her! She will always be my ugly duckling. Something to compare to when I get more pretty ones. I'll love her just the same. This is my second rifle and I will just keep learning to be more gentle as I go. At least I didn't ruin a finn or something. But who said I ruined it huh? hehe Will a slight burn stain the wood in that area forever? Even after sanding? Does it harm the integrity of the stock? Just asking.... DSCF9404.JPG DSCF9407.JPG DSCF9410.JPG DSCF9412.JPG DSCF9415.JPG Last edited by sh4d0ww4rri0r; 04-14-2008 at 01:28 AM.

04-05-2008, 09:09 PM	#2
WW2Junkie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Middle of Wisconsin Posts: 128	I would recommend taking the gun apart and clean EVERYTHING the first time through. There are lots of ideas on how to clean the cosmo but be careful. Some things like paint thinner, etc. WILL ruin the stock finnish. Another reason why you should tear it down completely. If you find you can’t figure out how to put it back together you can send it to me! Seriusly, go the the stickys at the beginning of this forum. It explains how to clean very well.

04-05-2008, 09:21 PM	#7
Geo M44 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: The Desert Posts: 2,308	Ya didn't, and the more the Marion... er merrier. We know that you would never hijack a thread. Please move to the Group W bench.

04-05-2008, 10:57 PM	#8
thebluesbox Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 95	I might get wet noodle flogged but I will put this out there for the new guy. Both of my mosins the m44 and the m38 came in with not a whole lotta cosmo so not having a lot of time and scared to completely take it apart just like you I cleaned the bolt, inside the rifle really good and out side the stock etc. I didnt take it completely apart because it didnt seem to be fully ingulfed with cosmo. I went shoot it and I didnt have the leaky hot cosmo dripping all over me like I heard the horror stories of. Matter of fact till today I have not taken them completly apart because I didnt want to damage the stock parts and I didnt wanna screw anything up. My point is, I guess the right way to do it is fully disassemble them to clean but like me if it doesnt look like it totally saturated in cosmoline you might be able to get away with cleaning the inside real good and the outside with out taking it completely apart. If it does look like it has a lot inside the stock and it might be a problem once it gets hot or something then you might want to risk the scare and take it down, but Im just saying I didnt and I think I pulled it off.

04-05-2008, 11:20 PM	#10
Geo M44 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: The Desert Posts: 2,308	For minimum cleaning just make sure that the bore is clean, and the bolt works. Again this rifle is as simple as they get.

04-14-2008, 01:47 AM	#12
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,372 Images: 2	Depending how bad you burnt it...You may be able to sand it out...You weren't supposed to use the heat gun Directly on the stock. You set up a container to act like an Oven 140 to 150 degrees will melt the cosmoline...It takes 3 times that temp to burn wood ! __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-14-2008, 01:50 AM	#13
sh4d0ww4rri0r Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 186	Yeah I was following the directions of my boss. Serves me right to listen to him huh? JK, he's a pretty good boss. Probably not the best gunsmith/carpenter......

04-14-2008, 02:03 AM	#14
Kismet Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: rural WI Posts: 185	In my generally ignorant opinion... You bought it to shoot, right? It was made to shoot in some of the most hostile and debilitating conditions on the planet. You might assume that most of the conscripts and regular army who used these weapons were not...uh...fastidious in their care. You didn't hurt the stock. You didn't hurt the rifle. You gave it your own texture and will recall from time-to-time, as you use it, how the marks, burns, and small scrapes on it came to be. It is truly yours now. Enjoy. __________________ Kis Safety? SAFETY??? Is gun for to shoot, not to be on SAFETY!!!

04-14-2008, 04:17 AM	#16
marion57 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 3,056	shadow I have a really ugly looking type 53 that I love to shoot !1 You will find you love them all hehe __________________ You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers!(Charlton Heston)

04-14-2008, 04:51 AM	#17
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,032 Images: 1	Caution Marion!!! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-14-2008, 07:59 AM	#18
marion57 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 3,056	I cant help it steve there all my babys __________________ You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers!(Charlton Heston)

04-14-2008, 09:24 AM	#19
Mike82 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Starkville, Mississippi USA Go BullDAWGS!!! Posts: 1,608 Images: 7	ok, i'm ordering new stuff for my 7.62 calibres....the stuff i need is this? Hoppe's no9 bore solvent....20ga chamber brush....are those what i need? __________________ No Trespassing! Violators Will Be Shot! Survivors Will Be Shot Again!