Finally got one, last weekend. 1942, so it's a bit rough; paid $170. More than I wanted, but I hadn't seen any locally, so, when it's there, it's there. Did get all the usual stuff with it (bayonet, sling, etc). Forgot all about Tula/Izhevsk, didn't even think to check that.
Wiped it down with paper towels with paint thinner, that got it so it was at least something I could pick up. Did some reading, and the best recommendation for removing cosmoline was heat. So I put it out in the sun, and that seemed to do most of the work: let it warm up, then wipe down.
I did resort to using carb&choke cleaner on the barrel. I haven't figured out if I regret that or not. I mean, they made about 17 billion, and none are that fancy, it's hardly a loss: but I removed paint/finish of some sort. It's certainly not as black as it as. OTOH it did blast it out of crevices. I will say tho that carb&choke cleaner did nothing to really remove cosmoline, unless if it was hot, and then I bet an air hose would do the same. So, in the future, I won't be using that stuff, just paint thinner and sunlight.
The bore is nasty. I wore out three bronze brushes, and it's basically just as bad as when I started. I did some reading, and I think I will just shoot it, and see what it does. If it shoots ok, then I'll just leave it be (well, clean up after shooting, but not worry about it). I'll probably bring a new brush with me to the range, get it warm, then clean it. Multiple times. But really, I don't think I can hope for more than what, 3 MOA? Odds are, it'll shoot better than me.
Still haven't shot it yet.
Just can't get to the range. Maybe next weekend...
I opened the case of non-Bulgarian ammo I have, and interestingly, the bullet tips are painted silver. I think it might be steel core, not sure at the moment, just didn't think I bought that steel core. The range I go to won't care, I just thought the generic stuff was just steel cased.
Wiped it down with paper towels with paint thinner, that got it so it was at least something I could pick up. Did some reading, and the best recommendation for removing cosmoline was heat. So I put it out in the sun, and that seemed to do most of the work: let it warm up, then wipe down.
I did resort to using carb&choke cleaner on the barrel. I haven't figured out if I regret that or not. I mean, they made about 17 billion, and none are that fancy, it's hardly a loss: but I removed paint/finish of some sort. It's certainly not as black as it as. OTOH it did blast it out of crevices. I will say tho that carb&choke cleaner did nothing to really remove cosmoline, unless if it was hot, and then I bet an air hose would do the same. So, in the future, I won't be using that stuff, just paint thinner and sunlight.
The bore is nasty. I wore out three bronze brushes, and it's basically just as bad as when I started. I did some reading, and I think I will just shoot it, and see what it does. If it shoots ok, then I'll just leave it be (well, clean up after shooting, but not worry about it). I'll probably bring a new brush with me to the range, get it warm, then clean it. Multiple times. But really, I don't think I can hope for more than what, 3 MOA? Odds are, it'll shoot better than me.
Still haven't shot it yet.
I opened the case of non-Bulgarian ammo I have, and interestingly, the bullet tips are painted silver. I think it might be steel core, not sure at the moment, just didn't think I bought that steel core. The range I go to won't care, I just thought the generic stuff was just steel cased.
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