Rusty Magazine spring & tube

Doc O · June 26, 2009, 06:09:13 PM

Took the magazine out of my 66 today because I thought I could see some rust around the follower.
Sure enough, the spring, follower and tube where pretty bad.
Cleaned them up and lube with ballistol.
Thought of using something thicker but what?
What do other lube their mag spring and tubes with after cleaning?
Doc

Dirty Brass · June 26, 2009, 06:30:06 PM

I just give them a lite coat of any good gun oil I have on hand. Never had any problems, but I do that twice a year....

Montana Slim · June 26, 2009, 07:07:01 PM

I recommend CLP.
I've had mine out once & it was not rusty, cleaned / lubed with CLP and reassembled.
My 1866 was purchased new in 1997 and not disassembled/cleaned for about the 1st ten years.
'bout 99.99% of the estimated 20K rounds have been genuine gunpowder.

regards,
Slim

Will Ketchum · June 26, 2009, 08:47:08 PM

Doc, what caliber is your 66?

Will Ketchum

Fox Creek Kid · June 27, 2009, 02:26:10 AM

Although Ballistol is good stuff & I use it on certain guns, it is NOT a great rust preventaive. Another thing, when Ballistol dries it leaves a brown film which many will mistake as rust as well.

Flint · June 27, 2009, 02:03:34 PM

Rusty magazine tubes and springs are a common problem with lever rifles, they should be checked periodically. Don't use grease unless you want your ammo greasy when it chambers..............

Doc O · June 27, 2009, 10:17:56 PM

Will. It's a .45 lc.

FCK/Flint. I my have to go back to gun oil rather then the balistol.

Thanks Doc

Coffinmaker · June 28, 2009, 08:29:25 AM

I have three suggestions, first, skip the Ballastol. I don't like it for anything besides making leather soft.
Use a good gun oil, or Break Free, or ... "Boshield." You can get Boshield at sears. Developed as a lubricant/rust preventative by Boeing. Works a treat.

Coffinmaker

Will Ketchum · June 28, 2009, 12:46:28 PM

Quote from: Doc O on June 27, 2009, 10:17:56 PM
Will. It's a .45 lc.
Thanks Doc

Just as I suspected. You will note that Montana Slim said that he has never found fouling in the magazine of his 66. That is because it is a 44-40 which is a slight bottle neck cartridge and seals the breech better than the 45 Colt. My rifles in 45 need to have the magazine tube cleaned periodically but my 44-40s don't

Doc O · June 28, 2009, 07:43:27 PM

Took it apart again and lubed with breakfree. I'll just have to keep an eye on it.

Doc