My dad trashed Grandpa's .22

[Patrick L]

I love my Dad dearly, but sometimes I really wonder about him.

One of the guns in the house when I was a kid was my Grandpa's (on my mother's side) old Mossberg .22 single shot. This was the Grandfather I never really knew, as he passed away when I was 5. I never heard talk of him being any kind of major shooter or hunter, but he had this old gun. Just a plain, vanilla type .22. When I moved out in 1991, it was where I left it, in the corner of my bedroom closet, clean and oiled. I forgot about it in the natural progression of career, marriage, fatherhood, and life in general etc.

Fast forward to the present. My 15 year old son likes shooting and hunting. I've had him out with most of my rifles and shotguns, and this year got him into the Junior Smallbore program at my club. All of a sudden I remember the old .22. I think my son would enjoy shooting the old gun, so I inquire to my Dad as to if it is still there.

Well, it seems that there was a rabbit eating the lettuce plants in the garden, so he took it out to try to get him. He then left the gun out in the garage/shop. ABOUT 8 -10 YEARS AGO (he can't remember exactly.) What is it about this generation of people born in the Depression, that if something gets in their gardens, they act like an enemy army is invading and declare all out war on it? I mean a rabbit eating a dollar and a half worth of lettuce causes them to totally loose their minds? You may deduce that this isn't the first time he's done this, and you would be correct. But in the past it always involved assorted BB or pellet guns, which I suppose I can understand a cavalier attitude about their care. (He ruined my first Red Ryder, if you must know.) But a real gun? Not to mention we live in the middle of the suburbs, where discharging a firearm will get you a quick audience will the law enforcement types. Bear in mind, my Dad is not some ignorant clodhopper. We're talking about an educated man who raised a family, owned and operated a very successful business, and has been a respected member of the community for all of his life. Aside from this one thing, I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for him. He really is the best Dad ever! But this!?

Anyhow, I found it, standing up at the end of the bench, in a stack of pipes. 2x4's and assorted other garbage. Time, hot, cold, humidity, sawdust, and God only knows what else had taken its toll. I have included some pics.









Anyhow, I'm currently working over things with CLP, WD40, and fine steel wool. We're starting to clean up. I think I might cob together a set of aperture target sights for the old girl, and spend the summer shooting it with my son. And I'm keeping it in my own safe now!

[3006guns]

Not everyone in the world is mechanically inclined. What seems to be a travesty to us would be "no big deal" to some people. That's why folks like us exist....to preserve things for the next generation. Your concern shows that you will preserve a bit of family history, even though you didn't know your grandfather. Perhaps your mother can provide some insight.

That's a neat old Mossberg! Sounds like you're on the right track with your clean up too. How's the bore? Still respectable? I also seem to remember that some of the old Mossbergs had a fold down forestock to be used as a bipod of sorts.

[pmeisel]

Please show us after photos. It looks like it will clean up OK. Glad you are doing it.

My dad was a fine man but a mechanical ignoramus as well.

[oldfart1956]

O.K....mebbe I'm just stupid but I don't get it. Puddy much all my guns look like this. Mebbe this is why no one ever wants to buy a gun from me?? Audie...

[cheese1566]

She would do nicely as a "basement gunsmith" refurb!!!

Check out my old girl...http://cheese1566gunsandstuff.shutterfly.com/201

Formby's Furniture Refinisher, Formby's Tung Oil, and cold blue. I do have the luxury of a homemade sandblaster though.

[Multigunner]

Looks like it should clean up okay.

Worst abused rifle I ever fixed up was a yard sale find a friend brought over.

It had been found leaning against a tree in the woods, apparently left there for years.

The scope, a nice Simmons, was completely full of old greenish rain water, and the bore had a tide line about 1/4 the way up.
The stock was so soaked you could squeeze water out of it by finger pressure, and split from trigger guard to fore end tip.

The rifle is a Revelation .22 single shot, a mossberg clone. Its the type that looks to be a bolt action built on a semi auto frame, with semi auto type hammer rather than striker fired.

The bore miraculously was unharmed, bullet lube had protected the surface despite sitting for years full of water.
The receiver was pitted like a corn cobb on top, but enough metal remained to smooth it out without filing away too much at the scope mount grooves.

The scope was a mess, I cleaned it out but the cross hair fitting came loose. I ended up using it as a view finder for a newtonian telescope. A spare dollar store scope replaced it, but once I'd replaced a missing rear sight the iron sights were what the owner liked best.

Careful drying and accaglass returned the stock to good order.

When finished the gun looked like new, and shoots like a target rifle. A very satisfying project.

[Mumblypeg]

I wouldn't get too worked up over it. Yea I know, It was your Grandpaw's Gun but try to look at it this way... What's done is done. You have it now and it looks like it will clean up ok and it's not exactly a priceless fine firearm... Well let me say something else. My Dad was a Vet. He could really work a scapel but he didn't which end of a screwdriver was which. He took a fine hunting knife of mine once and wacked off the feet of a rabbit he was cleaning on concrete! It did wonders to the fine edge I had on it. And there were many other things but my point is... well, he's been gone for almost 11 years now and those things would be a small price to pay just to spend a day talking to him again. Don't be too hard on him.

[shooterg]

Lot of single shots in the sticks look that bad . We useta call most any make farmer's single shot .22 a "pig gun" 'cause that's what was used to kill hogs for slaughter and any fox/skunk/etc. plus put down the cow that got hit in the street and so on. Long as it worked it was treated just as bad or well as that particular farmer treated his ax and hammers !
I expect you'll get the wood looking great, and since it's a heirloom, maybe even splurge $70 or so for a reblue, if the home scrubbing and cold blue don't suit ya.

At least you still have it ! My Pop's Springfield 15Y he bought from Sears in 1933 for $2.98 to run a trapline with got stolen out of my brother's car when it was wrecked and towed.

Hope your child's grandchildren get to shoot it !

[fecmech]

Clean it up and it will probably be fine. Those old Mossbergs were very accurate rifles. I'd be willing to bet the bore is just fine and with decent ammo shoot with some high priced .22's you would buy today. I think the trigger is even adjustable on that rifle.

[Recluse]

What is it about this generation of people born in the Depression, that if something gets in their gardens, they act like an enemy army is invading and declare all out war on it? I mean a rabbit eating a dollar and a half worth of lettuce causes them to totally loose their minds?

Uh, maybe because they have been HUNGRY with almost NOTHING TO EAT before in their lives?

Tends to make an impression on some folks.

Also, to many people guns are simply a tool to do a job and not something to collect or cherish or pamper.

[SPRINGFIELDM141972]

Take in to account the circumstances:

1. There is an invading rodent population into the only garden your going to get to plant this year.

2. You have a handy dispatching tool at your disposal.

3. You probably missed the opportunity rid yourself of this invading force when you ran into the house to retrieve the gun the first time.

4. Placed the tool in a handy location and then missed the intended target, once or twice over the course of a week.

5. This whole time the little b@$!^&d is eating your food.

6. And when you finally got him, you are afraid there will be another invasion soon.

7. So you leave it in that handy location and patiently await the next destructive horde.

I'm afraid I can see how such a travesty could occur and don't believe I could be upset with the individual involved.

Take this opportunity to spend some quality time with your son and make it into a father/son project that he will remember all his life. We all to often get caught up in the daily challenges of life in general and don't take the time to deal with the things that will out live us, like sharing with our children. I didn't have lot of those experiences with my father, he was busy trying to insure we didn't go hungry, but the times I did spend with him working on whatever are the things I smile about. ( That's where I learned how to curse really good too )

Regards,
Everett

[Bad Water Bill]

Those depression folks saw their garden as food for THEIR children. The critters were trying to take food from their children so bang and something else was put on the plate.

Numrich Arms should have the Mossberg parts you need.

[buck1]

On the bright side , at least you still have it, It can be used to teach your son about gun care , and now BOTH of you can restore it together.
Yes its still sad , but its not gone.
Oil , 0000 fine steel wool and soak time should help it a lot..........Buck

[deltaenterprizes]

I got 3 guns in that condition for $100 from a garage sale cleaned them up but now they are junk after going through Hurricane Katrina! Maybe one day I will redo them again.

[crabo]

I have a friends Stevens Crackshot that outside looks good, but the bore is horrible. I have been trying to clean it up and not having much luck. I am hoping it is not gone. The rifleling looks pretty bad at the chamber end. I have been soaking and scrubbing.

Any suggestions on getting the bore clean?

[10 ga]

Crabo, for getting the bore clean get some Ed's Red. Google it and make some yourself or get some from Brownells. Soak bore with the Ed's Red overnight and brass brush scrub a couple times will tell the tale of what's going to come out.

As for "Grandpa's" 22. I've got 2 in the same shape, behind the seat of the pickup, that I use on the trapline etc... they go bang and are what has been described as the proverbial "pig gun", one served that purpose this past February too. If I cleaned them up and made them look all nice I couldn't in good concience use them as the tools they are. One is even a black Nylon 66 with a chiped and warped stock. I wipe them off and clean em up about twice a year but I need them to serve a purpose. Got both at "yard/garage" sales. You'll have a grand time overhaulin "Grandpa's" 22 with your son and he'll remember it forever. My daughter, 22 now, and I overhauled my Grandfathers old Winchester 1911 12ga "widowmaker" shotgun. Now she thinks recoil autos are the best and claims that one as "going to be hers". She shoots it pretty good too and when she goes back to her Verona it's like a toy it's so light and quick and she shoots that even better. I even like messin with and fixin up older guns. Mostly I like overhaulin MLs that some dolt has abused and gettin them to shoot decent. Best to all, 10 ga

[Patrick L]

Cleanup is going well, and the bore looks to be good.

Funny thing is, my Dad isn't a mechanical ignoramus. He was a home builder and a darn fine carpenter. I don't think he would ever have treated even his hammer like this. And while I totally understand the Depression era mindset about "saving your food" why would you not also protect all of your hard earned possessions likewise? As someone said, its not exactly a fine firearm but I bet it cost $5 - $10 back then, and that was a LOT of money to those people. Its not just my Dad either, I see this in a lot of folks in that age bracket.

I will definitely post some after pics.

[JDFuchs]

About the same thing happend to my grandparents two side by sides. They were in good care, or at least lack of use. Till about 5 years before my grandfather passed. They got shuffled into the garage. and the Florida air took there toll on them. Once I got them in my hands last week I oiled them up so the Colorado air would not split the stocks. Ill post pictures once i get a chance. Hope they clean up well. The one looks in good shape just will never have a good finish with out a complete reblue but the bore looks fine. The older one my Great grandfathers Will not likley fire again. the fireing pins have rusted in place. I think ill be able to get them free and everything into good shape but I dont think it will be solid enough to shoot.

[montana_charlie]

At least you still have it !

That was my thought, too.
I was 16 when we lived in Kansas City, and my Dad went out to New Mexico to look into a new job. After about a month, he sent for us.
My stepmother decided to have a garage sale to get rid of 'excess stuff'.

A lot of irreplaceable 'sporting goods' went away in that sale, which happened while I was at school.
But, what tore me up most was...she sold my Dad's guns.

The rifle and shotgun were not very special, but one pistol was the Colt 1908 Hammerless .380 that had been his Dad's, and the other was the issued 1911 that my Dad had carried through WWII.

I never forgave her...
CM

[nicholst55]

I have a friends Stevens Crackshot that outside looks good, but the bore is horrible. I have been trying to clean it up and not having much luck. I am hoping it is not gone. The rifleling looks pretty bad at the chamber end. I have been soaking and scrubbing.

Any suggestions on getting the bore clean?

You may want to look into having a barrel liner installed. I don't know what the cost would be, but it's always an option.