[wahturi]

hi. i just purchased my standard blued mini last weekend. i only ever shot 22s before, so it's pretty exciting to shoot. even though i'm not to accurate yet. i had some questions that weren't covered in the manual and couldn't find searching here:

how often do you clean your minis? and what is the process?

do you guys use muzzle gaurds when cleaning?

what do you do to maintain the blued finish? i've been rubbing the barrel and action down with a little gun oil. is that bad?

would you recommend storing it with the action open or closed?

any odd things you guys do for these special little guns? thanks to all who reply, great forum!

 

[reloader]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum! You're in good hands with just about any question you could dream up here. Let me deal with your cleaning question first. I use Bore Snakes on all my firearms after firing. One pull through, throw it back in the range bag. Can't get any more simple and it's the best $15 you'll ever spend. For more serious cleaning I use an Otis cleaning system. It is a plastic sheathed steel cable with brass fittings on the ends for brushes and slotted tips. It is a flexible rod system that you use from breech to muzzle to avoid dragging crud from your barrel into the action and to protect your crown and the rifling at the muzzle.
The keys to preserving a firearm are cleaning and lubrication. Using a good oil specifically designed for firearms is never a bad idea. Just be sure to go lightly. Too much residual oil can attract dirt and that can be harmful. I favor gun lubricants that contain tiny bits of teflon. The theory is that the teflon will embed itself into the pores of the steel over time with repeated applications. I use Rem Oil for general lubricating after cleaning.
Something else I've found that's great is a cleaner called Simple Green. I don't use it as a bore cleaner but it is hell on wheels for cleaning fouling and degreasing.
Finally, I store my rifles with the actions closed. Keeps things out of the chambers and has got to be better for the springs.
The most important thing though is to just have tons of fun!!!!
:ar15: :rapid: :2guns: :usa:

 

[cajungeo]

Welcome to the forum wahturi. There are about 2,000 members here, and there are more ways to clean your mini than that. I would highly recommend a bore guide unless your going to install a muzzle brake as many of us have. I use a tatical cleaning kit similar to Reloaders only I pull muzzle to chamber to keep the solvent from dripping into my glass bedding. The important thing is rubbing a metal or carbon fiber rod across the crown will ruin your accuracy in time. The grit, on the rod will be like sanding the crown, this is the last thing your bullet feels when it leaves your bore. You want to maintain a consistant crown.

On a new rifle I would not use an oil with teflon till you have fired at least 500 rds. Just plain ole Rem oil will be good. The teflon will keep the bore from becoming laped.

Let me introduce you to the search button, It is hidden in the upper right under the slide bar. Enter key words, Cleaning, bore cleaner, barrel break in, etc, many posts will come up on your subject, with key words in red.

 

[dvdstdg]

Boresnakes are fine for casual cleaning at the range. However, you will want to get yourself a good rod, a muzzle guard, brass brushes (I preferr all brass which includes the core), jags, patches (don't try to save money on patches), bore mops, and a good all purpose solvent, and a good copper solvent (Birchwood Casey, Hoppes, Boreshine all make good ones, Sweets 7.62 is effective but you have to be careful using it as it eats things if left in the barrel too long). If you clean from the chamber make sure your rod is flexible. Any good gun oil will work (I use ClenzOil).

Don't try to save money on this stuff. There are plenty of cheap universal kits and I wouldn't spend my money on them if I were you. Get yourself a MidwayUSA or Natchez catalog as they both have a good selection and generally are very price competitive.

Take Cajungeo's advice and take care of your crown - use the muzzle guard if you clean from the muzzle end.

 

[wahturi]

ok, i'll get a muzzle guard, as i clean from the muzzle. i was worried but i've only cleaned it 4 or 5 times so far. that couldn't of hurt it.

another newbie question, are 5 inch groups with iron sights at 25 yards terrible for a beginner? because thats what im getting from a sitting position with folded towel for a rest. i shake a lot and have "the flinch" when i finally pull the trigger. these big rounds are scary compared to good old rimfire!

 

[BillVan]

Your groups are not bad for a beginner Keep shooting, concentrate on sight picture and squeeze the trigger instead of jerking it. With practice you will get better, before long those groups will get real small

 

[wahturi]

thanks a lot for the help guys. my friend just impulse bought a greasy old vz24, so i will be at the range tomarrow with him for sure!