Basic Tips for Care of your Rifle-Musket
Okay, recently I had a problem with my Enfield, I wanted to take of the trigger guard as I am planning on refinishing the stock and would like all the brass furniture off. The problem is, no one seemed to know exactly how this was done. I had an idea, but I didn’t want to go ahead with it if it wasn’t the right idea. Anyway, I began asking around and even guys that had been in the hobby for years had no idea. One guy even redid his stock but ended up working around the trigger guard! Well, I finally figured it out and this winter when the time comes, the trigger guard will not be inadvertently splashed with the new finish.
Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot more misfires and rifle problems in the field than I like. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not perfect. At a recent training camp I had a misfire while doing a demonstration for the men in the company! So I decided that it would benefit us all if I posted some basic care tips on the site. Most of the tips I picked up over the years from gentlemen wiser and more experienced than me, but they have been invaluable ever since.
First of all, let me remind you that I am no expert in gunsmithing. I feel I have picked up enough over my ten years in the hobby that I can safely say I have put together a tool kit that everyone should have and can afford. You’ll probably spend about $50 on the basics, but that may be a high figure depending on how you feel about the quality of the screwdriver you use. I have two that I paid a $1.50 for at a local sidewalk sale. Let me begin by listing everything and its purpose.
1. Four piece cleaning rod. Ok, I am well aware that they make one piece cleaning rods that are sturdier and easier to use, but I feel a take apart rod is easier because it can be taken apart and put in your knapsack.
2. Brass, Nylon, and “Carpet” brush attachments. Ok, these usually come along with the four piece cleaning rods you can buy at practically any sutler who deals with fire arms. I use all three when I clean my rifle and my misfires are few and far between.
3. Patch Jag. I also realize that the common loop type patch jag comes in the cleaning kits, but, I don’t like this type. It does not do justice to the bore, and can also damage the bore of the rifle. I prefer the button style, with the raised edges that grabs the patch and brings it out. The disadvantage to this type is you must be careful on the thickness of your patches.
4. Bore Jag/Scraper. This item is relatively simple in design and use. It usually fits perfectly down the muzzle and has a slotted type end. Twisting this in the bore loosens any powder and residue which may end up settling in the bore.
5. Worm. Not actually necessary since any good Ordinance guy and Sergeant should have one, but what happens when you get a patch stuck at home?
6. 2 slotted end screwdrivers. I use two, a small one and a large one. You can get away with just a small one, but your screws will thank you for getting the right sizes.
7. Nipple pick. Common sense, everyone should have one or two. I like to keep a heavier one in my box for the harder clogs.
8. Drill bit. Actually a piece of a drill bit is fine, but this is a handy little thing to keep with you. The sharp edges will cut through even the toughest of build up residue in the nipple and touch hole. Make sure it fits the nipple, it will fit the touch hole also.
9. Nipple wrench. I think this is self explanatory.
10. Brass, Nylon and Wire brush. These come in handy for cleaning the areas around the nipple and any marks on the wood.
11. Sandpaper. Get the stuff designed for metal. On some rifles it can be used for the tougher pitting. On my Enfield I only use it on the ramrod.
12. Steel Wool. I prefer a finer grade such as OOO. It usually will take off the light surface rust that a damp evening or rainy event will bring, and in the case of Enfields, will not harm the finish.
13. Rags. Make sure you keep plenty for wiping down, cleaning and polishing.
14. Small punch and mallet. More or less this is what’s needed for taking the trigger guard off of Enfields. There are some other areas on the Enfield where this comes in handy, but sometimes the mallet can come in handy. Get a small hard rubber or brass mallet.
15. Small pliers. If you don’t have them, you will need them at some point.
16. Noxon 7. This is probably some of the best metal polish on the market. You can get it at your local hardware store and it is so easy to use that any body can figure it out. It works on all metals, but does wonders on brass. Seven years of tarnish on my Enfield came off and made the brass look like new after just one coat.
Ok, so there is the basic list. Lets look at how we use them.
Basic field cleaning.
Basically, in the field, I worry about the “meat and potatoes” of the rifle. I dress her up at home, but keep her looking neat at an event. The only disassembling I do under normal field circumstances is to remove the nipple to clear the touch hole. Anymore and I feel you are asking for trouble.
1. Brass and Nylon brush. While the water is heating, I like to start with the brass brush and run it down the barrel a few times. How many depends on how much firing took place. After a few passes with the brass brush, I run the nylon brush down to get the stuff that the brass brush left. After I’m satisfied on the number of passes, I turn the rifle upside down and let the gunk just fall out. By now the water should be hot enough.
2. Run hot water through the barrel. I’ve seen guys use coffee also, but to be honest, I prefer water. I usually use enough water so that the water is coming out relatively clear. Plugging the nipple with a piece of cloth or leather over it with the hammer seated helps here too.
3. Run patches. I again run enough patches until they are coming out relatively clean. Just getting a ping is not acceptable as you will end up having a misfire at some point.
4. Run “carpet” brush through. This is where that shaggy brush comes in handy. It usually will soak up any moisture that the patches leave behind.
5. Removal and cleaning of nipple. Here I usually take the brass or wire brush around the nipple before I remove it, and then after I remove to take off the carbon that builds up from the percussion caps. After I remove the nipple, I like to run the nipple pick and then the drill bit to take care of this. It helps to get leverage on the drill bit if you have some type of handle on it.
6. Cleaning of touch hole. The same process for cleaning the vent hole. Pick then drill bit. In my experience, failure to clean the touch hole is responsible for more misfires than most.
7. Spot check with steel wool. I usually will take a piece of the steel wool and catch any rust marks that may have appeared.
8. Wipe down. After it’s all back together and in one piece, take on of your rags and wipe it down.
This will basically pass your rifle for inspection and should give you worry free moments on the field. I know a lot of guys will run oil down the barrel to keep it from rusting, but I am against this. Oil has a tendency to settle in the breech and cause a misfire.
Home Cleaning Tips.
When I get my rifle home I like to give it a more thorough cleaning. I clean the bore basically the same way, so I will not repeat myself on that. The big difference being I run patches until it comes out just as white as when I put it in. Nipple cleaning is basically the same as well. Here is where I like to disassemble it completely.
1. Disassembly. I will pretty much break my rifle down all the way. I like to polish my brass and spot check the wood for cracks and such. Here is step by step for an Enfield. Springfields and Richmonds are pretty much the same.
a. Remove barrel bands.
b. Remove tang screw.
c. Remove barrel. .
d. Remove nose cap. Once the barrel is off, the head of the nosecap screw is exposed.
e. Remove sling swivel from trigger guard. .
f. Remove lock plate. Usually I won’t disassemble the lock plate unless I notice a problem. This takes a little bit of expertise to do since you need a mainspring vise. The lock plate is easily removed by removing the two screws on the left of the stock, and lightly tapping on the side of the hammer with your hand.
g. Remove trigger guard. This is a little more complicated. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, don’t. It will save you a lot of headaches down the road. To remove the trigger guard, remove the two screws behind the trigger guard. Next, take your punch and mallet and gently tap out the retaining pin on the side of the stock above the trigger guard. It is best to remove right to left, which requires you to start at the side under the lock plate. Be careful not to force it or you will bend the pin.
h. Remove trigger. Some triggers may be held in with screws. But mine just sits in there. It should easily remove without any problems.
i. Remove buttplate. To be honest, I can’t remove mine anymore. The heads of the screws are tow worn from years of stacking rifles or standing in formation on concrete or macadam surfaces.
2. Check the wood for cracks and wear. Sometimes, you will notice crud and residue where a piece of furniture was on the stock. I know under my trigger guard the first time I removed it was quite a bit. A damp rag should easily take care of this.
3. Check barrel for rust and pitting. Use your steel wool for any light marks. Be aware of any deep or serious rust on the barrel.
4. Check iron furniture for rust or pitting. Things like barrel bands, lock plate, screws and sling swivels.
5. Polish brass. This is where the Noxon comes in handy. Place some on a rag and gently rub it onto your brass furniture. Rub harder for tough tarnish. After you remove the tarnish, wipe it clear with another cloth. Finally, polish the brass with another cloth.
6. Polish ramrod. All that is needed here is to take your sandpaper and run it along the ramrod. Just enough to make it bright.
7. Check area around nipple for carbon build up. If there is some, use the wire or brass brush to remove it.
8. Check wood for marks. If there are any unsightly marks, take the nylon brush and gently rub them out.
9. Reassemble rifle.
Congratulations, you’ve now given your rifle a pretty thorough cleaning and dressed her up pretty nice. Again, even in storage between events some guys will use oil. I am against this also as it can do the same thing, and sometimes even rust the barrel. Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Remember, a million guys have a million ways to take care of there rifles. I don’t pretend to be the authority, I just know what works for me. If anyone has anything to add or something they think helps, please email me or let me know.
1st Sgt. Stine
