I'm a new Model 8 owner and am trying to inform myself on how best to maintain this rifle. I have the old girl a good cleaning, but stopped short of taking the butt stock off to totally break the rifle down as it's a bit involved and I didn't want to mess anything up.
Given the age of these rifles, I would think that they can benefit from a good cleaning and lubing, but I don't know what the practice is and haven't found much online.
Should I break the rifle down completely or is it sufficient to take the barrel off and clean the chamber, barrel, and front of the bolt?
How often to do a complete cleaning?
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jim18611865
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Thu May 15, 2014 9:16 pm
Re: How often to do a complete cleaning?
I like you am interested in the experts answer, as I am a new owner as well.
I did a complete tear down on mine except the barrel. I now have the tool from ebay to do the barrel.
If you have done an A5 or Model 11 or Savage clone, you can do it easily.
I actually did my Savage 750SC twice completely, so the Model 81 didn't seem so bad.
Jim
I did a complete tear down on mine except the barrel. I now have the tool from ebay to do the barrel.
If you have done an A5 or Model 11 or Savage clone, you can do it easily.
I actually did my Savage 750SC twice completely, so the Model 81 didn't seem so bad.
Jim
Re: How often to do a complete cleaning?
The guns are very low maintenance. And this isn't coming from a qualified gunsmith, but my mantra with Model 8's is, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Unless you're careful and slow, a complete receiver disassembly can result in boogered screw heads and scratched metal (particularly under the safety lever). Unless the gun is absolutely rusty/filthy or there is mechanical failure, I'd clean the bolt face only. Removing the bolt carrier assembly can be done w/out a total receiver strip too. Many folks do this, members like S&S Hunt Club. It's a great way of cleaning things up.
If you have the proper tool then the barrel jacket can be disassembled easily. This area of the gun can get dirty.
The key to this gun is watch videos first, look at pictures, and go slow. If you look closely at Model 8's & 81's, you'll be hard pressed to find one that hasn't been boogered, in some way, by someone taking them apart.
Best of luck with it, feel free to post any questions. There's a heap of guys on here knowledgeable in this area!
If you have the proper tool then the barrel jacket can be disassembled easily. This area of the gun can get dirty.
The key to this gun is watch videos first, look at pictures, and go slow. If you look closely at Model 8's & 81's, you'll be hard pressed to find one that hasn't been boogered, in some way, by someone taking them apart.
Best of luck with it, feel free to post any questions. There's a heap of guys on here knowledgeable in this area!
Cam Woodall
Site Owner / Administrator
Site Owner / Administrator
Re: How often to do a complete cleaning?
Absolutely what 81police said:
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The Model 8 and 81 are extremely forgiving as far as still functioning perfectly with a receiver full of accumulated dirt, dried oil, unburnt powder, and whatever else may find it's way in there. I used to give my Model 8 a complete tear-down cleaning about three to four times a year, but it simply doesn't need it. And if you're not fairly well acquainted with the internals it is more often best to just lock the bolt to the rear, separate the barrel and receiver, remove the wood, and then just hose it out with your favorite oil and wipe down whatever surfaces (internal and external) you can get to.
That's really all they need.
Unless something's actually broke.
Jim
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The Model 8 and 81 are extremely forgiving as far as still functioning perfectly with a receiver full of accumulated dirt, dried oil, unburnt powder, and whatever else may find it's way in there. I used to give my Model 8 a complete tear-down cleaning about three to four times a year, but it simply doesn't need it. And if you're not fairly well acquainted with the internals it is more often best to just lock the bolt to the rear, separate the barrel and receiver, remove the wood, and then just hose it out with your favorite oil and wipe down whatever surfaces (internal and external) you can get to.
That's really all they need.
Unless something's actually broke.
Jim
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TheMaineEvent
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2014 7:36 pm
Re: How often to do a complete cleaning?
Thanks for the replies. Even with being careful, I can see myself doing something that could damage or impair the receiver in some way so I'll follow the sound advice of just cleaning the fact of the bolt and giving everything else a good cleaning.