NEED HELP...Got a rifle that hasn't been used since mid 80's.

[CHAUKA]

Guys.....I need some help with a Ruger 10/22 my father in law gave me last night. The gun hasn't been fired since 1987. What suggestions can you share what I should do before taking it to the range. I realize I need to clean it......anything else?

Thanks for the imput.....

[manyplews]

You have a great father-in-law and he gave you a great rifle.
I don't have a 10/22 (because in this state,you can't hunt with it)but a whole industry has emerged for accurizing and shooting these rifles.
Go to Rimfirecentral and scroll down to the 10/22 forums.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/
The regulars on those forums will be happy to answer questions.

[Holleta]

A good cleaning and inspection should do it. If you are unfamilar with doing this your local smith should be able to help. Aside from rust, nothing bad should happen from sitting dormant that a cleaning/lubrication won't take care of.

[RandomTask]

Clean it and have fun.

[Justin]

as long as it worked right the last time it was used, it'll have no problems after you clean/lube it

[CHAUKA]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions

I guess I gotta get to cleaning it

[CHAUKA]

I went to the range yesterday. I had the .22 cleaning kit ready & asked my buddy "what do you think, see if it works before I waste my time cleaning it?"

I put 3 rounds in and what do you know all three fired. I was excited, ran a few patches thru & lubed it up and for the next four hours had a blast. Only jamed once or twice.

You know I was thinking, not many things would work like that 10/22 after sitting dormant for almost 30years.

[762xIan]

You know I was thinking, not many things would work like that 10/22 after sitting dormant for almost 30years.

I'm sure most will, I own quite a few mil-surps been sitting in arsenals since WW2, the biggest problem with long term storage of a firearm is many oils and lubes over time tend to evaporate and become gummy. This will "gum up the works" so to speak.

I try to give all my guns a once over and check every 6 months at a minimum.