Ruger M77 - Manual (Page 21)

22
CARE AND CLEANING
A firearm must be free of rust, dirt, grease and firing residues to function safely
and reliably. Periodic maintenance, which includes inspection of components to
determine if they are in proper working order, is absolutely essential. Firing
deposits particles of bullet lubricant and powder in the bore, chamber, bolt,
receiver, magazine and other parts of the rifle. There is no fixed rule as to how
frequently the cleaning should be carried out, but the alert gun owner soon
learns that any firearm functions most reliably and accurately when it is free of
accumulations of grease and other firing residues.
Basic cleaning equipment includes: A correct size cleaning rod equipped with
bore brushes (fiber and brass) and a tip in which a cloth patch can be inserted,
patches, powder solvent, lubricant, small lint-free cloths and a toothbrush. Use
correct size patches and brushes. Larger sizes will bind in the bore and can be
very difficult to remove! Insert rod from the chamber end of the barrel and push
firmly so the patch or brush emerges from the muzzle. Don’t reverse the rod
when a brush or patch is being used – it may bind. Don’t use patches or brushes
dripping with solvent or oil. Use rod and brushes with care so as not to damage
gun.
1. For routine cleaning it is necessary only to remove the bolt and open the
floorplate.
2. Push-pull a solvent-wetted patch through the bore several times. Next, using a
solvent-wetted brush, run it the full length of the bore as many times as is
necessary to completely remove all foreign matter from the bore and chamber.
Dry the bore with clean patches and examine it. If bore remains fouled, repeat
the brushing. Complete the cleaning by dry-patch wiping of bore and chamber.
3. Use a clean, solvent-wetted patch to remove firing residue and dirt from all
“reachable” surfaces inside the receiver. Use the solvent-wetted toothbrush to
dislodge caked dirt from all parts of the bolt assembly and from surfaces inside
the receiver that can’t be reached with a patch. Use cleaning patches or the
cloth to remove the solvent.
4. Wipe all surfaces – internal and external – with a very light coat of oil. Oil and
similar preparations “collect” dirt particles which can interfere with reliable
functioning of the rifle. Therefore, use these preparations very sparingly. A
drop of oil applied to the bolt assembly components, the pivot points of the
trigger mechanism, the safety, the bolt stop, and the magazine latch, will work
into all the parts that need lubrication.
5. Reassemble the rifle and carefully wipe all solvent, lubricating and preservative
preparations from the stock.
WARNING: BEFORE CLEANING, BE CERTAIN THE RIFLE
AND ITS MAGAZINE CONTAIN NO CARTRIDGES.