Mosin bolt cleaning/polishing

[Cz315]

Last few weeks were eventful in my safe population growth. Long story short, my Finns and Russians were lonely and I got them a Pole. M44 born in 1953. Stock condition outstanding with just a few minor dings. Unfortunately, the previous owner just 'owned' them and didn't maintain them properly (reminder to us all). There was some minor surface rust in the mag springs and well (not a big deal), already cleaned. I hope he didn't shoot it as there was cosmoline around the firing pin and part of the bolt. I do suspect he didn't clean the cosmoline properly and also used water to do so, which left some characteristic discoloration. I'm trying to remove it with 0000 steel wool/ballistol and it's slowly working it's magic to get the gray out. But the way it goes I doubt it will match the shine of the unaffected parts. The question is should I polish it or let it be? It doesn't bother me much and I don't want to ruin its value, but I would like it to look nicer.

[Phosphorus32]

With #0000 steel wool and oil you’re already as abrasive as I would ever go. I like a brass brush to remove surface rust or the organic Cosmoline residue.

[Bob_The_Student]

Frontier 45 is the love of my rust.

[running-man]

Second the big 45.  Amazing stuff.

[Larry D.]

Since they're in the white, anyone ever try a rust eraser?

https://www.amazon.com/Super-Eraser-Rust/dp/B01MZZI4BK

[GuitarmanNick]

A Big 45 pad and a little oil does a nice job on rust. I have used it on some very old and rare guns and have not been disappointed. As with anything, go slowly for best results.

As for the bolt, it looks like someone already polished it. I would use a little Flitz to polish it paying special attention to a few areas to improve the bolt function. There are a few good videos showing the areas in detail.

My M-44 was very hard to open after the striker released even with no round in the chamber. Now, it opens with normal bolt gun effort and saved countless bruises on my hand.