During a routine check of my guns and rifles my jaw dropped to the floor when looking down the barrels of my Reilly. Very thin lines of orange going down the grooves. Rust.

I cleaned it a bit with EEZOX and new plastic bore brushes, but that didn't do a thing. As embarrassed as I am to admit this sin I am swallowing my pride and asking you fellows what the best course of action would be. Any solvent better than the next?

Kid,
Do you use jacketed bullets? Could it be copper fouling?
Mike

Mike - That's a good thought. I HAVE shot only jacketed bullets in this double. However, it's a fairly new acquisition (year and ahalf - 2) and I'd say not more than 20 or so shots have been taken.

I've been laid up with back/sciatica problems since September and am only now able to get around some. You know, the more I think about it the more plausible your suggestion is. The lines are all thin streaks, uniform.

Right now I'd bet a buck you're right. It stands to reason, because after cleaning I put away my firearms well protected against rust. And I know for a fact that I didn't use a copper solvent when I cleaned it.

Well, perhaps that answer makes me a bit less of a slob in the negligence department. Many thanks for your contribution!

Foam it out with some of that new Wipe Out stuff. Foam and let it sit overnight. Brush, swab and again if necessary.

Wipe Out? Is that really the name of it? Man, I'm out of it, I can't keep up. I'll check it out, thanks.

It's pretty good but it doesn't have the delightful aroma of Hoppes #9.

Kid,
I really feel for you with your back problem,I'm getting over the same thing, but am disappointed with the results.It's been a year and a half since the surgery and I guess I never will get "right".I thought recovery from lower back surgery would be similar to the recovery from two neck surgerys.Boy, was I wrong.Get better soon.
Mike

Comin' right back at you, brother. Should I even tell you I had only one surgery.....Jan 27, 1987!?

That's right, I've been dealing with chronic pain for over 25 years. The official term for my operation was "Failed Back Syndrome".

Don't despair completely. There are ways to help you deal with your situation. The biggest is to learn what exercises are SPECIFIC to your problem, then do them religiously.

I was 32 when I had my operation and managed to work until 2006. Since then I've been hit with two MAJOR episodes, one which took over a year to get better, and the one I'm still in now which started in August.

My main problem is sciatica, all the way down my left leg into my foot. I'm hoping I'm nearing some kind of resolution now, but I know there's still a way to go.

Not to sound too glib, but don't give up. Only someone with chronic pain can know how tough someone else with chronic pain has it. It is indeed torture at times and can wear you down. Please don't let it.

Marc

Kid,
Thanks for the encouragement.My last surgery included relieving compression of the sciatic nerve.That part worked and is the reason I'm only upset, rather than mad as hell. At least the sharp pains are gone.I can deal with the remaining dull pain; what bothers me is falling, not being able to get up,not being able to follow a bird dog, and not being able to bend over.We are still better off than a lot of our brave young soldiers comming back from the "sand box".
Mike

You're certainly right about the brave young soldiers and the troubles they bring home with them. We are blessed.

Still, we are human, and as such are permitted to get crotchety and downright angry sometimes!