[Grover]

I rely on an old hand-me-down Mossberg shotgun in the closet to protect the family jewels — my wife shuns it like the plague. Wanting her to be involved, I bought a S&W model 61-3 .22 long rifle at a gun show for her because she thought it was "cute" and was willing to practice with it. There were no papers or an owner's manual. I was told the pistol had laid unused for 30 years in a dresser drawer and needed to be cleaned and oiled.

I scoured the Internet for a manual, found nothing. This dinky little pistol looks like a toy and is called an "Escort" because it was probably designed for a woman's purse. I haven't a clue where to go from here — a savvy handgun person would know what to do. I would appreciate specific information advising what I need to buy to service this gun. Telling me to buy "gun oil" doesn't help me. My wife has sewing machine oil that says it's great for guns! It will help me if the proper oil or oils are named. Do I need any tools? Do I need a brass brush or any brush. I've heard .22 bullets automatically grease the barrel — is this true.

Further, I'd appreciate an opinion as to whether this was a bonehead choice and if not, was $300 too high.

 

[Grover]

I am replying to myself:

If Mr. Smith or Mr. Wesson could have risen from their graves to accommodate my helpless floundering, neither gentleman could have done more for me than to provide the following website: http://hometown.aol.com/jtjersey/Escort/smith.htm — that I stumbled over by sheer chance due to no insight on my part. I can't believe my good fortune.

I ascribe this happy outcome to the fact that I had only minutes before solicited help from PistolWorld which must have sent out SOS vibes on my behalf.

I'd still like to know if $300 was a square price for this item.

 

[xd.40]

This one here in the link below is going for 395.00, but it has all papers, box etc... The fact is, if you feel good about what you have, then it was a good choice.

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin ... emID=11346

As far as cleaning it goes, we ALL have our favorite cleaning supplies. But for you, I would just go to the local gun store and buy a .22 cal gun cleaning kit. It should have the basic's inside, such as cleaning rod, patches, a brush (kind of like a tooth brush) and a combination cleaner/oil mix. I prefer Hoppes 9 solvent (pronounced Hoppies) as a Solvent cleaner along with Q-tips, plenty of Q-tip and a good brush of sort. Then for gun oil, I like RemOil, but Hoppes makes a good lube also, but I Personally Prefer RemOil.

This link show a shotgun cleaning kit, it is just for the picture of what to look for, just get a .22 cal. cleaning kit. It doesn't have to be hoppes, it could be any general cleaning kit.
http://www.gundogsonline.com/ProdDtl.asp?iProdID=10649

Here are some links to use as a reference to see what the product LOOKS like, you don't have to but them here, just go to your local gun store and get them there. This is just a reference.

Hoppes 9
http://www.gundogsonline.com/shooting-s ... lvent.html

RemOil
http://www.gundogsonline.com/shooting-s ... rosol.html

Here is a link as how to feild strip it, you'll have to scroll down a ways to see, but it's there.
http://hometown.aol.com/jtjersey/Escort/smith.htm

Clean all parts thoroughly with Hoppes 9 solvent, and wipe dry, then wipe again with the Remoil, Again, wipe dry. Then with the RemOil, lube along the slide rails, (just a drop, it goes a long way). You should be happy with it.

Hope this helps.

 

[dogngun]

The Escort was made in an early and later version, and I don't remember how to tell one from the other. The later version is desirable because it is supposed to be more reliable.
These pistols got a lot of bad press. They evidently irritated several gun writers of the day because they look strange and sit high in the hand, etc....Smith has had a few odd looking small pistols over the years.

I hope yours is a good shooter-I have always liked these little guns, and FWIW, they are very much in the collecters field now, and for $300 you pretty near stole it.

Find a brand of ammo it likes, and shoot it a lot. Keep it clean and don't lube it too much.

Check www.smith-wessonforum.com/ and visit the aotu pistol section. Lots of folks there like these pistols and will give you good information on them.

mark

 

[BboySlam]

I have a handgun too! Actually, I only know about the one I have. I came in this forum to learn more about guns!