Winchester Model 100 cleaning

Question
Thanks for the info on taking down the weapon and possible problems/fixes for the gas system!  My question now is, is this something I can do myself?  Assuming that there is nothing wrong other than fouling of the gas system due to dirt and carbon build up, can I use Hoppes and clean it up and put it back together?  Or is this something I should leave to a gunsmith?  I have an M4, an H&K MP5, and a Remington 870 that I take down and clean all the time, but I received training on doing this.  Should I be worried that after I take the weapon apart, I won't be able to re-assemble it?  By the way, I'm hoping to do all of this in the next 2 days so I can use it on opening day of deer season this Saturday.  Nothing like waiting till the last minute!  Thanks for all your help!

Mike
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I recently inherited a Model 100 in .308 caliber from my wife's Grandfather.  He used it for over 30 years to deer hunt and I was planning on doing the same.  I took it to the range today and fired about 30-40 rounds through it.  I'm guessing there is a problem/fouling with the gas system, becuase I constantly had problems with misfeeds due to the spent cartridge not being ejected.  I'm hoping the problem is that it is just dirty and that there isn't anything wrong with the ejector (I can't see any problems with the naked eye).  Do you have any idea how to break down and clean the Model 100?  I can't seem to find anything online to help me out.  Do you have any suggestions?  Thanks!
-----Answer-----
Hi Mike,

Remove magazine, forearm screw, and trigger guard screw located behind the trigger guard. Pull the operating handle to its rearward most position. With it held to the rear, rotate the barrel unit up and out of the stock. The receiver rear will be held in place by fitting into a notch in the recoil block within the stock.

The operating handle needs to be held to the rear during this process to provide adequate clearance for the side rods from the handle to gas cylinder unit to clear the slot in the forearm. The rods are out of sight in the forearm with wood covering them until the bolt/handle is pulled rearward.

The model 100 had some gas systems issues many of which can be traced back to a rusted gas cylinder. The gas piston sometimes rusts inside the gas cylinder. Replacement stainless steel pistons are (or at least were) available at Brownells.

There are a host of other possible problems with the gas system but this is where I think I'd start. If you need a exploded drawing of the 100's parts & systems you can find one at www.okiegunsmithshop.com.

I hope this helps you solve the ejection problems. Thanks for the question.
Sid Lark


Answer
Hey Mike,

You are probably in a better position to judge wether or not you can successfully accomplish the task of cleaning the Win. 100. Based upon what you have told me, I'm guessing that you can take care of the gas/cyl./piston cleaning yourself.

However................ I have had people tell me on occasion that they had problems getting the gun back together properly. However, I have no way of knowing what their individual comfort level was to begin with.

The best advise that I can give you Mike is the golden rule of "if in doubt - don't". However that doesn't help you much in getting the thing functioning prior to season.

Perhaps you could venture into it slowly one step at a time keeping in mind that you will also need to reverse the procedure to get it back together. If you come upon a step that seems as though you may have a problem reversing, don't go through that step and just reverse the steps taken up to that point.

You could get it to a gunsmith however we both know that you'll never see the rifle back prior to season. In fact at this time of the year, you'll be lucky to see it by the end of the season.

Not knowing you or your abilities personally, I can't say with 100% certainty, but I'll bet you can handle the job going slowly and paying close attention to the process as you go. However....... that is ultimately your call Mike.

Hope it works out for you.
Sid Lark