How to maintain a somewhat old rifle?

If it was good when it was put away, it's still good.

Winchester made a solid product built to last.

Do wipe the dust off and wipe the metal down with an oily rag.

There will probably be a cleaning rod there too somewhere.

Push an oil coated patch through the barrel.

Few places require registration of long guns you already own,

but do check your local laws.

You don't sat where you are, but the NRA maintains a pretty good up-to date synopsis of State laws on their website.

It's at least 9 to 1 that that old rifle is still good to go, but do have

some-one with experience just look it over before shooting it.

(A .22 RF is unlikely to fail enough to hurt you in any event,

but whoever examines it for you can also check you out

on its proper operation.)

Enjoy it.

well, if the rust (if there is rust) is so severe it flakes off with your touch I'd recommend you take that to a gunsmith before shooting.

if the rust is minimal or only cosmetic, the rifle should still be safe to shoot when your grandfather shot it, 29 years ago.

I have a really old .22 single shot from probably the 1950s, when I got it it was obvious the last owner didn't clean it or oil it frequently. However after cleaning it up I found the rust and deterioration from negligence was minimal, hoppes 9 took most of it off pretty quick, there was minor pitting on the barrel and bolt handle. if that's what your gun is like then it should be still safe to shoot. as a precaution I recommend shooting the lowest power cartridges in it first to see how well it works before moving the the regular standard or high velocity stuff. Subsonic stuff from Agila or CCI is good test ammo. they are probably the lowest power loads available. if the gun malfunctions or fell apart it'll let you know that without making the gun become a bomb (that's what would happen if you shot regular high velocity in a gun unsafe to shoot).

registration depends on your local laws. if you live in places like California, NY, NJ, IL, HI, Washington DC, or any city/state that steps all over people's right to keep and/or bear arms registration is probably be required.

Gotta echo the gunsmith visit. You don't want to hurt someone. As far a registering it...I would stop and think. If your state requires it then yes, but if you just inherited it I would not be so quick on the fly to register the gun. As long as you don't plan to do anything unlawful, I would keep that gun a secret.

Hell, we can barely buy ammo. If some other factors fall in place you will show up on data you may not want to be on. I live in the south and any gun I have that isn't in the books never will be, Just my choice for now,

I would suggest cleaning it, but if you leave it with the gunsmith for more than 24 hours, most will require that you register it,

Owning/registration is not required in most States but,you will have to ck that since you did not say where. Take it to a good gun smith who will clean it and ck it for a small fee and show you how to clean it as well.

It might be a good gun when cleaned up or at least hold lots of memories.

Take your rifle to a reputable gunsmith and have it checked out! The nominal fee will be worth it. He or she can advise you on how to properly care for it. Registration is not required in most states,especially within your family hand me downs.

If you are unsure of this gun, do yourself a favor and take it to a gunsmith and he'll let you know if it gets a clean bill of health and is safe.

Whether you have to register it or not depends on what state you live in, but most states you don't have to.