Blue Question
 

Hi all I picked up a rifle that is need of some TLC from my brother in laws dad. The gun had pit and rust marks on the barrel, which I removed with some steel wool and noticed that the blue finish was damaged(I can see metal in places). Is this something I can fix with a product or would it be best suited to take to a gunsmith. The gun is in good shape otherwise(the normal bumps/bruises) but tight.

Any tips or products would be much appreciated.

thanks

RE: Blue Question
 

Hi skeeter 7MM,

If this is something you'd like to try on your own...check this Brownell's site:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/Store/Search.aspx

Once you get to the search site look under Birchwood Casey (refinish blueing).

If it is something you don't mind spending a little money on there are finishes other than blueing that have some major advantages. Black Teflon finish for instance is water proof/resistant and does not need lubrication. It is self lubricating. Only disadvantage is that the process cost about $200. or just a little more! Worth the money on a nice rifle that will be used in wet climates!

Good luck with your search!

RE: Blue Question
 

What is the make and model of the rifle?

RE: Blue Question
 

Hot blue, which is how modern guns are blued and something that you can not do yourself without EPA certifications and about a $1500.00 investment in equipment. Cold blue can be bought in small tubes and bottles in paste or liquid form and should be used for touch up only like screw driver marks on screws and small scratches. If the blueing job is damaged bad enough then you will be able to see the two types of blueing.

Some guns such as older double shotguns need to be rust blued and it is far better to leave that to a gunsmith with the knowledge. Still some guns were made with higher ammounts of nickle in the steel and usually require you to send the gun to a company that specializes in blueing nickle steel as nickle will not blue with the usual blueing salts.

Let us know what kind of gun you have but if the blue job is damaged bad enough then I would highly reccomend that you let a gunsmith reblue it for you.

RE: Blue Question
 

Bigbulls is 100% right about the blueing processes. You might also want to check out some of the camo/teflon coatings now available. Not sure how much you want to spend. They sure look good and are much better at resisting the weather.

RE: Blue Question
 

Thanks.

The gun is a Rem 700 BDL - 80's. The rust was mostly on the barrel(near the end) and a few by the crown. When I removed the rust I noticed little pocks or nicks really in the blue(not big patchs,the size of a pin head - but a fair number of them). I am not sure if the cold blue touch up would look good or if I'd be better looking into other options. I actually thought of selling it to make a few bucks since I bought it pretty cheap, why I asked what my options are.

If I took it to a smith what would a refinish on the barrel run (either blue or teflon,etc)?

RE: Blue Question
 

Most teflon refinishing techniques I've checked go for a little over $200. Certainly will eat into any profit you were hoping to make. (But any total refinishing is not going to be what I'd consider significantly cheaper....especially if you have someone else strip it down to the metal parts for you.)

Good luck!

P.S. Parkerizing would be least expensive, maybe $100. to 130. or so! Blueing would split the difference!

RE: Blue Question
 

Thanks ak, I will have to do some checking around here and then decide. If it is going to cost a pile I may just try the cold blue or sell it as is or go the 100 miles and have yet another rifle to store;)

Took a chance: " sometimes your the Dog, others your the Hydrant!!":D

RE: Blue Question
 

Skeeter, you should be able to save yourself some money on the hot blueing if you take apart the gun down to just what you need blued , IE...barrel / receiver, bottom metal if it is steel, and maybe the bolt. That way the gunsmith doesn't have to worry about taking it apart and performing safety checks and such. You can just take the parts to him and he can blue them.

RE: Blue Question
 

Thanks bulls, the barrel is the only real thing that needs reblueing. The receiver, etc is in good shape & I am going to refinish the stalk anyway, so she's coming apart. Once I get her apart I am going to do some checking into costs, options, etc. Since hunting season is over here tomorrow the prime time to sell won't be till the fall of 04 so I plan on making it a winter "Off Season" project.