TriggerTalk Radio

Your gun’s finish has two main purposes: protect the gun and look nice.

Today’s guns may be manufactured of different materials than vintage guns, many of which are weather resistant and designed to camouflage the appearance for hunting. There are even paints and wraps that let you change the appearance from a conventional look to camo for older guns you may already own.

If your gun has a worn or damaged finish it is important to correct the issue. It has been said that guns have only two enemies “Rust and Politicians” which seems truer these days than ever.

If you like your firearm to retain the worn/used look from countless hunts or time in a holster then you need to keep it lightly oiled to prevent corrosion.  Collectors often frown upon refinishing because they believe the guns value will be diminished in the process. In my opinion that is only true if you plan to sell it to someone else. If your gun is a working gun for carry or for taking to the range and you plan to keep it then you need to address the worn finish.

I have two products (Oxpho-Blue and Blue Wonder) that I regularly use to repair “blued” steel parts on guns. While not as good for corrosion protection as the original “Hot Bluing” from the factory, it does provide a cosmetic repair and when with oil can prevent rusting of scratches or worn areas.

These products can be applied multiple times to achieve the level of color desired, but are best for small areas and repairs as it may be difficult to achieve an even finish over large areas.

Most of the gunstock refinishing I have done has been to repair previously botched refinish jobs. I have gotten some real bargains on firearms where people have just brushed on varnish or polyurethane over the old finish. This often leaves them frustrated with an ugly gunstock full of drips, cratering and rippling.

When it comes to wood gunstocks the preparation is as important as the finish itself and involves stripping, sanding, and patience.  Remove the wood from the gun to prevent damage to adjoining parts. I often leave small dents and imperfections in the finish as part of the character of the gun. Just as wrinkles on a face can impart wisdom and experience (or maybe just too much sun).

If desired, dents can often be raised by placing a damp cloth over the dent and steaming it up with an iron. Be careful when sanding, if you remove too much material the stock may not fit properly and line up with mating parts upon reassembly.

My favorite product for wood Gun Stocks is Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil.

This product takes multiple applications to achieve the desired results. As few as three coats of Tru-Oil will provide a durable finish with a level of visible grain pattern, or you can wet sand in between several coats and achieve a high gloss smooth finish.  If you desire a matte finish the sheen can be knocked off with very fine steel wool and wax.

It is a good idea to hone your skills on a lesser value gun; your first project shouldn’t be Great Grandpa’s priceless heirloom.  I find it very satisfying to take an old dog of a gun and turn it back into a thing of beauty, it can help stretch your gun buying budget and expand your enjoyment of the hobby.

Life is full of “Firsts”: first step, first date, and first love…we all share these events. The list goes on and on, and may include your first beer, your “first time” and for some even your first spouse! Because I have always liked mechanical things my list also includes: first camera, first car, first airplane, and or course the first gun I shot.

My Grandfather started me on this journey with a BB gun, but in 1963 at the age of 6, I shot my first “real” gun. Stepping up to a firearm that burns real gun powder, complete with a satisfying amount of smoke, recoil and noise is a moment I will never forget.

Countless tin cans and bottles met their fate at the end of that gun, however that first shot is etched in my memory.  I was very young, but with a new found sense of independence and responsibility.

I was taught basic gun safety although I never heard of the NRA or the “Big Three” rules of gun safety. I practiced muzzle control, identifying my target and understanding what lies behind it. From that day on I treated every gun as if it was loaded.

Over a half century later my Grandfather has long since passed and the family that used to live so close is now scattered across the country. Today we only see each other at weddings and funerals.

Last week we gathered to remember my Uncle Raymond. Standing in his kitchen discussing some of our youthful antics (which often included guns) I asked my cousins if perhaps they remembered that old pump 22 of Grandpa’s we shot?  I always remembered that gun, that first shot and the hours I spent with it.  Did they remember which model it was or what happened to it?

Mark walked me over to the coat closet and there it was leaning in the corner looking just like I remembered. It had a few new dings in the stock, and a well-worn finish from decades of young boys and old men enjoying ventilating pesky tin cans or knocking squirrels out of trees.

Such a treat to hold and pull to my shoulder, the sights looked clean and sharp even through my old eyes with the aid of bi-focals.  A 1937 Remington Model 121 Fieldmaster, with a very satisfying click when you cycled the action.  After a few minutes of stories and describing how appreciative I was to see the gun again I placed it back in the closet corner and closed the door.

It was like seeing your first car pass in front you while waiting for a stop light, a mixture of joy and remembrance followed by regret for allowing it leave your possession. I returned to the living room and enjoyed talking to a wonderful family of young men and women that were only 2 feet tall the last time I saw them if they were born at all.

About an hour later my two cousins Mark and Mike called me into the bedroom and presented me with the rifle. They had seen how much it meant to me, the memories it held and wanted me to have it.  To them it was just another rifle and they had guns with their own memories of time spent with their Father learning to shoot.

As they say “there wasn’t a dry eye in the house”. We hugged and felt a bond representing 3 generations, we remembered our Grandfather and their Father whom we were honoring that day.

With the passing of my Uncle, I am now the oldest male in our bloodline and when my Grandsons come to visit this summer I will introduce them to a 78 year old friend of a rifle full of memories.