Rusted Over and Under

[treillw]

Really bummed. Opened up an old gun case with my old over and under in it and the gun is rusty where it was touching the case. There must have been some kind of reaction with the gun case material. I oiled it up the best I could for now. I can't operate the thumb control to break the gun open - something must be rusted fast. Any suggestions on how to fix it? I don't really want to reblue the whole gun, but I guess that might be necessary. I don't know who to take it to or what to do to get it fixed. Pics below. Thanks.

 

[Remington92]

That hurts to see! If you're up to it watch some of the anvil gun "conservation" videos on youtube. Not horrible hard to boil or hot steam that shotgun to convert the rust back to blue. That or take it to a smith and they can do it instead of a full reblue job. If thats a browning Art's gun shop in Missouri is about as good as it gets for full rehab jobs.

 

[TWHrunner]

Contact my friend. His name is Jon. He is an FFL licensed dealer but he specializes in restoring old guns. He sells on gunbroker. He only deals in walnut/blued guns. He has hot bluing tanks, and can do whatever it takes. It might not need a complete rebluing. He lives in Orange County California and apprenticed with some pretty famous old gunsmiths no longer with us. Give him a shout and talk to him. Text him the photos and he’ll know what to do.

Fine Firearms: 949-500-5944

 

[Huntingfarandwide]

I'm not an expert....but I would not leave a firearm in a case for an extended amount of time. Safe with a Golden Rod for climate control is the best storage method.

 

[jmez]

Should never store a gun in any kind of case. Cases attract and absorb water. Store in a silicone impregnated sock.

Sent from my moto g power 5G - 2023 using Tapatalk

 

[EdP]

I'm not an expert....but I would not leave a firearm in a case for an extended amount of time. Safe with a Golden Rod for climate control is the best storage method.

Totally agree about the case. They are for temporary protection from physical damage only, never for long term storage.

I don't have much use for the Goldenrod heaters. They do nothing to remove moisture, just increase the temperature. If you want to reduce the moisture level to reduce the potential for rust, use a desiccant. I have kept my guns in a safe in my house in humid climates for over 40 years with no rust issues.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

To treat the rust on the barrel you can get some 000 grade steel wool and some gun oil for lubrication and go to town on it. The steel wool will remove the surface rust without taking off the bluing. Don't ask how I know...

For the seized action, get some PB Blaster spray and soak all the non-moving parts overnight. That stuff can work miracles if you give it some time.

In both cases, remove the wood forend and stock first.

Good luck!

 

[rayporter]

definitely not the first time i have heard of this happening!!!
a bud came home from a match with his stainless rifle in a case and did not open it until the next match. he was not happy. it was an aluminum action with a stainless barrel.

 

[Rich M]

Can't see the pics - not sure how bad it is. I used flitz polish on some guns that were rusting and it made the blue look new again.

 

[Remington92]

Don’t scrub the rust off. You will lose the bluing that way.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I'll be following this. I have an old side by side that was neglected for a long time and was given to me. It was originally my grandfathers so it has some sentimental value.

 

[BR7.62]

i cant see the pictures so i cant tell how bad it is.
somebody mentioned steel wool, dont...no matter how fine it is it scratches bluing.
these will not harm bluing: https://www.amazon.com/Big-45-Frontier-Metal-Cleaner/dp/B07RM692X8?tag=namespacebran369-20
somebody also mentioned hot bluing, not all o/u sxs can do this because the barrels are soldered together.
Kroil is a great penetrant, i'd soak it and work at it slowly.
about a quarter of my job is cleaning up gun parts.
those things in the link, kroil and a good carding brush will save a lot of parts that look pretty bad initially

 

[49ereric]

Chore boy works and wont hurt the bluing

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I've used 000 steel wool on surface rust on case hardened as well as standard blued barrels and actions. I've never lost any bluing. In the worst examples, I removed the rust and exposed some pitting. However, the 000 and oil never took a blued barrel to bare metal or anything crazy like that. In fact, it didn't even take the gloss finish off. Now these were older Ithaca model 37s and a couple single shot HR rifles, nothing modern.

 

[Wapiti1]

000 or 0000 steel wool and oil are standard rust removal tools on blued firearms.

As noted, pull the wood, and use Kroil to loosen up the action. Dexron ATF works pretty well on rusty parts as well. Soak and try, soak and try. When it frees up, you'll have to completely dissasemble it, clean all rust, lube and put it back together. If you think it needs refinishing, best to just send it off.

For such work, America's Gunsmith Shop in Wisconsin does a good job. I send them hot blue jobs, but they are good gunsmiths. If you just need bluing, Glenrock in Wyoming is top notch, as is Precision Bluing in North Carolina.

Jeremy

 

[BR7.62]

ive used 000 lightly for the carding step of rust bluing.
give those 45 frontiers a go you can really put some elbow grease into it.