Gunsmithing A Remington Reformation

Casey Simpson

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 2, 2008
21
4
61
Louisiana
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Pre-WWII Rem Model</span> 11</span>. These were licensed by Browning to Remington and Savage. This one finally stopped running. I can't imagine why but the recoil spring had broken.
frown.gif

This is the bolt as I removed it from the shotgun. The exterior was in almost the same condition.
Top view
<span style="color: #FF0000">BEFORE I.</span>
fvjpt4.jpg


2q0pw87.jpg



When I was finished.
grin.gif
The inside looks the same as the outside. Steel and wood was the color of crap when I received the gun. Should have taken pictures but I got carried away putting it back together.
<span style="color: #FF0000">AFTER</span>
2vabepz.jpg

Well, okay. Except for the exposed part of the bolt. I like some bling.
cool.gif

2e15f89.jpg

Awaiting some screws owner lost, and the broken recoil spring.
2nuqeep.jpg


Here she is now with all her screws

o9nyw7.jpg


Although only a very small amount remained, I removed the old stock finish. Shelac was applied. Three coats of Johnsons Paste Wax. One application of Auto Carnuba. The owner is a Body Shop man so he likes shiny finishes.

1428mqb.jpg


And I thought of what it appears the owner used as lubrication. Spittoon contents!

 
Re: A Remington Reformation

Thank you, Draw. What some folks expect of a firearm baffles me.
Didn't they ever see their mother oil her sewing machine?
Do they think the oil in their automobile engine is a fuel supplement?
Do they know the drive train differential contains oil for lubrication?
Amazing.
A guy's AR double tapped. Brought it over. Bone dry! Hmmm.
 
Re: A Remington Reformation

Those are neat old guns. I've got one I bought at a pawnshop with a solid rib barrel and an extra solid rib barrel (barrels numbered to the gun). Took a week to get the dried WD-40 out of the innards.
 
Re: A Remington Reformation

pipewhiner, do you mean recoil, or impact? If it recoil you mean, search the Browning A5 pdf manual for proper friction ring arrangement for hi and low power ammunition.

Judgedelta, I know what you mean. I soaked the parts of this one first in gasoline, then vibrated them in hot water, ammonia, a handful of BB's, and soap for two hours, displaced the dampness with WD40, then degreased with brake cleaner, then sun dried them and while hot, treated them with Molybdenum Disulfide.
Oiled the small pins and greased the large parts like sear and trigger group and bolt lock up.
Wow! Two barrels numbered? For Heaven's sake.

admn: thank you, sir.

 
Re: A Remington Reformation

Casey, I was indeed referring to the recoil. I will look into the friction ring arrangment. Right now the recoil is comparable my friends 935 ultra-mag.
 
Re: A Remington Reformation

This one reminds me of a vent rib A-5 from several years ago. The extractor was broken, safety sheared, and half of texas was being smuggled out of state inside the reciever. It was the first firearm I had ever worked on that had "LIVE MOLD" inside the reciever. Kroil, Brake Free, and Hoppes #9 finally cleaned out several furrows of plowed and planted dirt. The time, material, and labor cost could have purchased a used 870 Rem in good condition.

Another comes to mind that I have cleaned twice. It is normally stored under the seat of a twenty year old farm truck and is never oiled or cleaned until it stops functioning. These jobs are the bread and butter of gunsmiths.
 
Re: A Remington Reformation

Very nice!

I love to see old things made new again!!!


When my gramps passed away my uncle put his shotgun in the TRASH, it was on the curb waiting for pickup.

My dad called and told me so I hauled butt 120 miles north and saved it.

Luckily my gramps took good care of his shotgun, it looks NEW, for a 1942 Winchester Model 24...
 
Re: A Remington Reformation

Believe it or not, my guy had another one though in better condition. I added some before / after pics at the bottom, but I'm working on the receiver and stock. This one was bone dry too. I guess they keep shooting them 'til they stop shooting.
 
Re: A Remington Reformation

Art's Gun Shop in MO has good info on Browning A5 restoration. They do a ton of them and he is retired from Browning...good videos on the site.
 
Re: A Remington Reformation

Wow, looks great!! WHat coating did you use on the metal?

I love breathing life into crusty old guns. My favorite thing to do by far. The older nastier and crustier they are they happier I am.