Gunsmithing Rust: At what point...

[GardDog]

... Do you just have to say it's too much?

I inherited an OLD double barrel shotgun. The metal parts looks like something that was dug up from a Civil War relic site. At what point does rust on a firearm push it past the "fixable" point? Anyone get an old shooter back into fighting form from a really rusty stage? I'm not looking for showroom floor gloss, just stop the rust and be in usable condition.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Rust: At what point...

If the bore's compromised by rust, end of story.

If not, clean off the barrel ezterior, getting as aggressive as it takes to get down to bare metal.

If the surface is penetrated to any significant depth, I would be very leary of subjecting the barrel to firing pressures. Barrel integrity is based on heat treatment and the depth of any compromise is significant to whether or not safety is impaired.

Take no chances. There are always other guns to shoot.

Greg

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Rust: At what point...

The killer on a shotgun is the thickness of the tubes is thin to start with. You could spot blast a couple areas to see what you are up against....but keep in mind, pressures have gone up and compromised tubes is no bueno.

I just did a rust repair on a lc smith and had it not been at the end of the barrels....I would have turned it down. Be warned.....draw filing gets old.

 

[GardDog]

Re: Rust: At what point...

I took a more in-depth look at it this weekend. The bore on both tubes is really gritty and pitted. I'm afraid that this is going to be a conversation piece and not a project to get back in shooting shape. Thanks for the replies.