Refinishing a old gun

[BigGuy52]

I have used pump 12ga shotgun I recently bought for a primary home defense gun. It's a MagTec model, which I presume is from the mid 70's. It's in good working order, but the barrel's finish is almost worn off.

I'd like to put a finish on it, but my lack of knowledge in this field is overwheming.

Anyone know of a 'spray-on' finish that will last and will look OK?

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Spray-on finishes for the most part are mediocre at best. I have not found a decent spray on finish that has worked. The spray and bake finishes are a little better but still aren't completely durable. For old shotguns I have found that rust bluing works best as you don't want to subject the vent ribbing of the barrel to high temps (otherwise it will separate from the barrel!). You do need some equipment to rust blue though. I hate to say it but you get what you pay for in the refinishing business.

 

[Oro]

I agree pretty mich with Taurus 617. The better "at home" finish is GunKote, which you need an air compressor OR a air brush kit and disposable propellant canisters (hobby store or NAPA). They will atomize the finish better and apply it more evenly. Anything in it's own propellant can is not going to give good results - the nozzles are too cheap, wide, and inconsistent, despite your best surface prep.

Consider also looking locally for someone who parkerizes or hot blues. A shotgun action is often not that expensive.

 

[danprkr]

I got a real nice matte/flat blue finish once on a Colt revolver with BAD holster wear when I had the guy just bead blast it, and run it thought his bluing tanks. And, it only cost me about half what a polish blue would cost. That was 15 years ago, and the gun still looks fine. Of course I don't carry it anymore, but it looks good. So, you might ask about something like that.

Good luck.

 

[danprkr]

PS - if it's truly on the barrel, take it off and take it in by itself. That may change your price since he won't have to disassemble and reassemble the gun.

 

[doc540]

DuraCoat spray. If I can do it...it's idiot proof.

 

[CnRnut]

I've refinished many guns with Brownells Alumahide II.
If you media blast,and clean,clean,clean,it works great.
Might add the metal must be clean!!!

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