Stripping Bluing

[Mr. Mosin]

Unsure if this needs to go here, or under “Gunsmithing” (moderator, will you please move as needed- thank you).

I’ve had good success with vinegar stripping finish on multiple handguns in the past, but I’ve always detail stripped the firearms in question. I intend to do the same to my new-to-me Makarov (it’s cosmetically challenged as-is)… only this time, I have qualms and concerns.

After detail stripping the Mak, I’ve absolutely no desire to do so again. I’m comfortable removing the action assembly, but is the trigger guard really necessary to be removed for what I’m wanting (in the white) ? Will the vinegar stay in the spring channel and induce rust, or would I have disassemble it to flush it ?

Only parts necessary to be stripped are slide/frame, safety, hammer, and slide stop… everything else is hidden from view. Would the safety/hammer plum color revert to an “in-the-white”, or a different color ?

After satisfactorily stripping the finish and dousing/bathing everything in boiling water and Dawn; any recommendations for a new finish ? Cerakote, duracoat, etc ?

 

[AlexanderA]

I've found that an alternative to vinegar, for removing blueing, is paste Naval Jelly. It works a lot faster than vinegar, and you can control where it goes. But be careful and watch it while it works. If you leave it too long is will start to etch the metal.

Also, be sure to wear rubber gloves.

 

[1KPerDay]

I’ve stripped an Uberti SAA with vinegar, without disassembling it fully, and rinsed it well with hot water and then hosed it with Ballistol. I stripped it fully a few months later and found no rust on internal parts. YMMV

I like ballistol for this kind of thing because it’s water soluble and remains after the water evaporates. This gives me the possibly false confidence that I can not worry too much about getting every last bit of water out of every nook and cranny and there will still be some oil in play.

I personally loathe spray-on coatings so I’d personally either leave it in the white and just make extra sure to keep it oiled or send it to CCR refinishing for something nice-looking and durable. If you want to spend the money