Touch up bluing on a firearm

[Huskerguy]

I recently picked up a S&W model 19 that has a wear spot on the right side of the barrel that is about an inch long. I know very little about any products that could be used to cold blue this spot to make it look a little better. It really does not look all that bad but a little blue on it would help a bunch. I don't know what works and what doesn't and if a barrel can be blended in to make it look right. Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Cold blue can be used.
But it will never 'blend in' with the original factory blue.
And it won't last very long at all.

I use the Birchwood-Casey Presto pen for small spots.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Birc...=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03601111&rid=20

And Brownell's Oxpho Blue for bigger jobs.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Brownells-oz-Oxpho-Blue/741268.uts

It is about the best cold blue I have found.
But it isn't even close to real hot bluing used by the factory's.

rc

 

[OYE]

Bluing

Like the Oxpho Blue Cream from Brownells as well.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I think that RC nailed it, as usual.

If you are going to cold blue your gun, use Oxpho Blue. Stay a mile away from the Birchwood Casey Super Blue stuff that a lot of sporting goods stores sell.

 

[boom boom]

If you are bluing a small round area such as a barrel, get the Oxpho Cream and NOT the liquid. Make sure to follow the directions and it comes out decent. As others say, it IS noticeably different, especially when compared with the best bluing from old Smiths or Colts. I have an old pre 1957 (according to serial number from 1957 but not marked) Model 15 with an atypical 5 inch barrel. It also has holster barrel wear and the back of the frame has no bluing from wear. I simply cannot bring myself to cold blue it. If I had to, I would send it back the Smith and Wesson and have them hot blue it.

Father in law sent a poor abused Security Six to Ruger and they did a top notch job. Even cleaned all of the leading out of the barrel to boot. It looks like a new gun for a very reasonable price.

I use the cold bluing primarily when I am restoring an old milsurp where the bluing is thin anyway on things like handguard or bayonet rings but rust bluing them would then make the rest of the gun with the faded bluing look crummy. It does give a nice matte patina with 0000 steel wool. If the bluing is thin and tending toward grey, this product works well. I have also used it on screw heads and the like to good effect.

 

[Huskerguy]

Thanks guys. It is a very light spot on the barrel and probably not worth messing with. I bought it to be a shooter but like to keep my firearms as clean as possible. I will probably live with it. Thanks for the replies.