Letter 4061

Bluing firearms 

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I am not very familiar with bluing firearms but must do something with a rifle I purchased for my son. We recently tried bluing the barrel with a product called "Hoppe's"...It didn't turn out well at all. Finger prints are always left on the barrel, it smuggess , but worst is that any exposure to moisture causes the barrel to rust and pit. I have followed the directions to the letter. There must be a better way. Any help would be appreciated.

pat fogarty - vancouver british columbia canada

Pat - Try having your rifle blued by a gunsmith that uses the hot black oxide method. This is the method used by weapons mfrs to impart that lustrous black finish. Also, be sure to use a dry-to-the-touch finishing oil to protect against corrosion. Frequent re-oiling may be necessary depending on the atmosphere that the rifle is stored and used in. By the way, be sure to ask the gunsmith if he uses Black Magic products for his process. Good Luck

Dan Brewer
Hubbard-Hall Inc. - Gurnee, IL

My friend and I are interested in the complete process necessary to reblue firearms. Most of the sites we have visited are more concerned with selling their wares than giving full details of "how to do it. " As we are only amateurs all details with regard to equipment, solutions and any other hints would be greatly appreciated.

Graham Itz
private - Brisbane Qld Australia

In reference to bluing I had a severely corroded 410 single shot that belonged to my late father. It was badly pitted with rust and not even a fine-medium steel wool would remove it all. I took a 100grit sandpaper and with a Dremel tool sanded the entire exterior surface. The internal bore was fine. Prior to bluing I placed the pieces in the oven at 200F for about 10 minutes to get them well above room temperature. Then as the directions said I was generous in applying the material, waited 3 minutes and then rinsed. With a fine Steel Wool [link is to product info at Rockler] I then polished the pieces and oiled them. Being my first time I have to admit that it worked out rather well considering the lowest cost by a gunsmith was $175.00. The biggest trick I believe is to make sure your room temperature or surface temperature exceeds the recommended guidelines.

Len Grainger
- Leduc, Alberta

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