[Prodigalshooter]

A good friend and co-worker was one of the unfortunate people to have their home burn during the fire this past weekend, they escaped with their lives, just, driving through walls of flame and downed "hot" power lines.
He had zero time to get any of his firearms out, as they woke up to smoke and flames at 2:30 am and left in 5 minutes. So, three of the guns are potentially worth trying to save (IMO), two Colt 1911s, old style, one commercial and one "real" government issue and the third is a Ruger Blackhawk .44 magnum. My question is, how hot does it have to be before the steel itself loses it's temper and is too soft to be safe? I'd guess that the barrels would need to be replaced at the minimum.
Anyone with any experience in this sort of thing? It'd be great if these pieces could be salvaged.

[Jim Watson]

There was a shop in my area that made something of a specialty of refubishing house fire guns, and I knew a guy at work who was slowly working his way through his own scorched guns.

This was some years ago, and everybody seems more cautious now, but the rule of thumb was that if the springs were not collapsed from the heat of the fire that the rest of the gun's heat treat was probably ok, too. On the other hand, if the springs were annealed to the point of collapsing, it was considered not worth the expense.

Depending on where and how they were stored, the main damage may be from smoke and water, not heat. Are the grips burnt off? Look at the springs and the aluminum parts on the Ruger for collapse and distortion. If they are ok, get started right away. I think I would rinse them in fresh water, dry and heavily oil them until restoration could get under way. Take them apart if they are not rusted shut.

[Prodigalshooter]

Hmmm, good point about the springs as an indicator, Jim. I'm going to his place Saturday, I'll get a better idea then, as I've not been able to inspect them yet. Thanks a bunch for the input, I'd like to help him save the pistols if at all possible.

[Jim Watson]

If they are sitting untouched since the fire, smoke and water are doing more damage every day. Suggest you call him up and have him at least apply a couple cans of WD40 to really souse them down, displace water, and seal the metal, today.

If he has others, he should oil them up, too. They might could be saved to where they would be shootable if not pretty.

[mete]

Hardened parts may see damage at temperatures above 400 F . Wood starts to char at about 500 F.If scale has formed it's way beyond help. Water damage should be dealt with immediately.