Dura coating a military Mauser: Total blasphemy?

[jagdpanzer347]

Now, before anybody goes off the deep end, hear me out. Ordinarily, I don't like the idea of refinishing milsurps at all. However, I picked up one of the AIM "shooter special" Yugo M48s yesterday with the intention of possibly using it as a "trunk" gun. You know, unobtrusive, powerful, and most importantly, inexpensive if something happens to it.

This rifle is in pretty good shape overall. Decent exterior finish and wood, non-matching numbers and a dark bore with a little pitting. Really nothing special. Really wish I would have snatched up one of the excellent condition one's they had several months ago.

Anyway, I want it to have a durable, relatively inexpensive finish to suit it's intended purpose. Also, it would give me some experience with Dura Coat before trying it on the AK's I hope to build this winter. Any other opinions on a suitable finish would be appreciated.

-jagd

 

[grimjaw]

It might be blasphemy, but it's also very practical if you intend to put the gun through some abuse and still want the finish to hold up.

jmm

 

[CZguy]

Or you could wipe it down with oil every week or so. Works well for me.

 

[Eightball]

Serial numbers dont match, so it has no historical "value", per se--and is now a cheap workhorse of a gun. Have fun Dura-Coating it--it suits your need, and is thus justifiable.

 

[Terrierman]

This whole business of sacred guns of which there are thousands and thousands floating around drives me fruit. It's your rifle, do with it what you like and with all my blessings my son.

 

[GreyMauser]

Ditto Terrierman.

 

[kfranz]

I wouldn't hesitate to do it to one of mine. Other than an M44 or kit built AK, there probably isn't a better surplus candidate.

 

[Ad Astra]

No collectible value = do it.

I have one of Classic's hard-chrome M44's for the same purpose- history has lost nothing, I have gained a low-value knockaround rifle which can tolerate humid (read boating) conditions.

 

[mmike87]

I agree with the general consensus - if it's not of historical value have a great time making a good gun better.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Thanks for the replies fella's. First things first though, gotta' strip it and clean it and see how it shoots. Luckily, this one's not slathered in cosmo like the one my buddy bought from the last batch.

-jagd

 

[DeputyVaughn]

I'm in the middle of doing my Ishapore Enfield in Duracoat right now. It may not rank as high as a Mauser but I still like Duracoat better than what came on it.

Scott