KG Gunkote on a Levergun?

[Higgy]

Hi guys,

I picked up a Winchester 1894, made in 1972. Its a real dog. I looked like it was used hard, then sat in someone's closet for 30+ years. The barrel and receiver in pretty sad shape. Lots of rust pitting. The action totally dry. Me thinking (as usual) how I could fix it up nice and make it a keeper, I paid a very small amount for it, and it followed me home. Rather than to go through a complete resurface/sand/buff blue job, I'm thinking maybe I would go ahead and do a KG Gunkote finish on it.

I've got the whole gun disassembled and cleaned up; I just find myself waffling over the choice of finish. I love KG Gunkote, but I have questions.

Has anyone had experience with this coating when applied to actions and moving parts?

That's basically it. I can coat the barrel, magazine tube, and receiver, but I wonder how it will feel when I coat inside the receiver, and the other internals? If I sandblast the moving parts lightly, and coat them, do you guys think the action would be rough and nasty? Gunkote is supposed to have a high lubricity... Oh and I only use 120 grit AO blast media, at around 40psi.

Any advice or ideas would be very appreciated.

 

[Higgy]

I would welcome any comments, good, bad, or indifferent. I'm rather afraid of going any further with this project until I hear some opinions. My main concern is whether or not the action will be sticky, and feel bad.

 

[Sunray]

Leave the internal parts alone except maybe for cold bluing. They have to fit together correctly. Putting a coating on 'em will give you grief. Mind you, if the inside of the barrel is heavily pitted, it may not be worth doing anything. The rest of it doesn't matter.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Actually, KG is made for internals, but you want to do it in fine misting coats, unless you have bad pitting you are trying to cover.
Sunray, have you ever used this product?
I have done 3 guns, and other than the blueberry color, I'm generally pleased on how they turned out. I find an airbrush with a fine tip to be about right for the little stuff, a fan is great for larger pieces. Remember to allow the coats to completely dry between applications. A thin teflon oil for dryer parts, and a good grease for the heavy parts makes it all run smooth. The only part I might be leery is the sear engagement, and on that I only put two light coats, but afterword, I think I would have done more, it did smooth it out some.

 

[crossrhodes]

I have used gunkote on 4 lever action rifles and it holds up fine. The bolts were done with KG gearkote. I never had one come back and every one has been very happy with the gunkote and improved action from the extra lubricity. Remember prep is the key to a good coating job.