stock refinish

[porsche]

i have a very nice little 20 ga citori featherweight with English stock. it has shows some rough handling in the varnish, but blems do not appear to reach the wood. i like the oil finish better than the varnish and wonder what people think of the idea of removing the varnish and oil finishing the stock. Is this something for a professional or a do it your self project or ill advised? Thanks.

 

[Franco2shoot]

Personally, I like to work the wood on my firearms. Pistols, rifles, and shotguns alike have all seen some sort of work. I see no need to have a professional do the work. Just start with fine grain sandpaper, and finish it the way you like. Right now I am stuck between Linseed oil and Verathane varnish as to which would look better on my Mosin-Nagant battle rifle. The Soviets were fond of throwing a coat of lacquer on these rifles and getting them out the door. When I got it however, after 64 years, it was full of nicks and a ton of oil. I sanded out the nicks and in the process removed a bunch of oil. Then took to various stains in an attemp to get the color evenly matched. Now its decision time.. it looks great with the low lustre finish of the LO shining through, but I am sorely tempted to coat it with a modern acrylic coat of Verathane just because the glossy look is the way they originally left the factory and modern varnish protects the wood so well.

My vote in your case is to have at it...
KKKKFL

 

[macFarlaine]

You cannot beat oil as a finish (if you like the look).It can be easily done by the first timer if you take your time and let the oil dry between coats.Always dry at room temp,away from direct heat.I won't advise on mixtures,we use our own recipe,but there are plenty on THR who will advise.

 

[Kingcreek]

I refinished a Browning with the shiny urathane(?) finish once...
WARNING
That stuff was harder than heck to remove. tried every kind of remover I could find and by the time I had the finish off, the wood appeared bleached out and the wood-metal fit was altered because of the thickness of the old finish. I hated the final result and ended up spending money for a new stock set and refitting. I wish I had never even thought of trying that myself.

I wouldn't mess with it at all unless you just can't live with it the way it is.

 

[porsche]

Franco2Shoot. funny you mention the Moison. i am getting the 44 carbine delivered today with laminated stocks.