to reblue or not? 1100 1970's

[Country_boy_88]

okay i recently aquired a remignton 1100 from the 70s is pretty good condition. the previous owner is a close friend and has only used it a handful of times because his father passed it down to him and he really doesnt shoot.

anyway he stored it in the safe for the past 5+yrs and it now has rust spots on the receiever and a deep spot on the barrel. i took 00 steel wool and was able to get most of it off but the blueing has worn off.

I asked my gun smith if he did rebluing and he said no but recommended someone. well i called that man before christmas and still has never returned my call.

do you think i should attempt it myself or get it professionally done?
does the pitting make the gun ruined?
thanks in advance everyone
ill try to take some pics of the spots

 

[PotatoJudge]

I would leave it alone. A reblue is a couple hundred dollars and won't raise the value of the gun that much. It's generally more cost effective to sell the gun that needs work and buy one in better condition.

 

[Milkmaster]

One reccommendation that was given to me and worked out very well recently was to use bronze wool instead of steel wool. The bronze wool will take off the rust and not wear off the bluing. It takes a little longer, but the results were worth it.

Based on what I read into your question...I would just clean it up and shoot it! Spend your money on ammo and having a good time shooting it. The 1100 is a classic well proven shotgun that will give you good service. So many have been sold that the price of used 1100's is quite reasonable. My vote is to live with the few experience marks you have already and enjoy your new shotgun. The pit marks won't stop it from shooting well if they are only on the outside etc.

Good Luck!

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Well, its your gun, so if you want it to look like new, have it reblued.

Personally, I like a little character, so I leave my guns the way they are unless they have serious rust problems. OTOH, I have a friend who wants all of his guns to look brand new, so he reblues and refinishes everything, regardless of age or value.

To each his own.

 

[sm]

Personally, I would not.

Heck, some of the guns I have, actually have, some bluing, and even some blued areas are without scratches, pits, or rust.

Use Enough Character.

*smile*

 

[damien]

Maybe do it yourself as a project?

http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/blueing_index.asp?categoryID=1&subcat=5

 

[Virginian]

If you touch it up with cold bluing you will save a bunch of $s in exchange for a lasting job. Just degrease the whole receiver and wipe it down with cold bluing and 000 steel wool. Once you like the look, wipe the whole thing with a very damp paper towel in a warm dry room, let dry, and then spray Rem Oil on it and wipe off the excess. When it gets thin, do it again.

 

[Country_boy_88]

still tossing around the idea. The receiver has spots all over it almost like its pitted and the barrel has one spot were it has pitted. I just cant seem to find anyone that actually reblues guns. Every gun I own is in imaculate shape and id like this one to last a lifetime. Is there even a way to fix the pitting aside from ordering a new barrel?

 

[Fred Fuller]

Is there even a way to fix the pitting

Some hamfisted gent with a Baldor buffer would looooove to 'fix' it for you, by buffing out all the pitting (not to mention the stamping, dishing out screw/pin holes, etc). IMHO an overbuffed and re-blued gun looks even worse than one with some pitting.

My usual approach to pitting is to find someone to bead blast the gun and phosphate finsh it (aka parkerizing). You might not like a flat gray to black finish on your gun though, I don't know.

JMHO, YMMV, etc.

lpl

 

[jimmyraythomason]

If it were mine I would bead blast it then blue it. I would do it all myself so the cost would be negligible. Otherwise you could bead blast it and use Gun-kote or similar.

 

[AndyJ]

I have refinished several Wingmaster basket cases with Duracoat. Here is one done in Gun Blue. I have been more than satisfied and they *never* rust again.

 

[Country_boy_88]

Im def not going to phosphate it. I work in surface finish and dont care for the chalky appearance for m16s when not oiled.

Im def not going to scotch bright the pitting out. But bead blasting and reblueing or black oxide would do just fine. However i cant do either at work so I have to find someone locally or ship it off.