Can this rusted 870 be restored?

[Pvt. Cowboy]

I would media blast it with aluminum oxide, Parkerize the metal, and then if you don't like the Parkerize look, you can have it painted.

That's what I'd do. That gun will never ever be right again if 'restoration' is the goal. I am sure some wizard gunsmith out there can prove me wrong, but they're gonna charge ten or twenty times what that gun is worth right now.

I am looking for a derelict old 870 in about that condition to turn into an SBS. Solvent tank it, dry it, run it through a blast cabinet, Parkerize it, then paint it Olive Drab and turn it into a 10" Shorty with a cut down GI barrel shroud and folding stock. Yee haw!

[Pvt. Cowboy]

That is just awesome. Too bad you can't work on NFA guns.

[bohoki]

don't buy a new barrel a new barrel costs half a new 870

i think this just has a case of the "case curse"

humidity/temperature changes causes condesation in a sealed or semi/sealed container

i bet the bore is still shiny as with the innards

see here

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/NewsletterArchive.aspx?x=v&p=0&t=1&i=901&mc_ID=2013

[drawn]

That is just awesome. Too bad you can't work on NFA guns.

I'm working on that.

[Bird of Fire]

Use some white vinegar to aid in the rust removal as well. If you're lazy you can just submerge the part in it but keep an eye on it. Might take a couple of hours, but it will most assuredly remove the rust. It is an acid, so if you leave it in your garage for several weeks, it'll eat at the metal as well.

But a couple hours in a tank of vinegar won't hurt it at all. If I was you, I would then do duracoat. It's cheap, it's easier than you think, and can be applied in your garage. A starter kit is 49.95 or so and should have more than enough paint in it to redo your entire shotgun.

http://www.lauerweaponry.com/index.cfm?Category=218

I'd just reccomend that you use a dedicated air compressor and not the POS air can that comes in the kit. Bam. Refinished. Using this method you're looking at maybe 60-70 bucks including the vinegar and a weekend of your time.

[Guntech]

Damn my Remington from the 50s and my Stevens from the 40s aren't even close to that bad, in fact they are mint compared to that. That said it can be repaired fairly easily as far as the rust goes, for rebluing if you want it to look great go to a professional.

[sorensen440]

Damn my Remington from the 50s and my Stevens from the 40s aren't even close to that bad, in fact they are mint compared to that. That said it can be repaired fairly easily as far as the rust goes, for rebluing if you want it to look great go to a professional.

Rust is never due to age its mostly due to storage in moist invoirments or improper cleaning

I have a marlin 336 thats dated back to 56 and with the exeption of a large scratch near the end of the barrel you could believe it was brought home new from the store today
( well exept theres no saftey and its nicer then the ones i see in the stores )

[weezil_boi]

I have what I believe to be a 20-25 year old Remington 870 Wingmaster 12ga with some serious rust on it.

Can this be restored by a qualified gunsmith?

Since your father gave it to you, Id say clean it up ( glass beads and reblue that bad boy). I really wish I had such a gun from my dad... (someday I'll have the springfield 03)... it woulld be so cool to pass on knowing you restored it.

My 1.5 cents ... do it yourself, so it really means something to you, who cares what it costs. Id pay $5000 right now for a gun my Grandfather had as a boy, regardless of what its really worth

[sb_pete]

elbow grease and duracoat (or you could have it re-blued, guncote'd, etc.). Have fun!

I had a Gamo pellet gun once that got like that from 2.5 yrs of storage inside a soft case without any humidity protection. I just used fine grit wet sandpaper with water then re-oiled it. It took a few sessions of a couple hours each over the course of a few weeks, but the rust came off just fine. That old thing I just refinished with sharpie but I imagine you're looking for a nicer finish

That said, have it checked by a gunsmith before shooting it to make sure it won't KB in your face

Hope that helps
-Pete

[otteray]

#00000 steel wool drenched in oil, some elbow grease, but start lightly with the scrubbing pressure, using more as needed. I've done this on several firearms.
The previous copper penny idea is good, too.
Then, re-evaluate. It may look just fine.

[Sydwaiz]

I'm willing to bet there is pitting below that rust. Reblue it and you'll just have blued pits unless you actually polish the surface down to remove them but you may lose the engraving that way. Personally, I would media blast it and parkerize it. The media blasting will give it a rough texture and hide or blend in the pitting if there is any. And then you can duracoat it black to get some glossiness back. It's going to cost you more than a new one though unless you can do it yourself.