Ruger New Vaquero, refinishing options, need advice

[POLICESTATE]

I live in Silicon Valley, would like to get done locally.

This is a Ruger New Vaquero, it didn't have a real case-hardened finish, it has the new process that Ruger uses which totally rusted even though it was oiled and stored in a safe with a good amount of desiccant (and my other guns are totally fine).

I managed to clean off most of the rust, and I will probably disassemble and finish cleaning the rest of the rust off when I get a couple new dremel brushes.

I'm looking for someone who can do a real case-hardening on the cylinder frame, I can disassemble it prior to the work, I don't want to spend too much money on it as I intend to sell this gun.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[jdberger]

Keep it. Make it special. Send it to Gary Reeder for some lovin'.






Then show it to your kids, but leave it to your grandchildren in your will.

[POLICESTATE]

Very amazing work, I am afraid to ask how much that set you back!

[jdberger]

Follow the links, Brother. Those are stock pictures. The second is a bit gaudy for my tastes.

Actually, he's pretty reasonable for a custom 'smith (and quite well regarded).

[POLICESTATE]

yeah I will check with him then, I only need the cylinder frame done, I don't like my guns to be too flashy myself, but I need to sell my vaquero to finance my kimber

Thanks for the link!

[kendog4570]

Check out Doug Turnbull at http://www.turnbullrestoration.com/store.asp?pid=20180

Here are some pics of a Colt he did for me.

[jdberger]

OMG!

One-upped with a Turnbull.

I can't even counter with Bowen since Turnbull does his case coloring.....



NB: neither of the guns in the pics are mine. Just some things I've admired.

[kendog4570]

The original poster could probably get his frame and cylinder done for around $500. Not sure if he'll get the money back out, but thats what good work costs.

[POLICESTATE]

I like the Turnbull pricing of $150, that's only $20 more for a real job than the lousy color treatment that Ruger uses now.

[kendog4570]

They will also charge to prep/polish the parts, unless you send them already done. This is usually twice as much as the case hardening. Give them a call and talk it over with them. I found the hardest part of the whole deal was shipping a handgun to New York State, and getting it back in California. Two complete crackpot states!

[Mikeb]

Those Rugers are 4140, I think. You can't really "color case harden" chrome moly steel. Turnbull has a process that produces the oxidation colors with out ruining the tempering. For hot blue I'd say send it anywhere, for colors I'd send it to Turnbull.
take care
Mike

[kendog4570]

Those Rugers are 4140, I think. You can't really "color case harden" chrome moly steel. Turnbull has a process that produces the oxidation colors with out ruining the tempering. For hot blue I'd say send it anywhere, for colors I'd send it to Turnbull.
take care
Mike

I agree about the 4140. But they are getting colors somehow. I saw a Browning 1886 carbine that they did that was stunning, and looked very much like the Winchester/Colt colors of old. I believe those are 4140 as well.
Here are some pics



Any engineers or materials guys (or gals!) out there that know whats going on with this?

[Mikeb]

I agree about the 4140. But they are getting colors somehow. I saw a Browning 1886 carbine that they did that was stunning, and looked very much like the Winchester/Colt colors of old. I believe those are 4140 as well.
Here are some pics



Any engineers or materials guys (or gals!) out there that know whats going on with this?

The temper tempurature for 4140 is pretty high ~900 degrees I think. I think what they do is pack the parts in color case mix and heat to the temper temp. Let it soak for a while and quench to lock in the color. I bet someone worked long and hard to come up with the process.
And that 1886 is real purty, thanks
Mike

[kendog4570]

The 86 isn't mine. Needless to say, I wish it was. I contacted Turnbull about doing a couple for me, but I'll have to wait a while. $$$