rebluing 1952 Winchester 94

sophijo · December 24, 2007, 12:44 AM

I'd appreciate some recommendations for professional rebluing job for this rifle.
Thanks
Dave

Hawg · December 24, 2007, 12:48 AM

Unless it looks like a POS you're probably better off from a value standpoint to leave it as is.

sophijo · December 24, 2007, 01:02 AM

It looks pretty good really. I just picked it up and have refinished the wood. When I removed the fore-end and the ammo tube there is some rust where the tube and action meet and some between the wood and tube. Other than that and two "dinked" up screwheads; its about 75%. I use my firearms and don't mind legit wear but these symptoms of carelessness bother me.

While I'm yappin; I was wondering if I could dis-assemble the action and "smooth" it out. It seems a little rough. Is this a job for a professional only?
Thanks
Dave

Hawg · December 24, 2007, 01:33 AM

Well you might as well, you've already ruined the collector value.

James K · December 24, 2007, 04:37 PM

If the screws really bother you, new ones are available from www.gunpartscorp.com or you can clean up the old ones. As to disassembly, there are instructions on the net, but the 92, 95, and 94 Winchesters are not meant to be disassembled by the user. Perhaps it is the relative simplicity of the M1911 pistol that has led many folks to think that all Browning-designed guns are easily dis- and re-assembled. They are not.

(FWIW, it was the Army that forced Browning to produce a "user friendly" pistol.)

Jim

Doc44 · December 24, 2007, 04:59 PM

Sounds like you have a nice little project, as you sound like you want a shooter. You can match the blueing with a little help from Brownells. If it is crunchy when you work the action take all the wood off and soak the insides of the gun with a good solvent, when it's really soaked give it more solvent, HA! I have a parts washer I use only for guns that pretty slick, but by hand works great. Once it has soaked for a couple of days blow it out with with air, it makes a mess. You can take your rifle apart it just takes patience and a gentle hand. Some good Punch's from Brownell's and a set of screw drivers. "Wind age & Elevation", Doc.

James K · December 24, 2007, 11:51 PM

If you decide to take that rifle down, go by the instructions and remember what you do, or make notes. If you just start unscrewing screws, you will be in deep trouble. Plus, there has been a lot of useless advice given, but the most useless is "reassemble in reverse order."

Jim

sophijo · December 25, 2007, 09:16 PM

Thanks for the info
I found a "dis-assembly/assembly"manual for the 94 on Amazon, and will review that before any fiddling! I realize this is not a particularly sensible or practical exercise but it sure is a hell of a lot of fun!
BTW, you Firingline Forum guys are great!

sophijo · December 25, 2007, 09:19 PM

I will take notes and keep parts separated in baggies with notes...maybe even pics!\Thanks
Dave

George R · December 26, 2007, 06:46 PM

Another alternative is to prep the gun yourself and send it out for a real hot caustic blue. I do it, as do a lot of other shops. Should cost $50-$60, you probably can find places to do it for less. I think Glenrock Blue www.gunblueing.com does it for $60, too. I have yet to find a cold blue that comes close to the real thing. Wish I could.

SOSARMS · December 26, 2007, 08:15 PM

I have spent quite a few years disassembly/assembly of the Win 94....They are really quite simple, and the only special tools are the barrel clamp and headspace gauge. One can be totally disassembled in under 20 minutes. As far as the reblue....Good Luck !!! I have seen nothing that matches the true original look. George was right on with his suggestions....by the way Hello George !!!. One of the cheapest finishes you can do, by the way, is not a blue, but a gloss or semigloss powdercoat. A very strong and durable finish for a user....But.....polish the metal really good prior to the coating....any blemish will easily be seen. FWIW

December 24, 2007, 12:44 AM	#1
sophijo Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2004 Posts: 667	rebluing 1952 Winchester 94 I'd appreciate some recommendations for professional rebluing job for this rifle. Thanks Dave

December 24, 2007, 01:02 AM	#3
sophijo Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2004 Posts: 667	'94 reblue It looks pretty good really. I just picked it up and have refinished the wood. When I removed the fore-end and the ammo tube there is some rust where the tube and action meet and some between the wood and tube. Other than that and two "dinked" up screwheads; its about 75%. I use my firearms and don't mind legit wear but these symptoms of carelessness bother me. While I'm yappin; I was wondering if I could dis-assemble the action and "smooth" it out. It seems a little rough. Is this a job for a professional only? Thanks Dave

December 24, 2007, 04:59 PM	#6
Doc44 Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Posts: 47	Model 94 Sounds like you have a nice little project, as you sound like you want a shooter. You can match the blueing with a little help from Brownells. If it is crunchy when you work the action take all the wood off and soak the insides of the gun with a good solvent, when it's really soaked give it more solvent, HA! I have a parts washer I use only for guns that pretty slick, but by hand works great. Once it has soaked for a couple of days blow it out with with air, it makes a mess. You can take your rifle apart it just takes patience and a gentle hand. Some good Punch's from Brownell's and a set of screw drivers. "Wind age & Elevation", Doc.

December 25, 2007, 09:16 PM	#8
sophijo Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2004 Posts: 667	Thanks Thanks for the info I found a "dis-assembly/assembly"manual for the 94 on Amazon, and will review that before any fiddling! I realize this is not a particularly sensible or practical exercise but it sure is a hell of a lot of fun! BTW, you Firingline Forum guys are great!

December 25, 2007, 09:19 PM	#9
sophijo Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2004 Posts: 667	Jim Keenan and Doc I will take notes and keep parts separated in baggies with notes...maybe even pics!\Thanks Dave

December 24, 2007, 12:48 AM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,380	Unless it looks like a POS you're probably better off from a value standpoint to leave it as is.

December 24, 2007, 01:33 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,380	Well you might as well, you've already ruined the collector value.

December 24, 2007, 04:37 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If the screws really bother you, new ones are available from www.gunpartscorp.com or you can clean up the old ones. As to disassembly, there are instructions on the net, but the 92, 95, and 94 Winchesters are not meant to be disassembled by the user. Perhaps it is the relative simplicity of the M1911 pistol that has led many folks to think that all Browning-designed guns are easily dis- and re-assembled. They are not. (FWIW, it was the Army that forced Browning to produce a "user friendly" pistol.) Jim

December 24, 2007, 11:51 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If you decide to take that rifle down, go by the instructions and remember what you do, or make notes. If you just start unscrewing screws, you will be in deep trouble. Plus, there has been a lot of useless advice given, but the most useless is "reassemble in reverse order." Jim

December 26, 2007, 06:46 PM	#10
George R Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 151	Win 94 reblue Another alternative is to prep the gun yourself and send it out for a real hot caustic blue. I do it, as do a lot of other shops. Should cost $50-$60, you probably can find places to do it for less. I think Glenrock Blue www.gunblueing.com does it for $60, too. I have yet to find a cold blue that comes close to the real thing. Wish I could.

December 26, 2007, 08:15 PM	#11
SOSARMS Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: The great Buckeye state...where nuts are not just for eating Posts: 623	I have spent quite a few years disassembly/assembly of the Win 94....They are really quite simple, and the only special tools are the barrel clamp and headspace gauge. One can be totally disassembled in under 20 minutes. As far as the reblue....Good Luck !!! I have seen nothing that matches the true original look. George was right on with his suggestions....by the way Hello George !!!. One of the cheapest finishes you can do, by the way, is not a blue, but a gloss or semigloss powdercoat. A very strong and durable finish for a user....But.....polish the metal really good prior to the coating....any blemish will easily be seen. FWIW