20mm Gatling Gun Barrel assembly restoration

GatlinJohn · January 20, 2020, 08:04 PM

I have a complete Vulcan 20mm 6 barrel assembly and I'm in the process of restoring it. I have just picked it up from the blasters who did an excellent job of cleaning them. Now I'm not sure how to proceed. What should I do to prep the barrels for the correct paint and or primer? Any help here would be appreciated. Not sure why my pics won't load but if you'd like to see them please PM me.

50 shooter · January 20, 2020, 11:13 PM

You should have the barrels parkerized, that way they'll look like the military's. Same with any other components that will be exposed to the elements.

Is this going to be a static display or...? The M61 gatling gun is pretty big, then there's the whole legal side of restoring a fully automatic firearm.

kenny53 · January 20, 2020, 11:38 PM

I have a 20mm barrel mounted on a plaque from when I retired. Mine is Nickle plated and looks very good. For prep I would do a light sand blast.

**44 AMP** · January 21, 2020, 12:15 AM

Quote:

, then there's the whole legal side of restoring a fully automatic firearm.

The legal side is simple. If the gun was not in the civilian registry as of May 18, 1986 there is no legal way to restore it to a functional firearm. Period.

To restore it as a nonfunctional (non firing) display is fine, legal and its technically not a gun. (you may want some kind of official DEWAT paper though just to prevent foolish misunderstandings)

You could even "restore" it to a gas gun, "firing" propane to simulate muzzle flash. Also legal, as far as I know.

TXAZ · January 21, 2020, 03:51 PM

Pictures from the restoration (forwarded from OP who doesn't have a picture posting account)

GatlinJohn · January 21, 2020, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50 shooter

You should have the barrels parkerized, that way they'll look like the military's. Same with any other components that will be exposed to the elements.

Is this going to be a static display or...? The M61 gatling gun is pretty big, then there's the whole legal side of restoring a fully automatic firearm.

That sounds like a great idea. I need to get them done ASAP! Not sure what I want to do with them yet. They are a great conversation piece....LOL!!!

50 shooter · January 21, 2020, 05:44 PM

Hell, just the barrels set up like they were installed in the gun would be a cool display. And yeah, you need to get them covered quickly or they will start to rust.

**44 AMP** · January 23, 2020, 02:06 AM

I know they are big barrels but smaller format pictures would be better on the forum.

and, no, I don't know how to do that. Neo-luddite, class of 75,

January 20, 2020, 08:04 PM	#1
GatlinJohn Junior Member Join Date: January 20, 2020 Location: Central, Florida Posts: 3	20mm Gatling Gun Barrel assembly restoration I have a complete Vulcan 20mm 6 barrel assembly and I'm in the process of restoring it. I have just picked it up from the blasters who did an excellent job of cleaning them. Now I'm not sure how to proceed. What should I do to prep the barrels for the correct paint and or primer? Any help here would be appreciated. Not sure why my pics won't load but if you'd like to see them please PM me.

January 20, 2020, 11:13 PM	#2
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	You should have the barrels parkerized, that way they'll look like the military's. Same with any other components that will be exposed to the elements. Is this going to be a static display or...? The M61 gatling gun is pretty big, then there's the whole legal side of restoring a fully automatic firearm. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

January 21, 2020, 03:51 PM	#5
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	Pictures from the restoration (forwarded from OP who doesn't have a picture posting account) __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

January 21, 2020, 05:44 PM	#7
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	Hell, just the barrels set up like they were installed in the gun would be a cool display. And yeah, you need to get them covered quickly or they will start to rust. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

January 23, 2020, 02:06 AM	#8
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,835	I know they are big barrels but smaller format pictures would be better on the forum. and, no, I don't know how to do that. Neo-luddite, class of 75, __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

January 20, 2020, 11:38 PM	#3
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	I have a 20mm barrel mounted on a plaque from when I retired. Mine is Nickle plated and looks very good. For prep I would do a light sand blast.