Redemption for an unloved gun

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 11:51 AM

OK, here is one you have to see to believe. This poor Ruger was left under the back seat of a Jeep for years, the moisture really did a number on the gun. Fortunately the bore was leaded up and was mostly protected from the rust.

Watch as I remove the rust and pits and bring this gun some redemption

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 11:53 AM

I disassembled the gun and found that someone had used a lot of grease, good thing, all the internals were protected from the moisture

Pahoo · March 16, 2014, 11:56 AM

I'm definitely going to watch this string and my compliments to you and your effort. Some folks wouldn't even bother with it and glad to see that you are not one of them. ....

I thank you for your post and;
Be Safe !!!

Dixie Gunsmithing · March 16, 2014, 11:59 AM

You've got your work cut out for you on this one. You might aught to get you a buffer for these, and straighten up afterwards.

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 12:02 PM

After de-greasing and bluing removal, I used my wire wheel to clean up the parts so we could see how bad the pitting was

It looks worse than what I originally thought. I wasn't sure how I was going to remove pits that deep and still keep the original lines and curves of the gun. Keep in mind the frame is made of sheet steel.

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 12:07 PM

So I started sanding on the barrel/receiver, using 100 grit emory cloth, I sanded in a shoe shine and front to back (cross polishing). It started to show some improvements

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 12:12 PM

more improvements, I had to be careful of the roll marks, so some of the pits will have to remain

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 12:15 PM

Just about ready to begin polishing

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 12:17 PM

Once I got the metal to a 600 grit finish, I started polishing with my buffing wheel. When polishing you need to stay away from the roll marks and screw holes, use light pressure and check you work often, don't be rushed!

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 12:21 PM

Then I started on the frame, I used a file on the flat surfaces

Here it is ready for bluing, the frame was easier to work with, the steel is not hardened

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 12:25 PM

Finished!

TINCANBANDIT · March 16, 2014, 12:29 PM

I sand blasted a line on top of the receiver (to prevent glare and to cover some of the pitting that could not be removed) and also blasted the ring around the front sight.

The tan/brown stuff in the lettering is not rust, it is carnuba wax, when the guns are ready for pictures I wax them to get the shine and get a protective layer on the surface

here are some before and after comparisons

and finally one showing the progress of the barrel

as with my other restorations, the full write up can be seen at my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...loved-gun.html

9miller · March 16, 2014, 01:12 PM

Wow, that is a beautiful job you did there. Congratulations on the new addition.

**4V50 Gary** · March 16, 2014, 01:17 PM

Good restoration work. You have a knack for polishing.

Pahoo · March 16, 2014, 02:25 PM

Once again, my compliments .....

Thanks and;
Be Safe !!!

DIY_guy · April 1, 2014, 05:01 PM

Outstanding restoration. I think I will post a few of my own. I love reading and seeing complete overhauls that bring guns back to life.

gyvel · April 2, 2014, 10:25 AM

OUTSTANDING!

Panfisher · April 2, 2014, 11:31 AM

nice work, always good to see an old workhorse get a little makeover. Whatever is left on the good is just character. How does it shoot?

Sevens · April 7, 2014, 02:53 PM

Just fantastic. The pictures and notes make for a great thread here.

What is it's fate? Sold, traded, gun show fodder? Give to a good youngster or new shooter?

PetahW · April 7, 2014, 07:10 PM

.

Excellante' ! !

That PROVES that U R A certified firearms EMT ! !

.

Microgunner · April 7, 2014, 07:42 PM

I enjoyed this thread very much.
It's good to see this old pistol saved from the scrap pile.

North East Redneck · April 7, 2014, 08:07 PM

Very nicely done. Thanks for the pics. Very cool!

TINCANBANDIT · July 6, 2014, 11:11 PM

to answer the questions, the gun belonged to an acquaintance, so I did not get to shoot it or keep it....

kilimanjaro · July 7, 2014, 02:47 PM

Good work, well done. Your buddy is going to very happy.

March 16, 2014, 11:51 AM	#1
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	Redemption for an unloved gun OK, here is one you have to see to believe. This poor Ruger was left under the back seat of a Jeep for years, the moisture really did a number on the gun. Fortunately the bore was leaded up and was mostly protected from the rust. Watch as I remove the rust and pits and bring this gun some redemption __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 11:53 AM	#2
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	I disassembled the gun and found that someone had used a lot of grease, good thing, all the internals were protected from the moisture __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 11:56 AM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	I like the way you think !! I'm definitely going to watch this string and my compliments to you and your effort. Some folks wouldn't even bother with it and glad to see that you are not one of them. .... I thank you for your post and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

March 16, 2014, 12:02 PM	#5
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	After de-greasing and bluing removal, I used my wire wheel to clean up the parts so we could see how bad the pitting was It looks worse than what I originally thought. I wasn't sure how I was going to remove pits that deep and still keep the original lines and curves of the gun. Keep in mind the frame is made of sheet steel. __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 12:07 PM	#6
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	So I started sanding on the barrel/receiver, using 100 grit emory cloth, I sanded in a shoe shine and front to back (cross polishing). It started to show some improvements __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 11:59 AM	#4
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	You've got your work cut out for you on this one. You might aught to get you a buffer for these, and straighten up afterwards.

March 16, 2014, 12:12 PM	#7
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	more improvements, I had to be careful of the roll marks, so some of the pits will have to remain __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 12:15 PM	#8
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	Just about ready to begin polishing __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 12:17 PM	#9
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	Once I got the metal to a 600 grit finish, I started polishing with my buffing wheel. When polishing you need to stay away from the roll marks and screw holes, use light pressure and check you work often, don't be rushed! __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 12:21 PM	#10
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	Then I started on the frame, I used a file on the flat surfaces Here it is ready for bluing, the frame was easier to work with, the steel is not hardened __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 12:25 PM	#11
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	Finished! __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 12:29 PM	#12
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	I sand blasted a line on top of the receiver (to prevent glare and to cover some of the pitting that could not be removed) and also blasted the ring around the front sight. The tan/brown stuff in the lettering is not rust, it is carnuba wax, when the guns are ready for pictures I wax them to get the shine and get a protective layer on the surface here are some before and after comparisons and finally one showing the progress of the barrel as with my other restorations, the full write up can be seen at my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...loved-gun.html __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2014, 01:12 PM	#13
9miller Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2012 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 169	Wow, that is a beautiful job you did there. Congratulations on the new addition.

March 16, 2014, 01:17 PM	#14
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,306	Good restoration work. You have a knack for polishing. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 16, 2014, 02:25 PM	#15
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Very nice work !!! Once again, my compliments ..... Thanks and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

April 1, 2014, 05:01 PM	#16
DIY_guy Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2014 Posts: 120	Outstanding restoration. I think I will post a few of my own. I love reading and seeing complete overhauls that bring guns back to life.

April 2, 2014, 10:25 AM	#17
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	OUTSTANDING!

April 2, 2014, 11:31 AM	#18
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	nice work, always good to see an old workhorse get a little makeover. Whatever is left on the good is just character. How does it shoot?

April 7, 2014, 02:53 PM	#19
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Just fantastic. The pictures and notes make for a great thread here. What is it's fate? Sold, traded, gun show fodder? Give to a good youngster or new shooter? __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

April 7, 2014, 07:10 PM	#20
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. Excellante' ! ! That PROVES that U R A certified firearms EMT ! ! .

April 7, 2014, 07:42 PM	#21
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	I enjoyed this thread very much. It's good to see this old pistol saved from the scrap pile.

April 7, 2014, 08:07 PM	#22
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	Very nicely done. Thanks for the pics. Very cool! __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

July 6, 2014, 11:11 PM	#23
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	to answer the questions, the gun belonged to an acquaintance, so I did not get to shoot it or keep it.... __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

July 7, 2014, 02:47 PM	#24
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Good work, well done. Your buddy is going to very happy.