My latest project...

[purple88yj]

It is a Colt Army Special chambered in .32-20WCF. Not a CC gun, but quite a curio in my opinion.



This is a preservation job for a friend. Once the grips were off, I found the internals to have quite a bit of surface rust. Hoping that there won't be any surprises.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. What a grand example of a firearm from a different era! Hopefully, your restoration work will go smoothly.

Best.

[P95Carry]

That is a fine piece of history and probably the internals will clean up quite adequately - small rust effects should not be too deleterious.

Externally from the pic it looks pretty good. Slightly reminds me of an old Smith 1917 I used to have and wish I still had (thank you UK gov )

[purple88yj]

The blueing is roughly in 85-90%. Hasn't been fired much, but there is considerable leading in the barrel (Lord only knows what I'll find there). She just wasn't stored well.

There is a little end play between the cylinder and the forcing cone, but nothing that cna't be cured by a trip to Colt after the preservation
work.

Shame too. Such a beautiful example of a firearm. Some people just shouldn't be allowed to own things.

[P95Carry]

Time tho does leave its mark, particularly with guns that have been more used than safe queens.

The leading should strip out OK with a lewis lead remover and some patience - then some bronze brush scrubbing. Even if not perfect - a pleasure to see and handle.

[hsuCowboy98]

Might try a good electronic bore cleaner...it does wonders on older firearms, especially heavily leaded or fouled ones.

Looks pretty good...should be a nice project, hope it goes well.

It breaks my heart every time I see pictures of government seized weapons..I look and see all kinds of relics and curios that I wouldve just loved to save and restore.....man o man.....

[Bud White]

Its to bad People don't know how to properly store there firearms ..

It does look good from the pic you posted though

[purple88yj]

The leading should strip out OK with a lewis lead remover and some patience - then some bronze brush scrubbing. Even if not perfect - a pleasure to see and handle.

Might try a good electronic bore cleaner...it does wonders on older firearms, especially heavily leaded or fouled ones.

Unfortunately, I don't have some of the fancier tools. One day though. If the wife and I build like I would like to, I will have one room in the house dedicated to me and my toys, and the necessary tools to do hte necessary work on them.

Right now, however, I am stuck with the old fashioned bronze bore brushes and lots of Hoppes (could almost wear that stuff as cologne).

Soak, brush, repeat.

[Redneck Repairs]

I still have 3 lb of mercury . Yes its hazmat but i have yet to find an easyer way to " de lead " a barrell , just plug it on both ends and stand it in a spot , rotating every 6 to 8 hrs or so for a couple of days , then dump and brush once . There is a reason it isnt used anymore , but used to be a common way of cleaning lead deposits . I dont recomend it , just posted it as an " old timey " way of lead removal for an " old timey " pistol lol .

[purple88yj]

I still have 3 lb of mercury . Yes its hazmat but i have yet to find an easyer way to " de lead " a barrell , just plug it on both ends and stand it in a spot , rotating every 6 to 8 hrs or so for a couple of days , then dump and brush once . There is a reason it isnt used anymore , but used to be a common way of cleaning lead deposits . I dont recomend it , just posted it as an " old timey " way of lead removal for an " old timey " pistol lol .

Now, what did I do with all those glass thermometers??

[hsuCowboy98]

And dont forget to notify the EPA before proceeding.....haha

[hsuCowboy98]

FYI: Instructions on building an electronic bore cleaner for yourself...under 20$. I made one like this for the first few mil-surps I refinished, and it worked well enough to convince me to buy a commercial one.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/copperout/index.asp

If it can remove and break the lead out of 70 yo + military rifles...it will take the lead out of that pistol in a flash.

[purple88yj]

That thing really works??
Might just have to try that. Would save a lot on brushes for sure.