Reputable gun bluer?

[SiGArmed]

Hello all,

I inherited my dad's Browning Sweet Sixteen. It's a 1950 model, and a lot of the bluing has worn off, so I'd like to get it done. I've been thinking about sending it off to somewhere like Fogle's but if there's someone good local, I'd be fine with supporting a local business.

 

[Shadowrider]

I'd say not to have it done, Sweet 16s have a value premium to all the others.

But if it's in rough shape and you are set on doing it this guy is the "Browning Humpback King". It'll look brand new when you get it back.

http://www.artsgunshop.com/

 

[adamsredlines]

Arts, hands down. I've visited his place and he did work on two of my guns...top notch stuff.

 

[SnowCamo]

I'd leave it as is if your dad wore the bluing off. That's how my dads guns will stay.
Sorry I have no recommendations.

 

[adamsredlines]

I'll 2nd that.

I had him rebuild the action in my Superposed, its like new now.
Also had him tighten up the stock on my Auto 5 that my grandpa gave my dad and my dad gave to me. The stock screws kind of wallow out over time and he has a good fix for it. He actually did that while I waited, and did the Superposed for me same day while I toured St Louis.

 

[SiGArmed]

I can understand the leaving it alone part. He didn't really shoot much, if at all. It mostly probably deteriorated from just sitting in a closet forever and never being cleaned and such. It also has a PolyChoke on it, so. From what I can tell that really hurts the value anyways (not that i care about resell value, it'll be an heirloom piece. My dad did use to buy smashed up harleys and restore them so, I figure he'd be good to go with refinishing the 16.

I've looked up Arts and read some stuff, already sent him an email.

 

[dennishoddy]

I can understand the leaving it alone part. He didn't really shoot much, if at all. It mostly probably deteriorated from just sitting in a closet forever and never being cleaned and such. It also has a PolyChoke on it, so. From what I can tell that really hurts the value anyways (not that i care about resell value, it'll be an heirloom piece. My dad did use to buy smashed up harleys and restore them so, I figure he'd be good to go with refinishing the 16.

I've looked up Arts and read some stuff, already sent him an email.

Do with it what you want is my opinion. The 1946 Sweet 16 is my favorite shotgun, and I've got some high end ones.
Point that thing at something flying, and it turns into something falling.

 

[Shadowrider]

I can understand the leaving it alone part. He didn't really shoot much, if at all. It mostly probably deteriorated from just sitting in a closet forever and never being cleaned and such. It also has a PolyChoke on it, so. From what I can tell that really hurts the value anyways (not that i care about resell value, it'll be an heirloom piece. My dad did use to buy smashed up harleys and restore them so, I figure he'd be good to go with refinishing the 16.

I've looked up Arts and read some stuff, already sent him an email.

In that case Art is your guy, have him cut the barrel and install a new bead. He can probably thread it for screw in chokes that'll work on lead shot (don't know about steel tho). A guy I used to work with machined 100s of various chokes for some crazy thin walled barrels as a side job. It can be done.

Oh ABTW, the Browning Auto-5 is not some relic that needs to be relegated to BBQ gun status. They are still to this day one of the finest, most reliable guns ever made. Put in a new action spring, recoil spring, friction sleeve, friction spring and washer, learn how to set them properly and shoot it...Shoot it a lot. You can buy all that stuff for about $30-$40 and you'll have it all freshened up and ready for another 50 years.