Originally Posted by Oldelkhunter
Originally Posted by gnoahhh


Were it mine, and the sentimental value came from its previous ownership by forebears, I wouldn't refinish it, especially if its flaws came about through honest use/wear.


Yeah, my brother owned it for almost 20 years and retired it . It's nickname is "Kill" and it has done just that. Good Mojo grin



I'd just do as mentioned above about using ATF but minus the bronze wool (or any abrasive). Removing rust from tools with ATF is an old mechanics trick of the trade. I just removed surface rust from the inside of a muzzleloader bbl. No breech plug so I sealed the flash hole and filled the bbl with ATF and let it sit for a week. Emptied and mopped it out. One more treatment for a few days and all was good. I've used it on many firearms that weren't going to be refinished. I'd rig something up so you could submerge the whole bbl in ATF and let it sit for a few days. Wipe it off with a soft rag that absorbs and see what you get. Repeat as necessary.