Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Metal prep-1886

Thinking of redoing my 1886. Who would you recommend for preping the metal? I'm not looking for a buffing wheel expert.

I guess thats kind of a loaded question. I did a short rifle on a project I picked up. Had a local guy do the metal, but he's good. Then sent it to Turnbull for a case job, and back home for reassembly. Doug didn't have to touch what he got sent. What do you want for the rifle? Send it all to Turnbull, you're gonna pay through the nose. Look for competent, they'll do ya right, but ya gotta find the right guy. End of the day, an original, if you're gonna do it, do it right, but I'd think long and hard about it if its original and just has charachter.

A tough decision for sure. It appears just rough enough that I'm leaning to reworking. It shoots OK, but I have a new barrel for it. An exact duplicate and the proper Winchester roll stamps on it. Yes, I know to be careful finding the right guy. Prep work is the secret.

Rt1, I've got a 40 82 that don't shoot worth a damn, but, im leaving it original, its worth more to me that way. I killed one deer with it, and I'm sure it was accidental, lol. I dunno, once I built that rifle of mine, I thought about listing it, but got scared someone would buy it. My suggestion, if you're gonna keep it, spend the money, do it right, and be happy. If ya might send it down the road, go with what sounds like an original barrel, and just leave her be. Get to the end, rust blue.

+1, a gun is only original once

I guess I should qualify, mine was an original action with an after market barrel. I had Turnbull roll stamp it with the win markings, but I left the P off, simply cause I wasn't gonna try fooling anyone. Still a damned nice rifle, in an odd configuration.

Agreed!

I understand somewhat. My 1st gen Colt SAA is original, my 2 Trap Doors are original, my old Mod 94 is original as well my Colt DA 38 Army Special. I have a 1911 Colt US Army made in 1918 and it is original. I have 3 Rolling Blocks with 1 being original.
If I do my 1886 it will be brought back to original condition and not gold plated.

With my previous recommendation a fail I would contact Alan Harton of Single Action Services and see if he would be interested. He has turned off somewhat with custom SA's, I own a half dozen at least. He's focussed on a superperb Colt SAA restorer. He very recently made me a set of flawless "SAA" grips for my Standard Manufacturing
SA 45 Colt. A shout can't hurt and might mention my name, Ed Musetti, might help. He is a master, trust me.

Thanks Ed, I will follow up.

ED, I really enjoyed my visit with Alan. He didn't fool with long guns and recommended a young fellow in Louisiana. He is booked until next year. On to Glen Morovits. We may have it worked out.

Butch,

He is a great guy and always a pleasure to talk with. Hope you get it sorted.

James Anderson has done a few customs for me and said to call Glen. James worked with Glen in the early days at Dakota and they worked together at Taconic Arms. I had a very good visit with Glen.

Check out Mark Novak videos on youtube. He's done 1886s. He uses an interesting "converting" process to rehab and improve the original finish. He also addresses any issues with the stocks.

Thanks I will.

As a general rule, restoring old Winchesters rarely makes any financial sense. Probably better to sell this gun and buy one that's already like you want.

You can probably buy a nice original condition gun for what you'd pay for a quality restoration + whatever your gun would sell for.

That has run through my mind, but???