Questions about restoring a Mosin

[Guest Baron]

I have been working on a Mosin restoration for over a week now and got about 90% complete. There are are just a few things left.

1. My front sight is too lose and will drift out on its own when the rifle is fired. Any suggestions on correcting this. A new font sight perhaps?

2. I blued the butt plate, but the metal at the ends of the hand guard are bare from sanding. Not sure if they can be blued. Is paint usually used? I also need to do the same with the band clips.

Thanks

[peejman]

1. My front sight is too lose and will drift out on its own when the rifle is fired. Any suggestions on correcting this. A new font sight perhaps?

You can peen the bottom of the dovetail slot (or the sight) to raise a little metal. Or you can peen the sides down a little to tighten up the fit. If you don't intend to adjust it, you can stake the sides. Or try a different front sight.

2. I blued the butt plate, but the metal at the ends of the hand guard are bare from sanding. Not sure if they can be blued. Is paint usually used? I also need to do the same with the band clips.

Not sure what you mean by the hand guard. I don't think any of the metal parts would be painted. Yes, you'd have to strip the paint to re-blue.

[gjohnsoniv]

I think for the hand guard cap you can unscrew it, if not then you'll have to re-paint it.

[Guest Baron]

I think for the hand guard cap you can unscrew it, if not then you'll have to re-paint it.

Thanks.

Here is a photo. I put red circles on the areas in question. Fight now they are bare metal and it appeared to be paint that I sanded off. I just wasn't sure. Any recommendations on paint to use?

[gjohnsoniv]

Well if you could take them off I would say blue them, but if not then you could go with the trusty ole can of Krylon. You could also possibly go with air cure cerakote which I think they make.

[peejman]

What he said. I'd remove them and either blue or rattle can them.

[Guest Baron]

The pieces appear to be crimped to the wood so looks like I will mask and paint it.

Thanks again

[gjohnsoniv]

Not a problem. My AR is about to get rattle canned so I wouldn't worry about it on a Mosin. Oh, be sure to post pics when you're done.

Edited May 14, 2012 by gjohnsoniv

[bajabuc]

Removing those handguard end caps is a lot harder than you think. They have a metal spike that digs into the wood. you have to figure out away to pull the spike out before you can get the caps off. when you do get the spikes to fold back up, the metal arch changes. Experience here. I refinished my Mosin. 7.62 x 54R . com wouldn't post my pictures because I refinished it.