Restoring pitted steel surfaces

[JonnyReb]

 After removing the scale from the nipple area of a neglected pawnshop find, a CVA Bobcat .50, I was left with pitted steel on the barrel. What would be a strong filler that could take bluing/browning? Silver solder? Jb weld? Anyone with experience repairing this issue? Thanks,. Jeff

[Ranger99]

unless it's really bothering you bad,
i wouldn't try to mess with it other
than removing the rust like you've
already done.
i think i gave 40-50 dollars for mine,
and it probably won't ever be worth any
more than that.
but!!!!
for the dollars involved, i don't think
there's a better gun available.
they shoot great, even better after you
polish the lock guts.
good luck with it

[JonnyReb]

Hey thanks and I agree, the trigger was HORRIBLE. I polished that spur holding the sear and its lots better, not timney but ok. I gave 50 out the door or 2 items actually, for 100 bucks. Neat little gun and was fun in the backyard with 60 gr. Triple 7 and a .495 roundball. Not fun was 100gr. and a buffalo bullet. I really got it kinda for a project, to clean it up and refinish, to see if I have interest in doing a more lengthy build on a custom kit or perhaps restore a damaged low value antique rifle someday. The Bobcat is kind of a practice run but I really do like the simple little gun.  J

[Ranger99]

on those locks, if you polish the
end of the mainspring that bears
on the tumbler,(with a muslin wheel & compound)[size=78%] [/size]
and just barely and very carefully
polish the surface of the tumbler
that the mainspring bears on,
and do bare minimum clean-up
on the sear surfaces, it won't
even feel like the same lock.


i'm glad you got that good deal.
i got mine from a guy who decided
he really didn't want a black powder
gun after all. with almost a full pound
of powder, and a box of bullets minus
six, and a tin of crappy caps.


i have way better mzlloaders, but to
hunt in the drizzle, or as a loaner, or
what have you, a better rifle can't be
had for that money.


good luck with it.

[srussell]

if you do want to clean it up. i would,nt use fillers. i would draw file it then brown/ blue it. but like was said if its not bothering you shoot and be happy

[P.A. Myers]

Filler wont work. It will on a surface you are going to cover with paint. The pitted material
has to go. A small file and small dremmel stones [hand powered] and a couple of hours will improve it.


                       P.A.

[skinman]

I agree, I would go with the draw file. Take your time and then grit it down to a smooth finish. Plumb Brown would be a simple job.

[JonnyReb]

Thanks guys, thats just what I did. Used small files and reduced the size of the pits. Didn't spend enough time on the polishing and while its better, the reblue highlighted a few rough spots. It is better though. And the decay is gone and the steel sealed. Like everyone said, its a capable beater and I don't need perfection on this one. Can't help but see in my mind a few changes that would make a fun project. Turn the barrel down to smooth on half and plumb brown everything. Finally a maple fullstock with a bit more drop in the comb.. Nice bobcat.