stoning a shotgun action

[mjbgalt]

i have heard of stoning an action and or other shotgun parts. i have a new 1300 i want to make slick as glass but i dont know where to start. i know the idea is like "sanding" down the metal to make it smoother but how and where? any tips?


-Matt

[gunnut69]

What you're contemplating should really be called 'polishing' the action.  It simply involves polishing the action at contact points, removing burrs and proper lubrication.  For the most part simply using the weapon will quickly burnish the pressure points and many advise some amount of use before anything is attempted.  This shows the areas where there is contact..  I would advise you to disassemble and clean the weapon carefully then properly lubricate and shoot it a while..  At the next cleaning the contact areas will be very lightly polished.  Stones were the traditional tools. Today that includes ceramic stones as well as India stones and Arkansas stones.  We don't want to remove any metal at all if possible, just polish the contact points.  Also remember that the design of a parrtivular weapon can impose limits on the way the action feels when worked.  Too much 'stoning' can wear out a weapon prematurely.  Proper cleaning and lubrication is very important..

[mjbgalt]

thanks, i think i will leave it alone and shoot it until its smooth then


-Matt

[gunnut69]

Usually I reccomend a thorough cleaning and lubing as the first step.  While the weapon is apart check for obvious burrs and flashings from the manufacturing process.  These can be removed with the diamond paddle files(super fine grit) and a round tapered diamond coated steel used to sharpen hunting knives. Clean any debris from the works and luibricate as you reassemble..  Remember to use a high pressure lube on areas that absorb a lot of load stresses..locking lugs, camming surfaces etc.  I've been using more and more dry lubes as they just attract less contamination.. Grease with moly or graphite bearing lubes marketed for locks,.,.

[Graybeard]

Over the years of use I've come to recognize what are the wear areas of the various guns I use. In my case for pump guns it's Rem. 870s. So when I get a new one I use hard arkansas stones where I expect burrs to occur. Generally that will be on the operating rails for sure. Likely same on the Winchester pump gun.

Then if you want a quick and easy break in try using some JB Bore Paste or the USP Bore Paste. Both are oil based abrasives with super fine grit. They will not remove metal but sure do polish it up nicely. Just liberally coat every thing that moves or makes contact during movement of action. Then work that action a hundred or two hundred times.

Then thoroughly clean ALL of the abrasive from the gun and properly lube it. You have an instantly broken in gun smooth as if it had been used for 10 years. Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber is an excellent choice for removing all the JB from the gun. Most brands of Carb cleaners or brake cleaners will work about as well and cost half or less as much tho.

I do this same thing to the actions of SxS and O/U shotguns if they are cheap ones with less final polishing. Higher priced guns don't need it but the lower priced lines do.

[mjbgalt]

graybeard, do you notice any problems or premature wear on these firearms after the polish? essentially, as you said, youve aged them 10 years in 10 minutes....do you see typical 10-year problems as well?


-Matt

[Graybeard]

Nope. There is no metal removed really. It just polishes or burnishes the mating surfaces of the action. It doesn't put real wear on like real world shooting will. But it will make them feel like an old gun from the stand point of smoothness of action.

[mjbgalt]

cool, thanks a lot graybeard, thats exactly what i had in mind. i guess i am headed to wal mart for some jb paste.

thanks for the tip, i will let you know how it goes.

-Matt