Blueing on BPS gone Bad

[CrappieAttitude]

I have an older Browning BPS and the blueing (SP) has gone bad. I know that general use can wear away certain areas, but I have a big silver spot on one side. The only conclusion that I can come up with is that something got on it to eat it away. I am typically very careful about my stuff, so this is really annoying me. I know that I have had cheaper buck knives lose their finish from dried deer blood. Could blood have been the case in this instance. I have pulled ducks away from my shotgun that had been resting on it, but am uncertain if there blood is acidic enough to do any damage. Or did I just happen to get a shotgun with a bad finish? Any other people out there have similar problems?

I am looking for opinions and ideas as to what would be my best way about re-finishing it. I don't want to spend too much on it, because it is about 15 years old. Functionally it works great, but it is a little bit of an eye sore for me. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

CA

[charliepete2]

Use it for another year without repairing. Like you said, it's a 15 year old gun, give it some time and you won't even notice it anymore.

[CrappieAttitude]

I hear ya, but coming from a family where my dad still has his first shotgun looking great, (a 20 guage single shot) I get a little bummed out that my kids won't be able to see my first gun in the kind of shape that I would be proud to show them. I don't want to get all sappy on ya, but the first shotgun has some sentimental value to it, so you got to keep it nice.

CA

[UMDSportsman]

not to be nit picky, but blood is actually basic, not acidic. as far as your question goes, i know they have blueing and something for removing the old blueing at GM. For an hour or two of work it might be worth it.

Blood has a pH of about 7.4, slightly basic, with 7.0 being neutral.

[Fish&Fowl]

I am very nit-picky about my shotguns and rifles. However, I've learned that it's a losing battle trying to be like that with a duck hunting gun, whether it's a $300 pump or a $1000 auto. If you duck hunt a lot with it I'd learn to live with it, plus that blue has quite a bit of sheen sitting in the duck blind? Just clean it after every use and keep it away from prolonged moisture and the rest is out of your hands. There's my two cents.

[Scott K]

I have brought one of my barrels in to get re-blued, it cost me $50, but i knew the guy doing it, not sure what anyone else would get charged. That has been 6 yrs ago, looks great still!

[GunDr]

Blood will remove the bluing. I've seen guns that hunters have handled with blood on their hands. Many times they left the nicest fingerprint , you'll ever see.

Don't attempt to use any kind of rust or bluing remover. It'll leave you with a big mess, and your gun will look worse than ever. Even messing with your truck battery and not washing your hands thoroughly, will remove the bluing.

Just keep the gun wiped down with some oil, and the spot won't get any worse. Then, when you're ready to "retire" the gun, and pass it down to your kids, have it reblued.

[Covey]

I Have seen this happen to quite a few BPS shotguns. I think it's the product not anything you did. I may be wrong just think the blueing is junk on the BPS. Sorry Browning Fans

[kobear]

I had my BPS parkerized. They strip the bluing and coat it with a magnesium oxide layer. It stays on very well, is matte black, and hold lots of oil so rust is not an issue. Just under a $100.

[CrappieAttitude]

Quote:

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I had my BPS parkerized. They strip the bluing and coat it with a magnesium oxide layer. It stays on very well, is matte black, and hold lots of oil so rust is not an issue. Just under a $100.

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Who does that kind of stuff? Did you bring it to a gunsmith?

CA