Mossberg 151K, re-blue or not to reblue...

berger

berger

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...that is the question...

I have a great 151K where the finish on the barrel is not pretty. Shoots and functions very well and the receiver is fine. Contemplating media blasting and Cerakoting/Arma-coating it black. Sacrilege?? Not a rifle I will ever sell, as my father picked it up decades ago, but I want it to survive. While familiar with Cerakote finishes, I am not even sure where to start with re-bluing.
 
I don't think it's blasphemy, maybe just not a good use of $. :) Over the years, I've inherited a few shotguns and was happy/relieved to see them and realize they were in their original state. I wouldn't attempt to guess when it happened...but somewhere along the line, it seems only guns in pristine condition (save for maybe military surplus) seem to be held in high regard. I think the state it's in...like so many older guns...speaks to the fact that they were tools to their original owners, not safe queens.

All that said~it's your rifle, so it's your call. I would pick hot bluing over any modern finish for an older gun like that, but modern hot bluing I've seen is more black...it won't be a perfect match.

I've only had one gun refinished, a '79 Browning Citori I inherited. It's soft case must have gotten wet at some point in storage. I couldn't determine whether or not the exterior corrosion had compromised the integrity of the barrel. Being a double, it required a process called "rust bluing" and for what that cost..I almost didn't bother. lol Turned-out nice though. Probably my favorite shotgun.
 
It's not worth it... just shoot it "as is" and oil-rub after each use. I love the old 151's... used them a lot as a kid.
 
Thanks guys.

Will look into the cost of a few options and go from there. Don't want or need to break the bank and she still is a good shooter.
 
Personally, if you just want to finish it to preserve it, shoot it, and enjoy it, I would just cold blue at home. I have done a few rifles, and just finished my most recent last week. Cheap and easy to do, and if you are careful, a decent job can be done. Correct, it is no hot blue, or as solid as a factory finish, but covers and protects the steel.
 
If you're gonna blue it look into slow rust bluing. I've done quite a few rifles using Laurel man forge barrel brown and degreaser and it is fairly easy although a bit labour intensive. But it gives you a blue that is much more durable and deeper than a cold blue.

As for it being sacrilege... it's a cheap gun, not at all rare, and it's yours. Who gives a rats a$$ what we think.
 
Grouse Man said:
Re-blue, no doubt. Be curious and ask a local gunsmith what he would charge for a basic hot reblue.
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^yep. I think if it's going to get any (re) finish, this is what it should be. In my opinion. I can't imagine I'd do anything but oil it/use it. It's what I do with the old Ithaca 37 pump shotgun I inherited from my great uncle's estate. I'd love to see what that gun would look like re-blued, but not enough to spend the $ on it. When I shoot it, I'm holding in the exact state it was when he last shot it and without sounding overly nostalgic...I feel a greater "connection" to the gun as a result. I'd (personally) rather put the resources towards ammo, and just enjoy the thing more.
 
I love those older Mossbergs....have a 151M myself, but I would just leave it as is, or
do a very careful cold blue with a recognized product like oxpho-blue. D.
 
I just ran across these 35 year old pictures and remembered this thread... here is a Mossy 151 in action;
 
berger said:
Very cool Hoyt! Thanks for sharing!
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I was looking for a cool picture of that Mossy 151 on a very good day calling foxes and half a dozen reds went down... I have them hanging from an old split rail fence. I will post it if I find it.
 
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