The function of bluing

[wingmaster99]

So I'm looking at buying a 35 year-old Browning BAR in "well-used" condition. The shop says the barrel, and action are all in good shape. should I go ahead with it, it is worth re-bluing? Does bluing prohitit rust, or serve any other function or is it only for looks? If not spending $200 on a $500 hunting gun's looks, probably doesnt make sense to me.

What are your thoughts?

 

[struff55]

Blueing is a form rust. Hense the term rustbluing costic soda bluing which is on most firearms today is a chemical reaction with the metal sometimes when u buy new fireams and wipe th down with a oily rag the rag has rust on it that is from the process it's self . To blue the firearm u speak of should cost $2-300.

 

[ninepointer]

The short answer is; NO it is not worth it. Look at is this way... If it was worth it then gun shops would on a regular basis be buying old guns, re-bluing them, and flipping them. They don't.

Re-bluing is worth it for other reasons, such as if it was your Dad's old BAR.

 

[angrysoldier]

And just think I blued my buddy rifle for free. 200-300 dollars to blue a rifle? oxpho blue cost 50-125 a gallon and you can do many rifles for that one gallon. wingmaster where are you at? maybe you and I can work some thing out.

 

[Fire306]

Worth it in terms of increasing the value, then no. Not by much, if any would the value increase.
Worth it in terms of making your firearm look better, or like new, then yes I would consider that worth it.
The way I have always looked at bluing, is it is controlled corrosion. Think of it as a uniform colored rust, that looks way better than rust, if it is looked after and kept oiled it will last a very long time and doesn't continue to corrode.

 

[gunsaholic]

Cold blue is not the same thing. If you want a very good, durable bluing that you can do yourself at home, read up on how to do the old slow rust bluing.

You also have to realize when you get a quote from someone who does bluing as part of their living, the price includes necessary barrel prep ,which in some cases, can be time consuming. Proper barrel prep is the most important step, otherwise you are going to have a crappy looking barrel when finished.