doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Refinish Browning model 42

Gentlemen: *Has anyone refinished shot gun stock. *Recently purchase a Browning Model 42.

I want to have the stock engraved. *Laser engraved, talked with the folks at Browning and they suggested the stock be stripped before laser engraving. *Actually they suggested sanding the stock.

It looks like there's a polymer finish of some sort on the stock, I don't particular care for this type of finish. *IMHO: it makes the gun look cheap. *There is real pretty wood on the gun, fiddle back walnut.

Any suggestion??????? *I'm thinking about sending the gun to Simons in Missouri or Cole's in Maine.

Problem is: *If I refinish stock with another type of sealer then the fore arm must be done the same.

This is a Christmas present for my Grandson with four family names engraved, if I can wait that long before giving present. . .*** Perhaps Thanksgiving. *Thank you in advance: * * *Junnie

Yeah I have a suggestion:

Don't do it period!!

Jim

Have you considered another stock for the gun? Have that engraved and refinish that. The engraving will not only change the value of the original stock, but the engraving will also hide the beautiful wood, usually. Since the gun has no real sentimental value, it makes no difference to the stock that none of the other family members handled it. If you must do it to this gun, also consider getting a different butt plate and having that engraved, instead of the original wood or butt plate. JMHO

I agree with Jim, don't do it!! But if you are going to do it then get it done right, your grandson will just have to wait. Those are very nice shotguns.

Junnie,
Welcome on your first posting
Pleased to have you on this site.

If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion:

The 42 has a nice grip cap
Replace this grip cap with a silver grip cap
engraved with the names indicated. The original grip cap
can be included with the SPECIAL Gun.



Mike

Very good suggestions of either engraving a replacement grip cap or buttplate but leave the stock alone.

Stripping the stock might take the pretty fiddle back grain with it,,might..
It's not unknown for the maker of these to use faux graining methods to enhance the wood used on the Browning repro Winchesters. They were very good at it.

The wood underneath may not look anything like it does now as far as overall color either. More than one refinisher of a Browning repro has found that out.

Just another thing to consider before making a choice.

Nice shotguns,,shoulda kept mine.

Follow the grip engraving suggestion. That high shine finish can be toned down by a good stockman. The less you do to alter the gun the happier he will be later. Family mudflats and scratching or burning names into a stock are not a classic look in the long run.

If you just want to tone down the high gloss finish prep the tock by rubbing it down with mineral spirits then apply a couple coats of Formby dull finish Tung Oil lightly rubbing down between applications with 0000 steel wool to even out the finish after each application has thoroughly dried. I let the finish dry at least 24 hours between applications. Tung oil usually does not act a filler but just in case mask off the checkering. It is best to let the final coat cure for a week or so before you use the gun.

My thoughts were the same as Skeettx - save yourself a ton of work and heartache and go the grip cap route. The factory grip caps are a little cheesy.