I would say that "restored" is a gun that is brought back as near as possible to the way it was when it left the factory using original finishes and finishing methods. Barrel bobbing, honing chokes, recoil pads, wood upgrades, etc are modifications.
Here is where it all gets sticky. I am generally perfectly content to own and be seen in public with a decent used but not abused gun. I'd sooner buy a second (or third) gun with the chokes I desire than ream out factory original chokes. I see nothing wrong with rescuing or restoring loose, beat-up, rusty, broken project guns when possible. But I wish MOST folks would leave guns alone that are simply used and have acquired patina and character from decades of honest use.
Sadly, there are far more well meaning gun owners who seriously screw up otherwise decent usable guns than there are guys like Doug Turnbull, C. J. Opacek, Doug Mann, and Steven Hughes. There are many many other very talented professional and amateur gunsmiths. Many of them have shared their projects with us here, and they often make it damn hard to argue against restoration, alteration, or upgrades. But I think they are vastly outnumbered by the guys who could f*** up (that's "foul up") a one car funeral. I'd bet well over half of the guys who tear into their guns and ask questions about pieces, parts, and malfunctions don't own even one hollow ground screwdriver. Even some so-called professional gunsmiths do a lot of damage. Check out some of "Master Gunsmith" Ed Landers' work.
I just wish more people knew and accepted their own limitations of tools, techniques, and knowledge before they start "restoring" Grandpa's old Parker. I almost hate to see the subject come up.
