Browning in Place....

[elk_chaser1]

I haven't seen this discussed, but being newbee to this gunbuilding thing I had to ask. Is it o.k. to brown the buttplate/fore end cap while it is attached to the stock? I have worked hard to get the fitting looking right on my GPR kit, and I am worried that if I remove them to brown, they won't fit back quite right. Thanks in advance!

 

[Black Hand]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. The browning solution (usually an acid) will discolor your wood and may damage it if left un-neutralized.
Black Hand

 

[Zonie]

It's really best to remove the metal parts for browning.
Not only can the chemicals be absorbed into the wood, discoloring it locally but they will inveitably work their way around to the backside between themselves and the wood and continue to rust the metal part long after your finished with the job.

Also, the browning process requires removing the successive layers of loose rust which form and this can scratch up the wood adjacent to the metal.

Replacing the part back onto the stock in exactly the right place won't be as hard as you think. You just have to make sure it is aligned before you finish tightening it.

 

[Roy]

I had a gun in the shop where someone browned the parts while on the gun, you could tell by looking at it. :shake:

 

[54JNoll]

Browning will not alter the fit. Removing them will provide the best results.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

To Quote Darth Vader:

Nooooooooooooooooooo

 

[paulvallandigham]

Take the parts of the gun to brown. To get them back into the same position, just run the screws- both of them- down until they are about 1/32" from their final seat. Then holding the part in its final place, turn the screws one after another, 1/2 turn each until they seat. Or, you can make a witness mark on the stock next to the screwslots to tell you how far to turn the screws in when you remount the parts.