Let the Games Begin!!!

[Sidney Smith]

Go with Plum Brown. Much easier to use and produces a much nicer finish than Laurel Mountain Forge. I used the latter once and applied it to the letter of the directions and the result was disappointing. Blotchy and much more of a pitted look. The Plum Brown came out much smoother and uniform looking. Just my experiences mind, it's your gun, your choice.

 

[Flintandsteel]

Cold brown lasts. It’s IN the metal. Hot brown does not, it’s on the surface.
Smooth, glossy results can be had by starting with a smoother metal, carding every 3 hours, and reapplying.
It can also be boiled for a rust blue, with the same durability.

 

[Sidney Smith]

My guns finish has lasted fine so far, and it's been years since I did the hot brown. Even if it starts to fade or come off, it's easy to reapply. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree on which process is best. I'm going to stick with what I know works, just as I'm sure you will. Let's let our new builder decide.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Asking your wife to pick up lipstick is okay and reasonable, just as long as you make sure she doesn't also bring you girly undies to go with it.

and what is wrong with girlie skivvies.

 

[Flintandsteel]

Sidney,
I’ve built well over a hundred longrifles and pistols, over the last 25 years.So I have some experience in the matter.
While earlier rifles were NOT browned, charcoal bluing, and left white were very common.
Today, we want something a bit more durable, because we don’t use them ever day, and store them mostly.
Though not correct, If a customer prefers a brown barrel, I’ll give him one…… cold browned. It’ll last forever.

 

[bigted]

Please explain the boiling method?

 

[Flintandsteel]

I don’t know the chemistry behind it, but the brown is converted to a nice blue /black When boiled in distilled water. Again, much more durable, because it in the metal. Won’t rub off.
This needs to be a very smooth prep, like mentioned before.