New Lock Problem

[xbowman]

I have a new lock and it has a gray coating on the outside that looks like paint. How do I remove this coating?
Thanks

 

[LRB]

Are you sure this is paint, and not the metal finish? Most locks are of cast parts, cleaned off with a bead, or sand blast.

 

[rich pierce]

You don't need to remove it if you intend to brown the lock but may polish the lock by filing followed with emery paper and wet or dry paper of various grits, to as fine a shine as you prefer.

 

[George F.]

If it's a new AMERICAN MADE lock, it's not paint you have, but rather the finish the lock makers are putting on them. Its glass bead blasted, and to remove it you will have to file itwith needle files to get it off. As you break through this finish and see the metal under it, you will see the parting lines from the casting process, these should be removes as well. Then using an abrasive paper backed flat surface small enough to get each of the areas on the plate, cock, pan, and top jaw. The abrassive paper grits can be 220 to get the needle file marks out, then 320, followed by 400 or 500 or 600 grit paper, depending on the desired polish you want. Some makers put it to the buffer. Some makers don't bother and brown the lock, the beaded surface takes the brown well. I prefer to have a polished plate and parts. It's time comsuming and gets your fingers dirty, cramped, and sore. But I like my locks like that....Hope this helped. ....George F.

 

[xbowman]

The lock is new and all put together. As a newbie I don't want to take it apart. What is my next option?

Thanks to all

 

[aragorn]

Learn to take the lock apart - it's easy! You'll need a mainspring vise, available from TOW etc, then some guidance, eg from Alexander's Gunsmith of Grenville County. You'll absolutely need to take it apart if you're going to do a decent job of filing and papering as described above.
Filing and polishing the lock parts takes a lot of effort - several evenings work at least - but is worth it, IMHO.

 

[Swampman]

You're smart, Scotchbrite and some elbow grease will do the trick.

 

[dlemaster]

It's actually not so much a finish as it is a texture. Most lock parts are made from investment castings and what you see is the result of the casting operation and cleanup.
I also agree with the suggestion to learn to disassemble your lock, it's not hard, and you will need to know how to do it to properly clean and maintain your gun.
Hope this helps.

Regards, Dave

 

[Old Salt]

Learn to take the lock apart - it's easy! You'll need a mainspring vise, available from TOW etc, then some guidance, eg from Alexander's Gunsmith of Grenville County. You'll absolutely need to take it apart if you're going to do a decent job of filing and papering as described above.
Filing and polishing the lock parts takes a lot of effort - several evenings work at least - but is worth it, IMHO.

Make sure you know what you are doing when you take the cock off the tumbler. It's possible to break the half cock notch on the tumbler if you don't do it correctly. The Chambers locks sometimes come with directions.

Old Salt

 

[tnlonghunter]

These are the directions that were included with my Chambers lock on how to remove the cock and tumbler.

1. Remove all internal part except for the tumbler (be careful not to lose the fly).
2. Support the plate on two pieces of metal or the slightly opened jaws of your vice with the tumbler hanging down between them (this caught me for a second, but it just means have the cock facing you and the tumbler facing the table or work bench)
3. Remove the cock screw and place an appropriately sized punch on TOP of the Tumbler square.
4. With a small hammer, give the punch a sharp rap to drive the tumbler square out of the cock.

It took a few minutes of slow, careful work with the mainspring vice`and a small screw-driver to figure out what order to remove the other parts in, but it was totally worth it. I'd never have gotten it inlet correctly if I hadn't.

By the way, DON'T take it apart until you have a mainspring vice. Vice-grips will work in a pinch but can leave nasty looking marks on the spring and could potentiall damage it structurally, as they are not really designed for that. Get a good mainspring vice.

 

[xbowman]

Thank you ALL. When I get the rifle ready to make smoke, I will shoot it and then take care of the lock later on.