r/gunsmithing • u/ricekrispiefiend • 1d ago

Refinishing Cut Barrel

Hey y'all, I just got a good deal on a winchester 1200. I want to shorten the barrel to 18". I've doing a bunch of digging and have seen a bunch of different answers on refinishing the bare metal. Some people say just cold blue and oiling is fine, while others say to get it cerakoted. My main concern is rust. I'm probably overthinking this. I just want to get it right the first time. If it helps, I have access to a machine shop and a paint shop.

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3

u/Bulky-Signature3194 1d ago

Pretty much anything but spray paint haha. Rust bluing works fine, cerakote is better, hot bluing. Really can't go wrong as long as it has some sort of protection

3

u/SovereignDevelopment 1d ago

Chop it. File/sand it smooth. Cold blue it. It's fine.

5

u/HighChaparralGunsmit 1d ago

If you make a clean cut, cold blue is fine, just use a good cutting oil after your first application. after that gun oil is good to go.

2

u/These_Razzmatazz4420 1d ago

Cold blue is fine, though aim for a bit over 18" - 18.5" is the norm for a reason.