Doing my best to rescue an HW77

[Richard Saunders]

I bought a bargain HW77 advertised as having had a hard life. It arrived today and I have to say that it wasn't half as bad as I was expecting. Yes, the stock was scratched and a little dented, and there was some pitting on the metal work, but nowhere near the basket case I was anticipating (and the price I paid for it!).

Anyway, its in pieces now in the garage. The plan is to fit a Vmach kit, re-blue the metalwork; I had a go at this on my HW80 and learned some lessons so will have another go with a kit. If it goes tits up then I'll have a pro do it again. And I'll also re-furb the stock - something I have already started.

Here's some pix:

Before:








Stock rubbed down


First coat of oil/white spirit mixture applied

[rabbit sniper]

Not looking bad its a shame how they darken in patches though

[Richard Saunders]

Yeah. I suspect that I could get over that with some kind of stain, but by the time I have oiled it up a few times I think the dark patches will be less in your face.

[rabbit sniper]

Stain leaves dark patches too mate i know from past experience that almost made me cry 

[Richard Saunders]

Yeah - I hear you. It is frustrating but I keep telling myself it is going to be better than it was before - and that's not something I can always claim when I have had a go at fixing something!

Anyway, first coat of oil has gone on now:

[Richard Saunders]

A few more coats of oil on now and starting to get some nice shine...

[rabbit sniper]

Keep at it mate its coming along nicely 

[johnbaz]

Keep up the good work!!

I was given a HW97 stock by a mate as he's a bit OCD with his guns, It fell over and marked it ever so slightly so he bought a Custom stock to replace it!!

I acquired an action from another mate although it was dead rough, I've put them together , It shoots well smooth but I chopped too much off the mainspring and it's a bit low on power, I've a few more mainsprings that will do the job though..





I bought the Venom muzzle weight second hand, It was a second grade item and doesn't look very nice in the hand!!

I'm supposedly going to strip the rifle and polish it for reblueing (When I can drag myself away from this infernal interweb thingy!!) 


John