REDSTAR
03-01-2002, 06:51 PM
Well, I put another coat of Poly on my Albanian after sanding the first coat with 000 wool. She looked quite acceptable with just the one coat but I'm looking for a little darker color. It's going to be sweet. I'm keeping this as true to original as possible and I'm happy with the match. I left some assorted bruises and dings for character. SO...can't do anything else with her tonight.
I took apart my WGA MAS36/51. I cleaned the wood really good with a scrubber, hot water and some mean green cleaner.
After it dried out I took the lower and repaired the crack:
The crack went down from the muzzle end on both sides, straight down a good 4 inches on either side pretty much in the center on both sides. I cleaned out the crack with a sharp knife, filled it with Acura Quick gel, clamped it and also tied it down where the crack ended with a shoe string as I only have one clamp. I drilled out two holes on either side about 1mm after the splits ended, inserted two brass stock repair pins coated with Acura Gel, cut them flush and filed flush. Real easy to use those repiar pins. That was my first time. The gel sets quick so be prepared for that if you ever use Acura Quick. Tomorrow I'll sand down the excess gel, it's still clamped right now. I don't think this handguard will crack again, in the same place anyway and I've prevented it from spliting anymore.
The wood is a nice heavy hardwood, reddish in color even under the stain. The butt must weigh a good 4 lbs alone. The butt is stamped with a circle MA and date, 1956. Very faint stamp. The barrel under is stamped with the date 1956 as well.
W2K- These are definately Parkerized with a grey black. It's easy to tell on the unexposed metal.
I think I'll just lightly sand some of the deeper gouges to smooth out a bit and leave the metal be on this one. It will look quite good as is dings and all. I'll put a coat of red cherry stain on it to bring back the vibrant colors. The wood isn't overly grainy like my other MAS but nice all the same. It also has the serial number stamped to match the rifle.
These MAS rifles are works of art IMO. Mirror bore, some TLC and it's going to be a fine looking weapon. $49, can't beat it. The Grenade launcher can be removed on these as well, the whole front band unit slides off.
Pics next week.
I took apart my WGA MAS36/51. I cleaned the wood really good with a scrubber, hot water and some mean green cleaner.
After it dried out I took the lower and repaired the crack:
The crack went down from the muzzle end on both sides, straight down a good 4 inches on either side pretty much in the center on both sides. I cleaned out the crack with a sharp knife, filled it with Acura Quick gel, clamped it and also tied it down where the crack ended with a shoe string as I only have one clamp. I drilled out two holes on either side about 1mm after the splits ended, inserted two brass stock repair pins coated with Acura Gel, cut them flush and filed flush. Real easy to use those repiar pins. That was my first time. The gel sets quick so be prepared for that if you ever use Acura Quick. Tomorrow I'll sand down the excess gel, it's still clamped right now. I don't think this handguard will crack again, in the same place anyway and I've prevented it from spliting anymore.
The wood is a nice heavy hardwood, reddish in color even under the stain. The butt must weigh a good 4 lbs alone. The butt is stamped with a circle MA and date, 1956. Very faint stamp. The barrel under is stamped with the date 1956 as well.
W2K- These are definately Parkerized with a grey black. It's easy to tell on the unexposed metal.
I think I'll just lightly sand some of the deeper gouges to smooth out a bit and leave the metal be on this one. It will look quite good as is dings and all. I'll put a coat of red cherry stain on it to bring back the vibrant colors. The wood isn't overly grainy like my other MAS but nice all the same. It also has the serial number stamped to match the rifle.
These MAS rifles are works of art IMO. Mirror bore, some TLC and it's going to be a fine looking weapon. $49, can't beat it. The Grenade launcher can be removed on these as well, the whole front band unit slides off.
Pics next week.