HW 35 with lots of rust. What to do?

[Smackey54]

I just received my F1 Shooting Chrony in the mail last night and put it to use this morning.
My HW 35 is shooting @ an avg of 542.7 fps....Low@ 518,,,High@ 563 fps.
Now I have a Baseline to see Before and After results of cleaning/tuning/repair (if necessary).
Here are the actual results...
1.)  518 fps
2.)  526
3.)  550
4.)  542
5.)  540
6.)  563
7.)  556
8.)  558
9.)  553
10.) 521

Red.....I will bet that after a good cleaning, deburr, and a new spring and lube you will do much better. I also replaced the original metal rear spring guide with a delrin guide that I got from PA. I also got the spring from there. I kept the original leather piston seal, and replaced the breach seal with new leather. When I sold the gun, it was shooting CPHPs between 740 and 750 fps.

Mark

[airnutz]

As far as rust and blue remover goes, I had great success with Tetra Gun Blue and Rust Remover.  Just apply with a cotton swab, wait two minutes and rub it off.  Blank metal looks you right in the eyes.

As far as the pits go, I had on the barrel a couple of very small dings, like pinhead indentations.  Now, with the re-bluing and Ballistol I really cannot see the things readily anymore.  You really have to hunt for them.  So, Redharris, pits or not, the gun will look pretty decent when done right.

[lizzie]

As far as rust and blue remover goes, I had great success with Tetra Gun Blue and Rust Remover.  Just apply with a cotton swab, wait two minutes and rub it off.  Blank metal looks you right in the eyes.

As far as the pits go, I had on the barrel a couple of very small dings, like pinhead indentations.  Now, with the re-bluing and Ballistol I really cannot see the things readily anymore.  You really have to hunt for them.  So, Redharris, pits or not, the gun will look pretty decent when done right.

Wow- that's looking beautiful!

[airnutz]

@lizzie,  thanks so much.

I would only like to encourage Redharris to continue with his project.  I personally am very pleased with my efforts for restoring a Vintage Diana 35, and a Weihrauch that still shoots is worth every measure to make it gleam again.

Hey, I have an idea.   Yes, maybe if Redharris is too tired, he can send the old girl to me?

[yiblon]

I had exactly the same gun in the same condition. If you want to do the work and bear the expense then have fun. But, from my experience from a financial point of view just buy a new one. This particular HW is heavy, long, and no great shakes in the power or accuracy department. It is always going to be an old wreck tarted up unless you spend an awful lot of cash and then it wont be your friend's Dad's gun any more. The most you can say is it will be a good training ground for you if you think you need it but watch out for escalating costs.

[airnutz]

But, from my experience from a financial point of view just buy a new one. This particular HW is heavy, long, and no great shakes in the power or accuracy department. It is always going to be an old wreck tarted up unless you spend an awful lot of cash....

I have to wonder about this, and I disagree.  Restoring the gun, will cost next to nothing if done yourself.  The few parts that may be needed are not costly.  Many in Germany think this is probably one of the very best air guns ever made.  With a suitable spring they can produce very good power.  Accuracy?  Well get a Match Rifle if you want super accuracy.

An older hag that performs, is better than a young tart that doesn't know jack shoot, in my personal opinion.

But hey, I am a senior citizen, what do I know?

I say save it, freshen the gun up, have fun and be proud.

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

"I say save it, freshen the gun up, have fun and be proud."
*************************************************************
+2117!

[yiblon]

Just note this from my personal experience refurbing the same gun in the same condition:
A new spring + top hat + spring guide will cost more than the gun is worth. I fitted a V-Mach kit and was impressed with the quality.
Re blueing will cost several times what the gun is worth.
Any attempt to up the power will produce a maniac of a gun and will be impossible in an HW35 because the cylinder is only just long enough to accommodate the spring so preloading of any sort is out as the gun wont cock.
You don't need a spring compressor because the factory preload is low and a towel over the end cap while unscrewing is perfectly safe on this gun.
You will find assembling the barrel back onto the cylinder is difficult because of those "dang" shims which will not go where they are supposed to while you are trying hold the barrel latch in place at the same time.
Removing the trigger by knocking out the two holding pins is easy as is putting it back but stop there and clean the trigger assembly by dunking in alcohol followed by a very light oiling. The trigger is the best part of the gun.
I chucked away the leather washer and had the piston modified to take the new plastic version. Waste of money. No appreciable power or smoothness increase and this alone cost more than the gun was worth.
If the gun is in that shape because of damp then the stock might use some gentle drying. If it splits stop there because a new one costs more than the gun is worth.
If the front sight elements are missing you will have to buy the whole front sight assembly unless you are real lucky and drop on some second hand. The sight elements are out of stock at my only known supplier with no new ones expected. This costs as much as the gun is worth.
My advice is take the thing apart and clean out all the gunk and solidified grease and put it back together. You will learn and gain confidence.
If "freshening" a gun means a wipe over with an oily rag then OK but no more.
Under no circumstance be seduced into modifying the transfer port on this gun.

Hindsight is 20/20.

[airnutz]

@the long post above;

I may be mistaken, but the essence of this thread is getting rid of the rust, and letting the gun shoot again.

New "spring kits" of course cost money, re-blueing also if sent out to be done.

A piston seal and some oil and lube and a smaller type spring cost about zilch.

I believe the OP just wants to get the thing shooting again, and looking nice to boot...

and not making a high-powered monster out of it.

I very recently did the same to a Vintage Diana 35, the thing looks fantastic, and shoots like new.  It cost me about $30.

Oooops, I forgot to add....this is the Vintage Forum by the way.  We try to save stuff.

[Redharris]

@the long post above;

I may be mistaken, but the essence of this thread is getting rid of the rust, and letting the gun shoot again.

New "spring kits" of course cost money, re-blueing also if sent out to be done.

A piston seal and some oil and lube and a smaller type spring cost about zilch.




I believe the OP just wants to get the thing shooting again, and looking nice to boot...

and not making a high-powered monster out of it.

I very recently did the same to a Vintage Diana 35, the thing looks fantastic, and shoots like new.  It cost me about $30.

Oooops, I forgot to add....this is the Vintage Forum by the way.  We try to save stuff.

Airmutz is right on target......
The value of this rifle is more sentimental  than monetary.
I have no plans to pour money into this gun.
I have already un-Gunked the trigger and gotten it shooting again.
The next step is disassembly, inspection, re-lube and maybe a new set of seals.
If it shoots decently, I'll take it all apart again and re-blue the gun myself.
All of this is mostly just time and effort. I don't think it will cost me a ton of money.

When I'm done, I will be Happy to hand the gun over to one of my Best Friends',,,,whose Father was a friend and Mentor to me in my youth. The reward will come when we shoot it in the back yard and reminisce about Old Times.

[airnutz]

 
I have stated already, and many have also experienced the pleasure of getting a rusty piece going again.

Very satisfying, and more power to you.

May I say, I've found such enjoyment in restoring the older gems, that I have my eyes on various Anschuetz, Walther, WH's and cool old Dianas on eGun, that I am really beginning to enjoy my new retirement hobby....and might I add, passion.

Lots of old guns out there with lots of character embedded, and I love it.

Greetings.

[Petey]

RedHarris said:When I'm done, I will be Happy to hand the gun over to one of my Best Friends',,,,whose Father was a friend and Mentor to me in my youth. The reward will come when we shoot it in the back yard and reminisce about Old Times.


Bulls-eye!   That's what it's all about.