Skeet Man:
Even if the salt has not eroded the barrels and rib under the forearm, or the inside and back edges of the receiver, a salt gun will still only command about 60% of the price of a similarly-conditioned non-salt gun. If there is some erosion, the price goes down from there. Regardless of what you may hear, there is NO WAY to remedy a salt problem without replacing the stock in its entirety, and if metal erosion has started, having the affected metal areas stripped, polished and re-finished. Anyone who tells you the inside of the stock can be "sealed" with laquer or varnish to stop the problem is either lying or inexperienced. All of this having been said, if you know what you're doing and you're patient, you can make some great buys on salt wood guns in the higher grades. I recommend Art's and Show-Me Gunstocks for the repair and replacement work. Unfortunately, restocking and (if necessary) refinishing metal on any grade lower than Pigeon is probably going to be a losing proposition. Figure two grand at a minimum for the stock work and $300 at a minimum for the metal refinishing, and you can see why a field grade gun, even if brought back to new condition, is not an economical proposition. If you happen to have the ability to do the work yourself, that's a different proposition. Hope this helps.
Even if the salt has not eroded the barrels and rib under the forearm, or the inside and back edges of the receiver, a salt gun will still only command about 60% of the price of a similarly-conditioned non-salt gun. If there is some erosion, the price goes down from there. Regardless of what you may hear, there is NO WAY to remedy a salt problem without replacing the stock in its entirety, and if metal erosion has started, having the affected metal areas stripped, polished and re-finished. Anyone who tells you the inside of the stock can be "sealed" with laquer or varnish to stop the problem is either lying or inexperienced. All of this having been said, if you know what you're doing and you're patient, you can make some great buys on salt wood guns in the higher grades. I recommend Art's and Show-Me Gunstocks for the repair and replacement work. Unfortunately, restocking and (if necessary) refinishing metal on any grade lower than Pigeon is probably going to be a losing proposition. Figure two grand at a minimum for the stock work and $300 at a minimum for the metal refinishing, and you can see why a field grade gun, even if brought back to new condition, is not an economical proposition. If you happen to have the ability to do the work yourself, that's a different proposition. Hope this helps.
