John Kepler, M1 NM Stock Finish

[Hip's Ax]

John, and anyone else who rode the M1 NM back in the day. I've got a nice M1 NM I bought from a buddy a while back, he had it built while he was in the Navy. Lovely rifle in 7.62, a real throw back that I mean to run across the course a few times to find out what its like. Anyway, I hate the finish on the rifle, it looks good but its kind of sticky, I would like to strip it down and put another finish on it.

What was the best M1 NM (real service rifle that lived on the range) stock finish back when?

Thanks!

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[Maury Krupp]

Here's what Gus Fisher had to say a while back:

"The best finish is "Fuller Plast" made by Fuller O'brien paint company. It is actually a two part epoxy coating that has to be applied with an air brush.
Unfortunately, as it has been declared MSDS and Hazmat in many states, it is not easy to find or buy.
Short of that, the best finish that does meet all your requirements is Birchwood Casey's Tru Oil. That's what we used on all the Marine Corps Rifle Team rifle stocks with wood or laminate stocks."

After trying several other finishes I've found Tru-Oil to be the "best" due to its ease of application (just rub it on), ease of repair (just rub some more on, it blends in perfectly), durability (fairly waterproof, no flaking, bubbling, or peeling), and appearance (about six to eight coats will produce a hard high gloss that's pretty non-slip or knock it down with a 0000 scrubber if you don't like the look).

Maury

[John Kepler]

The stuff I used was a proprietary 2-part, high-percent solids exterior polyurethane made by the Pratt & Lambert Co. that like the very similar Fuller O'Brian product, is no longer allowed by the "Nanny State". This product was recommended to me by the USSOCOM armorers working for the Navy Team, and it is wonderful stuff, albeit hard to work with. It's been a while since I've done a wood competition stock....but I have thought about it, and was seriously considering using a PPG Omni polyurethane clear-coat as a stock finish! Shoots about the same as the old P&L stuff...though it smells worse!

Having said that, I'd follow Maury.....he's a lot more current on it than I am!

[Hip's Ax]

Thanks a bunch guys. This is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for.