Polishing a Bolt on a Ruger American

dreadpirate · May 26, 2018

As you are probably aware, the bolt on the Ruger American can look a bit rough. I found this video from Midway that had a suggested technique for polishing a bolt but was wondering if you all had any other suggestions to consider.

Biggfoot44 · May 26, 2018

Go Old School, Engine Turned ! ( sometimes also known as jewelled )

Under 50yo google it , but it used to be highly popular for bolts in '50s and '60s .

dreadpirate · May 26, 2018

Biggfoot44 said:
Go Old School, Engine Turned ! ( sometimes also known as jewelled )

Under 50yo google it , but it used to be highly popular for bolts in '50s and '60s .

Midway has a video for that as well; not so easy to do and do well. I have a Thompson Center Icon with a jeweled bolt that is gorgeous; cost a bit more than the RAR.

dreadpirate · May 26, 2018

So I tried the technique in the video. basically, you are hiding the machine marks by scratching up the steel. I'll have to say it does look better. Now if I replace these plastic bolt shrouds with metal, this will be a nice looking rifle.

MigraineMan · May 26, 2018

Argh ... Simichrome ... the bane of motorcycle owners everywhere. Flitz, too.

Schipperke · May 26, 2018

MigraineMan said:
Argh ... Simichrome ... the bane of motorcycle owners everywhere. Flitz, too.

You know the Germans always make good stuff....

Larry Potterfield is like the MacGuyver of home gun smithing.

kalister1 · May 26, 2018

Biggfoot44 said:
Go Old School, Engine Turned ! ( sometimes also known as jewelled )

Under 50yo google it , but it used to be highly popular for bolts in '50s and '60s .

I have a Remington 700 BDL Custom Deluxe with a Jeweled Bolt that I bought in 1980.

ohen cepel · May 26, 2018

I used Flitz on mine as it was rough and made a WOOSH sound everything I closed it.

Art3 · May 26, 2018

Schipperke said:
You know the Germans always make good stuff....

Larry Potterfield is like the MacGuyver of home gun smithing.

I remember seeing that on tv and thinking how tedious it looked...and that it was the complete antithesis of the "tactical" flat black rattle can approach. :rolleyes:

It's a neat effect, but I certainly don't have the patience for it. :sad20:

Magnumite · May 27, 2018

dreadpirate said:
So I tried the technique in the video. basically, you are hiding the machine marks by scratching up the steel. I'll have to say it does look better. Now if I replace these plastic bolt shrouds with metal, this will be a nice looking rifle.

Jeweling in modern times is cosmetic. It was originally used to keep lockwork lubed and on the exterior to store oil for corrosion protection. The low areas of the jeweling acting as reservoirs of applied lubricant. Just a little trivia.

kalister1 · May 27, 2018

What we are calling "Jeweling" is also called "Engine Turned" in other circles.

Doco Overboard · May 27, 2018

kalister1 said:
What we are calling "Jeweling" is also called "Engine Turned" in other circles.

It is also known as "Damascene" when a metal of a different type is introduced into the engine turned pattern for additional appearance.

Polishing a Bolt on a Ruger American

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