- Joined
- Feb 21, 2008
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Went to my favorite LGS yesterday and saw an unloved blued/ walnut .50 caliber TC Firehawk. $99 firm.
The bore was HEAVILY fouled and it had been there for a LONG time. The nipple was part way out and the breech had a wee bit of rust showing. The dust bunnies had taken up residence in the rest of the rifle.
I thought " You poor thing" no way for a fine rifle to wind up.
It stuck with me all night. There was little obvious rust, and the price was such that I could part it out and get my money back and then some. Plus, I have some ( kookie) custom ideas...
So I took my cleaning gear up and had at it. I smelled no sulphur, so I thought maybe Triple 7? The flash channel in the breech had to be cleared with a drill bit(!) and after a LOT of patches, some 4o steel wool and a good dose of JB... The bore is all but perfect! I can only see one spot of very minor pitting and you really have to look for it.
So. Now I have 3 examples of TC'S best inline designs. 2 Black Diamond XRs, a Thunder Hawk and now a Firehawk( 24 inch barrel with QLA. Serial # 919x)
Whew! SOMETIMES it pays to take a chance. Can't wait to see how she shoots!
The bore was HEAVILY fouled and it had been there for a LONG time. The nipple was part way out and the breech had a wee bit of rust showing. The dust bunnies had taken up residence in the rest of the rifle.
I thought " You poor thing" no way for a fine rifle to wind up.
It stuck with me all night. There was little obvious rust, and the price was such that I could part it out and get my money back and then some. Plus, I have some ( kookie) custom ideas...
So I took my cleaning gear up and had at it. I smelled no sulphur, so I thought maybe Triple 7? The flash channel in the breech had to be cleared with a drill bit(!) and after a LOT of patches, some 4o steel wool and a good dose of JB... The bore is all but perfect! I can only see one spot of very minor pitting and you really have to look for it.
So. Now I have 3 examples of TC'S best inline designs. 2 Black Diamond XRs, a Thunder Hawk and now a Firehawk( 24 inch barrel with QLA. Serial # 919x)
Whew! SOMETIMES it pays to take a chance. Can't wait to see how she shoots!