27 Photos of Gun Stock Refinishing

As you can see, there are still some dark spots testifying to where the old finish was damaged. More sanding could have removed them, but I decided to let them be. This stock has only been lightly sanded with some much-worn 150 grit sandpaper.

If you prefer a cleaner look and decide to sand deeper, take care not to remove much (if any) wood where the stock abuts other parts (like the butt plate and frame). You want to preserve the original tight fit in those areas.

I’ve decided it’s ready for the new finish.

Again, I did minimal sanding.

if I did this project today, I might sand deeper to get rid of those old stains where dents used to be. But by leaving them, I’ve preserved that option for a future owner, who may instead appreciate them as they are.

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Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.