Ideas to restore this abused gun (I got for free)

[Viper_Audio]

A friend of mine had to urgently move to California, and just gave me this gun. It's a Argentine Military Ballester Molina .45 ACP. It hasn't been shot in 15 years, and was made in the early 1940's.

When I got it, there were cob web's & a dead spider in the barrel. You can see the rust & corrosion around the trigger, and there is some more where the hammer hits the firing pin.

It's kind of a cool gun with some history. So i'd like to restore it if I can. Anyone have any idea's besides a good cleaning and new grips?

I've never restored a gun before, so I am excited about experimenting with this one. Ideas are welcome.

[MakeMineaP99]

Try Brad @ CCR. He should be able to help you.

http://www.ccr-refinishing.com/

[Hailstorm]

Personally, I'd do a detail cleaning and scrub it. Probly will look much better after that. Get new grips and shoot it. Any more and you will destroy any collector value. If that matters. Once you know it runs good. Then concider some new coatings. It doesn't look real bad. You'd be surprised at a good cleaning.

[Viper_Audio]

Nice, I sent an email.

[Ender]

for surface rust, you can use a liberal amt. of oil and a 0000 steel wool. worked great on my Dad's shotgun.

that said, if this has ANY collector or other value, see an expert.