I'm looking for opinions on the best way to avoid damaging the finish on a barrel and action when using a barrel vise and action wrench during disassembly and reassembly. Does any one have a tip or secret you're willing to share? Thanks!

-- Scott

I made an action wrench and a barrel vice out of 2x2 steel. The collets for the barrel vice I make from 1.5" round stock Alluminum. The action wrench is a flat and a V trapping the action. I use brass foil over the top of the action to keep the V from scratching.

Scott,

Use powdered sugar on your barrel blocks, it rinses off with hot tap water and will not mar the finest finish! Wrap the barrel ahead of the blocks with news paper to keep from marring the barrel as you slip it through the vise. Apply Masking tape to the action where the wrench fits and perhaps a thin piece of cardboard to keep from marring the finish. On soft mauser actions, remove the extractor and leave the bolt body in place to keep the receiver from becoming disfigured while applying torque.

Good luck,

Malm