Any suggestions on refinishing a CZ-52 barrel?

[vistula]

The muzzle end of the barrel has lost most of its finish following a couple of occasions (reported here) of the slide getting stuck when using Romanian Red Army ammo.  Any suggestions for restoring the finish?  Would Birchwood Casey bluing look anything like the original finish?  Thanks for any replies in advance.

[lklawson]

Rust Blue it.  It's cheap.  It's easy.  It's very (very) forgiving.  It's traditional.  It's very durable (being Black Oxide).

http://www.czforum.com/index.php?topic=3769.5

I wouldn't use any commercial touch-up cold bluing solutions such as Birchwood Casey's Perma Blue or similar products by other manufacturers for anything except minor touch-ups of scratches or the like.  Perma Blue contains selenium acid and copper sulphate.  These products essentially plate a very thin layer of copper over the surface.  With proper preparation and application it can look OK, but can often lead to blotchy and inconsistent looking results.  Most importantly, copper plating simply won't be durable enough to last a barrel.  Some users report that they can scrub off cold blue touch-ups with their fingernails. It almost certainly would come off immediately when the steel slide starts rubbing against the barrel.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[vistula]

Rust Blue it.  It's cheap.  It's easy.  It's very (very) forgiving.  It's traditional.  It's very durable (being Black Oxide).

http://www.czforum.com/index.php?topic=3769.5

I wouldn't use any commercial touch-up cold bluing solutions such as Birchwood Casey's Perma Blue or similar products by other manufacturers for anything except minor touch-ups of scratches or the like.  Perma Blue contains selenium acid and copper sulphate.  These products essentially plate a very thin layer of copper over the surface.  With proper preparation and application it can look OK, but can often lead to blotchy and inconsistent looking results.  Most importantly, copper plating simply won't be durable enough to last a barrel.  Some users report that they can scrub off cold blue touch-ups with their fingernails. It almost certainly would come off immediately when the steel slide starts rubbing against the barrel.

I have bookmarked the link.  Much obliged.