Gun burned in fire

[Professorwiz]

The fire in New Mexico got my inheritance. There was 2 rifles, a shotgun and a 45 revolver that was in a gun safe but still managed to burn.
It looks like the stocks are completely gone from what I see on the photos. One was a nice lever action 30-30, so my thoughts are they still might be salvagable.
Of course, there was no water getting on these at the time so I don't think the metal would have lost it's temper.
Has anyone gone thru this before that can give me some words of advice?

Russ

[Moleman-]

The general rule is if the springs are still good you're likely ok, but if the springs are dead the temperature was likely hot enough to soften hardened parts to the point where they're probably not safe.

[JDG]

^^^^ Good advice above, and sorry for your loss.

[Professorwiz]

Thanks to both of you.

[dirtmcgirt76239]

I'd buy used wood, clean em up, oil em, make em wall hangers. I wouldn't shoot them.

[86Indy]

If it were me I'd take them to an experienced smith and ask him his opinion before giving up. IF they were family heir looms. Otherwise I think they won't be worth the time and trouble and even if you end up trusting them, then ask the guy next to you at the range or in the blind if he trusts you to shoot them next to him...you get the idea.

[december1979]

5 part series on a fire damaged AR......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xddz_EUIVoo

[Tom S.]

Specific heat range followed by water or oil quenching is what gives steel its hardness properties. Steel that is exposed to heat and allowed to cool slowly via air lose their heat treatment properties and become soft. The springs are a good indicator but not the last word. The steel should be tested by proper testing and compared to factory specs.

[mudoven]

Repair them and test fire them using a tire or gun rest remotely using a long piece of rope...put enough rounds through them as to you would be comfortable shooting them from the shoulder...and yeah, sorry for your loss.

[DEVIL DOG]

My Brother's gun collection was damaged in a house fire. I was able to salvage most of them. Some cheaper models must have had some plastic internals, & they were NOP. Had to strip some of the finishes & used cold blue to repair others. Shotgun & a deer rifle had to have the stocks refinished. All of them shot just fine.

He also had a ton of ammo that got wet & sat for about a week before we could get it out. I tried shooting a few rounds & had a lot of bad primers & weak powder. As far as I know, it's still in his basement at the new house. May see about getting it for the components.