Refinish wood stock- polyurethane vs. oil?

[spistols]

I am looking to finish a wood stock on an old .22 rifle. Back when I was doing a lot of woodworking, I would sand, apply stain, and polyurethane with more sanding, poly, repeat, etc.

Why is it that a lot of stock refinishing I see use stain and then oil instead of polyurethane? Is there a preference for oil for guns vs. poly?

 

[The Old Jaybird]

Buddy of mine does a lot of this kind of work.....restoring old pawn shop finds....he swears by oil finishes, several coats, rubbed in.

 

[palmettomoon]

Urethane looks like a 1970's porno flick bar top.

 

[Allsmiles]

BLO and put on as many coats as you like for the sheen. Just don't get in a hurry and it really only takes a small amount.

 

[WallsGa]

Urethane looks like a 1970's porno flick bar top.

It’s sad how quickly and completely I understand that reference.

 

[palmettomoon]

when I see urethane on wood furniture I hear kazoo playing. (another obscure feature of 70's porn flics)

 

[Russell0331]

I would use either pure tung oil or BLO. Just my $.02

 

[Allsmiles]

BLIP What says the expert in this?

 

[BLIP]

Poly is great for when you have to have something dry quickly (but not as fast a shellac) and you want to glossy surface with very little wood character.

Yes BLO (boiled linseed) is a good finish and used for years, but even it can have issues. I prefer to make my own finishes when it is for myself. I have made my own BLO (sounds almost illegal), and my own shellac.

It comes down to a matter of taste...

would you rather have a taco or a burrito...

Think of what you are using it for,and then let the wood tell you what it needs...

 

[Psilloh1]

when I see urethane on wood furniture I hear kazoo playing. (another obscure feature of 70's porn flics)

How much porn did you watch in the 70’s?..

p.s. I hope the shoulder is healing... Was it your right shoulder? They say most shoulder injuries were caused from watching excessive porn in the 70’s!!