guns that have been exposed to fire

[RelicHound]

A buddy of mine had a house fire awhile back and he lost all of his guns in the fire...insurance paid for them and he destroyed the fire damaged ones{cut the receivers in half with a chop saw} he has a couple of barrels that he was going to throw away...can these barrels be saved? he has a couple of shotgun barrels Id like to have if they are safe to use. they are 18.5" shotgun barrels. the guns that they went to where burnt bad enough that its completely melted the stocks and trigger guards. the recievers on a couple of the guns where aluminum and they seemed untouched by the fire so they didnt get hot enough to visually deform the receivers so I was thinking maybe the steel barrels would be ok?
he said if I think the barrels are safe he will give them to me before he throws them away.
also would there be anything illegal about this? he did destroy the receivers so I would assume not?

 

[RH822-A]

Its not the appearance that matters. Its time at temperature that matters. Being exposed to an extended period at high temperature and allowed to slowly cool down, (like what happens in a house fire) anneals the metal making it soft. To answer your question, no do not try to use the barrels or the receivers even if they look OK, chances are that they are too soft now and need to be disposed of also.

 

[PapaScout]

Its not the appearance that matters. Its time at temperature that matters. Being exposed to an extended period at high temperature and allowed to slowly cool down, (like what happens in a house fire) anneals the metal making it soft. To answer your question, no do not try to use the barrels or the receivers even if they look OK, chances are that they are too soft now and need to be disposed of also.

Well stated. Agreed. Not safe to use, not worth having rehardened/tempered.

 

[Bill of Rights]

Its not the appearance that matters. Its time at temperature that matters. Being exposed to an extended period at high temperature and allowed to slowly cool down, (like what happens in a house fire) anneals the metal making it soft. To answer your question, no do not try to use the barrels or the receivers even if they look OK, chances are that they are too soft now and need to be disposed of also.

Well stated. Agreed. Not safe to use, not worth having rehardened/tempered.

Thanks for these answers, guys. Rep added x2.

I LOVE this site!

Blessings,
Bill

 

[IndyGunworks]

I agree not safe to use, but if he is willing to get them away, as well as the recievers he cut or anything else, i would love to have them so i can use them for practicing. I would use them to practice cutting for choke tube, recrowning, drilling and tapping, refinishing to use as show pieces at gun shows, rechambering, and possibly magnaporting.... PLEASE send me a pm if they are something i can get off him for little to no cost.

 

[RelicHound]

Thank you all very much for the replies

IGW...I will ask him about the barrels. Ill get back with ya via PM as he may want to talk to you over the phone to make sure these wont be used for anything other than practicing your gun smithing on. most likely he will only ask for shipping cost..Ill give him a call in a bit and get back with ya.