How to Temporarily Cover Glare From a Gun Barrel, Suggestions?

[Ontario Hunter]

I would tear off a strip of black Gorilla tape long and wide enough to cover the sight plain on top of the barrel. Residue from the tape is easily removed with WD40.

 

[slam8031]

I had a neoprene sleeve in camo for quite some time before I had a barrel cerakoted. It worked really well.

 

[Bandera]

Since paint or refinish is not an option then it looks like you are going to have to go with a tape or the neoprene barrel covers (if they still make it).

Are in a blind or sitting in direct sunlight?

 

[channelkat]

I would probably start with the waxes I have sitting around. I have a number of shoe polish waxes and wood waxes that probably cut that glare.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Easiest ways would be tape, a burlap wrap, or applying a lair of soot over the barrel

Soot, perfect answer easily apply with a a match or a candle. Do they still make paper matches-they work great?

Might try a small butane lighter, not sure if that would work however, never tried. It might.

Soot easy to apply, easy to touch up in the field, relatively easy to clean up. No added bulk or possible obstruction to scope or sights. Very old school.

 

[Grandpa Moose]

Strip of good old fashioned friction tape applied lengthwise on top of barrel over forestock; around barrel from there

 

[Daggaboy375]

Camo equine tape.

https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=2dce5ffd-79a0-4ce6-ab88-00e7304d68bd

No sticky residue and should have no effect on harmonics.
DB

 

[fourfive8]

As had been mentioned- cheap, flat black spray paint

 

[Denvir Tire]

Army surplus, 1980's camo face paint sticks

 

[sgt_zim]

Medical wrap tape, like what you get on your arm after donating blood. Dirt cheap at Amazon. I've been using this stuff to wrap my rifles for 3 or 4 years now. It will hold moisture, so if it's humid out or you get rained on, you'll need to remove it and oil your gun. But as I said, they're inexpensive, so disposable. I think I got about a dozen rolls for something like $10.

 

[375er]

Medical wrap tape, like what you get on your arm after donating blood. Dirt cheap at Amazon. I've been using this stuff to wrap my rifles for 3 or 4 years now. It will hold moisture, so if it's humid out or you get rained on, you'll need to remove it and oil your gun. But as I said, they're inexpensive, so disposable. I think I got about a dozen rolls for something like $10.

View attachment 710459

Also known as Coban. Have seen it also sold a Vet Wrap. All the same stuff.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I was just looking up your barrel sock suggestion and I found something called a Boca Shield. It looks like an interesting idea. It is made of neoprene, so I think it might be a bit thick for my use to fit between the barrel and forend on this specific gun. But I really like the idea of something I can slip on and slide over the whole barrel and remove easily.

My first suggestion as a "sock" is/was sold as a one or two piece, depending on the firearms action, is/was made of a light/thin synthetic material and only in camouflage. It was used/sold as a user friendly alternative to tape, as the tape left sticky residue and some tapes were often hard to remove and damaged stock finishes.

My second suggestion is advertised as a gun sock or gun sleeve. Around $5 to $7 at Walmart, Bass Pro/Cabela's, MidwayUSA, etc., etc. These socks/sleeves are made of much more thicker material than my first suggestion. With this sock/sleeve material will need to be slit and removed in various areas.

The Pro: Because these types of sleeves are loose, free floating barrel harmonics are not affected and the fabrics are either moisture resistant and/or they allow air flow that reduces the moisture contact.

The Con: However, because these fabric sleeves are loose they do have the tendency to snag on just about anything.

The problem with using tapes are:

1. Most tape manufacturers instructions directions illustrate wrapping the stock and barrel. This will affect free floating barrel harmonics. Elastic tape is a bit forgiving, wrapped somewhat loose and not stretched will or can still affect free floating barrel harmonics just not a bad.

2. It's "buyer beware"; Not so much today compared to years ago. Even today tapes in general can mar the finish on a stock and hold moisture causing surface rust to develop on the metal. Again elastic tapes are porous and have less moisture barrier adhesive that traps and holds moisture against the metal.

3. Some tape adhesives are prone to remove stock finishes and bluing; or cause such, when trying to remove tape adhesive residue left behind after the tape has been removed.

The Pro: Tape can protect against scratches and doesn't snag as bad as loose fabric.

 

[Nyati]

Install a barrel mirage shield.

 

[mdwest]

Medical wrap tape, like what you get on your arm after donating blood. Dirt cheap at Amazon. I've been using this stuff to wrap my rifles for 3 or 4 years now. It will hold moisture, so if it's humid out or you get rained on, you'll need to remove it and oil your gun. But as I said, they're inexpensive, so disposable. I think I got about a dozen rolls for something like $10.

View attachment 710459

Scheels sells essentially the same thing but made “for guns” for about $15… popular with turkey hunters on shotguns… midway has a similar product at a similar price…

You can get several rolls at Amazon for half as much..

Med wrap is exactly how I’d solve the problen

Gear Aid Camo Form Reuseable Fabric Wrap

Properly camouflage firearms and equipment without leaving behind a sticky residue with Camo Form® Reusable Fabric Wrap. This self-adhering

www.scheels.com

Gear Aid Camo Form Protective Gun Wrap Kryptek Highlander Camo

Camo Form camo wrap from Gear Aid gives you the option of a camo gun, without having to spend the money on a different gun. This heavy-duty stretch...

ads.midwayusa.com

https://a.co/d/9cerGBB

 

[HankBuck]

I have a rifle I would like to use for a specific hunting situation. It has an incredibly reflective barrel. The spot I would be hunting is relatively thick, so shots and game are often very close, but the spot I would be sitting in has a good amount of direct sunlight in the afternoon. It creates an almost blinding reflection. I have had instances where game has come in and been spooked off by the reflection.

Because of this, for the last couple years, I have switched to another gun. But I would really like to use the one with the reflective barrel for sentimental reasons. I know I could cerakote it, but other than this one specific instance I am fine with the looks and functionality in other circumstances and don't want to permanently change it.

I am looking for suggestions for temporary solutions. The most obvious thought is a camo gun wrap/tape. I haven't used this before as I have generally just cerakoted or painted guns I wanted to change. I am slightly concerned it could mess with barrel harmonics and/or accuracy.

I am not interested in unhelpful suggestions of "use a different gun", "sit in a different spot", "paint the gun". So fight the urge to post the unhelpful snide comment that doesn't offer a solution to the real problem.

Thanks in advance!

@Sabre - you’re way over thinking this, try camo tape or any flat-black-athletic tape….then “test fire” at the range to be sure No change in POI…..should be good to go !

 

[steve white]

Well, you are astute to address a problem many overlook on blued high polish guns! I saw one glinting bright blue across a field about 80 yds out. It was shocking how bright it was. I thought at the time, that a deer could easily get spooked by it.
Glad to have learned some solutions, like the medical tape.

 

[Sabre]

@Sabre - you’re way over thinking this, try camo tape or any flat-black-athletic tape….then “test fire” at the range to be sure No change in POI…..should be good to go !

I am unsure how I am "way over thinking this" by asking if anyone has unique ideas or products I hadn't thought of yet.

 

[HankBuck]

Well, you are astute to address a problem many overlook on blued high polish guns! I saw one glinting bright blue across a field about 80 yds out. It was shocking how bright it was. I thought at the time, that a deer could easily get spooked by it.
Glad to have learned some solutions, like the medical tape.

@steve white - I agree there is glare off of some guns but same goes for the Glass off many scopes — if the Sun hits them right - and lots of other stuff….including many Synthetic Camo outfits can be very “shiny” .
I’ve only put some camo cloth tape on one barrel - a stainless barrel on my CVA muzzleloader and my Son kids me that “Dad, you’re Over Thinking it”….I agree with him, but I have kept the tape on. Likely unnescessary but doesn’t hurt and makes Me feel better !!

 

[Hyena]

Soot or Sight Black will work as well as the wax. Both will be easily rubbed off. A sock or tape will snag on everything and you stated it will be used in thick stuff.
My suggestion is to try some of the temporary spray paints, I think “Hunters Specialties “ makes some. Remove action from stock and apply in a small area under barrel and remove after awhile to see if it affects the finish after a good cleaning.

 

[steve white]

@steve white - I agree there is glare off of some guns but same goes for the Glass off many scopes — if the Sun hits them right - and lots of other stuff….including many Synthetic Camo outfits can be very “shiny” .
I’ve only put some camo cloth tape on one barrel - a stainless barrel on my CVA muzzleloader and my Son kids me that “Dad, you’re Over Thinking it”….I agree with him, but I have kept the tape on. Likely unnescessary but doesn’t hurt and makes Me feel better !!

It's hard to overthink it when your quarry is bent on staying alive and out of your reach. Even a little thing like the stark white letters on my brother's cap as he walked toward me was almost like waving a flag. We have to remember that animals are used to having their own identifiable colors, like the white near black stripe on the rear side of a cat's ears, or a white tail on a deer or antelope. That is all they need to get alerted to presence--why should we get a pass when we identify ourselves accidentally.