My husband says, the trouble with an epoxy or similar finish is that it can only deteriorate with wear, knocks etc but a true oil finish can be maintained. Try soaking the gun in water first to raise the grain, sand it down smooth (do this 2 or 3 times) then using just tung oil, firstly thinned with white spirit to drive it into the wood (3 or 4 coats) then neat to provide a surface layer. This he says will give an excellent finish that will always look goog and is easily maintained
