Jim:
I have a Marlin 1895 that I refinished using the stuff Brownell's sells. You paint the gun, then bake in an oven according to the directions on the can, so long guns can be problematic. I have a buddy's Colt 1911 to refinish and will probabaly do the same thing to it. The sprays are very convenient, and the finish is very hard once it is baked. Getting the "paint" right is the hard part. I used a full can to get the 1895 done to suit me. Tony