Electropolishing & Fire Lapping
Making myself extremely unpopular with gun barrel manufacturers.
Gunsmith Magazine
Article library
Full web articles from the American Gunsmith archive, organized for search and connected back to their original issue pages.
Diagnosing Hunting Rifle Accuracy, Part One
Three things I’d rather not hear are, “I’m from the IRS,” “We’re out of beer,” and “This damn rifle won’t shoot.”
What Caliber Is It?
Unmarked or mismarked guns can be hazardous. When buying new guns you can count on them being clearly marked with the caliber or gauge, but the used gun market is full of pitfalls.
Reader Forum
Remington Hepburn No. 3 I have a Remington Hepburn No. 3 stamped “40.2 1/2” under the barrel that is exposed forward of the forend and stamped “.45-70” next to the serial number of 3008 under the barrel that is covered by the…
Firearm Fundamentals
Gary Behr has authored a comprehensive compendium of firearms lore called Firearm Fundamentals. Certified by the NRA as an Instructor and Range Safety Officer and by the Wisconsin Department of Justice as a Defensive and Arrest Tactics and Law Enforcement Security instructor,…
Gunsmithing Requires Innovation
Especially when working with old, out-of-production guns, creative problem solving is key in good gunsmithing.
Promoting Your Business
While small, one-man shops may have all the business they can handle, some of us need more customers. Here’s how to make that happen.
Recoil Pad Installation On Synthetic Gunstocks
Installing a recoil pad on modern synthetic stocks can place a real demand on your skills. The job becomes even more involved if a stock needs to be cut off.
The Snub Nose .38
Working for gun shops sometimes requires patience. When a firearm finds its way from their shop to yours it’s because a mistake was made in the “kicking the tires” process. It needs to be fixed and they want it done cheap! A…
Honing Rusty Chambers
Transforming neglected wall hangers into good shooting condition.
Reader Forum
Ithaca Model 37 Several years ago I inherited an Ithaca Model 37 20 gauge. The prior owner lived very close to salt water on the gulf coast. Because the shotgun came from the deep South I recently disassembled, cleaned, and replaced the…
Lathe Taper Fixture
James W. McIntyre is the owner of the McIntyre Gun Shop in Duncansville, Pennsylvania and has an extensive background as an expert gunsmith and machinist. He offers the following drawings to make a taper fixture for your lathe. McIntyre’s design will let…
Revisiting The Witness Pistol
Despite changes, the good news remains: A Witness is still a Witness.
Working The Iver Johnson Defender 89
A good friend inherited his dad’s gun collection and asked me to check this little Iver Johnson revolver out and clean it up. This revolver is a five shot chambered for the .32 Rimfire cartridge. These revolvers are small and were not…
Choosing And Fitting Triggers
Considered by many to be the most important feature of a firearm, a quality trigger is critical.
Custom Websites For Gunsmiths
In the November 2014 issue, Wendell Dwight Deaner touched on active computer use for gunsmiths (“Computers In The Shop”.) Upon reading it, I was prompted to take that to the next level and discuss designing and using a custom website for your…
SHOT 2015
A trip to Las Vegas to find the newest in tools and parts for your bench.
Reader Forum
Spring ield Model 87A I found “Bringing A Springfield Model 87A Back To Life” (January 2015) very interesting as I have a Stevens (Savage) model 87A (acquired in 1949) and Model 87D. No serial numbers on these, though the first patent number…
Legally Armed
For the trained, responsible firearm user, carrying a concealed handgun can be a prudent safety practice. Unlike automobile driving privileges, which despite their greater lethality enjoy interstate freedom, laws governing the right to bear arms in public vary widely among states. As…
MEXSAR Semi-Auto Rifle
MEXSAR Semi-Auto Ri le Disassembly of the rifle no longer called a PUMA.
A Second Bolt And Barrel For Bolt Actions
A unique bolt fitting process for fitting a pair of barrels to Remington Model 700 switch-barrel rifles.
Shotgun Eject Mystery
Diagnosing chamber issues in problem shotguns and a head scratcher.
Sako-Style Extractors On Model XP-100 Pistols
How to open the bolt face from .223 to .308, add a second bolt, and install a Tubb Speed Lock Extractor Kit on a Remington Model 700 Series rifle bolt.
It Don’t Come Easy
The life and times of a gunsmith.