Firearms Guide Review
A comprehensive resource for all gunsmiths and gun lovers, the DVD-based Firearms Guide a valuable reference.
Gunsmith Magazine
Article library
Full web articles from the American Gunsmith archive, organized for search and connected back to their original issue pages.
Reader Forum
Charles Daly Shotgun I need information about an operating handle for the Charles Daly gasoperated shotgun that KBI imported from Turkey. This is a pretty reliable shotgun when properly maintained, with one exception. The operating handle has a bad habit of snapping…
MSR Owners Are Most Active Shooters
Or, so says a NSSF/Responsive Management Survey, the first comprehensive survey to look at ownership and use of modern sporting rifles. This study about MSRs, typifi ed by AR-15 platform rifles, reveals that 8.9 million Americans went target shooting with MSRs last…
Disassembly/Reassembly Of The CZ Phantom Pistol
Once upon a time there was a Czech pistol everyone seemed to have on their wish list but no one could buy. How times change for the better.
Fitting The Right 1911 Barrel For The Job
Be it for enhanced accuracy, feed reliability or due to actually being worn out, understanding the aftermarket options in 1911 barrels and how to install them is an oft-needed gunsmithing task.
Installing A Silver Wreath Stock Overlay
Properly selected and placed stock inlays or overlays can set off the good-looks of a gunstock, but few will surpass the eye catching beauty of a silver wreath with encircled cartridge headstamps.
Leade Lapping A Bore For More Efficient Barrel Break In
While breaking in a barrel might not normally be considered a routine gunsmithing procedure, many shops can benefi t by seeing their newly chambered barrels off to a proper start.
Reviving A Steyr 1909 Pocket Pistol
Let me start with some thoughts on small pistol history. I have to admit that small pistols and derringers have been fascinating me for along time. The major wonder of these guns is twofold. First, they are the last resort in self-defense.…
Trigger Work: How Good Is Yours, Really?
You can build a fixture to help quantify your work so you can get repeatable results when working the trigger group.
Reader Forum
Back Issues Available I have a complete set of American Gunsmith and Gun Tests from 1993 to current. Contact me for details. Thanks for the info. Back issues are also available at Norwalk, CT 06856-5656. Or call Savage 110 Problem Looking for…
Not Doing As They Say
The Du Pont corporation has conducted numerous studies of consumer buying habits over the decades. Typically, this type of research aims at tracking products purchased and attempts to correlate that to advertising and marketing efforts, customer demographics and other factors. The idea…
Working The Webley MK III
The Webley MK III is among the most robust and reliable revolvers of all time. Previously quite a rare, a new wave of Webleys has found their way into shooter’s hands and are now more likely to cross your bench.
Rusty Gun Bluing
Properly done, a good bluing job will make your customer’s gun look brand new. Here’s an overview of the stages to get you started.
Mounting A Crossbow Sight, Cantilever Style
Sometimes an imaginative effort is the only solution to getting a job done. Turned down by three others, a hunter came to me for help in mounting a scope on his crossbow.
Making A Single Shot Rifle Pattern, Part 2
The pleasing, classic lines of the Remington Rolling Block No. 2 are worth a hand-built stock. We complete the project in this fi nal segment.
Aftermarket Trigger Overview
Options abound in the replacement trigger market. Here’s the scoop on installing exactly what your customers want and need.
Reader Forum
Parker Brothers Double Barrel Shotgun I own and operate a small firearms repair shop and a customer recently brought in a Parker Brothers Side-by- Side Double Barrel Shotgun chambered in 12 gauge with exposed hammers for restoration. The serial number indicates it…
NSSF/Harris Poll: Target Shooting Top-Ranked
A recent National Shooting Sports Foundation poll conducted by Harris Interactive found that more Americans are target shooting now than six months ago, and that “home and personal defense” were the main reasons Americans recently purchased firearms. The poll also showed that 43…
Meet The Century Arms Centurion Model 39 Sporter
Don’t think of this purely Yankee-made rifl e as yet another run-of-themill AK-47. Despite its Kalashnikov roots, the Century Arms Centurion is a great example of the modern sporting rifles.
Receiver Side Base For The Model 70 Winchester
is basically a straight forward gunsmithing procedure. However, redoing a botched job sends a special message to any gunsmith. Here’s the procedure I used for a RPA Trakker Target Sight.
Working The Stevens Visible Loader
The Stevens Model 70 Visible Loader is starting to show collector interest. Here is the critical function, disassembly, and reassembly procedures with a guide to reference materials and parts.
Making A Single Shot Rifle Pattern, Part One
Given the pleasing, classic lines of the Remington Rolling Block No. 2 action, along with a can’t-pass gun show fi nd, making a handbuilt stock is well worth the effort!
Refinishing A Stevens .410 Double Shotgun
How much time and effort do you put into mending a family heirloom? Sometimes, a repair doesn’t have to be practical to make the effort worth it.
Changes Are A Comin’ (They Are Here!)
These ramblings of an old gunsmith may be considered by the less educated to be just that, but hard-won wisdom may be the ticket to improving your business.