Reader Forum

Browning Tap And Die I want to purchase the proper tap and die for a Browning A-5 12 gauge shotgun. What is the size and pitch of the side plate front and rear trigger screws? Gary Atnip Indianapolis, IN Since we do not know the age of the shotgun, now discontinued from further production, please call Browning-Winchester ask for customer service and have the SN of the gun at hand. Tanker Garands After reading Mr. J.

Frank’s letter in the November 2011 issue of American Gunsmith I could not help but reflect back to my instructor, Robert Mitchell, who taught classes at Lassen College on accurizing the M-1 Garand/M-14 Rifle. A problem inherent in Tanker Garands is the lack of engineering behind the conversion. The op-rod was designed to function with a 24-inch barrel. When the barrel is shortened, the op-rod cannot be correspondingly shortened and expected to function as on the normal gun.

First, because of a shorter barrel, the closer proximity of the gas port causes the gas to act faster on the op-rod. This means unlocking happens faster. Second, pressure drops quicker since the gas is expelled faster from a shorter barrel. Third, besides the gas affecting the op-rod sooner, the lightened op-rod moves faster than the normal op-rod. All these combine to make the action faster in terms of unlocking, extracting, ejecting and reloading.

Fourth, the helix cut in the op-rod that engages the bolt lug and controls the movement of the bolt was engineered for a certain unlocking time. Daniel P. Horn Huron, SD Perhaps most important are the angles engineered into the op-rod by John Garand. They were not intended for faster operations and therein lies the crux of the problem. Mere shortening of the rod does not ensure that the gun will function or if it does function, with the same life span of a normal size gun.

Beretta addressed the issue on their shortened BM-59 by engineering anew rod that was somewhat straighter than longer M-1 Garand op-rod. Beretta may have engineered other changes (smaller gas port, different recoil spring strength, modifying the helix cut), but not having one available for examination, I am unsure about it. I’m sorry but I cannot offer any solutions other than to examine a Beretta op-rod and start from there. More great information from a knowledgeable reader. Mr.

Yee is the author of Sharpshooters (1750- 1900): The Men, Their Guns, Their Story, a book that will be of interest to all American Gunsmith Association members. Bedding Military Rifles I collect bolt action military rifles, such as Enfields, Mausers, Lee Enfields, and the like. I keep the best originals for my collection and make shooters out of the rest of them. I would like to see a segment on the bedding of military rifles with the original stocks, handguards and bands intact.

Kirk Theetge Hornsby, TN Your collection sounds rather extensive and though they are all bolt actions they are not precisely the same. To try and address all of them with a single segment would be inadequate in comparison to a series of articles, each addressing a specific model. Therefore, and in hope of at least partially satisfying your request while also serving all our reader’s varied interests, we shall generalize. Firstly, the barreled action and stock must be separated.

In those areas where the receiver, rear tang and recoil lug will be contacting it, the wood must be removed to accommodate application of the bedding compound. Where box magazines are involved wood removal is often required. Thickness of the compound after application generally runs between 1/8 to 1/4 inches. The intent of the bedding is to eliminate, or at least minimize, movement of the receiver in both lateral and horizontal directions.

Before it has completely cured, bedding compound that has oozed out between the wood and metal can be cleaned off with common white vinegar. Barrel bedding offers a choice between full length and only bedded to a point just ahead of the barrel/receiver union. Gary Yee Regardless of choice, the barrel channel has to undergo wood removal accordingly.

The objective here is to dampen or eliminate as much as possible the phenomena of "sympathetic vibration." This is best duplicated by laying out a length of clothes line, grasping one end and not too gently attempting to crack the rope like a whip. The rolling af-

fect you see moving from the handheld end to the free end of the rope are an exaggeration of sympathetic barrel vibrations. Some gunsmiths and owners believe these accuracyaffecting vibrations are best reduced with a full-length bedded and floating barrel. The thickness of a business card existing between the barrel and the bedding can accomplish this but a "pressure point" near the muzzle may also be desired.

Usually, this means applying as little as five pounds upward pressure on the front end of the barrel during the curing process. In many cases, pressure can be applied by installing a threaded nylon bushing in the stock just aft of the front sight, hanging a five pound weight on the muzzle and turning in the bushing until the barrel is dead level between receiver union and muzzle.

The free use of release agent on all metal surfaces is mandatory to avoid a permanent union between the stock and barreled action after curing. Canned automobile wax serves well for this purpose. Finally. You must realize any alteration to the original condition of any military rifle lessens its collector value, often considerably. CZ 82 Trigger I’m having single action trigger problems with a CZ 82. It ranges from a perfect pull, to a hammer release only to be caught the double action sear. This happens randomly.

The kicker is, the problem goes away if the pistol is held on its right or left side. I can only deduce the problem is that either the trigger spring (pin 15) or the sear spring (pin 30), as per the article in your April 2008 issue, is weak as I can see no mechanical wear and the gun is as clean as I can get it. Before disassembly of the "rats nest" of parts, I would like your opinion and the source and availability of pare parts. Ronald D. Roalson You may be having a problem no one else has experienced.

We’re on pretty safe ground in making that statement. The lead technician of the current and past importer of the pistol had never heard of this problem and went so far as to query all his factory service staff. Like him, they had not heard of it either. We’ve drawn a blank here but are still willing to offer an educated guess. Something as yet unknown is terribly loose, or installed incorrectly, and is somehow falling into place when the pistol is extended in a sideway attitude.

We doubt it is caused by wear but you can’t actually see wear in a spring so that remains a possibility. The models CZ 82 and 83 were covered in our April 2008 issue. They are of different caliber but mechanically identical. Reprints should still be available (americangunsmith. wordpress.com/back-issues) We suggest you completely disassemble and reassemble your pistol as described in the article and fear not the "rats nest." Just don’t rush it, catalog parts, and take pictures and notes as needed.

As for parts, CZ-USA and Century International Arms are likely to be your best bets. Striking out there will mean you’re facing a search in the aftermarket. Remington 1100 An ancient 1100 came in to my shop with a metal snap ring gas seal on the magazine tube. The tube has a groove for the seal ring. Is it possible for a standard Oring to be used? Also, the lifter is weak. Can I get away with just replacing it with anew style lifter?

James Aebersold Saint Clair, MN Have the serial number handy when you call Remington Customer Service. We’re a bit uncomfortable about the O-ring substitute in that it might not be substantial enough to replace a metal gas seal. The present company, now part of Freedom Arms Group, may not be able to provide a replacement for the "ancient" 1100. If that is the case, Numrich Gun Parts Corporation Jack First or Nu Line Guns might supply one.

As for the lifter, our gut feeling is that the new style lifter won’t interchange with your old timer but check this out with Remington as well. AG