Reader Forum

Computers In The Shop I would like to comment on Wendell Deaner’s "Computers In The Shop" article in the November 2014 issue. I agree with most of what’s written there but wonder if the author is running an OS X, Windows, or GNU/Linux operating system? I feel you should have mentioned specifics about software used with the cash register that allows receipts and the scanner. As for going portable at gun shows there are a mess of things from sales displays to background checks that can be done.

One thing that would help all of us would be a legal way to do our R&D reports on a computer as well as show off the E4473 the BATF provides. It also should be noted that by using an email service like Gmail any communication sent can be stored and retrieved from anywhere which meets the Fed’s requirements for electronic business communication. I converted to Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (a Debian-based GNU/Linux distribution) so I would not have to keep paying Microsoft and other the software vendors more money every year.

There are many free/open source and low cost options for word processors and office suites, cash registers, image manipulation, music, and just about anything else needed. I run Chrome Browser (part of the open source Chromium Project) which allows me to do most everything I could ever do with Windows and my profile is usable on any computer. I have one last Windows 7 computer that I run E4473 on.

It dual boots into Ubuntu and I will soon be loading Wine and running E4473 on that to get rid of the last of my Microsoft dependency. Richard Beggs Defcon One Arms Author Wendell Deaner responds. Thank you for reading our magazine and my article in particular. I always learn something from our readers. I was in the process of updating my computer system when I submitted this article and ended up with OS Xand Windows systems. My wife wanted a Mac Book and graciously promised I could use it.

I was against it but she prevailed. After the first few fumbling episodes I was able to use it well enough to suit my purposes. Since she has the real money in the family (I am a poor writer) I corroborated with my grandson and some of his friends to buy parts and build a computer. I have no regrets as it was an substantial upgrade from my old system and cost much less than buying the equivalent Windows 8.1 machine preassembled.

The software for inventory control and scanning is best supplied by the company that sets up your business system. This probably isn’t inexpensive but will be amortized over time if you have a large shop. I have used systems like this in managing retail settings and was quite pleased with the results. Of course, it must be tweaked and maintained as necessary; after all, it is only a machine. I also use Chrome as a browser at the moment until something better comes along. I like it.

I’ve also started exploring backing up information in the cloud so I can access it anywhere. I have not tried Ubuntu but thank you for the heads up. I did try the Open Office suite and its Writer word processor for awhile and can recommend it, especially since it’s free. However, some of the more finicky editors Ideal with and some of the platforms I am using to publish make using Microsoft Word a little more practical.

Charter Revolver Reassembly I recently had a Charter Bulldog Pup in the shop with a very rough second stage of the ejector rod. Disassembly of the cylinder, ejector rod, extractor star, and accompanying parts revealed some very rough surfaces that were quickly cleaned up.

During reassembly, you need about four sets of hands to align (1) the ejector rod pin hole; (2) the extractor star pin hole; (3) the ejector rod bushing pin hole—all under spring pressure—to reinsert the small slave pin that holds the entire assembly in place. The problem with four sets of hands is that you run out of space! I did solve the puzzle, though, with the use of an extra Dremel tool collet I had in the tool box.

The Dremel collet was the perfect size, inside and outside diameter, to depress the ejector rod bushing into the extractor star area and keep it depressed while moving the ejector rod in perfect alignment with the slave pin holes. Once aligned, a small pin punch was inserted (with my third hand!) and then the slave pin was reinserted afterwards. I have put that collet in my specialty parts box and labeled it for Charter revolver cylinder reassembly.

I am sure there are actual tools made to perform this task but this might help the ‘smith that doesn’t want to buy a specialty tool for every gun type and application. Mark R. Hollensen Bench Mark Performance Services This should prove helpful to those working Charter revolvers. Thanks! H&R 349 A friend of mine has a old H&R 349 Gamester 16 gauge with an incomplete bolt. I haven’t yet found a schematic to identify the missing parts and the various parts stores don’t seem to have one either.

Searches online have also proved fruitless. Where can I get a schematic of the 349? Jim Lorance It is possible no schematic exists but we have never done an article on this particular shotgun so we can’t be absolutely positive. If H&R were still alive as an entity instead of being ingested by the three-headed guard dog of Hades, now known as The Freedom Group, we could probably put you in contact with an H&R historian.

We’re still working to crack the communications barriers of The Freedom Group and expect to do so soon. After that happens, we can get back on track

with not only H&R, but with Remington, Marlin and a host of others we have relied upon for accurate information in the past. H&R presents you with a special problem as the present entity didn’t manufacture your 349 and no parts will be directly available. That’s not unusual. H&R NEF would supply no parts for guns made by H&R 1871 and wouldn’t sell any for guns made by H&R, period. It’s pretty much standard industry practice these days.

Seek out a recent copy of Gun Digest and search for a listing of "Associations." Among these would be the Remington Society and probably one for H&R as well. There will be an address to which inquiries can be sent. It’s only a starting point for what we think you’re facing and how much you’re willing to provide pro bono in the name of friendship. Spring ield XD I have a Springfield XD series chambered in 9mm in my shop and can’t move the front sight.

I have put it in a padded vise and tried to drive it out with a brass punch, added solvent to counter any locking agent and it still won’t budge. I am afraid to hit it any harder for fear of damaging the slide. I have another XD chambered in .40 S&Wand have adjusted the sight on it that was nowhere near as hard to move as this gun. Heating the slide is my next option unless you have any other suggestions. Kenneth W. Wright Wright Enterprises of Texas Do not heat the slide.

Springfield installs its sights tightly but they are not press-fit or sweated in. They also drift in either direction. The secret to removing them, if it can be called a secret, is to secure the slide rigidly between the padded jaws of a good quality, solidly-mounted bench vise. No wobble or play is allowed. A hard wood block filler is permissible to prevent malformation of the rails in cases where the slide is secured in the vise upside down, a technique sometimes employed by Springfield service technicians.

Your brass drift is OK. Forget any thought of trying the move these sights with a nylon punch. Those same technicians use a steel punch with its tip covered by a small piece of a business card and a heavy hammer. We suggest an application of penetrating oil be applied to the upper edges of the dovetail and the slide allowed to sit upright overnight before attacking it further. Savage (Spring ield) Model 67F I have a Springfield Model 67F 12 gauge shotgun manufactured by Savage.

I am refinishing the stock and noticed that the old gun really needs a good cleaning but have been unable to find disassembly instructions for it and cannot see what needs to be done to remove the bolt, assuming it removes from the rear of the receiver. The owner wants to shoot the gun and wants to know if steel shot or any of the modern lead replacements can be safely used. I advised him not to but am seeking your opinion.

The gun has no serial number so I know it is not new despite its new (probably reblued) appearance. The bore is pristine and is chambered for 2 3/4 and 3-inch shotshells. The gun locks up tight and seems to function well. The safety works, gets a good solid sounding strike on a snap cap, and extracts and ejects soundly. The customer knows nothing about the gun except that he bought it cheap from a friend.

Donald Strickland After searching the Standard Catalog of Firearms, Blue Book of Gun Values, and the Web we finally were able to turn up a schematic of the Springfield M67 in the Jack First Inc. Gun Parts Book Volume 2. That might be of help to you in field stripping the shotgun. With the major metal components separated from the stock those components could be scrubbed and flushed clean without damaging the wood you’re working to refinish. If the gun has no serial number it might predate their required use.

Steel shot instead of another lead substitute could open up any fixed choke in the barrel. This is true in guns much newer than yours. If an owner’s manual exists a copy of it could be secured by writing to John Callahan, Savage/Stevens Historian, Westfield, MA 01085. AG