Tech Topics

No, we’re not actually going to tell you how to do it here. Instead, we’re going to tell you about a book titled Building Double Rifles on Shotgun Actions, by W. Ellis Brown. The book was brought to our attention by a reader who wants to undertake the challenge. Our th ) and sent usa copy for review. A hardcover, the $54.95 book is profusely illustrated with over 300 photographs and technical drawings, accompanied with step-by-step instructions.

Combined, these will walk you through the transformation of a shotgun action into a double rifle. Your guide, W. Ellis Brown, has been a working gunsmith for over 25 years, and is dedicated to sharing his hardearned knowledge, heretofore unavailable, with those less experienced. In this, his first book, he details the entire process of the conversion, from defining the scope of the project, to fitting the barrels to the action, to proofing, regulating, and finishing the barrels.

All of these secrets have been closely guarded by the manufacturers of Britain’s great (and terribly expensive) double guns, but you’ll find them here presented in away that brings these processes within the range of a skilled craftsman. Really, really good Ellis Brown’s book is required reading. stuff here. We commend the author and recommend the book. The Vulcanite File: Not Square Anywhere The special shape of the Vulcanite file (Brownells #360-313-841AB; $37.65) is immediately obvious.

Not so obvious is the fact that it’s really four files in one’a half-round bastard, a flat bastard, a half-round second cut, and a flat second cut.

We wouldn’t advise using this file to recut S&W revolver ratchets, which approaches brain surgery in the degree of precision required (for that, a Swiss pattern is best), but the Vulcanite file is great for shadowline cheekpieces, shaping combs or schnables, inletting bolt knobs, and is great for shaping materials ranging from hard rubber to soft metals, plastics, and wood.

Not Just Another 1911/.22 Conversion Kit We wish we could provide ahead-tohead comparison between the Tactical Solutions 2211 Conversion Kit and the one once made by Kart. But we can’t. For one reason, the Kart .22 conversions are as scarce as hen’s teeth, and for another, we wouldn’t be able afford to buy a Kart if we found one. The last one we saw, several years ago, wore a $1,500 price tag. At $425.95, the Tactical Solutions 2211 Kit (Brownells #100-003-848DE) sells for nowhere near that.

In away, "Kit" is somewhat misleading in describing the 2211. Unlike the many items we buy with "some assembly required," the 2211 leaves its box ready to install

22caliber conversion for the M1911 is similar to Fred Kart’s brilliant, but regrettably no longer made, transformation. on a single-stack Government or Commander model or a clone chambered for .45 ACP, .40 S&W, .38 Super, or 9mm. The kit has only two primary elements’a steel slide/barrel assembly and a 10-round aluminum magaa serrated front sight to reduce glare and a rear sight adjustable windage and elevation with a generous .110inch-wide square notch for quick target acquisition.

Get a Grip: Accu Grip Vise Pads Hang On Tight Accu Grip vise pads are "elastomeric." We didn’t ask a chemist to define the term for us, but we know that means they don’t scratch, mar, or diszine. Remove the slide from a 1911, replace it with the 2211 assembly, reinstall the original slide-stop lever, load up the magazine, and you’re good to plink. One thing we particularly liked about the 2211 is the fact that the slide assembly remains open after the last round is away.

Other niceties include color what they’re holding on to, and they don’t like to let go. And that’s about all you’ve ever want a vise pad to do. Or not do. The red Accu Grip pads (Brownells #080-000-364AB) are for securing wood or plastic. The blue pads (#080-000- 365AB) are for metal and other hard materials. They arrive boxed in pairs, of course. They must be fitted to your vise according to the accompanying instructions so they fit it snugly.

This requires making several cuts in the aluminum bases to which the pads are permanently mounted. Unless you’re good with a hack saw, we suggest using a band saw for the purpose. They’re not exactly cheap ($48 a pair), so the last thing you want to do is cut the bases cockeyed or cutoff too much and have to reorder anew pair. New Accessories Added To Magna-Tip Lineup Brownells has expanded their line of Magna-Tip screwdrivers to include three new accessories and two allinclusive kits.

The Magna-Tip line is an industry standard for quality and found on the benches of professional gunsmiths and hobbyists around the globe. The new ratchet handle (#080-000- 513; ), adjustable torque handle (#080- 000-515), and master storage block (#080-000-514) allow gunsmiths to maximize the performance from their Magna-Tip screwdrivers.

The new accessories can be purchased individually, and are also included in the new Magna-Tip Professional Super Sets with 120 unique bits and seven different handles (#080-000-532 and #080-000-531). Adjustable in 1 inch-pound increments, the torque handle lets users apply the exact amount of torque necessary for any gun screw, from scope rings to trigger-guard screws. The handle has a locking adapter that fits all Magna-Tip bits and a rubber-coated body for a positive grip.

To protect the precision tool from bumps and help maintain its accuracy, a hard-sided case is included with each torque handle. With a comfortable T-shaped grip, the ratchet handle transfers maximum torque to tighten or loosen fasteners. It features a large, positive-locking control knob positioned to prevent accidental direction changes. The new master storage block is

machined from one solid piece of Delrin. The durable material is resistant to most solvents, and won’t crack, chip, or split. The block organizes and stores up to 120 Magna-Tip bits and seven handles’enough for an entire Master Super Set and more than 60 specialty bits. All Magna-Tip components, bits, and handles carry Brownells’ 100-percent satisfaction guarantee.

Caspian Releases New Version of the Pocketsmith When the Colt 1911 automatic pistol was first introduced, the pistol could be completely field stripped by hand. Not with hand tools, but completely by hand. The only tool needed was something to unscrew the grip screws, and for that a cartridge case would suffice. Today, the situation is different; we’ve tightened and tweaked old loudmouth to the point that a variety of tools are needed for disassembly.

Recently Caspian Arms introduced anew version of a multi-tool that’s one of the great 1911 accessories. The Caspian M1911 Pocketsmith III houses three different screwdrivers, an Allen wrench, and a knife blade on one side. The opposite side features a blunt punch and another pair of Allen wrenches. The handles are crafted of checkered aluminum, and the end of the tool is an ingeniously designed plier. The neatest part, we feel, is the bushing wrench.

The wrench will marry perfectly to a tightly fitted bushing with little chance of marring. The Allen wrenches are sized for the various types of full-length guide rods, grip screw bushings, and adjustable sights. This $35 tool is probably the only one you’ll ever need for field adjustments or field stripping of the M1911. It’s available from most of the "usual Learn Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Working as a Gunsmith…

Gunsmithing school graduates, working gunsmiths, and potential employers all gathered at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa, last April 17th and 18th for Brownells Third Annual Gunsmiths Career Fair. This year, Brownells added a number of seminars on three different career tracks to expand the attendee’s knowledge of the business and the regulatory pitfalls awaiting the new gunsmith or gunshop owner. This was a truly practical event for everyone involved.

After some brief opening remarks by Frank Brownell and Laurie Lee Dovey, the attendees were treated to a panel discussion by spian several potential employers including Jerry Fisher and Ron Power on what they expect from anew gunsmith in their operation. Other seminars included one on recent BATF rulings affecting gunsmiths and the most common violations cited by BATF.

There I was a question-and-answer session on tax preparation for gunsmiths, one on internet marketing, and another seminar on how to add value to your gunshop by offering gunsmithing services. Attendees had plenty of time with the potential employers to fill out job applications and schedule interviews between seminars and many took advantage of the opportunity. Potential employers commented that they were pleased to find so many well-qualified candidates to choose from.

The keynote speaker at dinner on Friday night was Roy Huntington who is the publisher of some of the industry’s most recognized magazines including Guns, Handgunner, Shooting Industry, and American Cop. Mr. Huntington gave an inspiring talk on our passion for the firearms industry and left everyone feeling good and ready to tackle the next challenge.

On Saturday morning, buses took the attendees to the Brownells facility, where we were given a tour and the opportunity to attend additional seminars on UPS shipping, credit-card processing, working with law-enforcement agencies, creating a business plan, reloading, and relationship management. Later in the day, the buses took everyone to the Big Springs Shooting Complex for a chance to do a little shooting before being returned to Prairie Meadows.

Brownells provided the guns and ammunition, including a .50-caliber rifle on the 500yard range, and Joe Bowman dazzled everyone with his single-action pistol-shooting demonstration. Brownells is to be commended for a world-class event that has quickly become indispensable, not just for gunsmiths, but for anyone involved in the retail end of the firearms industry. And the most incredible part of the two-day seminar was the price. Nothing! Nada! Free!

Seminars, job fair, meals, buses, firearms, ammunition’all provided at no cost by Brownells. Next year’s dates have not yet been set, but watch Brownells ite for info