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American Gunsmith Editors
248 indexed articles · 2003–2024
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Articles by American Gunsmith Editors
Professional Growth
At a previous SHOT Show, H&H range founder Miles Hall conducted a seminar for the National Shooting Sports Foundation on the growth of firearms businesses. Mr. Hall was a perfect choice as his range was the first recognized by the NSSF as…
Hi From The New Guy
During an interview, one of my favorite musicians quipped that he was really just a die hard fan who sometimes took the other side of the stage. I’ve been involved in the firearms publishing world for a few years now and that…
I Don’t Think So, Arnold
As a movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was famous for the line “I’ll be back.” As a politician, I’m not so sure he will be. With an approval rating that had already plummeted to 27 percent, the Governator is scrambling to minimize the…
Statistics Can Prove Anything
You’ve probably heard the quote from Mark Twain about the three kinds of lies. You know...“lies, damned lies, and statistics.” But you might never have heard of a statistics-gathering outfit known as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). I hadn’t either…
Firearm Industry Shows Sustained Growth in 2009
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke announced just as this issue went to press that the recent recession, the worst in 30 years, is “likely over.” I’m not sure what he means by “likely”—it ain’t over if you’re out of work or if…
Gunsmiths: A Chance to Get Involved?
Participation in target-shooting sports is growing at colleges around the country, and the launch of anew grant program by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) will provide even more opportunities for student-athletes. According to the NSSF, many young target shooters want to…
Dates for Next Gunsmith Career Fair Set by Brownells
April 23 and 24, 2010, are the dates chosen for Brownells 4th Annual Gunsmith Career Fair. This industry-exclusive event will be held at Des Moines Marriott Downtown in Des Moines, Iowa. Both days will include career-improvement seminars, job-placement opportunities, as well as…
Sales Boom Has Gun and Ammo Makers at Full Capacity
The big news in the firearms, ammo, and accessories business continues to be the sales boom following on the heels of last November’s election of an anti-gun president and a gun-control-friendly Congress. While sales have slowed a bit since last spring’which is…
Tech Topics
In this feature, we examine new tools and tooling, tips and techniques and other items of interest to the gunsmithing community. How to Convert a Double Shotgun to a Double Rifle
What Works in this Country? Us!
As everyone in our industry knows, the big news of the last seven or eight months has been the phenomenal surge in sales of both guns and ammunition’oddly enough, coming at a time when the economy is in a serious slump. We’ve…
FBI Background Checks for Firearm Purchases Hit 100 Million
Just as this issue went to press in April, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the agency responsible for running the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), announced the completion of the 100 millionth instant background check since the inception of NICS…
Semi-Automatic Rifle Ban Would Reduce Jobs, Not Crime
According to our new Attorney General, Eric Holder, the Obama Administration will soon attempt to reinstate aban on semi-automatic rifles. The rationale for such aban is that semi-autos are supposedly being purchased in this country and then smuggled across the border to…
Firearm Sales Defy Economic Downturn
I’m sure it’s news to no one that the current economic outlook is weak, if not bleak. And all the forecasts I’ve seen don’t give much hope of a recovery to begin before this time next year. But despite the weak economy…
SHOT Show Signals Positive Start for 2009
As this issue heads to the printer, technical editor Chick Blood and I have just returned from another amazing SHOT Show’t his one in the sprawling 715,000-square-foot Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Anyone with any doubt about the health of…
Another One Bites the Dust
As this issue heads to the printer in late December, the anti-gun Governor of the state of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich (D), was taken into custody on federal corruption charges. I anticipate that within a few days, the Illinois legislature will remove him…
Obama Shows Anti-Gun Cards Early
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), firearm sales in 2008 rose 10 percent over 2007, and ran 15-percent higher in October alone. And these figures might be on the low side. My friends at Passport Holsters saw a 30-percent increase…
Firearms Industry Assists Veterans
In case you’re not familiar with it, Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) is a not-for-profit organization that was formed last year by companies in the shooting and outdoor-sports industries. HAVA was developed to raise awareness and to assist disabled veterans in their…
Gov. Sarah Palin: The Real Deal
The firearms industry has been celebrating the nomination of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin since she joined the Mc Cain ticket back in late August. And as you would expect, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the National Rifle Association (NRA), and numerous…
Tech Topics
In this feature, we examine new tools and tooling, tips and techniques, and news items of interest to the gunsmithing community.
“Senator Obama, Where Do You Stand?”
” Following the recent landmark Second Amendment ruling by the U. S. Supreme Court, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, sent Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Hussein Obama (Dem., IL) a letter, dated July 4,…
A Too-Narrow Victory
I’ve never wanted to write for a daily newspaper, but there are times I wish I could write about the news in this column and have it in the hands of readers while it still is “news.” The June 26th ruling by…
Gun Sales Strong in Weak Economy
With gasoline at $4 a gallon, the housing market in a serious slump, and a general feeling of “malaise” in the overall economy, you might think the firearms biz would be hurting, too. Not so, I’m pleased to report. Figures released by…
Bloomberg Loses Appeal in NYC Lawsuit
Just as this issue went to press, a Manhattan-based federal appeals court dismissed what should be the last of the frivolous lawsuits intended to bankrupt the major players in the firearms industry with the cost of their legal defense. Like the other…
Shooting for the Future
I know I don’t need to tell you how much the future of our business depends on a continual influx of new shooters, hunters, and firearms owners. Over the years, many different programs have been implemented in an effort to accomplish this.…