Archive author
Norman E. Johnson
163 indexed articles · 2004–2021
Published work
Articles by Norman E. Johnson
Cable-Control Trigger Release
A cable-controlled trigger release can be a great aid to accuracy in rifle testing. Here’s how to design and build one yourself.
Building and Using a Better Pistol Rest
There is a good chance you can vastly improve your pistol shooting accuracy—and you won’t need a machine rest to do it. Building a reliable pistol rest, along with a sound shooting technique, is a good place to begin.
Precision Case Neck Turning In A Lathe
The importance the cartridge case plays in shooting cannot be over emphasized as it involves both accuracy and safety. Neck turning cases in a lathe creates zero run out in a fraction of the time compared to using conventional, hand-operated, neck turning tools.
Precision Scope Mounting The Remington XP-100
Conventional scope mounting often fails to bring out best accuracy in a firearm. Here’s how a quality scope mounting system on the legendary, half-century old Remington XP-100 pistol changed all that.
Handgun Grip Reconstruction
When shooting some heavy recoiling handguns, grip changes can make shooting more tolerable, effective, and with less felt kick.
Barrel Bore Lapping
An effective method of bore lapping is a fundamentally sound step toward establishing or restoring rifle accuracy and overall improved performance.
Knight DISC Extreme Bedding
When a rifle begins to fail in accuracy, action bedding is often the best course of action. Here’s how I applied receiver bedding to a Knight DISC Extreme muzzleloader.
Making M70 Ejector Pins
Making a gun part may prove less complicated than ordering one, particularly when the part is needed in a hurry. Here’s how I made a Winchester Model 70 ejector pin.
Bore Throating With Precision And Control
No single chambering reamer will form a leade to meet the needs of all handloaders and shooters. Bullet shapes and lengths, as well as rifle loading restrictions, dictate this. Therefore, it may become necessary to alter the existing bore throat or leade…
Savage Case Extraction
Work on a Savage Model 112 revealed case extraction problems. Installation of a well-placed shim on the bolt baffle assembly solved it.
Marlin 336 Firing Pin
Parts replacement poses unique differences among firearms. Here’s how replacing the firing pin on a Marlin Model 336 lever action went.
Scope Leveler Device
Canting a rifle will always degrade accuracy to some extent but there are positive measures that can be taken to alleviate this on our way to reliable accuracy. Here’s how to make, install, and test a scope leveler.
Upgrading A Henry Lever Action
Few items of equipment add more usefulness to a rifle than a good sling. Here’s how to add one to a rimfire Henry lever action rifle.
H&R 922 Trigger Adjustment
Conventional methods of repair won’t always get the job done in a safe and satisfactory manner. Here’s how to adjust and increase the trigger pull weight of an H&R 922 revolver.
Model 94 Custom Repair
An analysis of a non-functioning Model 94 Winchester followed by an unusual repair puts the revered old gun right back into the deer woods.
Downchambering A Rifle Barrel
If a cartridge or chamber size reduction is warranted, here’s what you’ll need for secondary barrel refitting and chambering.
J. C. Higgins Restoration
Sometimes we take on jobs that aren’t very pretty, but we still do them. Here’s how I did a total restoration of an old, damaged J. C. Higgins bolt action shotgun.
Custom Ruger Model 44 Scope Base
Where a rifle is designed for a two-piece scope base and the customer wants a one-piece base, it’s time for some serious searching. Here’s how I adapted a one-piece scope base to a Ruger .44 Magnum rifle.
Winchester Model 67 Sight Renovation
Making a rear sight elevator and front sight bead for a Winchester Model 67 turned out to be a good reason to go over the whole rifle.
Knight Ignition Improvement
Erratic primer ignition can sometimes be improved by simply reworking the firing pin nose tip. Here’s how to improve ignition on Knight DISC Extreme muzzleloaders.
Refurbishing A Stevens Model 258A
A fireman walked from a burning house with an old Stevens bolt-action shotgun. Here’s how I repaired this fire-damaged gun.
Soft Metal Vise Jaws
hatched steel jaws and a swivel base. Here’s how to make a set of jaws out of copper or brass.
Counterbalancing Rifle Stocks
In the accuracy arena, where 1/8 minute of angle makes a difference, overall rifle balance can play a huge part. Among the more useful aids in achieving stock/rifle balance is additional weight in the buttstock.
Scope Reticle Replacement
Innovative gunsmiths can meet their customer’s needs. A request to replace a scope reticle proved to be a new, fulfilling challenge.