Archive author
Wendell Deaner
40 indexed articles · 2010–2015
Published work
Articles by Wendell Deaner
Rat Rifle
Rat Ri le Mounting a scope on a Stevens Model 15-A.
Diagnosing Hunting Rifle Accuracy, Part Three
The quest for accuracy began the day firearms were invented and hasn’t abated since. A loud noise and huge fireball means nothing if the projectile doesn’t find its mark.
Diagnosing Hunting Rifle Accuracy, Part Two
Part one gave examples of customer expectations when bringing their rifle in with accuracy problems. Here’s how to further help.
Diagnosing Hunting Rifle Accuracy, Part One
Three things I’d rather not hear are, “I’m from the IRS,” “We’re out of beer,” and “This damn rifle won’t shoot.”
Promoting Your Business
While small, one-man shops may have all the business they can handle, some of us need more customers. Here’s how to make that happen.
Business Issues
’m I being a little facetious with the The Perils of Pauline reference in the deck but sometimes a small business owner seems to be tied to the railroad tracks while a laughing bureaucrat looks on and twirls his mustache. In the…
Computers In The Shop
As any of you know who have been following my articles in American Gunsmith, I probably come off as a crusty old dinosaur mired in the past glory of the early 19th century. However, looks, as well as the written word, can…
Ruger Mark II Pistol
Maintaining the target quality Ruger Mark II, with thoughts on the Standard, Mark III and 22/45 models.
Thompson Center Arms Contender
It was a beautiful afternoon, not much wind and mild temperature. I was sitting in the shade under a little copse of trees on a small rise. Sandstone rocks jutted up from the pasture land and gave me perfect concealment and a…
Specialty Tools For Gunsmiths
I am an inveterate tool collector. OK, junkie. I never met a tool I didn’t like except for, to paraphrase the late, great Will Rogers, *$#% pieces of crap that didn’t work as advertised. That being said, you can always find a…
Refinishing Or Restoration?
Figuring out how best to improve a customer’s firearm will help you serve their needs best.
Remington 760 Assembly/Disassembly
This iconic, century-old pump action rifle is still going strong.
Three Generations Of S&W Semiautomatics
Concealed carry permit holders have the best assortment of suitable guns for this purpose available than ever before. A plethora of .380s, 9mms, .40s, and .45 semi autos have been introduced to cater to the demand of a public fed up with…
The Raven’s Consequences
One man’s contemplation of what once was and what is.
Requiem For A Gunsmith, Part Two
A gunsmith reminisces over decades of hard-won knowledge.
Requiem For A Gunsmith, Part One
“I fought 111 fights and never took a dive.” –Mountain Rivera, Requiem For A Heavyweight “Riddle me this,” –The Riddler, Batman And Robin “You can’t handle the truth!” –Colonel Nathan R. Jessop, USMC, A Few Good Men “Sad stories don’t inspire me,…
Scoping 1896 Mauser Actions
Drilling and tapping for Weaver bases on 1896 Mausers.
Timney Safety Fitting On The 96 Mauser
If you are going to mount a scope on a 96 or other military Mauser, it is necessary to replace the original safety to provide for clearance. There are several options.
Correcting Feeding Problems In A Rebarreled 96 Mauser
Ever have one of those rifles you’ve worked on for awhile and just can’t seem to come up with any solutions?
Thompson Center Renegade Upgrade
In upgrading a Thompson Center Renegade, here’s how I installed a Green Mountain barrel and Lyman receiver sight.
The AMT .380 Backup
need to know to keep these guns in working order.
Installing Sling Swivels On A Hunting Rifle
A carry strap, not to mention an actual shooting sling, is a useful accessory on a hunting rifle, but only if there are sling swivels there.
A Hunter’s Finish For The Wooden Stock
times more ways to finish a wooden stock. That is a good thing. Like snowflakes, no two stock blanks are exactly alike. How could there be only one way to do this job?
An Old Mauser
Anyone who has been following my articles in American Gunsmith knows I am a fan of the Mauser action, especially the 98s and 96s. Recently, an interesting custom Mauser 98 originally assembled in the early sixties came across my bench. This rifle…