The Manhattan Conversion
Here’s how to stop fired caps from jamming Colt cap and ball revolvers.
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Articles by Paul Mazan
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A Savage Attack On An Old Shotgun, Part Two
Custom metal work on the Savage/Stevens 311.
A Savage Attack On An Old Shotgun, Part One
Careful work can turn an inexpensive gun into a prized possession.
Ruger P-Series Custom Touches
Like Rodney Dangerfield, the Ruger P-Series pistols “can’t get no respect” since being introduced in 1985. Here’s how to customize them.
The Marlin/Glenfield 60
An amazing 11 million Glenfield 60’s have been sold since its introduction in 1960, proving an inexpensive .22 semiautomatic rifle appeals to everyone except gun writers.
.455 Webley Revolver
Accuracy with the .455 Webley and .45 ACP ammunition had been disappointing. Here’s how a little bit of good gunsmithing can help fix it.
Small Parts Plating
Whether it is touching up the nickel plating, gold plating shotgun triggers or plating an entire gun, this is a job that can be done in your shop.
Building A Custom Sporter On A Budget
Don’t touch that Mauser until you read this! The traditional custom rifle may not be right for you.
Extreme Stock Repair
Old oil soaked wood stocks are hard to repair successfully unless you know these tricks.
Restore, Renovate, Ruin
Sometimes, the hardest part of a job is dealing with your conscience. What do you do when a customer wants a valuable antique refinished?
Fitting A Semi-Inletted Stock
Despite the availability of drop-in stocks for most of the popular guns, there is still plenty of work for the gunsmith.
Rifle Zeroing Issues
Ri le Zeroing Issues How many shots does it take to evaluate a rifle’s performance?
Working Guns For Working Guys
Top end equipment is nice but not readily affordable for those of us with kids and a mortgage. Here’s how to get the most out of pedestrian gear.
Small Shop Bluing With Brownells Dicropan IM
You can do professional bluing in your shop without hot caustic salts! Brownells Dicropan IM requires minimal equipment and set up but can yield professional results.
Rolling Block Renovated
Knowing what to look for, along with a dose of gunsmithing knowhow, can transform a discarded, century-old rifl e into a great shooter.
Customer Service: First, Last, and Always
The profitability of your business hinges as much on how you treat your customer as on how good a gunsmith you are.
Salvage It or Scrap It?
A gun that some professionals would relegate to the parts bin can provide a rewarding challenge to the amateur ’smith.
Shorten a Cap-and-Ball Gun For Bigger Profits
More often than not, modifying a customer’s old gun is more profitable than selling him a new one.
Making a Crossover Bolt For the 98 Mauser
A favorite of hunters and custom-rifle builders, the 98 Mauser will be much more friendly to the left-handed shooter with this simple modification.
Stalking the Wild-Walnut Stain and Stock Filler
The author readily admits he might have taken the do-it-yourself idea a bit too far, but you’ll probably enjoy reading the story nonetheless.
Breathing New Life Into an Old Scattergun
Although replica guns are readily available for cowboy shooters, restoring a bargain-priced original can provide more satisfaction.
Get the Lead Out!
Of three methods tested for removing lead fouling from a barrel, all are equally effective, but one method is cheapest, one is fastest, and one is easiest. You make the choice.