Improving on a Perfect Stock Design
The Ruger #1 may be the perfect stock design, but the customer is always right! Here’s how to add a custom touch to the finest wood.
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Refinishing Gun Metal
Re inishing Gun Metal Multiple options for metal refinishing are possible on even the tightest budget. Here’s how to set your shop up on the cheap!
The 1911 Trigger Action
Thanks to its remarkably tunable trigger, Browning’s masterpiece handgun design still sets the standard for custom builders. Here’s how to get the best trigger possible.
Reader Forum
Wholesalers in Canada I’m anew member and hopefully you can help me in my request. I live in Saskatchewan within the Province of Alberta and British Columbia to the west and Manitoba and Ontario to the east. I am a gunsmith and…
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…
Disassembly and Reassembly Of The Savage Model 12
This Long Range Precision Varminter is the first to offer the right-ejection, left-loading, custom-made feature in a production rifle.
Making a Custom Trigger Guard
With a milling machine and common gunsmithing tools, a quality one-piece, steel trigger guard can be made. No special jigs are required...just a pattern and a bit of careful craftsmanship, including the use of hand tools.
Building a “Rust” Cabinet
Constructing your own humidity cabinet to blue metal is a first step in learning to apply a decorative and preservative finish to steel parts.
Working the Mauser Bolt
Over a century old, the precedent-setting Mauser action is the basis of all turn-bolt rifle actions. Learning the details of the original will pave the way to mastering all others.
SHOT Show 2010 Wrap Up
An overview of the parts and tools new for your bench this year.
Reader Forum
Marlin 336 and 338 I’m writing about a problem I’ve had come into my shop in the last couple months. It concerns the Marlin 336 and 338 models. The lever locks in the open position and cannot be freed until you take…
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…
Checking Out An Old Classic: The Colt Model 1917
Be wary of what the owner wants you to do with this classic revolver!
Fabricating Obsolete Gun Parts
How to Keep a Customer’s Perfectly Good Firearm from Becoming a Paper Weight.
Plastic Stocks for the Double Shotgun
Some easy application of fiberglass and epoxy can economically revitalize an old shotgun stock.
Reviving the Springfield Model 67 Shotgun
Sometimes gunsmiths must perform work akin to that of a dentist making a bridge or a surgeon arranging bone fragments to their original state.
Building the Gunsmithing Library: Part 2, Stock Working
Having started your gunsmithing library with solid, basic texts, it’s time to expand into specifics, beginning with stock work.
Reader Forum
Sears Model 3T/ Winchester Model 190 I missed the opportunity to call you yesterday so I am writing today. Has American Gunsmith done any articles on the Winchester 190 .22 Rimfire rifle? If so, what issue? I have been brought one of…
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…
Disassembly and Reassembly Of the KBI Jericho Pistol
This new version of the Jericho 941 imported by KBI comes in three sizes, three calibers, and two frame styles. All are worked in the same manner.
Getting Started in Engraving
Engraving is an art form that can add value to your custom guns and spruce up the appearance of less valuable firearms. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
Accurizing AR-Type Rifles and Carbines, Part 2
With some basic steps and aftermarket parts, you can easily convert an out-of-the-box AR rifle or carbine into a respectable group-shooter.
Making an M1911 Trigger Shoe that Fits
More often than not, a factory 1911 trigger shoe, even an oversized one, will fit too loosely into the frame and have a lot of top-to-bottom or side-to-side play. Here’s how to make one that fits properly.
Working the Colt Scout Single-Action Revolver
On the surface, the Scout and the Frontier Scout appear to be smaller rimfire versions of the Single Action Army. Internally, however, they are somewhat simplified.