The Long and Short Of Shotgun Chambers
Older shotguns made for paper-hulled shells frequently don’t shoot worth a hoot with today’s plastic shotshells. Here’s why and what you can do about it.
Topic
Maintenance & Repair
Perform a Trigger Job On the Beretta A391 Xtrema
Reshaping the hammer can solve the trigger-adjustment problems on this popular Beretta shotgun.
Basic Repairs With Brownells Acraglas
Acraglas epoxy, once cured, produces a bond as strong as the original material itself. What’s more, it can be shaped, dyed, and textured to match most wood and plastic surfaces.
‘Slicking Up’ the Kel-Tec Semi-Automatic Pistol
Pistols manufactured by Kel-Tec CNC Industries Inc. are compact, lightweight, inexpensive, and generally reliable. They can, however, benefit from the attentions of a gunsmith familiar with the pistol’s unique action.
Reader Forum
High Standard Flite Plan? I’m writing to ask if anyone on the staff knows where I might find a breakdown or schematic for a 12-gauge Hi-Standard Flite-King Deluxe? I would appreciate any help on this matter. The gun is in excellent condition,…
Thoughts on Working The Walther P1/P38
Many of our modern semi-automatic pistols have features first seen on these older Walthers. Understanding them will help to put you ahead of the handguns learning curve.
The Unique Ballester-Molina .45: Parts Replacement and Interchangeability
At first glance it might appear to be just another M1911 clone, but there are some differences you should be aware of before agreeing to repair or rework this Argentine military pistol.
Profile of the Kimber Custom II, Part 2
This M1911 clone raised a rifle company from the ashes, and went on to be come one of the most popular and highly regarded pistols on the market today.
Repairing Hammer Axles On Smith & Wesson Revolvers
The prescribed factory repair for this S&W Model 29 would have required refinishing the gun’s surface, but this simpler technique elim inates the need for replating or rebluing.
Smoothing the Air-Pistol Trigger Mechanism
The Gamo Compact Air Pistol used here provides a good example of what it takes—and it’s not much—to do an action job on a targettype air gun.
Dealing with Screwed-Up Screws
Gunsmiths are routinely called upon to deal with rusted, broken, or missing screws. With the right tools and techniques, a tedious replacement job need not be an all-day project.
Reader Forum
Enfield Bolt Heads I’ve read in the Speer Reloading Manual, No. 13 that there are replaceable bolt heads that come in three different lengths to correct improper headspace on British Lee-Enfield rifles. Do you know of any possible sources for these? According…
Repairing and Restoring the Crosman Power Master 760
This type of rebuilding project can be a valuable learning experience for anyone who wishes to learn the mechanics of pneumatic air systems.
Replace Those Fragile Flat Springs in SAA Copies
It’s a relatively simple job to replace those prone-to-break flat springs with springs made of round music wire.
Reader Forum
Source for Steyr Barrel? As along-satisfied subscriber I have a “last-resort request.” For the last three years, I’ve been trying to locate a replacement 9mm barrel for a Steyr Model GB semi-auto. I hope some of my fellow readers might have some…
The Bulged Chamber: A Simple Fix
Rebarreling and rechambering are often not practical or possible, but sometimes this simple little procedure will solve a bulged-chamber problem.
Rib Work on Double Shotguns Principles and Procedures
Knowledge of a few important principles and some inexpensive homemade equipment are all that’s required for the proper softsoldering of ribs on double-barrel guns.
Repairing the Colt Service Model Ace/Conversion Unit Magazine
With a little ingenuity and an old machine screw, those plastic magazine followers can be made to last forever.
Working the Winchester Model 50 and 59 Shotguns
The Winchester Model 50 was a departure from earlier efforts at creating a working longrecoil action, and instead used a new shortrecoil system with a floating chamber.
Maintaining the Remington Model 14 and 14-1/2
Although not the first introduced, the Model 14 was the strongest and most advanced rifle of its time and the first really popular center fire pump—and it’s still going strong.
Scope Mounting: The Right Way
Scope mounting is often perceived as one of those simple tasks that almost anyone can do. And as long as the proper procedures are learned and followed, anyone can perform this task correctly.
Applying Metal-Lined Bushings, Bedding, and Shims
Epoxy-based compounds like Brownells Accu-Weld can solve numerous gap-filling problems for the gunsmith. This technique, however, can add wearand chemical-resistance to the bonded surface.
Reader Forum
Rimfire Ruger I have a Ruger 10/22 rifle in my shop. The problem is ejecting unfired shells if not emptied while shooting. The only brand of shells it has problems with is CCI 22 LR. The customer had replaced the barrel with…
Basic Air-Gun Repair
In most cases, the cheaper guns are better replaced than repaired, but repair of the superior-quality models can be an additional source of revenue for the gunsmith.