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.
Topic
Maintenance & Repair
Reader Forum
Rifle ID and Higgins Restoration I need help to identify a .22 bolt-action, magazine-fed rifle. While it appears to be a military training rifle, there are no markings apparent. The barrel is stamped “IMC2 1989 M-0316” and there is a cleaning kit…
Reactivating Drill Rifles
Restoring deactivated drill rifles preserves American military history. Here’s how a Springfield 1903A3 was brought back to life.
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.
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.
Cosmetic Metal Repair
Rusted, pitted, dented, and gouged steel is the ruin of many firearms. Here are some ways of hiding or removing them.
Holemaking Technology
Increasing efficiency, quality, and precision in firearm manufacturing.
Italian Replica Firearms
Companies from Italy have produced numerous replicas of famous firearms from the 1800s. Here’s how the Italians won the West.
Revolver Repair
Important and common things to check when working on revolvers.
Breakthrough Clean
Breakthrough Clean Technologies (BreakThroughClean.com) offers a line of firearm cleaning products made from a distillation process that are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and virtually odorless. Unlike many harshsmelling cleaners, solvents, and lubricants, Breakthrough’s line are clear, easier on the skin, and don’t smell…
AR-15 Diagnostics
Most semi-automatic firearms lock the bolt or slide to the rear on the last shot. Here we’ll discuss what to do with an AR-15 that doesn’t.
M1 Garand: .35 Whelen Conversion
Converting John Garand’s self-loading rifle to a potent medium bore cartridge. Here’s how to sporterize a World War II battlefield classic.
Is Restoration Worth It?
A badly-repaired shotgun tests whether restoration or replacement might be the best approach.
Ithaca Model 49
Working a classic lever action rimfire rifle.
Working .22 Rifles
Providing good service for small, common repair jobs can help build your gunsmith business.
Reader Forum
Winchester 1400 I contacted the conglomerate that has Winchester and Browning now and their techs had no idea on where to start. My customer has a Winchester 1400 and the action release is made of plastic and needs to be replaced. I…
Working The Winchester Model 61
A good friend recently brought me his Winchester Model 61 .22 rimfire rifle with feeding issues. In addition to the mechanical problem, the stock was severely cracked at the junction of the guard assembly and had been repaired by securing a hose…
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.
Reader Forum
Remington Model 12 I have a Remington Model 12 chambered in .22 Remington Special (.22 Winchester Rimfire) in my shop for repair. I need anew cartridge retainer as the retainer for the .22 LR does not work. Lacking a replacement part, where…
Reader Forum
Winchester Model 73 I have a Winchester Model 73 with a production date around 1908. I’ve replaced the toggle link pins (bent), trigger spring (flattened), and managed to massage some dents out of the magazine tube. I’m now trying to figure out…
Detail Cleaning Shortcut
An old gunsmith’s secret for detail cleaning any firearm quick.
Chiappa Rimfires
Chiappa Rim ires Take down and reassembly of two Chiappa .22 handguns.
Glock Custom Barrels
Fitting aftermarket barrels in popular service pistols.
Magazine Checks
Dusting off a few proven techniques for improving accuracy.