A Second Bolt And Barrel For Bolt Actions
A unique bolt fitting process for fitting a pair of barrels to Remington Model 700 switch-barrel rifles.
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Sako-Style Extractors On Model XP-100 Pistols
How to open the bolt face from .223 to .308, add a second bolt, and install a Tubb Speed Lock Extractor Kit on a Remington Model 700 Series rifle bolt.
Custom Wildcat Cartridges With Standard Reamers
Making a custom wildcat chamber while avoiding the cost of a custom reamer is both possible and practical using a pair of standard SAAMI reamers you likely have in your shop, or can readily rent or borrow.
Reader Forum
Ruger Mark II Pistol I just finished reading Wendell Deaner’s article on the Ruger Mark II Pistol and other models in the October 2014 issue. I would like to add a few notes based on my experience with these great little pistols.…
Aftermarket Drop-In Parts
“Drop-in part” doesn’t always mean “drop in to your gunsmith’s shop with your parts” and can be used for custom work without machining and only minimal fitting.
Ruger Mark II Pistol
Maintaining the target quality Ruger Mark II, with thoughts on the Standard, Mark III and 22/45 models.
Fitting Remington Model 504 Extractors
Not all gun parts, right out of the package, are ready for functional installation. The Model 504 Remington is no exception.
AR-15 Chamber Selection, Part Two
Continuing with common AR-15 dimensions, I suspect I’ll ruffle some of my fellow gunsmith’s feathers in the section on “encyclopedic error.” We will start on the short end of the spectrum and end up on the long side. The SAAMI chamber is…
Vintage Takedown .22 Care And Cleaning
Whether we use them or just cherish them, those little .22s are worth all the care we can give them as we safeguard and protect these old guns.
Old Technology, Stale Designs, Part Two
An editorial by Paul Mazan. During a SHOT Show long ago, a rep from an American shotgun maker asked me what they were missing in the marketplace. I suggested a good double shotgun for Cowboy Action. His response, “What is ‘Cowboy Action’?”…
AR-15 Chamber Selection, Part One
If you want to start a good fight, get a barrel maker using button rifling in the same room as another manufacturer employing cut rifling. Perhaps the second bloodiest brew-ha would be to ask two armorers which is the best AR-15 chamber.…
Building The 90 Grain AR-15, Part Three
All of my 90 grain AR-15 loading data was developed in Wylde chambers, being a good compromise chamber when shooting both 77s at the 200 and 300 yard lines and 90s for 600 and 1000 yard lines. I used new military Western…
Shop-Made Mini-14 Gas Block Wrench
Working on the Ruger Mini-14 gas block should not be part of routine maintenance, however, when that time comes you need a plan, and perhaps a special tool, to make the job go smoothly.
Reader Forum
Remington Repair I have a Remington 700 with a plastic tip and some marks on it. I called Remington and they said it couldn’t be sanded and must be replaced. The stock looks very nice and I still think the tip could…
Remington 760 Assembly/Disassembly
This iconic, century-old pump action rifle is still going strong.
The Ruger LCP
Common problems with Ruger’s Lightweight Compact Pistol and getting it up and running.
The Manhattan Conversion
Here’s how to stop fired caps from jamming Colt cap and ball revolvers.
The Savage Arms Axis
The battle for supremacy among lightweight hunting rifles gets hotter with a new entry from an accuracy leader.
Maintaining The Ruger GP100
The design of this revolver makes it probably one of the strongest medium frame revolvers ever made.
Maintaining The Browning X-Bolt
The predecessor of the A-Bolt has a three stage trigger that is very similar to the Winchester Model 70.
Reader Forum
Custom Ruger I was very interested in Paul Mazan’s article on customizing an ugly pistol (“Ruger P-Series Custom Touches”, September 2013.) It was very well written and informative. I like the work he did on the frame, trigger, guard, and slide release.…
Working The Ruger P89
A tough, rugged and reliable gun, although blocky in appearance, it is very serviceable.
Working The Beretta 92FS
The ‘F’ indicates US military testing and the ‘S’ is for the enlarged hammer pin to keep the slide from flying off if it cracks.
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,…