The Gunsmith Thread

I had the recoil spring guides out of my Super X Model 1’s this summer. Replaced the springs and spring followers and even invented a tool for holding the recoil spring back. I have zero training. Totally self-taught. It started when I was 5 or 6 and my grandmother gave me an alarm clock and a screw driver and I proceeded to take it apart for fun.

It is amazing to me how many clueless gun owners have never disassembled a firearm and have no idea how they even work. Not to diminish the job you did, but the customer probably could have fixed the gun himself if he any any mechanical ability or an inclination to try. The answer to almost any mechanical or gunsmithing question there is can be found on the internet, along with a how-to video.

I just got finished installing a stock ferrule and pillar bedding a commercial mauser action rifle on which I also installed a two-position safety and a Timney trigger. Leaned it all on-line. And don’t worry, I know all about sear engagement and drop on the buttstock tests, etc. So don’t tell me only a “professional gunsmith” should work on that stuff. I have a doctorate degree. So I figure I’m smart enough to learn how to work safely on my own firearms (although I would not want to work on someone else’s firearms.) But it ain’t “Rocket Appliances” as Ricky on Trailer Park Boys would say.
 
Sounds like you know what you're doing. For the other "YouTube Gunsmiths" out there, I usually charge one fee if you bring it to me first. If you bring it to me after you try to fix it yourself, you pay a D.A. tax. That tax is figured subjectively as to how big a moron I think you are.

I had a guy ask me to change his sights on a pistol today while he waited. I told him that I do nothing while someone waits. He said he would pay me $100, and I asked him if he thought I was a hooker.

Needless to say, I didn't change his sights today.
 
You are right. Never a good idea to do gun repairs under pressure or in a rush.

I doubt I will ever have the confidence to do work for anyone else. Even if I took a professional course and got certified as a gunsmith, I am just too worried about getting sued by someone who does something stupid and tries to blame it on me.

I did something stupid the other day myself. I was at the range sighting in a .30-06 hunting rifle. I had some milsurp rounds on stripper clips. They are good for sighting in a rifle. There was also one stripper clip of .308 in the ammo box mixed-in with the .30-06 stripper clips. I didn’t realize it, but I grabbed a single .308 round off a stripper clip instead of a .30-06 by mistake. Because this rifle is a controlled feed bolt, I popped the round into the mag rather than directly into the chamber. Then, I tried to close the bolt and fortunately it did not close. When it did not close easily, I examined the round and figured out my mistake. So, even though I think I’m a pretty careful shooter, I did something stupid.
 
Thanks for the additional websites to search out some ammo. I have a few new handguns that I would love to get some time in with and struggling to find enough ammo. But I know this shall to pass one of these days.
 
Crazy prices right now. My advice is to wait it out. Things will be better in only a couple of months.
 
Advantages of reloading. Ammunition is nuts right now. Too bad .22 rimfire can't be reloaded...
 
Oh I am definitely waiting it out to get some large quantities. Just trying to get enough to get comfortable with a few new weapons.
 
brewmeist said:
Advantages of reloading. Ammunition is nuts right now. Too bad .22 rimfire can't be reloaded...
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You can sell your factory-loaded 5.56x45 ammo for $1.25/round of late. I can reload it for $.024/round and my reloads are better than factory loads. Green tips (M855/SS109) are selling for $2.00/round right now. It's insane.

I love capitalism. Cha-ching!
 
THParent said:
A guy brought this 1978 Remington 1100 in after running over it with his truck
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Not a gun story ..but that happened to me once ....my mother ran over my leg in an old Ford Station Wagon.
Was about 13, I was in the back seat when we went to pick up older sister at the library. When we got to the library drive way, i started to hop out of the car to go in to get her (remember, no cell phones/text back in the 70's). Mom started moving the car before i was out, and I slipped on ice --under the car as she pulls away.. Fortunately, just went over my ankle, and I guess the leg was flat enough that it didn't have any way to snap. Hurt like the dicken's for a few weeks, but I don't think we even went and got it xrayed.
 
THParent said:
You can sell your factory-loaded 5.56x45 ammo for $1.25/round of late. I can reload it for $.024/round and my reloads are better than factory loads. Green tips (M855/SS109) are selling for $2.00/round right now. It's insane.

I love capitalism. Cha-ching!
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Been thinking about getting into re-loading. But lately I have not been shooting enough to make it worth the investment in the equipment
 
NJROTC-CC said:
Been thinking about getting into re-loading. But lately I have not been shooting enough to make it worth the investment in the equipment
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I find reloading very therapeutic, just like fly tying. Besides the cost savings, I enjoy tweaking my loads. You can get used presses and other equipment on e-bay for a fraction of the cost getting them new.
 
THParent said:
Sounds like you know what you're doing. For the other "YouTube Gunsmiths" out there, I usually charge one fee if you bring it to me first. If you bring it to me after you try to fix it yourself, you pay a D.A. tax. That tax is figured subjectively as to how big a moron I think you are.
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Had to laugh... we had a pretty good local gunsmith here until he passed prematurely. I'm not a super mechanical guy, but like to take down guns to clean them well and see how they work. One gun that I never could figure out was my 10/22 -- then I discovered YouTube. Well, I got the trigger and action out....then pins started sliding out and before I knew it, I had a bunch of parts on my cleaning table. I put everything in a baggie, walked into the 'Smith's shop (actually , a garage behind his house), held up the baggie and told him I eff'd up and feel like a dumba$$-- he took mercy on me, and very deftly put it all together in seconds...no charge !
 
That's outstanding. My standard bag-o-gun charge is $50.
 
The Smith and Wesson 686 revolver is great, but they come with a dull finish. I always wanted to try my hand at polishing one, so I went ahead and did it this weekend. Gun porn follows.

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Old Navy BGO said:
Not a gun story ..but that happened to me once ....my mother ran over my leg in an old Ford Station Wagon.
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Wow. Back in the days before seat belts, car seats, and auto locking doors, my brother fell out of the car twice when the door opened while my Mom was driving. It seems that my 2 brothers and I got into the car and shut the door by ourselves - but failed to close it fully. As my Mom pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main drive, the door swung open and my brother flew out. Thankfully, no one ran him over!
 
I once owned a SW 686 with a three inch tube. It shot like a four inch but carried like a two inch. I wish I had it back.
 
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