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Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: PegLeg45 on July 02, 2009, 02:10:23 PM

Title: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: PegLeg45 on July 02, 2009, 02:10:23 PM
With all the knowledge and firearms info floating around on here, we needed a thread just for helpful hints and tricks.

*For example, it has been posted about using a 'certain type of feminine personal product' as a shotgun bore mop. I have done this and it really does work well.

*Someone else posted about using a dab of gun grease to hold small springs and parts together for firearm re-assembly and such.

*I've cut up old flannel shirts for cleaning patches, as well as t-shirts and such. Old cloth baby diapers work well for gun rags as well as cutting them up for swabs.

*Take an old semi-auto pistol magazine and a scrap piece of lumber and run a screw up through the board and into the mag. Then you have a stand to hold the pistol for cleaning or photo taking. I knew a guy that did it for storage purposes, with several mounted side by side on a carpet covered piece of plywood.



Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: ericire12 on July 02, 2009, 02:12:47 PM
You know... I thought about starting this type thread just the other day. This should be a great resource.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 02, 2009, 02:16:35 PM
 Disassemble guns inside a clear plastic bag to contain escaped springs
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: PegLeg45 on July 02, 2009, 02:17:53 PM
You know... I thought about starting this type thread just the other day. This should be a great resource.

Great minds....and all that.   ;)
Been thinking about it a while myself. Seems like there is always something in all the threads with useful tips.
Maybe we can get a good collection, like the recipe thread.

 8)


Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: Steyr M40A1 on July 02, 2009, 05:42:59 PM
I recycle old tooth brushes for my gun cleaning kits.

Also I will use NON Chlorinated brake cleaner for a quickie scrub. Works fine on polymer pistols.

Also using compressed air (PC duster) works well at blowing out crud in hard to reach spots.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: twyacht on July 02, 2009, 08:31:37 PM
5 or 6 inch long piece of wire coat hanger used in combo with a patch to get in slide rails, nooks and crannies, etc,....

Q-tips with Hoppe's.

The old "wife-beater" shirts work great also.  :P

Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: 1911 Junkie on July 02, 2009, 09:15:56 PM
Slippery grip?

Use skateboard tape or deck tread and apply to your grip or problem area.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: twyacht on July 02, 2009, 09:30:13 PM
Slippery grip?

Use skateboard tape or deck tread and apply to your grip or problem area.

A 1 inch square piece worked great on my .45 LC backstrap right below the hammer. Little goes a long way. Kept the "web" of my shooting hand right where it needed to be.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: blackwolfe on July 02, 2009, 10:01:11 PM
Slippery grip?

Use skateboard tape or deck tread  and apply to your grip or problem area.

Some one put that stuff on the front and back of the grip frame of a used .45 Blackhawk I got a few years ago.  Darn hard stuff to get off.  I think there are still smudges of the adhesive on the frame.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 02, 2009, 11:07:57 PM
Some one put that stuff on the front and back of the grip frame of a used .45 Blackhawk I got a few years ago.  Darn hard stuff to get off.  I think there are still smudges of the adhesive on the frame.

Try using your wifes nail polish remover on. All it is is scented acetone and it eats up crap like that, also dissolves super glue.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: Steyr M40A1 on July 02, 2009, 11:31:19 PM
Slippery grip?

Use skateboard tape or deck tread and apply to your grip or problem area.

Hair spray. It lube going on but drys tacky.
I have seen on the boards before a company that makes a wrap that is said to be the wonder product. If I can find the link I will add it.

Found it.
http://www.brookstactical.com/Pages/welcome.html
Kind of $$
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: alfsauve on July 03, 2009, 08:01:35 AM
I posted this over in Accurate Reloading....

In "theatre" it's called a penny rail.   It's a slightly raised lip on the front edge of a stage that keep small objects from rolling off.  Some say it kept coins, that the audience threw, from rolling off the stage.  Others say it helps keeps things from rolling off stage on top of the orchestra.   It provides actors with a tactical warning they're about the step off the edge.

Anyway, I put a penny rail around my work/reloading bench.  It saves so many things from falling off.  I can dump a bag of range brass for sorting.  A box of bullets for reloading.   When taking apart guns small parts don't roll off the top.

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh20/alfsauve/Firearms/IMG_0914small.jpg)

Mine is just 3/4 plywood cut into a 1" strip and screwed into the edge of my work bench top (3/4")  Gives me a 1/4" lip.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: ericire12 on July 03, 2009, 08:54:45 AM
Slippery grip?

Use skateboard tape or deck tread and apply to your grip or problem area.

Any kind of athletic grip tape also works very well...... Tennis racket grip tape, hockey stick grip tape, baseball bat grip tape, etc. Go to a large sporting goods store and see what your different choices are.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: jaybet on July 03, 2009, 10:28:46 AM
Old dental tools for pushing patches around while cleaning.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: Timothy on July 03, 2009, 10:37:09 AM
+1 on Alfs "penny rail".. ;)

I use 1/4 round trim stock and break the top edge to prevent splinters, use something soft or the brads will split the wood.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: Dharmaeye on July 03, 2009, 11:10:18 AM
Any kind of athletic grip tape also works very well...... Tennis racket grip tape, hockey stick grip tape, baseball bat grip tape, etc. Go to a large sporting goods store and see what your different choices are.

All my tupper ware grips have bicycle inner tube stretched over the grip.
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: PegLeg45 on July 03, 2009, 11:32:21 AM
All my tupper ware grips have bicycle inner tube stretched over the grip.

Thanks, I never would have thought of that one...... will try it out.



Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: m25operator on July 03, 2009, 01:15:35 PM
Here are a few.

1) Take an old plastic anti-freeze jug, lay it on its side, but a 10'' x 12'' rectangle out of the side. Clean it up real well, now you have a pistol disassembly box, all your parts can go in it and up to 8'' revolvers. It can also be used for cleaning, pour solvent it to soak, and when done, open the cap and pour it back into another sealed container.

2) Cheap pin starters, buy a set of tamper proof torx bits that fit into a 1/4'' magnetic screwdriver bit holder, the tamper proof torx bits have various sixed holes in the tip, the magnet helps keep the pin in place for starting.

3) I keep heavy leather straps around the shop, to use as an insulator for certain jobs, 16-20oz leather. That is nearly 1/4'' thick, it can be used on vise jaws, and with vise grips to prevent scratching.

4) left over Kydex plastic from my holster making days, can be used to make non marring vise jaw covers, heat up in the oven or with a heat gun and it is very pliable, will take about any shape you want.

5) Lead ingots, make good impromptu bench blocks, hammers and drifts.

6) I keep a 10' piece of surgical tubing for holding things together, like an action in a stock, while doing stock work and you don't want to be running the screws in and out.

7) Files, I recommend grinding one edge on your flat files to smooth, this is called a safe edge, when your trying to file a notch, only one side is cutting, especially opening up sight notches, or dovetails without it and your trying to file in a corner, your cutting 2 surfaces, not just the one you want.

8) If you need to loosen or tighten an ejector rod on a revolver, always put 4 empty cases in the cylinder 1st, to protect from torquing the ejector/ratchet assembly.

9) I have a large collection of the old S&W cleaning rods, that have the tube bent into a circle for the handle, I open up the circle a wee bit to allow me just hang it on a rod without sliding it off, just lift up, and I keep all pistol calibers with a plastic brush, brass brush, and jags, all ready to go, that is really about 12 rods, hanging on a pegboard, so I don't have to look for the individual pieces and assemble them,

10)  I have 5 reloading presses, shotgun, metallic etc... but only one bench, so I mount them to 3/4" particle board, and C clamp them to the bench when in use, store the others on a shelf nearby.

Don't make fun of the loading room ;)

(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/Copyof100_1763.jpg)

Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on July 03, 2009, 01:59:20 PM
My god Benny.. Clean that up!! There is no where to set to reload.. LOL
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: m25operator on July 03, 2009, 03:26:01 PM
Welcome back darlin, I did need a project for this weekend ;), an indoor project as it is 103 outside.
Happy 4th ;D ;D
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: Steyr M40A1 on July 03, 2009, 06:09:51 PM
Welcome back darlin, I did need a project for this weekend ;), an indoor project as it is 103 outside.
Happy 4th ;D ;D

98' today in Daytona Beach, FL
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: PegLeg45 on July 05, 2009, 09:04:20 PM
From ericire12.......

For the Kel-Tec Sub 2000 rifle...

http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=7601.msg95557#msg95557



From Rojawe:

http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=7599.new#new
Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: PegLeg45 on July 29, 2009, 06:24:47 PM
From Alf Sauve'.....


http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=8084.new#new

Title: Re: Helpful Hints & Tricks of the Trade
Post by: PegLeg45 on September 24, 2010, 05:03:48 PM
Posted this because there was another thread where bore paste was mentioned, and it has several uses. I've used it as a polishing paste many times. JB Bore Bright (the red) works well as a polishing compound.

From Brownells Web-Bench:
Quote
Using Bore Paste Beyond Bore Cleaning
-- Roland Beaver

I use bore paste for other applications beyond bore cleaning. It is a wonderfully effective lapping compound when fitting tight components, such as slide to frame on a 1911 pistol. It is common to experience seizure of slide/frame that can lead to galling of engaging surfaces. At the first sign of resistance I generously apply bore paste to the rails and effortlessly lap those surfaces. As I continue fitting I continue applying bore paste with the result that I achieve a really tight fit that is silky smooth.

I use it in lieu of an anti seize compound when screwing a barrel into a receiver. If the barrel is a tight fit just winding it in a little, backing out, and repeating as needed will soon have the barrel fitting snugly and it can be screwed in and out smoothly with no resistance. I clean the threads before securing the barrel to the receiver.

I also use it to "wear in" hammer, sear, trigger components; either to just smooth up a rough factory trigger pull, or as a finishing touch on a match trigger job.

After lapping bolt lugs to a receiver I use it to put a final smooth finish on lapped surfaces. I've been gunsmithing for over 50 years and have been using bore paste ever since it first came on the market, so have probably forgotten some other useful applications. I even use it to clean/polish rifle bores.

If it is still up, have a look at gunbroker #187861092, which closed Sunday, for a look at some of my work and background.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=13278/GunTechdetail/Brownells_Gunsmith_Kinks____September_2010?mc_ID=2041