HOME GUNSMITHING

[m25operator]

HOME GUNSMITHING. I wonder if any forum members would be interested in a gun mechanics thread or forum. I am a home gunsmith, yes I do it for money, and mainly for myself, but no, I'm not looking for new customers. I interested in trading secrets, for cleaning, repair and substantial accuracy improvements on any firearm, hell, air guns for that matter. I have invested in a knee mill, and lathe, bead blast cabinet etc.. so I'm more than a shade tree gunsmith, i am a certified glock armorer, but that is like being a Maytag repairman. I am home schooled, but have a lot of knowledge.

[Shawn Knight]

If you find a forum get this guy involved.
http://www.blindhogg.com/

[Rock44]

I am always interested in gunsmithing.some sort of GunsmithTips Section or something.

[DonWorsham]

Alas, my guns are like my cars...I can drive them, but I can't repair them. 

[purple88yj]

I do a bit of my own work and some for others, but I wouldn't by any means consider myself a 'smith. I have preserved an old Colt SAA revo and a little work on a poorly handled vet 1911 for the same guy and just finished bebiulding and re-finishing a supposed war vet Browning HP. (Before I get shot for re-finishing the Browning, it had to be done. The previous owner did little or nothing to take care of the gun in the first place, and was nearly rusted shut. I actually had to tap the slide off the frame.)

I did a little trigger work on the BHP (brought the trigger down from 10 pounds (according to my crude scale) to 5 pounds using the same scale).

I have played with several of my non-carry guns and a few minor things to one of my carry's (ambi-safety, yes I am one of those lefties).

I enjoy doing it almost as much as I enjoy shooting to the point that after one job is done, I am looking for another project.

In all, I have worked on 2 Colts, 1 Browning, 1 AMT .380 Back-up, and 1 Springfield 1911. If money was better, I would have many more project guns, parts, and tools.

One of these days. To answer the original posters question: Yes, I would like to see something where tips and tricks could be shared, there is a lot for me to learn.

[Sponsor]

[Crescendo]

HOME GUNSMITHING. I wonder if any forum members would be interested in a gun mechanics thread or forum. . .

I am not a 'smith, and do not try anything I  am really not comfortabe with, so my interest would be to the extent of , what could I logically do (at the primary or first echelon level) regarding touch-ups, repairs, buffing, etc.

For example, my logic tells me for burrs or snags on a slide/rails, use a whole lot of caution and a little bit of sharp file.

There probably a fairly good size crew with the knowledge and expertise to address these type issues, but may not be alearning experience for those more experienced.

Just my $.02  (Amercian , that is)

[m25operator]

Alright, I kinda like where this going. How about we start off with tips and techniques. I am going to throw a few out there and see if you lilke.

1)  Ever take a gun apart and can't figure out how something go's back in, especially if during disassembly, you pulled out pin a, and part p flew out under spring pressure. Go to www.brownells.com
and pick schematics, they have big selection and show the parts in relation to where they belong. I would recommend you go there and print up any gun you currently own, and file it away for future use. It is free. Also go to their gunsmithing newsletter, a lot of good articles on fitting to refinishing.

2) If you shoot lead bullets, get a Lewis lead remover!!!

3) Want to get the marks off the front of the cylinder from firing, product under several names, ( lead away, miracle cloth, wipe away. )  a yellow cloth that can be reused for a long time if resealed in a zip lock bag. It will also clean a .22 rimfire barrel better than anything I have ever used. Clean one with your normal routine, then cut some patches out of this cloth and run it through the bore, it will come out black. When it does'nt come out black anymore, run a clean patch through and look through the bore. You will be impressed. Warning: it will remove nickel finish, nothings perfect.

4) let's get some questions and answers going.

[Crescendo]

Alright, I kinda like where this going. How about we start off with tips and techniques. . .

3) Want to get the marks off the front of the cylinder from firing, product under several names, ( lead away, miracle cloth, wipe away. )  a yellow cloth that can be reused for a long time if resealed in a zip lock bag. 

The yellow lead-away cloth. Will continued use of it harm the blued or satin stainless-steel finishes on weapons?

[mnshooter]

The yellow wipe-away type cloths will absolutely take a blued finish down to the bare metal if you try hard enough.  Any typical satin stainless gun will stand up to quite a bit, but I wouldn't try it on a bright polish stainless. Otherwise, a shot of PB penetrating oil will loosen most of the carbon/fouling buildup and allow it to be wiped off; it's almost magic on Remington 1100/87 magazine tubes. A good material for cleaning very light rust from blued guns is Pre Lim, a paste cleaner similiar to automotive rubbing compound.  I wouldn't get too concerned about the blackening on the face of the cylinder, assuming there isn't a buildup that would cause any binding.  If you did buy the gun to shoot, spend that time shooting, dry firing, reloading so you can shoot some more, etc.
Anyway, it's just going to get dirty again after the first cylinder.

[Crescendo]

4) let's get some questions and answers going. 

I have a nice Remington Model 1900KED, 12 gauge side-by-side shotgun.  I want to clean it up well, and am thinking about using Ezzox for cleaning the exterior of the Damascus wrapped barrels.  The finish is in the 90% + / - range.

Is it better to leave the remaining brown color intact?  Or, scrub it hard as I have seen at some shows?

Thanx, Richard