Posted: 8/20/2008 6:07:07 AM EDT
| All the rails flashlights and aimpoints are great. But if your gas tube goes your screwed. How many here can change out a barrel on their M4? Do you have the proper sized punches? Barrel wrench? How about spare parts? Just a thought. I was doing a barrel swap the other day and the whole operation came to a halt because i couldnt find a small punch to get the gas tube roll pin out. Just an FYI. When SHTF gunsmithing tools and some basic knowledge will go along way. This is coming from a tool moron. If you dont know how to work on your primary weapon LEARN. I had friends teach me as well as I made friends with my units armorer to teach me the basics. Dont stop learning... |
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+1...................I have forced myself over the last few years to do whatever I needed/wanted done to my Ar's not only as a fun diversion from every day and not only to have full "ownership" of my stuff but also to make sure I knew how to do stuff. Its not hard. In a few years I went from purchasing my first AR and knowing nothing to being able now to do a complete build or replace any part (except barrel extension). Learn what parts are most likely to break and get spares. When you order something for a biuld, order two and put one away. |
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FWIW most people have a good number of the tools needed to do emergency SHTF gunsmithing at home. Hammer....check Assorted files....check Sandpaper...check Vise grips....check Channel locks....check Screwdrivers....check (you can always sacrifice one and turn it into a punch) C-clamp....check oil...check grease...check Doesn't mean you'll still have that pretty finish though.... The biggest thing is knowing how to completely strip down a weapon and how everything is supposed to work in harmony with one another and look for signs of problems (galling, friction wear spots, battering, ect). For me that comes pretty naturally, for others not so much. <eta> I'm not advocating that anyone try to do all their gunsmithing at home using those tools. While it is possible it'll likely fuck up things really fast. Having the knowledge of what you need to do is a bit more important (from a safety standpoint) then the tools which are a very close second |
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After the mornings recent events - I'm going to give a BIG +1 to having extras of all the little parts - like screws and pins. I had two hex-head screws break on me this morning when I was taking my two-piece gas block off to install a FF tube. Now I am short two screws, and can't finish the job until I procure two more of the same size/pitch. The little things can fubar a whole weapon, or anything for that matter. Extra pins, springs/detents, etc are all great... but I didn't figure those heads would twist right off those screws so easily... not all suprises are good. 
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To the OP, I have built ARs from all the parts, starting with a stripped upper and stripped lower and a in the white barrel plus all the indivdual parts. I do have spare parts as well and know how to do what you described. I have also built AKs and PSLs from parts kits and new receivers so I know how they operate as well and could fix them as well. Next I would like to build a reweld from a cut up milled parts kit. I have also drilled and tapped for scopes and done inline muzzel breaks into the barrel. I am not a gun smith it's just a hobby, I have a metal lathe that I need to learn how to operate next, haven't turned it on yet. Keep reading and learning and don't be affraid to screw something up, I also had to demill one of my AK builds and discard the receiver because I messed it up so bad. |
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How difficult a firearm type is to repair or build is not something I hear much about on this forum .Just how some people prefer their weapon for other reasons . I have a feeling that if more people here would either build their own or test their ability to repair them ,their choice of firearm may well change . I built the FAL carbine that is my go-to rifle . I know how to repair everything on it with simple or modifed tools . I've always been surprised at the amount of people that have chosen firearms that they could not fix due to the need for specialty tools or welding . |
I have a milling machine & lathe and a fair amount of related equipment. I work as much as possible on developing my skills and increasing my tooling. I have a long way to go, but thus far my gunsmithing projects have been spectacular successes.  I'll consider myself finished when I'm no longer dependent on any civilized infrastructure for making stuff. 
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+1 My main problem is that my "spare" parts keep turning into complete ARs  That hasn't happened to the 1911 or 10/22 parts (yet) . . .
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Could have just used a small nail filed to fit or a piece of a coat hanger.... You SHOULD have a nice set of punchs but you can get by with improvised tools often esp. if you are not doing extensive work with them. I sell and collect antique tools so of course I have lots but truthfuly for most jobs you can get by with a rather small kit. Most important are good gunsmith screwdrivers that properly fit the screws they are used on. I have built a good many ARs and other then a barrel wrench that I made myself they didn't require any special tools......Todd |
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Yes I agree with your point, but you may be underestimating the type of people who frequent this site. For example, I have built my last 3 ARs, and have more than once fully disassembled/reassembled my Glocks. I have chosen these as my primary/secondary weapons mainly for their ability to be maintained indefinatly as well as their simplicity and reliability. I suspect there are many othe people on this site that do the same. Now if you're talking about the average population, than you are right on the money. One of my friends carries a Khar every day, that he has not even shot yet, with no proven reliability.  . He admitted that he does not even know how to break it down for cleaning.  |
Last year when shooting with a cousin, I showed him how to break down his new S&W M&P pistol (his first handgun I believe ) for cleaning. He had no clue how to do it at was glad for the lesson. THis was my first time seeing and S&W M&P in person, it is nice that some things come so naturally for some of us, but the original poster has a good point and those of us who know should try and allways try and learn more as well as help to teach those who are just learning. |
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I have spare parts for my AR's and AK. I purchased not only the Radocy take down guides and the American Gunsmithing Institute armorers courses on DVD for every firearm I own. To thumb my nose at the gun control pukes, I photocopy the Radocy take down guides for like minded friends. Buy gun smithing tools, spare parts, take down guides, and instructional DVD's. Learn how to use the tools and install the spare parts NOW. Too many crisies seem to be happening now. The day when a qualified gun smith may be a rarity might just be closer than many people think. Medicguy |
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Brownells, for one, sells nice punches in small sizes with replaceable pins. Beats the heck out replacing the whole punch, especially if another punch isn't readily available. Pins such as the gas tube pin are often fused in place and tough to remove. Don't forget about starter punches. Another problem that is growing is lack of availability of decent hardware. Most of what is available is asian, and a lot of this is poor quality. What is supposed to be Grade 8 is often not, and on critical applications like carrier key bolts, subgrade bolts will stretch or break. Even some gun parts companies have, probably inadvertantly, been using some poor quality fasteners. |
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"I have chosen these as my primary/secondary weapons mainly for their ability to be maintained indefinatly as well as their simplicity and reliability." The above two reasons as well as proven military service is what one should consider for their weapon choices in my opinion. As has been stated,be able to disassemble your weapon and repair it yourself. |
You could have done that with a finishing nail . . . I have a good set of tools with duplicates and back-ups for stuff most people have never dreamed of owning, but I also know how to apply a little Ozark engineering when necessary. Seems like that would be a necessary skill for a survivalist . . . |
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All of this is a good argument to sticking to a few proven designs in one's battery, with a strong leaning toward military weapons that are designed to be repaired in the field and that can stand up to lots of hard use without breaking. Every time you acquire a new design for your battery, you need to acquire the needed spare parts and tools to repair it and a MANUAL. Then TAKE IT APART and reassemble it. Better to find out now that you can't figure out how to reassemble it now rather than when the goblins are pounding on the back door. Use a digital camera to take pictures as you disassemble the piece so you can see the arrangement of parts and better remember and understand how to reassemble things. And sticking to proven SIMPLE designs such as AK47s, AR15s, 1911s, Glocks, 98 Mausers and the like will make life much simpler as they were designed to be maintained and repaired by men under nasty contitions with only a few tools. |