Armory Sponsor
Posted: 3/22/2013 4:59:15 AM EDT
|
I am a gun shooting enthusiast, as I am sure we all are. I have gotten to the point where I want to have a better understanding of how firearms work more so than I pull the trigger and it goes bang. I have assembled a few ar lowers, but I see this more as assembling than smithing since there was no modifications needed the parts just go together. I am sure there are many different focused paths that one could follow depending which type of firearm they wanted to specialize in working on. At this point I am looking for more general knowledge, I would say one of the first things I would like to be able to learn is how to perform a trigger job. I have self taught myself many things from working on vehicles to building my own custom chopper, but the potential dangers of teaching yourself about gun smithing are too high.
My question is where did you learn about smithing, did you work in a gun shop and hung around with the people working on the firearms, did you take a formal course or class? Are there some courses that are overrated and some that are invaluable? |
|
Quoted:
I am a gun shooting enthusiast, as I am sure we all are. I have gotten to the point where I want to have a better understanding of how firearms work more so than I pull the trigger and it goes bang. I have assembled a few ar lowers, but I see this more as assembling than smithing since there was no modifications needed the parts just go together. I am sure there are many different focused paths that one could follow depending which type of firearm they wanted to specialize in working on. At this point I am looking for more general knowledge, I would say one of the first things I would like to be able to learn is how to perform a trigger job. I have self taught myself many things from working on vehicles to building my own custom chopper, but the potential dangers of teaching yourself about gun smithing are too high. My question is where did you learn about smithing, did you work in a gun shop and hung around with the people working on the firearms, did you take a formal course or class? Are there some courses that are overrated and some that are invaluable? If you are are just trying to casually learn more I would start with lots of reading. Learn the cycle of operations and how every part works together. "Gun Disassembly 2" is a good program for computer/smartphone, its a little goofy but it allows you to see many different guns in xray view as they operate. Check out Kuhnhausen for some very detailed shop manuals. Exploded diagrams are always a good reference. As for triggers, I would stay away. Unless you are doing a drop in replacement of some sort the risk is too great IMO. It is way too easy for someone to get in there and create a very dangerous situation. Once you work on a trigger you own it and are responsible for anything that might happen. Hope that little bit helps, good luck to you! And remember you always have the tech forums here if you get stuck 
ETA: Forgot to answer your original question, professional schooling for me. |
You learn by first being able to take apart any of your firearms, clean them thoroughly and put them back together with no extra or missing parts. If you want to build something, try to always use the correct tool. Know your limits and don't be afraid to ask questions.
|
|
Quoted:
You learn by first being able to take apart any of your firearms, clean them thoroughly and put them back together with no extra or missing parts. If you want to build something, try to always use the correct tool. Know your limits and don't be afriad to ask questions. lol isnt that the truth |
|
There's a variety of ways to get some better knowledge.
1. Buy some of the Jerry Kuhnhausen shop manuals. These are shop manuals that cover a specific type or brand of firearm. These were written as training aids for gunsmithing students. These cover a specific firearm or brand of firearm in great detail, and show repairs the way the factory does it. These don't show any of the old methods of heating and bending parts, making new parts, or no longer valid methods of getting a gun to work. Since Kuhnhausen trained gunsmiths for the industry, including the factories, all work is done the factory way. Buy one or two manuals for guns you own and use the manual to disassemble the gun and learn how it works. These are the best such manuals ever and are money well-spent: http://www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=shop+manual&ksubmit=y 2. There are videos by AGI, on individual guns, but these are expensive and don't give you the depth the Kuhnhausen books do. The complete AGI gunsmithing course costs A LOT of money and won't prepare you to be a professional, but will help you learn how to work on your own guns. 3. Some of the better gunsmithing schools sometimes host short NRA gunsmithing courses. These are usually several days or so, and cover a very specific subject. Usually, you need to already have some skills base. If you're serious and want to be a professional, attend one of the better gunsmithing schools like Colorado School of Trades or Trinidad Junior College. These cost HIGH money and take at least several years. |
|
Machinist first, gunsmith second.
Formal education in machine technology with 12 years of experience and school of hard knocks for Gunsmithing. Self taught, read everything and apply as required. Some armorers courses. Hands on education since I was 9 on firearms, built my first rifle at 14. |
|
Quoted:
You learn by first being able to take apart any of your firearms, clean them thoroughly and put them back together with no extra or missing parts. If you want to build something, try to always use the correct tool. Know your limits and don't be afraid to ask questions. Oh, come on, what do you think the spare parts bin comes from... 
Seriously, First, what was said above... Second, Build a few for yourself, and experiment, and fine tune your own rifles...They are not "GTG" tested weapons, but experimentation platforms you can work on until you know exactly what does want... i didn't start getting into AR's till a few years ago, but I have been working on or building guns since the 80's... You'll never know everything...That is just the fact...And if someone says they know everything...RUN! It takes a while and lost of practice to be able to work on weapons and get them built/modified for the job at hand... Take it one step at a time and keep going, when your stuck...ask questions...Post what you've accomplished and expect that there is always more than one way to skin a cat don't take it personal... And above all, HAVE FUN! If it wasn't relaxing and fun I wouldn't build any weapons myself...it's not my job... As of now, I've built about 100 Ar's, Have a pretty serious inventory of both completed weapons and stock for new/modification of the weapons I have or when building a new one. It will take some time to get there...and money as well... First off, I'm not sure what tools you have... I have an entire machine shop with 5HP milling machine...etc. at my house. So, I still bought many tools for working on guns...I bought : Wheeler (89 Piece Set) screwdriver set Large set of brass punches and small hammers AR specific tools And brought in all my spare setup and measuring tools... Plus many more misc things that I grab from the shop... Also bought the best gun vice ever...It isn't never use it...from Tipton...Not worth anything IMHO... Bret |
Armory Sponsor