I made a life decision a while ago - I'm going to learn everything I can about gunsmithing.
This is actually a big undertaking. Gunsmithing is a craft that dates back over 400 years. In that time there have been a lot of genuine artisan craftsmen. There are few people alive today who could put a claim to that level of artistry. There are some, to be sure. I know I'll never be one of them.
Also, you don't have to read too many horror story threads here to realize that a lot of the people who set up a shop, hang a shingle, and call themselves "gunsmith" are a far cry from an artisan craftsman, or even a far cry from just a decent shop mechanic.
And it seems like more and more firearms aren't the beautiful heirlooms of blue steel & polished wood. They're more like toaster ovens, made from plastic and Duracoat-covered sheet metal. Once they go out of time, then it's often cheaper just to buy a new one and let the old one gather rust in the garage.
And so the ancient craft fades away, and master gunsmiths give way to "armorers" who swap parts & cross their fingers.
Well, not if I can help it.
This is a list of gunsmithing books I either have acquired or I am in the process of acquiring:
GENERAL GUNSMITHING
Gunsmithing With Simple Hand Tools by Andrew Dubino
Gunsmithing Tools and Their Uses by John E. Traister (out of print)
Gunsmithing by Roy Dunlop
Professional Gunsmithing by Walter J. Howe
Pistolsmithing by R. M. Lockley
Advanced Gunsmithing by W. F. Vickery (out of print)
The Modern Gunsmith by Walter J. Howe
Gunsmithing: Rifles by Patrick Sweeney
Gunsmithing: Pistols & Revolvers by Patrick Sweeney
Gunsmithing: Shotguns by Patrick Sweeney
SHOP TIPS
Gunsmith Kinks vol I - IV by Bob Brownell
Practical Gunsmithing by American Gunsmith Magazine
Gunsmithing: Tricks Of The Trade by J.B. Wood (out of print)
Gunsmithing: The Troubleshooting Method by American Gunsmith Magazine
REFERANCE BOOKS
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part I: Automatic Pistols
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part II: Revolvers
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part III: Rimfire Rifles
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part IV: Centerfire Rifles
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part V: Shotguns
I'd like to get the forum's opinion on these, and if there are any "must haves" that I'm missing.
More to follow,
phy
This is actually a big undertaking. Gunsmithing is a craft that dates back over 400 years. In that time there have been a lot of genuine artisan craftsmen. There are few people alive today who could put a claim to that level of artistry. There are some, to be sure. I know I'll never be one of them.
Also, you don't have to read too many horror story threads here to realize that a lot of the people who set up a shop, hang a shingle, and call themselves "gunsmith" are a far cry from an artisan craftsman, or even a far cry from just a decent shop mechanic.
And it seems like more and more firearms aren't the beautiful heirlooms of blue steel & polished wood. They're more like toaster ovens, made from plastic and Duracoat-covered sheet metal. Once they go out of time, then it's often cheaper just to buy a new one and let the old one gather rust in the garage.
And so the ancient craft fades away, and master gunsmiths give way to "armorers" who swap parts & cross their fingers.
Well, not if I can help it.
This is a list of gunsmithing books I either have acquired or I am in the process of acquiring:
GENERAL GUNSMITHING
Gunsmithing With Simple Hand Tools by Andrew Dubino
Gunsmithing Tools and Their Uses by John E. Traister (out of print)
Gunsmithing by Roy Dunlop
Professional Gunsmithing by Walter J. Howe
Pistolsmithing by R. M. Lockley
Advanced Gunsmithing by W. F. Vickery (out of print)
The Modern Gunsmith by Walter J. Howe
Gunsmithing: Rifles by Patrick Sweeney
Gunsmithing: Pistols & Revolvers by Patrick Sweeney
Gunsmithing: Shotguns by Patrick Sweeney
SHOP TIPS
Gunsmith Kinks vol I - IV by Bob Brownell
Practical Gunsmithing by American Gunsmith Magazine
Gunsmithing: Tricks Of The Trade by J.B. Wood (out of print)
Gunsmithing: The Troubleshooting Method by American Gunsmith Magazine
REFERANCE BOOKS
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part I: Automatic Pistols
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part II: Revolvers
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part III: Rimfire Rifles
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part IV: Centerfire Rifles
The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part V: Shotguns
I'd like to get the forum's opinion on these, and if there are any "must haves" that I'm missing.
More to follow,
phy
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