Why ‘Real-World’ Practice is Essential for Gunsmithing Starting a hobby like gunsmithing will allow you to blend an interest in firearms with a love of working with wood and metal. There are many different aspects to choose from, including repairing guns, creating custom firearms or custom parts, and adding decorative patterns through engraving. While a…
A Gunsmith’s Success Story from Apprentice to Expert This month I will be speaking about my journey to become a gunsmith. Just like any journey, everyone’s experience is different. My journey started differently than most. I’m sure there are a few gunsmiths out there that had a father like mine. He was a self-taught full-fledged…
3 Reasons Why Hands-On Experience Matters in Gunsmithing The way we learn is changing. During the pandemic, it was quite common to see articles bemoaning the difficulty students had with online classes. Fast forward to today, you’ll find articles praising the more personalized instruction students can get online. If you’re not close to your school…
The History of Competitive Shooting Competitive shooting is a sport that people take part in throughout the world. It is something that involves immense skill and concentration along with plenty of practice. But shooting was not always the competitive, popular pastime that it is today. Here is a look at how shooting has changed and…
How to Take Care of Your Guns in the Summer This month I will share some information on how to store your firearms during the summer months. Extra care is needed when storing firearms during different seasons. I live in the southeastern part of the United States. Humidity during the summer months is a common…
Shooting Competitions: A Comprehensive Guide Marksmanship competitions predate firearms. The first recorded firearm competitions were held in late 14th century German states. Many of the technical advances, such as rifling, range-graduated sights, and sets trigger, first appeared on target guns. In America, early competition events took the form of turkey shoots and similar practical scenarios.…
Firing Range Safety Hacks If you’re looking to make your time spent at the range as smooth as possible, you’ve come to the right place. While you may be expecting a list of “don’t ever” mandates, this is is a list of suggestions to make your range time safer and hopefully more enjoyable. Beware of…
Gunsmith Lore and Legend, Vol. 1 Gunsmiths are not just made out of necessity and love for a craft, they’re born out of history, literature, and even the foundations of the English language. There’s so much interesting stuff out there that it can be hard to know where to start. While we can’t hit all…
Hollywood and Firearms: Separating Fact from Fiction This month, let’s delve into how Hollywood portrays firearms and the accuracy of these depictions. Growing up in a military home as the son of a 39-year Army veteran, and as a gunsmith myself, I’ve developed a keen eye for all things gun-related. My father wasn’t a fan…
4 Cardinal Rules: A Non-Negotiable Safety rules are written in blood. Also in hearing damage, holes in walls and machinery, ruined reputations. The goal is to avoid writing any new lines into the history of accidents and negligence over your entire lifetime. Since gunsmiths often deal with defective or out-of-spec guns, the four safety rules…