Unit 7: Weld, Sights & Scopes

Lesson 20: Step by Step Welding  

I enjoyed this lesson a lot. I liked the how-to of arc welding and when not to use it as well as the Oxyacetylene welding and what not to use it on. The differences and how they are used to perform different types of repairs was very informative.  

Using silver solder to attach sights seems a bit delicate but only on certain applications. This is where the brazing comes in. With welding, there is a large number of ways to perform the task at hand. For the Oxyacetylene technique, it is recommended to either take a course or give your project to a more experienced welder.   

I enjoyed the overall description of how each form of welding works, what application it is used for, and what the process is to perform that task. This is important for a beginner like me.  

Lesson 21: All About Sights  

I believe nearly every sight in existence is mentioned in this lesson. From open sights to fixed to elevator to folding to red dot sights. They are all included. I actually did not realize there were so many different sights and variations out there.  

All of these sights have varying ways to repair or replace and range from a few minutes to easily a couple hours or more if done correctly. How they work and how to set them up is a good bit of knowledge to have when moving in this direction, which this lesson touches on.  

The bluing portion of this was a great introduction on how the process works and where to start. I have seen rebluing results, some not so good and others very nicely done. Of course, the process can be dangerous, and safety measures should be used at all times.    

Lesson 22: Sights and Scopes    

This section is very detailed and in depth. Setting up sights and scopes seems to be a very tedious job. I like the definition and explanation of each type of sight and scope mentioned as well as the tools used to repair and replace them. I really liked learning how to relieve pressure on a barrel. I never knew there was such a thing.  

The different jigs used to drill holes or help sight in a weapon were a lot to take in but very beneficial, especially if it was an older weapon. Along with the terms for sights and scopes, this is a nice touch to information that some us newbies do not know.  

This lesson also included an “extra hints” section, which I found really helpful. This really explains how to be a Smith of choice by explaining how to treat people and their weapons. We all know we could use that reminder from time to time: patience. The bluing is a lot more detailed than most parts and seems a bit more complicated. This along with the handloading section are both well worth reading a few times.   

As mentioned before those last two parts are also very safety oriented. Especially the handloading. I have also never heard it explained from the standpoint of one who reloads to resell and never realized a license would be needed for that. The books and guides recommended throughout should be looked into for purchase as well.  

Lesson 23: A Most Important Lesson    

I can’t stress this lesson enough. Really not much more I can say to this other than as a shooter and/or as a smith, all weapons need to be kept clean to function correctly and save wear and tear on the moving parts of the weapon.  

Do not make beginner mistakes and only take apart what you need to start. Don’t start removing screws that do not have to do with what you are working on, as the problems created by doing so could cause more damage to the weapon.  

Have patience when cleaning your or your customer’s weapon and pay attention. It’s important to finish what you start.  

Follow these rules and the weapon will function correctly, and last for a long time to come.  

Written by J. Jacobs, The MGS Experience Student