Our Gunsmithing Courses are comprised of 19 comprehensive lessons. They are easy to follow, yet challenging and stimulating at the same time. All of our gunsmithing classes begin with a subject matter preview and objectives, an introductory note from your instructor and a vocabulary builder of new words and terms.
Next comes the reading assignment. Practice exercises help you check and review what you've learned. At the end of the lesson is an open-book exam, which you may take online.
Lesson 1: Deciding on a Repair
Basic inspections; head space checks; dummy cartridges; firing pin indent; stocks; barrel crown; knowing your capabilities and limits; safety precautions.
Lesson 2: Work Area, Special Tools and Supplies
Your work and storage areas; clamping vise; collimator; crosshair gauges; drill jigs; front sight pusher; head space gauges; broken case remover; plating kits; getting parts; thinking like a gunsmith.
Lesson 3: Hand and Power Tools
Screwdrivers; loosening and tightening screws; hex wrenches; vises; hammers; mallets; punches; chisels; files; polishing stones; sanders; drill presses; grinding tools; lathes; polishing wheels; checkering tools.
Lesson 4: Routine Maintenance
The importance of cleaning; solvents; cleaning procedures; strip cleaning; oiling; stocks; de-greasing; cold bluing; routine checks; replacing parts; power cleaning.
Lesson 5: Lever Action Rifles
The operation cycle; buttstock; lower tang group; locking block; bolt assembly; lever, link, bolt and cartridge carrier; loading gate; carrier spring; magazine and barrel; common Winchester Model '94 problems.
Lesson 6: Semiautomatic Rimfire Rifles
The operation cycle; stock; action; bolt; handle; action spring; trigger and trigger guard; common problems.
Lesson 7: Pump-Action Shotguns
The operation cycle; barrel; fore-end unit; magazine; spring; retainer; follower; stock; triggerplate group; carrier group; breechbolt group; shell latches; reassembly and replacement; common problems.
Lesson 8: Semiautomatic Shotguns
The operation cycle; buttstock; triggerplate assembly; carrier and carrier latch assemblies; action-spring assembly; breechblock assembly; cartridge stop; magazine; common shotgun problems.
Lesson 9: Bolt Action Rifles
Firing mechanisms; bolt assembly movement; cartridge extraction and ejection; the safety; disassembly; characteristics of common bolt-action models.
Lesson 10: Correcting Accuracy Problems
Accuracy defined; how actions and ammunition affect accuracy; bedding; fixing the crown; fouling; bore wear; trigger; buttplates; pads; sighting equipment.
Lesson 11: Installing Scopes
Leveling the mount; removing plug screws; bases and rings; eye relief; aligning crosshairs; screw tightening; bore sighting.
Lesson 12: Bedding the Barrel and Action
Why bedding is important; stock inletting; barrel and action bedding; fitting and bedding synthetic stocks.
Lesson 13: Triggers
Safeties and Crowning Barrels. Safety testing the trigger assembly; trigger installation; how safeties work; trigger-pull weight; backlash adjustment; sear engagement; cautions.
Lesson 14: Testing Repairs Safely
Function testing; "absence of body" test firing; the importance of inspecting; trigger and safety tests; live vs. dummy ammunition; checks and safety precautions.
Lesson 15: Repairing and Refinishing Stocks
Preparing the stock for bonding repairs; how to clamp; epoxy bonding; pinning for strength; contouring; finishing; restoring the checkering.
Lesson 16: Installing a Recoil Pad
Two workable approaches; separate shaping with a recoil pad jig; shaping a pad attached to the buttstock.
Lesson 17: Ammunition
Ammunition and accuracy; shooting groups to gauge accuracy; limitations of factory loads and handloads; maintaining ammunition uniformity; shooting benches and gun rests.
Lesson 18: Single- and Double-Action Revolvers
Function testing; mechanics of the revolver; disassembly; head space; barrel-to-cylinder gap; timing; cylinder alignment; troubleshooting and basic maintenance; single-action revolver problems; sights.
Lesson 19: Semiautomatic Pistols
Semiautomatic pistol systems; smoothing for more reliability; adjusting trigger pull; customizing; sights; custom grips; disassembly; troubleshooting; care and maintenance; tuning for high-performance ammunition.
Ready for our gunsmithing courses? Enroll Now or call 1-800-957-5412 to speak to an Admission Advisor!