Gunsmithing

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: Level 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.