They may be familiar to some, but not every gunsmith knows the ins and outs of drill bits. Here are the basics.

The graceful, light, and distinctive L.C. Smith Hammerless Double sidelock is a favorite of American shotgunners. Here’s how to fix its most common problems. If you own a Smith and want to make it suitable to shoot again, or if you are presented a Smith to repair, here’s what you need to know about the shotgun.

In June 2010, Kahr Arms purchased Minnesota-based firearms manufacturer, Magnum Research, Inc., maker of the Desert Eagle Pistol and BFR Revolvers in .44 Magnum, .45 LC/.410 or .45/70. Kahr Arms offers a selection of other niche-type firearms, such as the “Tommy Gun” and Auto-Ordnance line of M1 .30 caliber carbines. In this video, Gun Tests Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine shows off two of the company’s big-hole BFR wheelguns.

Beretta USA introduced the BU-9 Nano as its entry into the pocket 9mm pistol category last September. Initial shipments of the American-made pistol left the Accokeek, Maryland factory beginning in November 2011, with a suggested retail price of $475. In this video, Gun Tests’ Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine gets a detailed explanation of how easy the Nano is to break down for maintenance. The Nano's modularity provides for simple disassembly and easy cleaning. Safely disassemble the pistol by first engaging the striker deactivator, a patent pending safety mechanism that eliminates the need to pull the trigger prior to disassembly.

All Special Reports

Understanding the Not-So-Simple Drill Bit

They may be familiar to some, but not every gunsmith knows the ins and outs of drill bits. Here are the basics.

Repairing the L.C. Smith Hammerless Double

The graceful, light, and distinctive L.C. Smith Hammerless Double sidelock is a favorite of American shotgunners. Here’s how to fix its most common problems. If you own a Smith and want to make it suitable to shoot again, or if you are presented a Smith to repair, here’s what you need to know about the shotgun.

Super Abrasives for Gunsmiths

Diamond-abrasive hand files and hones easily cut hard materials when other metalworking implements can’t do the job.

Working Colt’s All American 2000

Designed by Reed Knight, the Colt All American 2000 utilizes a recoil-operated, rotating-barrel breech-locking system. Unlocking is delayed by the bullet’s inertia; the barrel is rotated with a cam operated by a slot in the trigger group in a manner similar to the AR-15/M16. It was introduced in 1991 and marketed primarily as a police sidearm. Although it was not especially popular with police or the public and was discontinued in 1993, there are enough in circulation that one will eventually come across your bench. A recall was issued shortly after the AA 2000’s introduction, replacing the original solid trigger with an articulated unit designed to reduce accidental discharges associated with a foreign object in the trigger guard when re-holstering the pistol. The pistol has a long-stroke double-action-only (DAO) trigger mechanism, unusual in that the trigger moves linearly in the guard instead of pivoting on a pin. Bearing surfaces of the trigger assembly have rollers on them to smooth the draw. Firing the pistol is very similar to firing a revolver in the double-action mode.

Uberti’s Cattleman Mistimed

Uberti’s Cattleman with a 3.5-inch barrel differs little from what other manufacturers refer to as a Sheriff’s model. In fact, without a good look at the bore, you can’t tell it apart from Cimarron’s New Sheriff. Moreover, the guns are closely related in areas other than configuration and caliber. The box our Cimarron Thunderer came in had an Aldo Uberti sticker on it covered unabashedly by a Cimarron sticker. We have heard that the parts for many of today’s cowboy guns are made in Italy by Uberti and assembled by differ- ent companies.

Galco Underwraps Bellyband

The Galco Underwraps BellyBand is an elastic garment that can be worn low, just above the waistband, or high underneath the armpit. It resembles a heavyweight Ace bandage that secures with Velcro.

Upgrading the Ruger Mini-14 the Brownells Way, Part I and Part II

Brownells makes it very easy for any shooter, experienced or not, to convert his Ruger Mini-14 into a tricked-out rifle that meets your exacting wants and needs. The first step in this customization process is to determine what I am going to use the rifle for. Foremost, I wanted this rifle for varmint hunting, particularly night-time hunting. My secondary use is for self-defense purposes at home.

Browning Gun Safe Q&A

Recently GunReports.com had a chance to talk to Dale Weathers, product manager for the Browning ProSteel line of gun safes. Weathers is charged with selling Browning ProSteel safes. Here's what he had to say about choosing a safe, a topic we get a lot of questions about:

Handgun Security Devices You Can Make

The child-proofing of guns is not just desirable, it’s the law. Here are some effective, but inexpensive, locks you can make in your shop.

Choosing Milling and Drilling Machines

If you’re looking to move to the next level in your gunsmithing, a milling machine might give you the versatility you need.

How To Repair Mossberg Autoloaders

All Mossberg autoloaders available are gas operated. Each bleeds a set amount of gas from the ignition of the shotshell, down through a port in the barrel to function the action. The oldest of these guns, the Model 5500, requires the shooter to change barrels when switching from non-Magnum to Magnum loads. Two updated 5500s—the new Model 6000 and the Maverick 60—will continue to do so. A totally new Mossberg, the Model 9200, allows free interchange of ammunition without changing barrels.

Fixing The S&W/Mossberg Model 1000

Many people still shoot the S&W/Mossberg Model 1000, but it may require your attention. Here are the basics of getting this autoloader operational again.

Making Homemade Barrel Adapters

Take a moment before hauling that trash to the dumpster—you may find something useful, such as .22 barrels.

Civilian Ownership of Suppressors & Silencers: Steps in the Process

Silencers, like machine-guns, are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934, and are regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The procedure for owning a silencer may seem daunting at first, but actually requires less paperwork than buying an automobile.

Converting Old Browning Model A-5s

Newer versions of this famous shotgun use roll pins instead of screws to hold certain action parts. Here’s how to convert early Auto-5s.

Silence is Golden

In this newsletter, we are going to rejoice in 'silence' and right to remain the same. Why do you invoke the right to remain silent? Why invoke your right not to be questioned without your lawyer present? In a nutshell, the answer to this question is: What you say and do is evidence, what your attorney says is not, writes attorney T. Edwin Walker, Vice-President/Attorney, Walker, Rice & Wisdom, P.C.

Gunsmithing Remington Model 700 Rifles

American Gunsmith magazine recounts that Remington 700 rifles seldom cause many problems, but here are some quick-and-easy solutions to common complaints. From the American Gunsmith Library series.

Making The Ruger 10/22 Team Challenge Conversion

GunReports.com presents this article from the American Gunsmith Library Book of the Rifle: aking The Ruger 10/22 Team Challenge Conversion. Gunsmiths will be called upon to make drop-in parts drop in and solve other difficulties associated with the upgrade of the stock Ruger 10/22 to a Team Challenge unit.

When is your gun not a firearm?

Collecting firearms and performing in historical or educational productions have become very popular in the last few decades. Many people have asked us about the potential criminal liability for possessing and carrying the weapons used in such activities, writes attorney T. Edwin Walker, Vice-President/Attorney, Walker, Rice & Wisdom, P.C.

Owning machine guns, suppressors, and "sawed-off" rifles and shotguns under NFA

You have probably heard that the private ownership of machine guns, suppressors, and 'sawed-off' rifles and shotguns is against the law. Many state penal codes calls these items “prohibited weapons.” For example, possession, manufacture, transportation, sale and repair of these weapons is a third degree felony punishable by up to ten years in the Texas Department of Corrections, writes attorney Michael D. Wisdom, president of the Texas Law Shield, a firearms legal defense retainer program developed by Houston-based Walker, Rice & Wisdom, P.C., Attorneys at Law.

Judging the Judge: Is the Taurus Wheelgun a Viable Self-Defense Revolver?

The Judge is catalogued in the Taurus line as the Model 4510, and there are several versions. Some are blued steel, others are stainless, and there are versions that accept longer 3-inch 410-bore shotshells. There are also Judges with 6.5-inch barrels. In this review, we try out an Ultra-Lite 4510UL with a 3-inch barrel, No. 2-441031UL to be exact. Here’s what we found.

Taurus 2011 New Product Introductions

Here's a look at the 2011 new products from Taurus.

Issues of Concealment: Printing & Flashing

What about carrying your pistol so that no one can see it? After all, it is a concealed handgun license. Texas does not have a statute which allows the open carry of a handgun and for a CHL holder, it is an offense to carry a handgun in a manner where it is not concealed. Failing to conceal is a crime set forth in Texas Penal Code 46.035, writes attorney Michael D. Wisdom, president of the Texas Law Shield, a firearms legal defense retainer program developed by Houston-based Walker, Rice & Wisdom, P.C., Attorneys at Law. The key to this crime is that a CHL holder must INTENTIONALLY fail to conceal their handgun.

Do I really have to let the dog bite me?

You have your gun to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property from murderers, rapists, car jackers, and home invaders. You may believe that the chances of anyone having any real legal issues regarding the killing of an animal in self-defense were remote. You would be wrong.

Arrested? Always have a plan

Once you make the decision to possess and carry a concealed handgun, you are also making the decision that you may have to use it. The collective experience of the lawyers in the LawShield program, from observing the justice system in action and from the scores of police officers we represent is: if you use your gun, there is a very, very high degree of probability that you will be the person arrested.

Tricks of the Gunsmithing Trade

Every gunsmith has secrets he would never share with a competitor. Here are a few you can claim as your own (but don’t tell anyone else).

How To Work The Browning Auto-5

Shortly after 1900, John Moses Browning took his idea for an autoloading shotgun to the U.S. Patent Office after parting ways with the Winchester Gun Co. The relationship ended when Winchester president T.G. Bennett wanted nothing to do with an “automatic. Gathering his prototypes from the drafting room, Browning left Winchester to make an appointment to see Marcellus Hartley, president of Remington Arms Co. Over the phone, he received an enthusiastic response, so a meeting was set up to show Remington his wares. Sitting in Hartley’s office, Browning was told that the president of Remington Arms Co. had died of a heart attack that very morning. Lacking any potential American manufacturers with the means to produce his newly created semiautomatic shotgun, Browning began the search elsewhere. The famous firearms manufacturer, Fabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre, located at Herstal, Liege, Belgium, was waiting with open arms. By the end of 1961 alone, F.N. had produced 1,377,785 of the Model A-5 shotguns. Remington Arms produced approximately 300,000 of its Model 11, and Savage Arms produced thousands of the Model 720, with very little variance from the original design, under license from the F.N. factory. These shotguns are but three of Browning’s legacies, and because of the numbers that were produced, you may run across them in your gunsmithing adventures.

Performing In-Shop Shotgun Barrel Porting

(GunReports.com) -- It is hard to say who was the first gunsmith to drill or cut holes near the muzzle of a shotgun barrel to direct the expanding gas upward to provide a downward push, thus limiting both muzzle jump and felt recoil. Credit for this concept is generally given to Marine Corps Colonel Richard M. Cutts. His “compensator” was originally intended to be used on military weapons to minimize recoil and to reduce muzzle climb in fully automatic weapons. It was eventually adopted for use on the Thompson submachine gun, and a “Cutts Compensator” was soon made available to the civilian shotgun market by the Lyman Company.

Working the Remington Model 1100 Autoloader

(GunReports.com) -- Since most of the Remington 1100’s 95 parts are moving, it isn’t uncommon to have a few 1100s in your shop for repairs at any given time. That sounds simple enough, but sometimes it isn’t. The gas-operated, semi-automatic shotgun has undergone a number of internal changes over the years, with a resulting variation in parts. Most of the parts will interchange with varying degrees of success. But gunsmiths must be aware of the changes that have been made, in order to be on the lookout for problems caused by improper parts that might have been used to “fix” this shotgun before it gets to your bench. This combination of factors can sometimes make it very hard to determine just what is causing a particular problem with an 1100.

Basic How-To Advice For Beginning Shotgun Work

There’s something about shotguns that brings out the worst in otherwise knowledgeable people. A vast majority of shooters don’t even know how to get and keep barrels clean and shiny. Even fewer have any idea about shotgun sights and their use. Still, solving these and other problems are intimidating to the novice, yet there is nothing to most of the jobs after overcoming the initial mystique of these jobs. The easiest are removing slight surface rust from barrels and polishing shotgun bores. Installing sights that will really help the shooter also fall into the easy job category. We will cover these here in enough depth for you to take on any of these jobs comfortably.

Installing Steel Butt Plates and Grip Caps

Here’s how to get the classic look of curved steel butt plates with modern materials-—without encountering problems.

Requirements for Transporting Firearms, Firearm Parts and Ammunition on Commercial Aircraft

I. Passengers are prohibited from carrying firearms, firearm parts and ammunition Federal regulations administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prohibit the carriage of firearms and guns, as well as parts of firearms and guns (such as magazines or clips, bolts, firing pins, and other components), in the traveler's possession or in carry-on luggage on commercial aircraft. …

Glock Mods: An M1911 Man Branches Out

I’ve worked with the 1911 for many years, and sometimes that experience has been helpful with other pistols, such as the Browning Hi-Power, for example. Sometimes the differences between pistols are hard to spot, and other times we find similarities between handguns that at first seem very different. Another example: If you can work on the Savage 1910, you can work on the Astra 400, and you won’t be confused by the H&K P7M8. But the Glock? Ah, the Glock is an altogether different creature. Sometimes my 1911-based reasoning produces positive results with the Glock, and other times it does not. With the Glock so popular with law-enforcement and now proving itself in competition—winning the first top-class award at IPSC—we’re going to see more and more Glocks turned in for improvement. And at the very least, we should be familiar with the similarities and the differences between the Glock and “old Slabsides.”

BAR history from The Browning Insider

Much of the fame of today's sporting BAR began through the fame of the original military BAR designed by John M. Browning near the end of World War I. This rifle, called the BAR M1918, was commissioned by the U.S. Army in an effort to break the stalemate of trench warfare in the battlefields of France and Belgium. It took John M. Browning three months to design it. Browning took this project so seriously that his son Val personally did testing and training of the American troops.

Seven Common Misconceptions That Can Get You Killed: From Front Sight

With thousands upon thousands of law abiding citizens, law enforcement officers and military personnel traveling across the country to attend courses at Front Sight, we are astutely aware of what people think— prior to their Front Sight Experience — about firearms, training, and their personal safety. Fortunately, they made it to our course before any of their misconceptions cost them time, money, or worse—their lives. In the interest of helping you learn from others’ mistakes, allow me to share with you Seven Common Misconceptions That Can Get You Killed!

Magnum Antiballistic Systems VP Traveler Bag and Bounty Hunter Backpack

Magnum Antiballistic Systems has developed a series of carry bags that incorporate soft anti-ballistic armor to provide emergency protection from an armed threat.

Working the Smith & Wesson .45 Model No. 3 Schofield Revolvers

In 1870, the U.S. Army contracted with Smith & Wesson to deliver 1,000 of their revolutionary new top-break Model No. 3 revolvers in .44 S&W caliber. The delivery to Springfield Armory of the 800 blued and 200 nickel-plated revolvers took place in 1871. After issuing the new revolvers to the cavalry for a period of field trials, the Army came to the conclusion that the S&W was too complicated and delicate for service use, and decided not to purchase additional revolvers.

Case Hardening with Kasenit

Case hardening was once the best way to stretch a limited steel budget. Today, it provides a hard surface with a tough inner structure.

Time Capsule: “How to Shoot The U.S. Army Rifle” handbook, circa 1943

I recently ran across a fascinating copy of the U.S. Army’s “How to Shoot The U.S. Army Rifle” handbook, published in 1943. This book, subtitled The Infantry Journal, was prepared by First Lieutenant Arthur Goodfriend, creator of the Army's graphic portfolio on rifle marksmanship. The acknowledgements suggest how important the topic of shooting well was back then.

Part II from "How to Shoot The U.S. Army Rifle" handbook, circa 1943

Here’s another installment from 'How to Shoot The U.S. Army Rifle' handbook, published in 1943. Chapters: SIX STEPS TO PERFECT MARKSMANSHIP; IN SIGHTING AND AIMING, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS ‘ALMOST RIGHT,'; FIRST SIGHTING AND AIMING EXERCISE; CLEAN AND BLACKEN YOUR SIGHTS.

Designing the Browning Cynergy -- Ten Long Years

Its roots lie with the original B-25 Superposed, designed by John M. Browning in 1928 and finished for production using a single trigger with barrel selector by his son Val Browning by 1939. As the story goes, production costs hurt the Superposed in the marketplace during the late 1960s, so the design was taken to Browning's partner, the Miroku Company in Japan, and in 1971 the Citori over and under joined the Browning lineup.

Servicing Out-of-Production Firearms

If you decide to work with a gun you’ve never seen before, here are some places you can turn to for help.

Chamber Identification With Cerrosafe

There will always be a need to identify chamberings of firearms that have been inherited or bought at yard sales. The lure of buying for bottom dollar and discovering a real jewel is ingrained in most of us, so a little thing like no chambering marks on a rifle or handgun is no deterrent to a gun fancier.

Disassembly/Reassembly Of the Ruger KP345 .45 ACP Pistol

First introduced in 1987, the Ruger P-Series pistols were the first firearms to be manufactured at Sturm, Ruger’s new Prescott, Arizona, plant. The P-Series was the result of a development program to build a state-of-the-art pistol with features designed by practical shooters, that would offer excellent reliability under harsh conditions. Since the P-Series pistols were introduced, they’ve seen extensive use by law enforcement, government agencies, and sportsmen all over the world, and have gained a good reputation for their rugged durability. As we have come to expect from Ruger, the pistols are also being steadily improved and the new KP345 is one outgrowth of that.

Disassembly/Reassembly Of the Kahr P45 Pistol

It took better than a year for me to get my hands on a Kahr P45 for this article. That’s because, since its announcement, this eagerly awaited big-bore cousin of the Kahr 9 had a very long list of buyers standing by with their wallets and checkbooks open. It’s been quite a while since the first Kahr was covered here (May 95). Since reprints of that article are no longer available and much of what was written then does not apply to the P45, I decided another look at the Kahr was in order. First, however, let me say that I was pleased to see that none of the precision found in the K9 is missing in the P45. It remains masterfully made from outstanding materials. Though mechanically locked and unlocked in the style of John M. Browning, it is far more than a mere knock-off of the great man’s design. The Kahr emerged from the fertile mind of Justin Moon, and is covered by no less than six individual patents.

Wild Bunch Holster Brings Practical Shooting Full Circle

Whether you enjoy competing as an athlete in IPSC, a SASS cowboy, or an IDPA tactician, the versatility of the Mernickle Wild Bunch holster can serve your needs. And if anyone asks about your rig, you can tell them about the good old days of slapping leather when a quick draw was the only game in town.

Special Tools That Make Life Easier

Because I was always taught to look for an easier, quicker, safer way of doing something, the need for some special tooling to work the two-screw (pin) Ruger single-action became apparent. These tools are remarkably simple, but you will need a metal lathe unless you have tubing and pin stock of the appropriate diameter.

Working the Colt Single Action Army Model 1873

First introduced by Colt in 1873, nicknames associated with the legendary Single Action Army revolver include Peacemaker, Frontier Six-Shooter, Model P, and the Hog-Leg. The design was rapidly adopted by the U.S. Army and used extensively during the Indian Wars period. Colt’s SAA was also used by lawmen, outlaws, cowboys, and other famous characters who helped to shape the legend of the American West. There were three manufacturing time periods for the Single Action Army or Model P as the factory called it. The original production, known as the First Generation, was manufactured from 1873 through 1940. This run totaled 357,859 revolvers (including the Bisley and SAA Target models). After a lull of 16 years, in 1956, the Second Generation SAA was introduced. This run continued until 1978, when engineering changes, denoted by the letters “SA” after the serial number, gave us the Third Generation SAA, which is still being produced.

Manufacturing an In-Shop Shooting Drum

In the course of a typical day’s gunsmithing, I test fire at least three weapons for such things as inconsistent primer ignition, failure to feed properly, and sear disengagement. With the cost of commercial bullet traps somewhere in the stratosphere, I had no choice but to make my own to keep costs down. My indoor trap, which I use for pistols and rimfire rifles, cost less than $25 to build. Even if you use brand new materials, it should cost less than $100.

Disassembly and Reassembly Of the Savage Milano Shotgun

This new Savage over/under is made in Brescia, Italy. This northern area of the country is known for the manufacture of fine quality shotguns, and this one is no exception. Produced to meet Savage's exacting specifications, the weight distribution of the Milano is perfect. Its 12-, 20-, 28-, and .410-gauge actions are precisely scaled to their gauge, and each one wears a handsome Turkish walnut stock finished off with satin lacquer. Among its standard features…

Choosing and Using Polishing Tools

A good polishing job can save a gun from the junk heap, but a bad job can send it there. Here’s how the professional does it.

The Return of the Dan Wesson Model 15

The Dan Wesson revolver never really disappeared. Its production just passed from one owner to another and another. To the credit of these manufacturers, including the newest, there’s been no messing around with the design of the gun. True, CZ-USA offers a choice between a fluted and a non-fluted cylinder, they reshaped the barrel shroud, and we understand their American-made Dan Wesson will be available in stainless only, but mechanically it’s the same as the Model 15-2 pictured here.

US Army Reserve Shooting Team: Serving The Force

You'd be surprised how many people view the shooting teams as a good old boys club. They have no idea of the benefit and skill these Soldier-shooters are bringing to the Army Reserve. It's like accusing an NFL team of being nothing more than a group of drinking buddies that play catch on Sunday afternoon. Outsiders to US Army Reserve Shooting Team fail to understand why such a team exists. Unless one has been involved in small arms training or higher level shooting activity, marksmanship experience is typically limited to basic qualification. Just as retaking the same elementary arithmetic test will never teach Calculus, marksmen need to evolve to gain proficiency. Shooting teams were established in enact this and provide other benefits as well.

Qualification Done Right

Working with small arms is core Soldier task, common to all branches and military occupational specialties. FM 7-0, Training The Force, admonishes unit leaders to train fundamentals first to establish a foundation. By learning basic skills to high proficiency, such as marksmanship, units can more easily integrate and master the more complex collective tasks. The problem is defining “proficient.” What judges a high, or sufficient, level of skill? Whom shall we have judge?

Shooting Tips: How To Hit More Incoming Doves

Unlike crossing birds where swing through and shooting well in front of the doves is necessary, an incomer requires a touch of finesse.

Carry Solutions: Crossdraw, Muzzleback Cant, Appendix

It’s not necessarily which gun but which system. For example, if you can shoot a revolver like a demon then you are probably better off with the five or six shots available from a wheelgun than the highest capacity semi-auto.

Working the Savage Model 1899 Rifle

Savage Arms Company introduced the now-famous Model 1899 lever-action rifle in—not surprisingly—1899. The new rifle was based on the invention of Arthur W. Savage of Utica, New York. Mr. Savage had previously designed lever-action rifles, one for military trials in 1892 and another, a commercial version in 1895, which was produced for Savage by the Marlin Firearms Company in New Haven, Connecticut. Some 6,000 of the 1895 model were manufactured between 1895 and 1899. Savage Arms Company was formed in 1897, and began producing the rifle themselves in 1899. The Model 1899 is an outstanding and unique design in many ways. It offered an internal rotary magazine that held five shots, along with a very strong and simple lever-action operation. The Model 1899 also incorporated an unusual and thoughtful cartridge-counter feature; the shooter could see the number of cartridges remaining in the magazine by viewing the cartridge counter through a small window on the left side of the receiver. In addition, the new rifle was equipped with a hammer-cocked indicator on the top of the receiver. Another innovative feature was the sliding safety that locked the trigger while at the same time locking the lever in the closed position.

Becoming A Master of Rascally Rabbits

Because the targets are flatter and thicker than standard clays in order to withstand rolling on the ground without shattering, the clays often require a little harder hit before shooters can prove they are masters of “rascally rabbits.”

The Color Code of Mental Awareness, Part II: From Front Sight

Condition Orange is the next level of mental awareness. Condition Orange is best described as a specific, potential threat. Let's say you are in Condition Yellow and you're aware of what's going on around you and you see something out of the ordinary—you immediately ramp up to Condition Orange. In Condition Orange, you need to do Two Things: First, you must make some evasive maneuver which forces your opponent to show his hand. Second, you must start formulating that tactical plan in the event that this is a real threat. The evasive maneuver forces your opponent to show whether his actions are just a coincidence OR he's actually after you!

Get the Lead Out!

Chances are that the label on your favorite bore cleaner says something about “removing lead.” Being the curious guy that I am, I began to wonder just exactly how bore cleaners manage to accomplish this trick. Lead is a pretty inert metal, and there isn’t much that can actually dissolve it. So just how does bore cleaner get rid of lead fouling in a barrel? If we think about it, there are only a few ways to remove lead from a barrel. We could melt it out with a torch, but no one would want to take a torch to a favorite firearm. The three other ways to remove the offending metal are: (1) to penetrate under the lead to separate its bond with the barrel so that it can be pushed out, (2) use an abrasive to actually scour it away, or (3) to somehow break it down chemically. Some old-timers have also told me that pouring mercury in the bore would remove lead, but since mercury is poisonous and can drive those who are overexposed to it insane, I think we can skip that method.

Disassembly/Reassembly of the Remington Model 105 CTi Shotgun

According to reports I’ve received, the 105 CTi is still a work in progress. By that, I don’t mean that any major overhaul is being considered—only that Remington may still be doing a little tweaking here and there that won’t dramatically alter the design. That tweaking is to be expected on a design that differs so markedly from other Remington gas-operated shotguns. For one thing, 105 CTi ejects spent hulls downward from the titanium receiver rather than sideways. Another not-so-noticeable difference is an object identified as a “rate controller,” hidden within the stock. The closest thing to this part on the familiar Model 1100 or 1187 would be the action spring. The rate controller serves as a seat for the tail of the bolt-slide assembly, and does everything an action spring does. Plus, I’m told, it soaks up some recoil. In addition, felt recoil is reduced by the combination of a new optimized gas system, an over-bored barrel, a lengthened forcing cone, and a new convex recoil pad. Taken together, this makes 105 CTi the lightest, softest-shooting 12 gauge that Remington has ever produced.

New Shooter Learns by Competing

We’ve all seen some fast and fancy shooting, sometimes at a County fair, sometimes on television. You sit or stand in the gallery and wonder how these fellows and gals got to be so fast and accurate. Do they have special guns or trick loads?

The Long and Short Of Shotgun Chambers

I see a regular stream of older shotguns brought in for work. In many cases, they are suffering from what appears to be moderate abuse, with symptoms like loose lockup, worn hinge pins, and broken locking blocks. Many of the owners of these old shotguns are convinced that they are somehow inferior or defective, since they don’t seem to hold up, even with relatively light loads. Others don’t understand how their fathers and grandfathers fired these old scatterguns as much as they did, considering the recoil they produce. Well, in most cases, these old guns are finely made, and they definitely didn’t beat up the user then as much as they do now.

Correcting Feeding Problems in Marlin Lever-Action Rimfire Rifles

Before we get into the causes and cures of feeding problems on the tube-fed Marlin rimfires, I should start with a few cautions. First, with any exposed-hammer-style rifle, whether it’s cocked on action-opening or by thumb, careful practice must be followed in letting the hammer down to the safe position on a loaded chamber. Second, although it’s commonly assumed that jacking the finger lever repeatedly will empty all the cartridges from these rifles, cartridges can hang up during working of the lever and feeding operation. Therefore, the mag tube might not be empty even if the lever is worked several times after seeing what is assumed to be the last cartridge being ejected from the side ejection port.

Ruger Super Redhawk Grip Upgrade

The results of my tests showed that the Ruger Super Redhawk was a fine piece. But, I wasn’t impressed with the supplied grip in terms of soaking up recoil.

Custom Lever Guns on a Budget

THINKING IT WOULD BE fun to get involved in Cowboy Action Shooting, and maybe do a little hunting with lever guns, I started on a quest for the appropriate hardware. For me, the commonly available calibers were too boring.

Fitted vs. ‘Drop-In’ M1911 Barrels

Over the years, I’ve replaced a dozen or so 1911 pistol barrels for various reasons. When military pistols were more common, wear and corrosion was a consideration. Later, the increased accuracy afforded by custom match-grade barrels from Bar Sto Precision was a leading factor. Today, some pistols come from the factory with match-grade barrels, but, of course, these are expensive high-end pistols. At the other end of the spectrum, service-grade pistols often come with a cost-cutting two-piece barrel. These pistols use a barrel that is brazed together, with one half meeting the other about at the chamber and barrel-lug line. While serviceable, these barrels are less than ideal.

Building a 10/17 Mach 2 Rifle

Part III, Finishing Up: The next step is to assemble the bolt in the receiver. The Volquartsen .17 Mach 2 heavy bolt consists of the bolt body, bolt handle, and a recoil rod with a spring that slips over it.

Disassembly and Reassembly of the Browning Cynergy Shotgun

To paraphrase a line from the book John M. Browning, American Gunmaker, the story of Browning's genius is the story of the evolution of modern firearms. John M. Browning was issued 128 patents on at least 80 models in nearly every caliber from .22 Short up to the 37mm cannon shell. Those patents covered automatic, semi-automatic, lever, and pump actions.

Scope-Ring Alignment: A Critical Accuracy Factor

As the owner of a firearm test range, I mount dozens of scopes each year. I get to see first hand how they perform, as well as the performance of scopes mounted by others. The two main complaints I hear about scopes usually center around those that fail to remain sighted in or group poorly on target. These complaints are usually very well founded. Most complaints about scope mounting are the direct result of poor scope-ring alignment and the accuracy-robbing stresses inherent between metal parts. These stresses pull and twist, causing the scope to move and to become misaligned. The scope never really settles down as bullet point-of-impact changes over time or even as a target group is being fired.

Repairing The Trapdoor Springfield Carbine

Getting parts is easy, but give a quick course in reloading cartridges for the gun—modern loads are dangerous and shouldn’t be used. From American Gunsmith's Book of the Rifle.

NRA-ILA List: National Anti-Gun Organizations, Celebrities, Businesses, and Journalists

(GunReports.com) -- The following list, compiled by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, documents which organizations have lent monetary, grassroots or some other type of direct support to anti-gun organizations. In many instances, these organizations lent their name in support of specific campaigns to pass anti-gun legislation such as the March 1995 HCI 'Campaign to Protect Sane Gun Laws.' Many of these organizations were listed as 'Campaign Partners,' for having pledged to fight any efforts to repeal the Brady Act and the Clinton 'assault weapons' ban. All have officially endorsed anti-gun positions.

Repairing Obsolete .22 Rifles

American Gunsmith Magazine: A lot of thinking and a little detective work go a long way in deciding your approach to repairing obsolete .22 rifles.

Shooting Skills for Hunters: The .30-30 Drill

The effective range of the .30-30 WCF (Winchester Center Fire) is about 150-170 yards. Some of the wizzy new Magnums can outperform this by roughly 300 percent, at least on paper. But can the hunter outperform the .30-30? Can you?

What's New In Peeps?

A development on the peepsight side is the DiamondHead Sight. Marketed by ShieldShot, Ltd (http://www.mirrorsight.com/), this BUIS (Back Up Iron Sight) unit features a uniquely shaped diamond-shaped aperture. The concept is to more easily align the front sight perfectly in the center of the rear aperture quicker.

Working the Newer Marlin Lever-Actions

The glory days for Marlin were from the early 1880s up to about the turn of the century, a time when they manufactured an impressive line of high-quality lever-action rifles and carbines. Marlin's lever-actions were also offered in a wide range of calibers and sizes. These ranged from large rifles to handle big-game calibers to medium-framed rifles in pistol calibers (such as the .44-40 Winchester) down to small .22-caliber rimfire versions. The original Marlins were…

Taking Down the AK-47

Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov is an impressive name for a Russian peasant who never went beyond the 9th grade. After leaving school, he went to work for the Turkistan-Siberian railway. After being drafted into the Red Army in 1938, he completed the Tank Mechanical School near Kiev. Combined with Kalasnikov’s innate intelligence, the experience he gained there enabled him to devise several improvements for armored warfare. These included a counter for the number of rounds fired from a tank’s main battery as well as a meter that recorded a tank’s running time. His inventiveness caught the attention of C.I.C. General Georgi H. Zhukov, and Kalashnikov was ordered to Leningrad where his inventions were put into practice.