The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - What are the must-have tools for gunsmithing?

HiBC · April 24, 2013, 02:50 PM

Depends on a lot of things.Old books like Moden Gunsmithing and The Modern Gunsmith,Brownell's Gunsmith Kinks,etc are worth immersing yourself in.

The days of sporterizing milsurps are gone.Unsporterizing them is more today.

Fixing up neglected/abused guns is rewarding for experience,but its not lucrative.

You might pick one gun...like the trapdoor Springfield or the AR or a Hawken Muzzle loader,,or old break action single barrel shotguns,or old bolt 22'slearn it inside and out,get the specialty tools..and focus on getting really good at a specialty.

Maybe you could sign up for a Cylinder and Slide 1911 Armorers course in Nebraska and learn the 1911.

Check with the gunsmith school in Trinidad,Colorado.

Talk to them about your ideas.They might help.

April 24, 2013, 02:50 PM	#2
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,288	Depends on a lot of things.Old books like Moden Gunsmithing and The Modern Gunsmith,Brownell's Gunsmith Kinks,etc are worth immersing yourself in. The days of sporterizing milsurps are gone.Unsporterizing them is more today. Fixing up neglected/abused guns is rewarding for experience,but its not lucrative. You might pick one gun...like the trapdoor Springfield or the AR or a Hawken Muzzle loader,,or old break action single barrel shotguns,or old bolt 22'slearn it inside and out,get the specialty tools..and focus on getting really good at a specialty. Maybe you could sign up for a Cylinder and Slide 1911 Armorers course in Nebraska and learn the 1911. Check with the gunsmith school in Trinidad,Colorado. Talk to them about your ideas.They might help.