How to get started on smithing????

Cyric13 · December 10, 1999, 05:56 PM

I'm new to guns in general and was interested in getting into customizing my first gun. How do you go aboout finding info and books about it. I know I can also ask questions here but I need a foundation so I can understand all the gun jargon I don't know yet.

Thanks in advance Cyric13

**4V50 Gary** · December 10, 1999, 06:39 PM

One of the best overall books which I've found is Walther Howe's Professional Gunsmithing. Yes it's old, but it covers a lot of the basic concepts.

One thing to remember, gunsmithing isn't what it use to be. In the old days, the gunsmith worked on everything: wood, metal, rifle, shotgun and pistol. Today, they're more specialised: pistolsmith, riflesmith, stockmaker, etc. If you want to go that route, then pick the topic and start working on it.

I also suggest taking those NRA summer classes. I've taken quite a number of them and they provide a good basis to understand operating principles, the mechanics of disassembly and reassembly of firearms. Afterwards, I've taken numerous factory armorers' schools and while they're good (and you'll learn factory standards), they never approach the level of the NRA program.

Go slow and finding a mentor helps.

------------------
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt

HankL · December 10, 1999, 07:32 PM

Roy Dunlap also wrote another good book titled Gunsmithing. It takes an appreciation of folks like Howe and other master craftsmen to understand what smithing is about. Even if your idea of customizing a firearm is putting a Ruger 10-22 into a different configuration
you will be well rewarded with the insight you gain by reading the works of as many gunsmiths as you can put your hands on.
As Gary said, Go Slow. Do work that you can be proud of!
Best Regards,
Hank

George Stringer · December 10, 1999, 09:56 PM

Cyric, Brownells www.brownells.com has a very good selection of gunsmithing books. I hate to even mention this but where I got one of my favorites "The NRA Gunsmithing Guide" was from a website that I have since lost. You could go in and search for the book title or author and you'd get a list of where, how much, condition, etc. A great site but I lost it when my puter fried. You might try your search engine. George

Grayfox · December 10, 1999, 11:40 PM

The DBI or NRA guides to firearms assembly and disassembly are a must have. I have both, but prefer the DBI series as they are a little more detailed. If later you get to working on many different types of guns Brownell's Gunsmith Kinks vol 1-3 are full of all sorts of neat little tricks of the trade. They will save you much time and many headaches.
Next top quality tools designed specificly for gun work are needed, once again Brownell's is the answer. If you don't have one of their catalogs, make that the first item on your list.

TomD · December 15, 1999, 02:23 PM

Just a couple of comments:
E-bay.com, gunsmithing, lots of books you can get real cheap, dunlop and all the boys show up there. check it out. NRA books are very good. Youll find tools there occasionally, but watch the prices. Brownells usually has them just a (cheap) and I use the term (cheap) loosely

Keep an eye out for a lathe and bridgeport if your going to get serious at somepoint in time youll be awishin.

Dont work on a friends gun

Get your FFL ($250.00) and your class 1 permit comes with it so you can sell a little and smith a little, but you gotta have it to do any business....period. Takes about 6 weeks and they will interview you before it is issued. Its a smooth process so might as well do it.

When you take that 1911 apart (without the manual) be careful when you slip the safety latch out of the frame. the spring and pin will go aflyin...so trap it or your first order from brownells will be a new one

LOts of areas to specialize...finishing is fun and you get lots of experience in detailed disassembly. Many different types of processes and lots of info on gettng started. From inexpensive (and beautiful) to expensive initially.

Have at it. its fun

December 10, 1999, 05:56 PM	#1
Cyric13 Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 1999 Location: Statsboro Posts: 159	I'm new to guns in general and was interested in getting into customizing my first gun. How do you go aboout finding info and books about it. I know I can also ask questions here but I need a foundation so I can understand all the gun jargon I don't know yet. Thanks in advance Cyric13

December 10, 1999, 06:39 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	One of the best overall books which I've found is Walther Howe's Professional Gunsmithing. Yes it's old, but it covers a lot of the basic concepts. One thing to remember, gunsmithing isn't what it use to be. In the old days, the gunsmith worked on everything: wood, metal, rifle, shotgun and pistol. Today, they're more specialised: pistolsmith, riflesmith, stockmaker, etc. If you want to go that route, then pick the topic and start working on it. I also suggest taking those NRA summer classes. I've taken quite a number of them and they provide a good basis to understand operating principles, the mechanics of disassembly and reassembly of firearms. Afterwards, I've taken numerous factory armorers' schools and while they're good (and you'll learn factory standards), they never approach the level of the NRA program. Go slow and finding a mentor helps. ------------------ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt

December 10, 1999, 07:32 PM	#3
HankL Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: The Sunny South Posts: 2,174	Roy Dunlap also wrote another good book titled Gunsmithing. It takes an appreciation of folks like Howe and other master craftsmen to understand what smithing is about. Even if your idea of customizing a firearm is putting a Ruger 10-22 into a different configuration you will be well rewarded with the insight you gain by reading the works of as many gunsmiths as you can put your hands on. As Gary said, Go Slow. Do work that you can be proud of! Best Regards, Hank

December 10, 1999, 09:56 PM	#4
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Cyric, Brownells www.brownells.com has a very good selection of gunsmithing books. I hate to even mention this but where I got one of my favorites "The NRA Gunsmithing Guide" was from a website that I have since lost. You could go in and search for the book title or author and you'd get a list of where, how much, condition, etc. A great site but I lost it when my puter fried. You might try your search engine. George

December 10, 1999, 11:40 PM	#5
Grayfox Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Posts: 1,885	The DBI or NRA guides to firearms assembly and disassembly are a must have. I have both, but prefer the DBI series as they are a little more detailed. If later you get to working on many different types of guns Brownell's Gunsmith Kinks vol 1-3 are full of all sorts of neat little tricks of the trade. They will save you much time and many headaches. Next top quality tools designed specificly for gun work are needed, once again Brownell's is the answer. If you don't have one of their catalogs, make that the first item on your list.

December 15, 1999, 02:23 PM	#6
TomD Junior Member Join Date: November 24, 1999 Location: Woodbury TN Posts: 12	Just a couple of comments: E-bay.com, gunsmithing, lots of books you can get real cheap, dunlop and all the boys show up there. check it out. NRA books are very good. Youll find tools there occasionally, but watch the prices. Brownells usually has them just a (cheap) and I use the term (cheap) loosely Keep an eye out for a lathe and bridgeport if your going to get serious at somepoint in time youll be awishin. Dont work on a friends gun Get your FFL ($250.00) and your class 1 permit comes with it so you can sell a little and smith a little, but you gotta have it to do any business....period. Takes about 6 weeks and they will interview you before it is issued. Its a smooth process so might as well do it. When you take that 1911 apart (without the manual) be careful when you slip the safety latch out of the frame. the spring and pin will go aflyin...so trap it or your first order from brownells will be a new one LOts of areas to specialize...finishing is fun and you get lots of experience in detailed disassembly. Many different types of processes and lots of info on gettng started. From inexpensive (and beautiful) to expensive initially. Have at it. its fun