To Be or Not To Be!

September 25, 2019 — John M. Buol Jr.

Determining when your part-time gunsmithing is ready for full time.

by Bill Smith

No, I am not going to quote Shakespeare. Hell, I don’t even understand him let alone quote him much – guess that makes me a peasant or something.

To open a full-time shop or not to, that is the question. More than likely you started gunsmithing part-time. After spending so many nights and weekends your business has grown and your wife is threatening divorce. If the later is true, let her do it before you do open a shop and get into a six or seven figure annual income bracket (ha!)

Many gunsmiths suffer from too much desire to be full time, be their own boss, or listen to the wrong people. To open a full-time shop one should realistically look at several things so that you don’t have to add a second line such as sharpening lawn mowers just to keep beans (let alone steak) on the table.

Read more in the September 2019 issue.

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Rifle Grouping Problems, Perplexing Solution

September 20, 2019 — John M. Buol Jr.

Sometimes solving an isolated shooting problem with our rifles will demand all the study and analysis we can put into it.

by Norman E. Johnson

Every once in a while we may be faced with a gunsmith/shooting situation that turns out to be more elusive than we had anticipated. I had built a rifle chambered for the 6x45mm cartridge as one of a quadruple switch-barrel set up. The chosen barrel was a Criterion six groove with a 1:8 twist which would stabilize bullets to just over 100 grains. I went with a Model 700 Remington short action, originally chambered for the 221 Remington Fireball, circa 2008, as my choice in building a super accurate, medium-weight rifle capable of extreme accuracy.

Following my customary diagnostic procedure, the action was precision bedded into a Bell and Carlson Medalist varmint weight stock without floor plate, but a magazine cutout did exist. A bedding pillar/loading ramp was bonded to the magazine cutout as an integral unit replete with central action screw. Sighting equipment left nothing to guess work with a Talley Picatinny mounting system and a well-proven 32X target scope. There were no compromises.

From the outset, including the bore break-in, the rifle displayed ordinarily fine accuracy with a…

Read more in the September 2019 issue.

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Dovetail Sights and Measurements

September 15, 2019 — John M. Buol Jr.

Typical dimensions for installing and working with sights dovetailed into pistol slides.

by RK Campbell
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More on Running the 1911

September 10, 2019 — John M. Buol Jr.

Additional tips on everyone’s favorite Browning design.

by RK Campbell
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Working S&W .22 Pistols

September 5, 2019 — John M. Buol Jr.

Many people ignore the first generation S&W “budget” .22 LR pistols, but those who own and shoot them tend to keep these reliable and accurate pistols. Chances are likely that you will see one.

by Brian R. Smith
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Walther Video Manual

September 1, 2019 — John M. Buol Jr.

Walther Arms and Panteao Productions collaborated on a Walther PPQ Armorer’s Bench video. This full-length presentation gives a detailed look and thorough review of the Walther PPQ series of pistols. Larry Vickers from Vickers Tactical and Bret Vorhees, Vice President of Strategic Development at Walther, review the variants of the PPQ pistol, naming of the pistol, the modular backstrap system, field disassembly, cleaning and lubrication, reassembly and safety function check, cycle of operation, maintenance and troubleshooting, magazine maintenance, complete detailed disassembly, and accessories. Larry Vickers demonstrates field use of the PPQ series including proper grip, drawing from a holster, shooting skills, clearing malfunctions, and a range drill to hone skills.
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