GUNSMITH???????

[mrpistol]

Would just like opinions on what people thing the definition of Gunsmith is

 

[artbosco]

Would just like opinions on what people thing the definition of Gunsmith is.

A Gunsmith is: http://www.stevensaccuracy.com/

 

[shortgrass]

Would just like opinions on what people thing the definition of Gunsmith is.

A Gunsmith is: http://www.stevensaccuracy.com/

OK,,,,, but what do you call the guy that can make those need part/parts, say,, a firing pin or leaf spring, for that nice Italian made O/U that was imported in the '60's. Or,,, the guy who can make (properly) a stock for that treasured Fox Sterlingworth 20g. What are they?

 

[Rock Knocker]

A good machinist and a great craftsman.

 

[shortgrass]

Or the small, one or two man, shop that does an absolutely pitless, ripple free refinishing to a firearm, be it "hot" caustic blue or slow rust blue. And the guy that can 're-time' your favorite S&W revolver, and polish the action to the point if feels slicker than "greesed owl @#$%", and still be safe with no 'push-off'. The guy that can drill and tap that Mauser '98 on the center line w/the holes properly spaced, you know, that Oberndorf you've had stashed away for that special hunting rifle project. Or the man that can re-solder the ribs on that L.C.Smith someone decided to 'hot' blue.

 

[mrpistol]

So far I like where shortgrass is going with this . I am going to let this post go a couple of days then I will let every body know where I am going with this.
mr.pistol

 

[therifler]

i believe they call them a master gunsmith. if you can't find one a gang of gunsmiths will do. but it has to be the right gang . TR

 

[Preacher]

Someone thats able to do more than change parts......

 

[1000yardstare]

A guy who interviews you for a rebarrel job to make sure he understands what you want and you understand what he can do, quotes an hourly rate, gives you a tour of his shop, shows you and explains the fixtures and jigs he has scratch-built to increase the precision of his work, has CNC certificates up his ying-yang, a skilled machinist who morphed into gunsmithing, sets up a lathe to 2/10,000 runout for blueprinting a bolt and delivers the finished product on time because he does not take on more work than he can do in a certain time frame.

He is an active competitive shooter in his particular discipline and understands what is required in all disciplines as far as machining is concerned. He admits to no interest in woodworking so won`t waste you time talking about it.

He has the product you want out on the ranges winning or placing high in competition.

 

[shortgrass]

Someone thats able to do more than change parts......

Yep! I'm not thinkin' of the guy that gets his "o" rings for Rem.1100's from the local discount auto parts store. Or the fella' that 'thinks' he's making a firing pin out of a nail. Or , Heaven forbid, the guy that says he can 'weld up' those holes he 'eye balled' and didn't get right, on top of that nice old '03. Or re-crowns a rifle barrel with a hack saw, bastard cut file and ball bearing. I'm thinking of the 'smith that has made almost as many tools, to do a specific job, on his lathe & mill as he has chambered barrels on that same lathe. Or taken a piece of 1075/1095 and forged it into a suitable scraper to remove just the right amount of wood on the stock inletting he's working on. You know, the guy that bothers to apply sealer to the butt stock he just cut down before putting the new recoil pad on (that happens to fit like it grew there, with not a mark on the wood) before it leaves his shop.

 

[lightman]

To me,a Gunsmith is a craftsman that can do all of the things listed above,and do them to perfection.Too bad that they are so hard to find. Lightman

 

[TnTom]

There are any number of "gunsmiths" who do many things exceptionally well and know their limitations. Does an individual who does one thing very well qualify?

 

[Robert]

There are any number of "gunsmiths" who do many things exceptionally well and know their limitations. Does an individual who does one thing very well qualify?

IMHO, the term 'gunsmith' is a too general one. 'Riflesmth', 'Pistolsmith" and "Shotgun smith" would need each oen a specific definition.?

R.G.C

 

[shortgrass]

Hmmmmmm, for the sake of debate,,,,, An electrician, residential/ industrial, isn't the same basic knowlege required? Same goes for a plumber, see many adds in the phone book stating "New Installation Only". Are not the basic principals involved the same. A 'building contractor', commercial, residential. A mechanic, GM or Ford, diesel or gas (both use fuel injection). A machinist, ABM (screw machines), CNC, job shop (one at a time for repairs or rebuilds), glass! Speeds, feeds, & tooling, I've done all 4, the basics apply to all. This discussion could very well lead to the differences in how the different generations 'think'.

 

[GerryM]

Gunsmith is a general term theses days. back when it all began you had to hand build every part. Today we have a larger variety of firearms. Shot guns , Pistols, rifles etc.
Toady its a general term . If you go by the old standards it would be a person who served an apprentiship for several yeras with a true Gunsmith. He would after the apprentiship be allowed to specialize in to one of the fields IE pistols. Then after mastering pistols he would be next be assigned rifles. and finally shot guns.
I guess today we have a lot of specialist in several fields all gunsmith but only specializing in one or two fields.
He should have a working knowledge of each type of firearm though. It a tough question. We had special people like harry pope clyde hart shillen gregorie pope etc that just made barrels too.
We have trigger makes canjar, hart, jewell and others that improve the parts also. I guess it's become a matter of specialization. Rifle pistol shot gun General repair people who put on sights etc.
You have to follow the reputation of the indivuals today.
Read some of the gunsmiths books and you will get the IDEA. Acklwey , Baker, pope . etc etc. each has their own opinion
they were by generations also. We are Very lucky today we have many many specialists in several fields and parts that are fabulous.

ONE THING IS FOR SURE THEY MOST ARE GREAT MACHINiST

 

[butchlambert]

Not much money being a general gunsmith. Specializing in a certain area puts beans on the table. Most gunsmiths are not machinest. They can do what is needed to get the job done and do it well.
I would bet that 75% of the successful ones have outside income, wife working or retirement income.
Butch