truing remington 700 receivers

[therifler]

Thanks to the fellows who commented on my post . CM not trying to talk you down just telling my experiences in this area . i charge 175.00 and guys tell me i"m to cheap.i know guys pass me up because they don't believe you can do a good job for that money .but a fair share of customs will finish behind my builds on Sunday afternoon.

 

[shortgrass]

Everyone wants to become a 'gunsmith'. Don't know why, must not have enough 'knowed-up snipers' comin' around to dazzle 'um with their BS!

 

[cmillard]

Everyone wants to become a 'gunsmith'. Don't know why, must not have enough 'knowed-up snipers' comin' around to dazzle 'um with their BS!

Man, after all this, maybe nobody will want to get into this. Then what? Did you learn to reload on your own? I sure as hell did without anyones help. You gotta start somewhere

 

[Danley]

I'll say this, I'm VERY skeptical about buiding on someone else's *trued* action ... unless I personally know who done the previous work. Sure there are 100's of guys out there that can do the job correctly, but there's even more that think they can.

 

[Intheshop]

Building vs shooting are separated by a thin,sometimes hazy line.I don't like that personally.....but that's just me.

We build some pretty bada$$ traditional bows.Set a few records even,I shoot a cpl 1970 Bear "A" handles (think outlaw "pro-street" match racing car).....rarely shooting bows we build.I get other guys to do shakedowns....they love it because they're into new,testing,etc etc.

Just feel strongly that the ability to separate hobby from pro level,be it building or just shooting is a stumbling block for a lot of guys.No biggy.We have a very nice machine shop,beautiful...painfully accurate equipment.Yet,have almost zero interest in "building" rifles.Heck,I get bored screwing a pre chambered Savage brrl in?Concentrating instead on shooting discipline with an unwavering desire to create as close to perfect handloads as possible.

So,as others have said....be careful turning hobbies into a business.I'm adding,don't assume your riflecraft will improve,just because you built it.

 

[shortgrass]

"Ya gotta start somewhere". So, I'll ask "why"? OK. Then start by working on (and screwing up) some of your own guns. That's what self taught guys do. The guy who is self taught and can take his hobby and turn it into a business is the exception, not the rule. Probably 80% of those that graduate from the gunsmithing schools (you know , Trinidad, Lassen, MCC and the others) never open a shop, and a fewer number go to work in an established shop. Of the 20% that do open a shop, over 2/3s of those give it up in a years time or less. And the "real" gunsmithing schools teach a complete curriculum, not just threading, chambering and action truing. Only a select, very few will 'make it' doing just those things. And, if you 're just thinking about making some money (or maybe not!) doing work for others requires a lot of other things besides tooling (like Ggmac said, FFL, insurance, ITAR)......... Lots of guys "fly under the radar", but they ain't looking (advertising?) to "true action" on an internet forum, either. Lots of 'experts' out there... What fails to get mentioned on the interdnet threads is, just like most everything else that's worthwhile, there is more to being a good gunsmith than meets the eye.

 

[JRS]

Building vs shooting are separated by a thin,sometimes hazy line.I don't like that personally.....but that's just me.

We build some pretty bada$$ traditional bows.Set a few records even,I shoot a cpl 1970 Bear "A" handles (think outlaw "pro-street" match racing car).....rarely shooting bows we build.I get other guys to do shakedowns....they love it because they're into new,testing,etc etc.

Just feel strongly that the ability to separate hobby from pro level,be it building or just shooting is a stumbling block for a lot of guys.No biggy.We have a very nice machine shop,beautiful...painfully accurate equipment.Yet,have almost zero interest in "building" rifles.Heck,I get bored screwing a pre chambered Savage brrl in?Concentrating instead on shooting discipline with an unwavering desire to create as close to perfect handloads as possible.

So,as others have said....be careful turning hobbies into a business.I'm adding,don't assume your riflecraft will improve,just because you built it.

What is the name of your bow company?

 

[Cigarcop]

But I can warn you that your hobby will probably never be the same once it turns into your career.

Fighting that right now!!!!!.. Lol!

 

[carlsbad]

I enjoy building more than shooting. There I said it. --Jerry

 

[shortgrass]

I enjoy building more than shooting. There I said it. --Jerry

Ya', but I like to see what I have built preform as expected! I enjoy the work too, until some 'internet trainee' tries to tell me how I should be doing it. After 40+yrs of machining experience, and 25yrs of fitting barrels, I don't think I need a 'coach'.

 

[Riesel]

Well, I have been watching this thread closely and have decided to throw my two cents in. I think there are several levels of "gunsmithing" and find the term a bit confusing to deal with. I consider my self a hobby type or amateur type rifle assembler with maybe a little rifle building on the side. Such a gray area between assembling rifle parts and building/modifying, tuning, finishing and other such attention to detail. If a rifle assembler was a gunsmith we would have one on every corner as I have talked to many that bought black rifle parts and then put them together and call themselves a smith. The real smith is the one who can build you a competition rifle, a tack driving hunting rifle, completely restore you Grandpa's model 99 or some such rusted heirloom and put you pistol back together after you brought it to him in a tupperware container. I know such a person and the last time we talked he was just about done with tolerating the "silly gunowners" and their problems. I have, on occasion, repair someone's firearm after they misused, abused, and mistreated their gun. Doesn't make me a gunsmith, just somebody lucky/smart enough to figure it out.
Thanks for reading this.
Robert

 

[Ggmac]

Man, after all this, maybe nobody will want to get into this. Then what? Did you learn to reload on your own? I sure as hell did without anyones help. You gotta start somewhere

Yes reload can be spelt taught , but still it's illegal and requires the same ins , taxes , etc if you SELL your reloads . Liability ins is a bummer , long after you retire !

 

[cmillard]

Well said Riesel!! My dad was the same way. Guy of many trades, between military, construction, carpenter, plumber, machinist, etc. He was always redoing someone's firearm or rod and reel

 

[shortgrass]

Well, I have been watching this thread closely and have decided to throw my two cents in. I think there are several levels of "gunsmithing" and find the term a bit confusing to deal with. I consider my self a hobby type or amateur type rifle assembler with maybe a little rifle building on the side. Such a gray area between assembling rifle parts and building/modifying, tuning, finishing and other such attention to detail. If a rifle assembler was a gunsmith we would have one on every corner as I have talked to many that bought black rifle parts and then put them together and call themselves a smith. The real smith is the one who can build you a competition rifle, a tack driving hunting rifle, completely restore you Grandpa's model 99 or some such rusted heirloom and put you pistol back together after you brought it to him in a tupperware container. I know such a person and the last time we talked he was just about done with tolerating the "silly gunowners" and their problems. I have, on occasion, repair someone's firearm after they misused, abused, and mistreated their gun. Doesn't make me a gunsmith, just somebody lucky/smart enough to figure it out.
Thanks for reading this.
Robert

That's about right! Except the 'parts' from that handgun or O/U or SxS shotgun receiver come to me in a zip-loc bag,, usually one with a hole in it so there will be some part missing. I attended and graduated from a 2yr gunsmithing program (MCC class of '93). Most of those who call themselves (or others may call) 'gunsmiths' have not seen or learned even half of what is taught in the 2yr schools. I completely quit 'restoring' Grandpas' gun,,,, Grandpa must have not thought much of it as he used it to hold the chicken coup door open for 35yrs. I've got plenty to do without Grandpas' gun...

 

[300_whisper]

Gents, why is everyone beating up CM? I think he asked an honest question. Maybe it's just not being able to read someone's tone in their message, but it seems somewhat hostile. He clearly enjoys firearms and wanted to help others out can't fault him for that. I'm nowhere near a gunsmith, and I enjoy shooting them more than working on them so I'm just bringing prespective from the other side and could see why CM would want to do something different with firearms.

Not hating anyone's post either, it's all good advice. I've been burned by crappy smiths (the work provided side) and awesome smiths (business side), so I know being a smith is difficult to manage the business side with the art/craftsmanship side. And the guys who do it well are truely masters at it. But everyone seems hostile towards him. Maybe he needs a mentor, a good gunsmithing program, or a lawyer to set up a limited LLC? Maybe someone can point him in that direction. That just IMHO. Once again not hating on anyone that's just my perception.

 

[300_whisper]

Building vs shooting are separated by a thin,sometimes hazy line.I don't like that personally.....but that's just me.

We build some pretty bada$$ traditional bows.Set a few records even,I shoot a cpl 1970 Bear "A" handles (think outlaw "pro-street" match racing car).....rarely shooting bows we build.I get other guys to do shakedowns....they love it because they're into new,testing,etc etc.

Just feel strongly that the ability to separate hobby from pro level,be it building or just shooting is a stumbling block for a lot of guys.No biggy.We have a very nice machine shop,beautiful...painfully accurate equipment.Yet,have almost zero interest in "building" rifles.Heck,I get bored screwing a pre chambered Savage brrl in?Concentrating instead on shooting discipline with an unwavering desire to create as close to perfect handloads as possible.

So,as others have said....be careful turning hobbies into a business.I'm adding,don't assume your riflecraft will improve,just because you built it.

That's a good post, intheshop, thanks for sharing.

 

[Someoldguy]

I've been mulling this thread over for a couple of days, and by in larger, it sticks in my craw.

300 Whisper asks, 'Why is everybody beating up on CM?'

Alex Wheeler replies, " I don't read it that way."

REALLY.

Ggmac - 'You can't do it for that.'

Alex Wheeler - 'There is only ONE way to true an action.'

rayjay - 'I'm not saying the OP is like this, but I AM saying the guy I would send my stuff to will be VERY well known and respected.'

shortgrass - 'I've got PLENTY to do without Grandpa's gun . . . '

Intheshop - 'Heck, I get bored screwing a prechambered Savage barrel in?'

WoW.

SO, lets review.

No one can figure out a way to preform a job efficiently enough to turn a profit if I can't.

My way is the right way, and everyone else is wrong.

Installing pre-fit parts is beneath me. I've more challenging jobs I direct my attention to.

Grandpa was a fool and did not care for his possessions properly. Get this pile of scrap out of here, I've higher aspirations than this.

Any idiot can install this pre-fab stuff. My time is more valuable than this.

REALLY?

Is such an elitist, pompous attitude prerequisite of the title of 'Gunsmith', or is it a position adopted after attaining the label?

And just WHO bestows the title of 'Gunsmith' upon any of you, anyway?

It seems the primary technical requirement is that the 'Gunsmith' is able to determine that the firearm works and functions safely.

And the other aspects are subject to interpretation.

Screwing parts together of fixing 'Grandpa's gun' is just too boring and mundane, eh?

Well then, WHY aren't you under-utilized individuals applying yourselves to more worthwhile endeavors?

Such as curing cancer.
Aiding in the design of propulsion systems to facilitate travel between galaxies.
Or simply solving the issue of starvation.
Heck. Design a new firearm. Best one of John Brownings designs. He's been dead since 1926. What the heck are ya waitin' for?
Should be a piece of cake for youse guys, eh?

I'm pretty sure I just became the most hated guy in this area of the forum, if not the entire forum. And I DO NOT CARE. Someone had to say it.

I'm no Gunsmith.

WHY would I want to be?

 

[Intheshop]

Someoldguy.....relax,breathe.There's been some very good advise in this thread.You might be surprised at what some of the members here have accomplished.

Building the level of equipment that is used by folks on this site isn't for the faint of heart.....there may be a few shortcuts,but by and large we're talking high end craftsmanship performed by some very talented guys.If hobbyist's enjoy tuning and tweaking their rigs,GREAT!Just don't confuse that with what's involved running it on a pro level.My comment stands,building rifles isn't below me.....exact opposite,I'd get a pro to build it because I shoot that well,there I said it.Just not interested in building rifles.....

 

[Someoldguy]

Someoldguy.....relax,breathe.There's been some very good advise in this thread.You might be surprised at what some of the members here have accomplished.

Building the level of equipment that is used by folks on this site isn't for the faint of heart.....there may be a few shortcuts,but by and large we're talking high end craftsmanship performed by some very talented guys.If hobbyist's enjoy tuning and tweaking their rigs,GREAT!Just don't confuse that with what's involved running it on a pro level.My comment stands,building rifles isn't below me.....exact opposite,I'd get a pro to build it because I shoot that well,there I said it.Just not interested in building rifles.....

Hmmmm . . . .


So you're just 'That Good'.

Well, alrighty then.

I'll try to remember the 'relax and breathe' part. Probably about all I've ever accomplished, anyway. Right?

Pretty important stuff when viewed from my position, eh?

Like I said, I'm no Gunsmith.

 

[Intheshop]

I've got a bow friend(multiple national champ)who practices 4 hrs a day.....he's 70+ years "young".There's only so much time in the day.I'm either standing in front of a brain twisting trig problem designing a fixture for what seems like days....or,perfecting shooting disciplines from field conditions.Ain't nothing wrong with either,but both?Something's got to give?

Breathe,relax......then yank the trigger.