Getting started gunsmithing woes

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Zuidskout

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I can kinda see where the OP wants to start with crap guns as a training issue.
Turn a $100 .22 crapfire into an accurate rifle is a lesson learned.
The fact it would not make it a $500 tack driver rifle is understood in his opinion as I understand because its a training gun only.
He needs to learn the basics of making a crap gun into a tack driver to establish a reputation and then move on to that specific caliber/platform to create a reputation among the gun community. Some on this forum have done that.
One of the greatest gun makers in this country is JJ Perodeau that lives/works in Ok.
He had to do years of apprenticeship in Belgium before allowed to actually touch a firearm and then he had to apprentice under a master gunmaker.
(notice I did not say gunsmith)

A person can aspire to be a gunsmith with general knowledge of guns,machining and the ability to repair just about anything.
A gun maker is the next level beyond.


I KNOW that I cant take some worn out rusted gun and turn it into a "forever" sidearm.

I also at this point have no background at all, worth mentioning at least.

Just need to start somewhere, however it seems like where to start is a point of contention, which I did not expect.

The gunmaker thing is so far out of my league, I am not even considering something like that.
 

Zuidskout

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I’d buy a Glock and practice on it. Cause everyone knows Glocks are indestructible, so no chance of screwing it up. If you do screw it up....no big deal, cause Glocks suck.

This is funny, not a huge fan of Glock myself, but they are reliable guns that do their intended job well. Been debating buying one since finding stuff for my CZ has proven difficult, but I may not be looking hard enough....
 

dennishoddy

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I KNOW that I cant take some worn out rusted gun and turn it into a "forever" sidearm.

I also at this point have no background at all, worth mentioning at least.

Just need to start somewhere, however it seems like where to start is a point of contention, which I did not expect.

The gunmaker thing is so far out of my league, I am not even considering something like that.
I think you misunderstood my comments.
Maybe I misunderstood your comments in previous comments.
I'm supporting you in your quest to be a gunsmith and posted my comments about gunmakers as a general comment for someone that has no idea about the craft and how far one can progress in it.
Gunsmiths have to be masters at machining and the ability to understand how guns work and the engineering behind the design.
That's why we as gun owners revere them.
I'm on your side. Just adding some additional information about the craft.
 

Zuidskout

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I think you misunderstood my comments.
Maybe I misunderstood your comments in previous comments.
I'm supporting you in your quest to be a gunsmith and posted my comments about gunmakers as a general comment for someone that has no idea about the craft and how far one can progress in it.
Gunsmiths have to be masters at machining and the ability to understand how guns work and the engineering behind the design.
That's why we as gun owners revere them.
I'm on your side. Just adding some additional information about the craft.

Nah mate, I was agreeing with you, attempting to reaffirm your points.
 

SPDguns

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Come see me. I am a licensed gunsmith and I'm not an expert* and I can't teach you everything I know over a cup of coffee but I can tell you what works for me and what didn't. I've been tinkering on guns for somewhere around 35 years or so and done work on guns for several here on the forum**. I've had quite a bit of formal training but mostly informal training over the years. We will then tour my shop and then make a trip to my buddies shop here in town. You need to be a metalworker and a metallurgist. A woodworker. A machinist. A mechanic. The biggest thing you need to be is a diagnostician and a problem solver. I hate gunsmiths that start throwing parts at a gun until eventually they stumble around and get the right part in it, all at a cost to the customer.

@Gunbuffer will be along shortly.........

*When someone says they are an "expert", do your homework on them...... Jus' sayin'....

**hillaryisabum, sturgisrun, gerhard1, FPO, J460 (pending), Big50.
 

Zuidskout

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Come see me. I am a licensed gunsmith and I'm not an expert* and I can't teach you everything I know over a cup of coffee but I can tell you what works for me and what didn't. I've been tinkering on guns for somewhere around 35 years or so and done work on guns for several here on the forum**. I've had quite a bit of formal training but mostly informal training over the years. We will then tour my shop and then make a trip to my buddies shop here in town. You need to be a metalworker and a metallurgist. A woodworker. A machinist. A mechanic. The biggest thing you need to be is a diagnostician and a problem solver. I hate gunsmiths that start throwing parts at a gun until eventually they stumble around and get the right part in it, all at a cost to the customer.

@Gunbuffer will be along shortly.........

*When someone says they are an "expert", do your homework on them...... Jus' sayin'....

**hillaryisabum, sturgisrun, gerhard1, FPO, J460 (pending), Big50.

I’d take you up on your offer
 

xseler

These are not the firearms you're looking for.
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(Hopefully correct forum category) Recently I purchased some basic tools required for "gunsmithing"/restoration. I don't really do much in my spare time aside from watch tv and I wanted a new hobby, figured id try fixing up some junk guns and maybe id learn something.

So far, the only thing I have learned is that it is very difficult to find broken, rusty or junk guns, and if I go to a place that DID have some, usually a practicing gunsmith already has dibs (understandable).

Where should I be looking for project guns?


PM sent.


.
 

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