Gunsmithing

If there is one thing an avid firearms hobbyist enjoys more than shooting, it is playing the part of a pseudo-gunsmith. A gunsmith is a person who focuses their efforts on repairing, modifying, designing and building firearms. This profession is often confused with that of the armorer. An armorer is one who primarily maintains firearms and performs minor repairs. Their emphasis is placed on routine maintenance that including assembly, disassembly and cleaning.

There is a greater satisfaction to be had by engaging in any of the aforementioned activities on your own than there is taking it to a professional and paying for their services. However, without the proper knowledge and instruction, an amateur gunsmith may do more harm than good. Always ensure a full understanding of the firearm you intend to work with. Before making any repairs or modifications to a firearm, one should familiarize himself/herself with an armorer’s manual, operations manual or another appropriate instructional prior to beginning work.

Keepshooting.com now offers several instructional manuals and DVDs that cover gunsmithing and related topics. If you’re anything like the rest of the shooting community, you cannot wait to get started on your next project. One of the most popular rifles in America is the AR-15. If you’re considering buying or building one, check out “Building Your AR-15 from Scratch,” a comprehensive DVD that walks you through the process of selecting parts and building the rifle step-by-step. You may also consider the blueprints for the Colt 1911 pistol. These blueprints are reprinted from the U.S. Military and include drawings for every part. We also have many more and invite you to browse them all.