I don't buy hardly any guns anymore. I would rather build them on my own. Just wondering how many others do that. I am not talking about buying a bunch of aftermarket AR-15 parts and spending a few hours with a screwdriver. I wonder how many actually build a gun from a block of steel and a plank for a stock. Maybe buy a barrel and a few small parts.
Who builds their own guns?
- Thread starter Bill Raby
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I had a great friend that did that, until he passed away. He helped me build a flintlock pistol (he did the hard parts!)
His guns were stocked with walnut from a tree that his father in law had harvested in the 1950's. Before he passed all his children and grandchildren got a gun from him, and he left enough behind for a few more grandkids or great grandkids.
His guns were stocked with walnut from a tree that his father in law had harvested in the 1950's. Before he passed all his children and grandchildren got a gun from him, and he left enough behind for a few more grandkids or great grandkids.
OLDSTER
Member
Years ago ( longer than I care to admit), I built several "custom" 1911s using the Norinco as the platform. I would only use the frame and slide, and they're known to have excellent steel 
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
I don't build guns, but in Friendsville MD, I met "Uncle Jim" the patriarch of a mostly self-sufficient Appalachian family, and he built guns from scratch.
In front of Jim's 1800's house. Jim is standing on the right.
Jim in front of a display of his tools and two of the guns he built.
In front of Jim's 1800's house. Jim is standing on the right.
Jim in front of a display of his tools and two of the guns he built.
I only wish I had the talent to do so. I have taken a Springfield 1911 and "built" it up into a competition model by tightening the frame, replacing and fitting a new barrel, a 3.5 lb trigger job, stippled frame and slide top, Bomar sights, beveled mag well, had the frame metaloyed, and probably some other modifications.
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I have assembled AR15's and M1 Garands from parts but have never built a gun before.
bigggbbruce
Member
Pictures or it aint so.. I'd like to see what you make.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
In the early 80's I built several (20ish) 1911's on aftermarket frames and GI parts. My "Go To" is the last of those builds. In the days when an straight out of the box Colt wouldn't work, I build parts guns that functioned every time! for about 1/3 the price. Once I had done it a few times it about 3 hours, and that included a sandblasting of everything and re-Parkerizing! and test firing a 7 round group that was 8" or less at 25 Yards! Crude by todays standards, but pretty good SD guns at the time for about $110. I could probably do it now to the same specs for a third of a new Colt, but nobody wants 1911 parts guns! (And the ATF&E has different rules now!) I've got parts for almost 2 more, but I already have 6 1911 series guns.
Ivan
Ivan
I stock & restock, do a lot of upgrade of field version guns restoration work on all sorts of guns. Engraving, checkering,carving, bluing (rust), make parts where needed,
I've posted some of the projects and work here over the years. I don't consider them 'gun building' but rather gunsmithing projects using a number of different gunmaker skills.
As far as making an action like a double square bridge Magnum Mauser 98 from a billet of steel,,,no. That's beyond my machinist capabilities I'll be the first to admit.
I get along with my self taught knowledge and smaller machines quite well for what I do and need but I certainly know my capabilitys and limits. I do marvel at what some others are capable of doing on machines and the work they can produce. I guess I should have paid more attention in 7th grade metal shop class!
Stock work can be either from a plank or from a pre-carve. Depends on whats available and the wood ect.
I don't do rebbl'ing anymore and did very little when I did. Gotten away from shotgun bore work too of late.
Re-laying the ribs on a high grade Ithaca SxS now that someone repaired w/epoxy in the past. I'll re-cut the engraving and then a rust blue restored bbl finish to follow.
The butt stock has been given a period correct recoil pad fitted right to the wood to replace the Pachmyer white line and the wood finish restored to match the rest of the gun. Some mechanical work needs be done yet too.
That's the sort of stuff I get in to.
I don't have much interest in stuff newer than about 1960 or so.
I do make a muzzle loader now and again. Lately use a pre=carve stock but sometimes a plank to start. Have made the lock in the past but generally buy one now. Have always bought a bbl. HArdware I can make and generally do.
I've posted some of the projects and work here over the years. I don't consider them 'gun building' but rather gunsmithing projects using a number of different gunmaker skills.
As far as making an action like a double square bridge Magnum Mauser 98 from a billet of steel,,,no. That's beyond my machinist capabilities I'll be the first to admit.
I get along with my self taught knowledge and smaller machines quite well for what I do and need but I certainly know my capabilitys and limits. I do marvel at what some others are capable of doing on machines and the work they can produce. I guess I should have paid more attention in 7th grade metal shop class!
Stock work can be either from a plank or from a pre-carve. Depends on whats available and the wood ect.
I don't do rebbl'ing anymore and did very little when I did. Gotten away from shotgun bore work too of late.
Re-laying the ribs on a high grade Ithaca SxS now that someone repaired w/epoxy in the past. I'll re-cut the engraving and then a rust blue restored bbl finish to follow.
The butt stock has been given a period correct recoil pad fitted right to the wood to replace the Pachmyer white line and the wood finish restored to match the rest of the gun. Some mechanical work needs be done yet too.
That's the sort of stuff I get in to.
I don't have much interest in stuff newer than about 1960 or so.
I do make a muzzle loader now and again. Lately use a pre=carve stock but sometimes a plank to start. Have made the lock in the past but generally buy one now. Have always bought a bbl. HArdware I can make and generally do.
AJ
US Veteran
In the mid to late 1980's I was building M1911's from parts. I preferred Colt slides and Caspian frames. I adjust the triggers down to 2.5 pounds of pull. I fitted bushings and links until the lock up was right. I also tightened the slides to their frames. Once finished if the pistol would not keep all rounds in the black on a 25 yard target at 25 yards, back to the work bench it went. I built about 40 pistols, before it got to be work. The last one I built was for my Daughter and her Husband for the wedding present that they asked for from me.
GunarSailors
US Veteran
Jesse James does...
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U9CUb1nHlss[/ame]
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U9CUb1nHlss[/ame]
I didn't build it but had it built by a friend that had mad skills when it came to building flintlock black powder rifles. I had him build me a 40" octagonal barreled 32 caliber flintlock Pennsylvania "Squirrel" rifle. It was stocked with one of the most beautiful pieces of flamed maple on the planet. The lock was an 1800ish London Warranted lock. The brasses were period pieces from the early 1800's, sans the wedge. The trigger was a modern reproduction "Set Trigger." The barrel at the muzzle was inlaid with gold/platinum/gold "Wedding Bands."
55 gr of FFF was the sweet spot and that rifle would shoot under 1" groups at 50 yards. Anything less than 55 gr and that rifle wouldn't stabilize the round ball. Anything more and it would start leading the barrel something awful.
In a moment of stupidity I left the case with rifle, ball bag and possible's bag in the bed of my truck. When I stopped for gas they were there. After I finished pumping the gas, they were gone, never to be seen again.
Local PD took the theft report but told me "Don't hold your breath that it shows up."
That build was $1450 and 29 years ago. The theft was 21 years ago.
Unfortunately, I was robbed of the rifle and an even greater loss was suffered by the builder. He was robbed by the onset of Alzheimer's. He passed before he could start building me "Version II"
Class III
55 gr of FFF was the sweet spot and that rifle would shoot under 1" groups at 50 yards. Anything less than 55 gr and that rifle wouldn't stabilize the round ball. Anything more and it would start leading the barrel something awful.
In a moment of stupidity I left the case with rifle, ball bag and possible's bag in the bed of my truck. When I stopped for gas they were there. After I finished pumping the gas, they were gone, never to be seen again.
Local PD took the theft report but told me "Don't hold your breath that it shows up."
That build was $1450 and 29 years ago. The theft was 21 years ago.
Unfortunately, I was robbed of the rifle and an even greater loss was suffered by the builder. He was robbed by the onset of Alzheimer's. He passed before he could start building me "Version II"
Class III
I work on guns, my step father built some. He even cut his own rifling in a couple of barrels he made. I keep thinking about setting up to rerifle pistol barrels but with hand equipment it is a time and labor intensive job.
I buy the barrels. I build muzzleloaders also. I love the flintlocks. I have built locks, but I think in the future I will mostly buy them. Then just make a few parts for them. I have found that making stocks from a blank is actually easier than starting with a pre-carve. Just takes longer. Nothing hard about building a single shot from scratch. I have always had the idea to build a 577 Nitro Express double rifle. Give it the full engraving and even do some bulino engraving on it. Problem is that I have a real job so it would probably take a couple years to build. I know how to regulate a double rifle, but have never done it.
At first I thought I could save money by building a rifle. Ha Ha Ha!!! That sure was a stupid idea. Instead of spending $2000 on a rifle you end up spending $2000 on a walnut rifle blank. But you get one that makes the guys at the Holland & Holland factory get excited. Then comes the tools. A good mill costs as much as several very nice rifles. Good part is that I have not even turned on a TV in a couple years. Why waste time on that when you could be in the shop instead.
Here's a link to a rifle build by Bailey Bradshaw of (Diana?)Tx.
He does make the entire firearm and with a blend of old and new techniques.
Machining the frame and parts from damascus billets that he forges himself, the stock work, bbl assembly and regulation (it's a double rifle), engraving, ect.
He specializes in DR and single shot rifles. High quality stuff all around.
Interesting thread,,a few pics lost due to the PhotoKan problem but most are there to see.
A true 'Gun Maker' IMO.
Damascus hornet double...in progress - Topic
He does make the entire firearm and with a blend of old and new techniques.
Machining the frame and parts from damascus billets that he forges himself, the stock work, bbl assembly and regulation (it's a double rifle), engraving, ect.
He specializes in DR and single shot rifles. High quality stuff all around.
Interesting thread,,a few pics lost due to the PhotoKan problem but most are there to see.
A true 'Gun Maker' IMO.
Damascus hornet double...in progress - Topic
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