YOU NEED TO LEARN GUNSMITHING - LIKE IT OR NOT!

Owned four at one time, even Bowen told me there's nothing much that can be done other than reducing the trigger pull and some cosmetic changes. FA is very cautious about owners tinkering with their revolvers, especially the 83. FA was sued because of the lack of a Ruger type hammer block in the 83.

What exactly are you wanting to do?

I would like to completely disassemble my FA's like I do with all my other guns. I clean them thoroughly at least once a year; all except the FA's. Over on another gun forum where I don't like to post (because they don't allow gun sales classified if you can believe that), there was a recent question about how to re-insert the two springs that pop out when you release the grip frame from the main frame (I believe they are the trigger return and bolt springs (and the do pop out). So far, the OP has been given NOTHING and these forum folk are some of the cognoscenti in the single action game. I saw a similar post or two over the year on that same forum and still NADA.... one answer was "call FA". Every gun company has been sued for something, yet videos and detail manuals abound. The question prevails: "Why not Freedom Arms".

J.
 
I'm a mechanic by trade, so I've always loved working on fine machinery and learning how things work. Even though I've been shooting for decades, I didn't really get past basic field stripping, cleaning and maintenance until fairly recently. The first thing I did was to get a few good books on the subject and start reading about the basics and see if it was something I wanted to spend the time pursuing with the thought of it becoming a full time hobby in retirement. I've slowly been branching out in what I do: I've done some cylinder reaming and other minor gunsmithing tasks as I slowly acquire the tools. Likewise, about the same time I started reloading because it just seems to go hand in hand with gunsmithing, hardware and software. Today I just made a significant purchase of bullet casting equipment and lead. I see it as closing the circle...being self sufficient and not having to worry about situations like we have witnessed recently.

Now if I could just find the time to do it all! I may have to wait for retirement.
 
I've learned a TON from watching Mark Novak's Anvil Gunsmith series on ewetube. He works on some exotic stuff that most of us will never touch (need a part made for your Maxim?), but his methodology and natural teaching instinct will have you looking at things differently. That plus he's a hoot to watch. Oh, and Ian McCollum sends his exotica to Mark for work. Need a better recommendation than that?

This video is a good 2 minute intro to Mark.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ-cOaEvjLE"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ-cOaEvjLE[/ame]
 
A lot of people won't take a gun apart for something that simple. I think that's what the OP was referring to as much as customizing.
I think the OP is right. Over a decade ago, I experienced my first parts issue with a firearm- my extractor broke on a pistol. Not knowing any better and intimidated by the concept of fiddling around, I spent $100 on getting a local smith to fix it. It took over a month, and I was informed that they had to order the extractor from the manufacturer (it was CZ).

Not too long after, the extractor on my OTHER CZ broke. This time, I ordered the part myself for $30, bought a punch, and looked up the process on the internet. Turns out it's simple, took me about 15 minutes.

Years later, I bought a Daewoo pistol on Gunbroker, which had some issues (I detailed them here in a thread at the time). I ended up buying some parts (again, diagnosing from internet sources like here and elsewhere), and successfully repaired that gun.

A lot of "gunsmith stuff" is simple maintenance, I've seen guys drop off guns after hunting season just to have them cleaned. I see zero reason to do that.
 
I think any gun owner should know how to do the basics on maintenance, pm, and cleaning of their gun/guns. Just like you should be able to at least change your oil, air filter, wiper blades, spark plugs, bulbs, headlights, etc. on your car. You should be able to change out your trigger, replace some springs and pins, replace your firing pin, extractor, etc. We are not talking major surgery or welding here. I have pretty much rebuilt just about everything on a car. When it comes to the computer controlled transmissions, etc. I know when to let the professionals do it. I have rebuilt a transmission, and it worked when I was done. At my current age, I won't do it unless I absolutely have to. I maintain my own riding mower and power equipment. We are not talking about major modifications and customization to your firearm. We are talking about being able to keep your firearm running within your limitations. Besides, just like any mechanical device, the more you know about your tool, the better you will be with it and understand it. The better you will be able to troubleshoot should something go wrong, so you will be better able to make the call of "fix it myself or make an appointment with my local Gunsmith.
 
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You beat me to it!

I was going to say, "I've got a dremel. What else do I need?"
I know a Dremel is basically never the right tool for the job but I'm bemused by the fact sometimes it's the *only* tool for the job.

I've heard it said that if the government ever want to get serious about gun control they are going to have to start registering Dremels. :-)
 
Like many tools, a Dremel is sometimes the only tool that will fix a particular problem. And also like many tools, there are multiple other problems that a Dremel should never be used to try to fix . . .


I know a Dremel is basically never the right tool for the job but I'm bemused by the fact sometimes it's the *only* tool for the job.

I've heard it said that if the government ever want to get serious about gun control they are going to have to start registering Dremels. :-)
 
Dremel...? Hell.... not one person has mentioned a big hammer... :-)

J.
 
Totally agree.

It's easier than ever to learn basic skills to keep your guns, cars, etc. running. The less time they spend in someone else's care, the better.

And yes. START RELOADING if you like to shoot even moderately! I can't stress that enough.
 
I believe everyone should have some basic gun maintenance skills. Taking A S&W revolver apart and putting it back together is NOT difficult. Neither is changing a spring, rear sight and a few other parts. Many of the parts are pretty close tolerance, but many can be changed out with little trouble. I am all for learning your limitations. But, really most of the parts are just not that expensive. Just don't mess up the frame, The barrel requires some special tooling. Get an old model 10 junker and go to learning. I have a 10-2 that has had 4 different barrels, 3 cylinders etc. It now has adjustable sights and a model 19 357 cylinder and a 2 1/2" 357 barrel. I think I paid $200 for it many years ago and have learned a whole bunch with it.
 
i am always in awe watching a really skilled machinist on youtube. there was a guy on one of these forums who was (I think) mating a demill M1 and m14 half together and making it to shoot .45 or something. he hadn't last I heard, gotten it to function but OMG the machine work he was doing...
But, it is really amazing what you can make with a drill press, some quality files, a good vise, and patience.
 
I would never call myself a gunsmith, but I have had to learn how to do basic part fitting and tinkering on my guns because I usually buy older guns that need TLC here and there. The guns themselves arent worth taking anywhere, and it makes no sense to pay someone for something i can (and should) do myself.

This approach allows me to afford firearms i wouldnt otherwise be able to afford.
 
I think Chief38 makes a very valid point about self sufficiency, as do some other posters, though these days it seems it applies to not just firearms, but so many other aspects of life. I can take apart and reassemble all my guns, do almost all the maintenance on my vehicles, keep my house running, and have even changed a battery on an IPhone! (though that's about my limit with electronics). I find it fun to learn new skills, and, through trial and error, have developed a sense of when to stop and ask for professional help. The previous advice to buy a beater gun and learn on it is invaluable.
 
I will add one of my pet peeves here, since I think it is on topic for this thread.

Fixing the timing on Smith & Wesson revolvers is not a good first gunsmithing project for someone with no experience. This is a subject I see with some frequency on a number of different forums, and I try to reply to it when I have the energy. There are always lots of people who suggest that an oversize hand is a drop in fix, and it is silly to invest in a gunsmith for this issue. Unfortunately, there are three or four incorrect assumptions in that one sentence.

This brings up an overall issue that applies to working on all types of serious equipment, which is that "you need to know what you don't know." That requirement is difficult, since it contains an obvious paradox. However, it is not an impossible paradox. With experience, one does slowly get a sense of where not to tread because "I don't know what lies there." But early on in the journey, before that sense is well developed, caution is required.

I am actually a big fan of learning the skills to maintain one's own equipment, but I never expect it to be easy or cheap.
 
Real gunsmithing is a lot different than kitchen table repairs. I learned, way back, when on a very tight budget, that I needed to learn how to make simple repairs and do it right. I also learned that when I thought I needed to remove just a little more metal, I needed to stop. Today's modern firearms mostly don't require much gunsmith talent for the vast majority of problems. YouTube can help people avoid pitfalls. One thing I'll add. Whether it is about simple gun repairs or reloading, if you don't have patience, ability to focus and follow instructions, neither is for you!
 
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