11 replies to this topic

[Kephers]

What kind of tools/machines would we need to make our own barrels and receivers and other small parts? And what is the cost of that kind of a set up. I'm completely new to that, but was thinking in a year or so, when we get our house of trying some of it out. Just for hobby.

[docskinner]

Major items: a metal lathe, a mill, a heat treating setup, and the knowledge. The first three are easy to buy (not cheap to buy), the latter you could always take some course work for (both machining tech and gunsmithing). Then a whole crap load of files, stones, fixtures, etc. depending on what exactly you are going to make, and how safe you want the prodcut to be. Some parts can be made with a drill in a vise and some files, or just files, but others...

Not a light endeavor. Machining/metallurgy knowledge to begin would help (and help understand the complexity of how much more you need to learn). One of my retirement goals is to get some machining tech knowledge.

[dangerranger]

It all depends on how good of a gun you want!





Before you laugh, John Brownings first guns were made with hand tools only. Even the barrels were hand made and hand rifled. DR

[Bisley]

Don't forget about the reamer, drill bits, and rifling bits also $$$!!! Way more hassle than it would be worth, unless you hit the Lotto maybe

[Kephers]

Yeah the wife might night like the price tag on this. But still one never knows.

[docskinner]

Not saying don't do it!! Its a dream of mine - but it takes major investment (money and traing) to do ina worthwhile manor. Not a hobby industry in this country where we expect our guns to last and not explode in our faces!

Something you can definitely work ona bit at a time (aquiring equipment and knowledge), just don't expet to be able to just jump in. There are a few gunsmiths on here - maybe ask if you can volunteer doing some clean up or something for a bit to see what is involved - could be a huge eye opener either way: 1) I GOTTA do this!! or 2) oh, maybe not quite for me.

[dangerranger]

Making your own guns is doable, rifling a barrel can be done with hand tools that you have made yourself. But muzzle loaders are going to be a much easier place to start. Or you could start by rebuilding older guns into something you would want to shoot. Sporters have gotten a bad name over the years but my grandpa had built quite a few old military rifles into great sporters. Ive also built a few from parts guns for very little money.

Heres one I made for my grandson, the trigger and bolt are from a Marlin 120, the barrel is a cast off Remington, and the reciver and stock I made.

[dangerranger]

Here's another built from parts. A friend was restoring a Swede Mauser and this was built from the leftovers.





I traded a shotgun to have the barrel fitted and the bolt turned down.
after replacing the trigger it will be getting a cammo job. DR

[rustygun]

Years ago in Sonoma I lived acrossed the street from a retired Army Col. that had his whole garage set up for gunsmithing. He had all the toys needed. When I would go visit him I came home drooling. He had tons of $ invested.

[Kephers]

Well maybe one day. I know I want to restore some old rifles and also maintain my own as well.

[dangerranger]

The only major piece of equipment I own is a good drill press. I can do small milling projects on it . And I use a lathe at work. My hydrolic press I made myself. and my sanders and bench grinders are all built from cast offs and parts. As I get closer to retiring Im looking for a lathe. thats probably the thing Ill miss most about work! DR

[clampdaddy]

.......Or you could start by rebuilding older guns into something you would want to shoot. Sporters have gotten a bad name over the years but my grandpa had built quite a few old military rifles into great sporters.......

Yep. The term "sporter" once meant taking a suitable military rifle and taking the time to make a nice hunting rifle out if it. Now it seems to mean taking any piece of junk military rifle available, chopping a foot or two off the fore end, and adding a scope via some crappy clamp on mount.