Bore Cleaning the AR-15 (and other bores)

As a former US Army armorer, as a secondary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), I can tell you I have come up against some dirty, fouled weaponry. Therefore, the importance of cleaning your weapon to ensure consistent accuracy and long life, cannot be overemphasized. I cannot remember how many times I had to refuse to accept an M16 that was not clean from turning in their assigned rifle to the unit arms room. It did not make me popular, at times, but it was my duty to ensure that all weaponry in the unit arms room was battle ready. 

Revolver Inspection and Maintenance

Left Click to Enlarge

Despite the popularity of semi-automatics, there are plenty of revolvers around, some for cowboy-action shooters and others used for home defense and concealed carry.

Some revolvers have been made by manufacturers have cost-cutting modifications, but are not as good as the old made-for-hard-use 'wheel guns'. It is true modern revolvers that are made with CNC machines are consistent in its making over the older firearms, but the material used is less quality. That is pretty much the story of many things manufactured today – cost more but not made as durable. Automobiles are good examples, the sheet metal being thinner on a modern vehicle that that used on cars made in the 1950s; their cost increased because of the cost of steel and the tech marvels installed.

AR Buffers and Springs

Lower Receiver Schematic Drawing showing tube-buffer-spring assembly

Self-loading rifles and pistols require a recoil spring to cycle the action. The AR or military M16 is lightweight, therefore it requires a buffer that provides extra weight. The action energy is absorbed by the spring, so compression is important in order for the stored energy to push the buffer, carrier and bolt back in the forward position.

Drop-In Aftermarket Parts and Kits for Semiauto Pistols

Drop-in custom parts for firearms has become popular, as one can see browsing the collection of YouTube videos concerning the subject.

The majority of the custom parts available are easy to fit, while some require fitting, which reputable dealers will say so in their literature.

Issues Concerning the M1911 Firing Pin Stop, Firing Pin and Safeties

The firing pin stop is something that gun owners frequently fail to check in the M1911 pistols, especially important for those collector pieces from WWII. It is also tied in to the firing pin, extractor and safety mechanisms.

A tight fit is best. The firing pin stop may have minor wobble and still work okay as well as the extractor will clock a bit and still work. The extractor spring is also factored in because it must be solid, but not too solid. A weak firing pin spring makes a bounce in the slide. 

Importance of Muzzle Crowns

The crown of a barrel, be it rifle or pistol, is an important aspect of accuracy and marksmanship that firearm owners may overlook or take for granted. In military standards, like at the President's 100 marksmanship gunsmith shop at Fort Benning, Georgia, for target standard crown is the 11-degree crown. A properly cut crown will ensure that the circumference of the base of a bullet exits the muzzle at exactly the same time.Diagram at left shows barrel and crown relationship.

Aftermarket Accessories and DIY Gunsmithing

Universal Bipod Properly Fitted

Putting a bipod on a rifle is an excellent means to stabilize your shots when hunting deer this season in a deer stand or at the firing range. Some purchase bipods because they look so military or the rifle was originally designed to have one.

There are several models and styles available that a firearm owner can install themselves; however there are draw backs.

Dry-Fire Causes Damage: Myth or Fact?

In tradition, the practice of dry firing was taboo, a cardinal sin. However, in every function test of a military firearm – dry firing is part of the function test.

So is it a myth passed down by generations, or based upon fact?

I would like to settle this argument with logic and science …

The answer, to make this article shorter, is it depends on the firearm. Most modern firearms are not damaged, unless performed thousands of times over and over when dry firing. 

Magazines: Loading and Proper Care

Maine Prepper provides a video with advice concerning ammunition magazines ...

Condolence to the family and friends of Gerardo Hernandez, a Los Angeles TSA officer killed recently by a sick shooter at the Los Angeles airport.