I am a big fan of the shade tree gunsmiths… but I’m smart about it. Some have taken Mickey Mouse gunsmith courses (cough cough Sonoran, HAKAFFFF!) … but a true gunsmith starts as a machinist. A real gunsmith can literally build a rifle from bar steel, and carve and inlet stocks, checker, finish, etc etc. He’ll have milling machines, metal lathes, and even CNC equipment.
The next step down from there are the Armourers. Those guys can diagnose common functioning problems, replace parts, maybe refurb existing stuff. Tiny does this all the time - but he knows his way around guns and the tools and his work on Enfields. These guys deserve respect too.
And of course, at the bottom of the barrel are guys like yours Truly - and some deserve the death penalty for the murderous “sporterizing” of pristine military surplus rifles they do. My advice to most is - unless you know what you’re doing… let a pro do it. Guys like Tiny will set you up with a charming milspec shooter or wall hanger. But to truly sporterize a rifle into something you can be proud of…? That takes lots of time, money, and skill. Most of us would be best served by just going out and getting a Tupperware Ruger American, or Savage Econ-O-Gun. But…if you DO have the Right Stuff… a well sporterized milsurp is a thing of beauty. I am curious though. .45-70? In a bolt gun…? Well…why not? You can have a lot of fun plinking with the 45-70 using cast lead and reduced loads. I’ll bet that bolt action will handle serious hunting loads too! Again…why not? I can’t wait until the job is done!
I like the content, the Mystery Parts Game Show, and the cheezy ads for Shop Beer that Merk does. If you like the builders and artisans as I do… the big beardo is definitely worth a like and a subscribe.
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