16.01.2015 Views

GCA-Newsletter_01_13.. - Gun Club of America

GCA-Newsletter_01_13.. - Gun Club of America

GCA-Newsletter_01_13.. - Gun Club of America

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

2<br />

Table<br />

<strong>of</strong> Contents<br />

2 Note From The President<br />

3 <strong>Gun</strong>Tech Program Guide<br />

4 Jack's Corner<br />

5 Tip <strong>of</strong> the Month<br />

6 Restoring the Winchester<br />

Model 57<br />

8 Rifle Cleaning Equipment<br />

9 Coming Next Month<br />

10 Producer's Cut<br />

11 Name That Part Contest!<br />

12 The A.H. Fox Sterlingworth<br />

Shotgun<br />

14 Resource Directory<br />

15 Student Certifications<br />

16 Video Index<br />

The <strong>GCA</strong> Connection and <strong>Gun</strong>Tech DVD Magazine<br />

are published and produced by The <strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>America</strong> and distributed solely to current<br />

<strong>GCA</strong> Members. ©Copyright <strong>GCA</strong> 2<strong>01</strong>2.<br />

All rights reserved. No part <strong>of</strong> this DVD or<br />

newsletter may be copied, reproduced, rented or<br />

transmitted for any reason without the written permission<br />

<strong>of</strong> the copyright holder.<br />

Contacting <strong>GCA</strong>:<br />

<strong>GCA</strong>, 351 Second Street, Napa, CA 94559,<br />

800-435-4262, Fax 707-253-2135,<br />

www.<strong>Gun</strong><strong>Club</strong>Of<strong>America</strong>.com<br />

Submissions and contributions: We welcome you to<br />

submit articles, stories, photos and videos for<br />

publication in the <strong>GCA</strong> Connection and/or <strong>Gun</strong>Tech<br />

DVD Magazine. <strong>GCA</strong> pays for submissions and contributions<br />

with "AGI Bucks." These coupons are<br />

redeemable dollar-for-dollar towards the<br />

purchase <strong>of</strong> any AGI product or AGI video course.<br />

Articles: Email your articles to<br />

jlandis@<strong>America</strong>n<strong>Gun</strong>smith.com.<br />

Articles and stories must be submitted in<br />

MS Word or MS publisher format. We pay<br />

for stories and articles we print by the word:<br />

100-300 words = 20 AGI Bucks,<br />

300-500 words = 50 AGI Bucks,<br />

500+ words = 100 AGI Bucks.<br />

Photos: Electronic photos must be submitted in a<br />

jpeg format with a resolution <strong>of</strong> at LEAST 640x480.<br />

Print photos are accepted but <strong>GCA</strong> cannot return any<br />

printed photos and all submitted photos will become<br />

the property <strong>of</strong> <strong>GCA</strong>.<br />

Videos: Videos must be on DVD or on MiniDV tape,<br />

S-VHS tape or Hi-8 tape. We cannot return any<br />

video tapes and all submitted videos will become the<br />

property <strong>of</strong> the <strong>GCA</strong>. All videos must have<br />

sound on the tape that explains what we are<br />

watching. We pay by the minute for each minute<br />

(or portion there<strong>of</strong>) that we use. 10 AGI Bucks<br />

per finished minute.<br />

Subscriber information - missing or damaged issues:<br />

If an issue <strong>of</strong> the <strong>GCA</strong> Connection and/or <strong>Gun</strong>Tech<br />

DVD is lost in the mail or arrives damaged, simply<br />

contact <strong>GCA</strong> at 800-435-4262 for a replacement.<br />

A Note from the President . . .<br />

Enjoying the guns I already own!<br />

Seems like whenever I go places where there are new or<br />

different firearms, such as the SHOT Show, visiting manufacturers<br />

or doing testing for <strong>Gun</strong>Tech, I come away lusting after some<br />

new gun or guns!. I mean get real, I don’t think a mule could<br />

even begin to carry all the guns I own now, so why on earth do I need another one!<br />

Well, “need” as I am sure you know isn’t really the issue, but WANT<br />

certainly is and I am O.K. with that! Hey I need that beautiful Chiappa color<br />

case hardened receiver, single shot, Baby Sharps in .30/30 caliber because, well, it<br />

would be cool for, um, hunting deer<br />

I, like most gun guys, have convinced myself that I needed (read that as really, really<br />

wanted) this and many other guns that probably will never get taken into the field more<br />

than once or twice. But “Gee Wally!” I STILL really want them. So what do I do Well,<br />

most <strong>of</strong> the time I restrain myself and the trance I find myself in over a particular gun<br />

eventually passes, but <strong>of</strong> course, not always. Hey, a guy needs to have his toys right!<br />

Recently I had occasion to go through many <strong>of</strong> my guns as I moved them into a new safe.<br />

This gave me the opportunity to handle some guns I hadn’t looked at or admired for quite<br />

some time. Some <strong>of</strong> those guns have very fond memories attached to them and it gave<br />

me joy just to handle them again.<br />

The first that fell to hand was a very old, slightly pitted, S&W Model 10 .38 Special<br />

revolver, that was the very first centerfire handgun I ever owned. Bought it used -<br />

really, really used! I did a trigger job on it in gunsmithing school and it is still silky smooth<br />

and timed up tight. That gun went into the field a lot with me over the college years and<br />

beyond. I still enjoy shooting it.<br />

Colt's .22lr Autoloading Stagecoach<br />

I also looked at my<br />

Dad’s old 1894 .30/30 Winchester that I carried on some <strong>of</strong> my<br />

first deer hunts. In the back <strong>of</strong> the safe was my Colt “Stagecoach” .22 LR<br />

semi-auto rifle. It is a 16" carbine with a 13 shot tube magazine, a glossy walnut<br />

stock, a saddle ring, and roll engraving on the receiver. That was my first rifle and I saved<br />

for it a long time. Over the years it “killed” a lot <strong>of</strong> cans, and even put a few<br />

rabbits in the stew pot. I still really enjoy shooting that lightweight, fast handling, little<br />

gun. Another rifle I pulled out was an M1 Garand in .308 that I’ve still never fired. Dang!<br />

All <strong>of</strong> this got me to thinking. Here I had a group <strong>of</strong> “friends” that I really enjoyed and yet<br />

I was always out looking for another. Maybe I am just a insatiable gatherer/collector but<br />

it did give me pause. Because I knew there was still a huge amount <strong>of</strong> enjoyment available<br />

to me with the guns I already owned. So, now I’m making plans to take a number <strong>of</strong><br />

my “old friends” out on a “Range Date” this year. I might even have to put blinders on so<br />

I don’t look too closely at any new guns while I am visiting the shooting range. Well<br />

maybe just a peek . . .<br />

So, enjoy the guns you’ve got. Take them out, tune them up, reacquaint yourself with<br />

some old friends and have some fun!<br />

Good Shooting, Gene Kelly<br />

President, AGI and the <strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>America</strong><br />

◆<br />

Chiappa’s Mini-Sharps Hunter in .30/30 Winchester


What’s in this Month’s Issue<br />

Welcome to 2<strong>01</strong>3 and welcome to <strong>Gun</strong>Tech Issue #81.<br />

Apparently the Mayan calendar wasn’t really right about the<br />

end <strong>of</strong> the universe so we have another great issue <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Gun</strong>Tech for you this month and a surprise host! Gene brings<br />

another submachine gun out <strong>of</strong> his gun locker, Ken has a very<br />

interesting topic in “Tips from the Workbench,” Jack has some<br />

great tools and products, Keith goes on a clandestine mission<br />

to find some out-<strong>of</strong>-the-ordinary guns, and much more!<br />

Ten-X TX-12<br />

12GA. “Hello”<br />

for LE and Military<br />

entry teams<br />

<strong>Gun</strong>Tech<br />

Program Guide<br />

Ten for Ten-X<br />

We pay a visit to<br />

Ten-X because we’ve heard<br />

they are up to<br />

something very different, at least<br />

for THEM! They have a new product they<br />

are working on and, instead <strong>of</strong> developing<br />

another obsolete/antique cartridge, they<br />

have gone in a COMPLETELY different<br />

direction. They have developed an under-barrel, add-on for<br />

the AR platform that kind <strong>of</strong> delivers a smackdown to the<br />

competition because <strong>of</strong> its simplicity and ease <strong>of</strong> use.<br />

Media Flash . . . Product Review<br />

This media is no flash in the pan item.<br />

Instead it is quite the opposite and you<br />

will want this for your gun pantry! Jack<br />

shows you how to get polishing media for<br />

dimes-on-the-dollar that is just as good<br />

as the fancy stuff and better yet . . . wait<br />

for it . . . it’s available nearly 24hrs a day<br />

just down the street (or the next town over<br />

for you folks in the country). Believe me, you’ll go nuts for this<br />

once you learn about it (The Editor is NOT responsible for the<br />

Producer’s puns! – Ed).<br />

Instructor Interview<br />

AGI instructor Fred Zeglin took<br />

some time out from his busy SHOT<br />

Show schedule to do an interview<br />

with Hot Brass editor Lenée Landis.<br />

She gets him<br />

talking about<br />

his early gunsmithing<br />

experiences and his reason for<br />

developing his line <strong>of</strong> wildcat cartridges.<br />

We also see his latest publication on the<br />

subject. Fred’s passion is making wildcatting<br />

understandable and available to all <strong>of</strong><br />

us, instead <strong>of</strong> that “back room” thing<br />

going on with just a few “crazy guys”!<br />

Product Review<br />

Once again it’s time for<br />

Jack to review another<br />

great product for what<br />

You guessed it, the<br />

venerable 10/22. This<br />

compact and useful unit is<br />

easy for the first timer to<br />

install, and includes the needed tools and instructions. It is a<br />

replacement rear sight that goes right in the factory dovetail.<br />

It adds a laser to your lineup without the loss <strong>of</strong> your<br />

standard iron sights or the addition <strong>of</strong> any expensive or bulky<br />

items hanging <strong>of</strong>f another part <strong>of</strong> the gun!<br />

SIG 224 Compact, available in<br />

9mm, .40 S&W, and .357 SIG<br />

Replacement Laser Rear Sight for the<br />

Ruger 10/22 from Laserlyte<br />

Walkin’ the line(up) with SIG<br />

Gene checks out the complete 2<strong>01</strong>2 lineup<br />

<strong>of</strong> existing AND NEW pistols from SIG. First he<br />

test-fires each on some steel targets at the range,<br />

then the SIG rep gives him the low-down on each. There are<br />

more than a few surprises in store as SIG unveils a really<br />

compact 1911 style .45, releases one <strong>of</strong> their previously<br />

“military only” guns to the public and makes a brand new gun<br />

from scratch!<br />

Tips from the Workbench<br />

This month Ken gets hypothetical, theoretical, and practical<br />

all in one segment! He addresses the very REAL issue <strong>of</strong><br />

making a part for a firearm that you have NO specs on. That’s<br />

right, its not in the books, no parts have been made for a<br />

LONG time and guess what You don’t even HAVE the part .<br />

. . it’s missing! What are you going to do Never fear, Ken is<br />

here and the answer is simpler than you might think! He<br />

walks you right through the entire process <strong>of</strong> figuring out how<br />

to replace that part.<br />

The Reising<br />

M50 Submachine <strong>Gun</strong><br />

Gene’s <strong>Gun</strong> Locker<br />

It is time once again for another installment <strong>of</strong> “Gene’s <strong>Gun</strong><br />

Locker!” This month he pulls out a pariah <strong>of</strong> sorts. This gun<br />

was issued to the Marines in WWII and they actually threw<br />

them away, destroyed them and buried them until the military<br />

issued them a different weapon! Why Was the gun really that<br />

bad You’ll find out as Gene gives you the history, takes you<br />

through the field-stripping and then drags you to the range to<br />

put the Reising submachine gun through its paces.<br />

Tool <strong>of</strong> the Month<br />

This month (this being the time for end-<strong>of</strong>-year clearance<br />

sales) Jack gives you a three-for-one <strong>of</strong>fer you simply can’t<br />

refuse and simply CAN afford! How are you and your tool bits<br />

doing lately Got one <strong>of</strong> those expensive-yet-awkward drivers<br />

that you keep losing the bits for Perhaps you have one <strong>of</strong><br />

those bit sets that is hard to keep organized and keeps<br />

spilling bits all over the place Maybe you wish you could<br />

Continue on page 5<br />

3


Jack’s<br />

Corner<br />

by Jack Landis<br />

AGI Technical Services Manager,<br />

<strong>GCA</strong> Connection and<br />

<strong>Gun</strong>Tech Editor<br />

January to me, besides the<br />

beginning <strong>of</strong> a new year, means it’s almost time to head out<br />

for the SHOT Show. Mz. Lenée and I will be heading out early<br />

Sunday the 13th for Las Vegas. Since we drive, we get all <strong>of</strong><br />

the “Hey! We forgot to pack/couldn’t find/didn’t buy the . . .<br />

(fill in the blanks). Could you bring/stop and buy . . .<br />

(whatever was in the preceding blanks)” requests. Not a<br />

huge problem but it sometimes entails a little searching and<br />

we need to be at the Convention Center by around 1300 hrs<br />

to bond with our General Manager Chuck Pope. Bond - and<br />

by that I mean unpack/assemble/setup/lay out the AGI and<br />

<strong>GCA</strong> booths. We’ve pretty much got it down pat after six years<br />

(that I’ve been doing it). I’m not exactly sure why, but those six<br />

foot long glass cases seem to be significantly heavier now<br />

than they were six years ago.<br />

Besides getting to reacquaint with all <strong>of</strong> our friends in the<br />

industry one <strong>of</strong> the two times a year we generally get together,<br />

the other being the NRA show, we get to see and shoot<br />

many really neat new and sorta’ new guns. Media Day on<br />

Monday sees all <strong>of</strong> us out at the range looking at and trying<br />

out all <strong>of</strong> the “latest and greatest” guns, optics, ammo, etc.<br />

This is absolute Heaven on Earth for gun guys and girls.<br />

This year we’ll be out there bright and early for the “Morning”<br />

session as well as the usual later session. The morning<br />

session is limited to those invited by the manufacturers,<br />

usually their biggest sales targets and major media. I can’t tell<br />

you 'how' we got invited, suffice it to say that there were NO<br />

threats <strong>of</strong> serious violence, cross my heart.<br />

Among the things I<br />

want to see and try are:<br />

Note polymer<br />

ballistic tips<br />

1. Cutting Edge Bullets –<br />

These folks make light<br />

for caliber homogenous<br />

bullets, like Barnes “X”<br />

bullets, but with a twist.<br />

They have a very large<br />

and long hollow cavity. When they hit they’re supposed to<br />

open up to about half their length into six petals that shear <strong>of</strong>f<br />

and form their own wound channels. The base plows on<br />

4<br />

through like a solid, like the base <strong>of</strong> a Nosler Partition bullet,<br />

for maximum, usually through, penetration. They also come<br />

with pointed polymer plugs that can be inserted into the<br />

bullets for long range work. They’re pr<strong>of</strong>ile is quite long for<br />

caliber, sort <strong>of</strong> like a Swift Scirocco. They make these bullets<br />

in calibers from .22 to .50. They’re supposed to be set up on<br />

the thousand yard range with something chambered in .338<br />

Lapua to demonstrate their long range accuracy. Can’t wait to<br />

press THAT trigger a couple <strong>of</strong> times.<br />

U.S. Optics SR8 1x8x30 scope<br />

2. U. S. Optics is<br />

introducing their<br />

brand new SR8, 1x8x30 short to medium<br />

range scopes designed for tactical use. It has an illuminated<br />

variable brightness reticle with blue/green/red color<br />

selectivity. They are variable from 1 to 8 power (no, really!)<br />

and the 1 power is actually a true 1 power. Right, no<br />

magnification, which means they can be used with both eyes<br />

open like a red dot reflex sight at close range. The 8 power<br />

allows accurate target engagement out past 600 yards. The<br />

30mm tube allows better light transmission and a 100 minute<br />

windage and elevation adjustment. That would be pretty good<br />

looking and working on top <strong>of</strong> my AR-10 M4 variant.<br />

3. Desert Tactical Arms<br />

will be debuting their<br />

new SRS-A1 suppressed<br />

sniper rifle.<br />

This bad boy is an<br />

AR/M4 variant with a<br />

MagPul looking butt<br />

stock with an<br />

adjustable cheek piece. Those <strong>of</strong> us whose dimensions give<br />

lie to the whole “One size fits all” garbage will greatly appreciate<br />

the ability to size the comb so our shooting eye falls<br />

exactly in line with the sighting system with no squirming<br />

around. An accurate, reliable, semi auto rifle, that’s adjustable<br />

to fit for natural shooting . . . hard to find something here not<br />

to like.<br />

4. I’m am looking forward to<br />

checking out the several AK and AR<br />

based tactical/ competition shotguns. RAAC Akdal MKA 1919 Shotgun<br />

They seem to get better and less cobby looking every year,<br />

and run more reliably. We shot the RAAC Akdal AR style<br />

shotgun last year and it in fact introduced us to red dot reflex<br />

sights on shotguns when shooting clays. This led us to the<br />

year long involvement with the Redring and EoTech sights on<br />

several <strong>of</strong> our shotguns. We shot a couple <strong>of</strong> AK variations at<br />

a competition from Saiga.<br />

Sporting shotguns are evolving rapidly as well. The<br />

s<strong>of</strong>t-shooting, shoot everything Beretta Explor, Remington


Beretta A400 Explor Shotgun<br />

Versa Max, and Franchi Affinity really impressed us<br />

last year, and we’re looking forward to seeing what’s new and<br />

comparable from Benelli and Browning.<br />

Program Guide Continued . . .<br />

carry a tool in your pocket, have interchangeable bits and<br />

NOT have them get lost He has solutions for ALL these<br />

problems and better yet . . . they are SUPER affordable! Yeah,<br />

it’ll blow your mind.<br />

We’ll check in with ArmaLite and Nemesis to see what’s new,<br />

as well as fondle and shoot the latest handguns from FNH,<br />

SIG, Beretta, S&W, Glock, Ruger, Charter, Chiappa, and the<br />

other big names. We’ll also find, as always, a number <strong>of</strong><br />

unexpected treats and surprises that will excite us for the rest<br />

<strong>of</strong> the year. We normally run out <strong>of</strong> time and legs before we<br />

get anywhere near to seeing everyone we wanted to see, and<br />

I don’t see this year as being any different.<br />

Of course this all takes place on Day minus 1, the actual show<br />

hasn’t even started yet. Days 1 – 4 on the show floor we’ll<br />

wander among thousands <strong>of</strong> exhibitors searching for<br />

whatever stops us and makes us go “Wow, that’s pretty neat”.<br />

While working in our booths we’ll meet lots <strong>of</strong> new<br />

prospective students and <strong>GCA</strong> members, renew old acquaintances<br />

with members and students who drop by to say hello,<br />

ask questions, and buy a few items at our “Show Only” sale.<br />

It is a truly exciting, energizing, and knowledge expanding<br />

experience, but after 6 days and the last tear down and<br />

pack-up, our own beds back at the homesteads begin to call<br />

pretty loudly. Yeah, I know, I can hear all the way from here<br />

how loudly you’re weeping about our trials and tribulations,<br />

and believe me, I know just how you feel. I feel the pain just<br />

as much for Boddington, and the late Aagaard and Ruark as<br />

they describe roughing it on their foreign hunts. Uh huh, you<br />

bet! My heart just weeps!<br />

‘Til next month, break some new ground ‘smithing and<br />

shooting, and introduce someone new to each,<br />

Jack Landis<br />

(800)797-0867 x 104 • jlandis@americangunsmith.com ◆<br />

Tip <strong>of</strong> the Month<br />

by Robert Theriot<br />

A crochet hook also works well for removal and replacement<br />

<strong>of</strong> springs. I use them for both guns and musical instruments.<br />

---------------------<br />

Editor's Note - WARNING!!! As a matter <strong>of</strong> personal<br />

experience, DO NOT take these from your wife's sewing stuff<br />

bag, or worse yet remove one from something she's working<br />

on, without her permission!!! If you can't get that, be certain<br />

to put them back immediately (the idea here is don't get<br />

caught), but do not forget to wipe <strong>of</strong>f any grease, dirt or oil!<br />

Failure to follow these instructions will likely cost you hugely,<br />

particularly in a community property state like California.<br />

Firearm Evaluation<br />

For January, we conduct a<br />

complete bench and field<br />

evaluation on the new AR-30 rifle<br />

from ArmaLite in .338 Lapua<br />

Magnum. You heard me right<br />

and you’ll hear this gun too! Don’t worry, it comes with the<br />

muzzlebrake to end all muzzlebrakes and that makes this gun<br />

a pussycat to shoot! However, this is NOT your Grandfather’s<br />

gun, so what do Uncle Bob and Ken think <strong>of</strong> it We find out<br />

as they dive into the gun, and your fellow <strong>GCA</strong> members help<br />

us conduct the range testing! Jack gets the accuracy testing<br />

done during a sandstorm in the Sacramento Sahara.<br />

Let me entertain you, Let me make you smile<br />

This month Keith has a segment all his own. He didn’t tell<br />

Jack or Gene what he was up to or where he was going so<br />

they’ll see it now when you do! All he said was that he heard<br />

<strong>of</strong> a place with some pretty cool guns and he went on a safari<br />

or sorts to see if he could find it and get an interview. Some<br />

<strong>of</strong> what he found is so rare that they are no longer available<br />

but others are so new they aren’t even released yet! So don’t<br />

let the “sky fall” as Keith gets his “James Bond” on this month<br />

in his quest to bring you something different!<br />

Disassembly/<br />

Reassembly Course<br />

This month Ken tackles the<br />

Ortgies pocket pistol. Jack and Lenée<br />

have a history with this gun but most <strong>of</strong> us<br />

have probably never even seen one. This little gun<br />

is an exercise in simplicity and straightforward<br />

thinking. As Ken guides you step-by-step through the<br />

complete disassembly and reassembly, you will gain further<br />

insight into the different takes on firearm design that had<br />

some <strong>of</strong> the pioneers in the field taking “The road less<br />

travelled”(making you a better gunsmith). You may even<br />

become so enamored that you snag one for yourself! So enjoy<br />

this issue and the start <strong>of</strong> the new year and we’ll be<br />

back next month . . . in <strong>Gun</strong>Tech! ◆<br />

5


Restoring the<br />

Winchester<br />

Model 57<br />

By David E. Fey<br />

AGI Practical <strong>Gun</strong>smithing Course Graduate,<br />

AGI Certified Law Enforcement Armorer,<br />

Certified Glock Armorer, <strong>GCA</strong> Member<br />

Editor’s Note; This is David’s second restoration article to<br />

appear in <strong>Gun</strong>Tech. Those <strong>of</strong> you who have been members<br />

for awhile may remember his excellent Ithaca 37 article that<br />

appeared in <strong>Gun</strong>Tech Issues 62 and 63 about a year and a<br />

half ago. Due to its length (~5,400 words and a bunch <strong>of</strong><br />

pictures) this “Magnum Opus” will run in four parts.<br />

The Table <strong>of</strong> Contents below shows you what is coming up.<br />

Sections One, Two, and Three will be the first three parts, and<br />

sections Four and Five will be the fourth. Upon completion the<br />

entire article with ALL <strong>of</strong> the pictures will be available on the<br />

<strong>GCA</strong> Members website along with the Ithaca 37 article.<br />

Table <strong>of</strong> Contents<br />

Part One:<br />

Introduction<br />

A friend has this gun, you see . . .<br />

The Plan<br />

Assessment <strong>of</strong> Firearm Value<br />

Firearm Market Value<br />

Firearm Condition<br />

Assessment Conclusion<br />

My story starts like many a good gun story: a bag o’ parts<br />

and the dream <strong>of</strong> greatness from ruin. The ruin in question<br />

was a rusty rifle; the greatness turned out to be a beautiful .22<br />

rifle and a pr<strong>of</strong>ound appreciation for an old school technique,<br />

hand polishing. I believe this is a lost art for one pr<strong>of</strong>ound<br />

reason, it’s a lot <strong>of</strong> work! Way, way more effort than<br />

mechanical means, and for that, I thank Da Vinci, Fulton and<br />

their engineering and materials predecessors for making our<br />

modern lives easier.<br />

Along the way I discovered that the restoration, leveling, and<br />

polishing <strong>of</strong> both wood and metal share many <strong>of</strong> the same<br />

tools and techniques such as files, and coated abrasives<br />

(sand paper).<br />

I took the long way on this restoration project for the same<br />

reason AGI is around: to preserve the gunsmithing arts. No<br />

one is going to bemoan the fact that mass production has<br />

replaced hand craftsmanship in the production <strong>of</strong> firearms;<br />

we acknowledge that there’s a time and place for machine<br />

work. But there’s also a time for hand work that builds and<br />

sustains craftsmanship.<br />

A friend has this gun, you see . . .<br />

I’d been itching to try draw filing and hand polishing after<br />

reading a book on that subject. My opportunity came when<br />

a friend handed me his beat-up Winchester Model 57 and<br />

asked me for a full-on restoration: stock refinished, metal<br />

reblued. His interest in the gun was as a .22 LR for his<br />

grandson to shoot, maybe to hand down as a family heirloom.<br />

Part Two:<br />

Now the work begins<br />

Firearm Disassembly<br />

Stripping and Restoring the Stock<br />

On to the Sanding!<br />

Part Replacement<br />

6<br />

Part Three:<br />

Draw Filing and Polishing<br />

Now that 90% <strong>of</strong> the work is done…the other 90% begins!<br />

Part Four:<br />

Rust Bluing and Carding<br />

Cleaning the Steel Wool<br />

Handy Containers<br />

Carding<br />

This is Why I Keep This Stuff Around:<br />

Making the Barrel Jig<br />

Part Five:<br />

Conclusion<br />

Mislabeled bag o' parts<br />

The gun was a classic “bag gun.” A barrel/receiver, a stock,<br />

and a bag o’ parts. You will notice from the photo above that<br />

the bag o’ parts was labeled “Win Mod75.” Upon examination<br />

<strong>of</strong> the firearm I discovered that my friend must be dyslexic<br />

because he gave me a Model 57!<br />

The Plan<br />

My plan was to establish an opinion <strong>of</strong> the gun’s potential<br />

market value, inform the owner <strong>of</strong> my findings, and work with<br />

the owner to see whether restoration or leaving the firearm<br />

as-is was advisable.


Assessment <strong>of</strong> Firearm Value<br />

A gunsmith’s obligation to determine value was reinforced in<br />

the November 12, 2<strong>01</strong>2, issue <strong>of</strong> The <strong>America</strong>n Rifleman.<br />

“Technical Questions and Answers” section editor Rick Hacker<br />

responded to the question “Restore or Retire an Old <strong>Gun</strong>”<br />

about a shotgun inherited by the gun owner’s nephew.<br />

Without knowing the company that made the shotgun in<br />

question, Hacker opined that the basic justification whether<br />

to restore a firearm “lies with the firearm itself,” meaning that<br />

a firearm’s value was an assessment <strong>of</strong> its condition, its<br />

historic context, how many were produced, etc. and how<br />

these factors acted together.<br />

Hacker noted that “ . . . as a general rule, refinishing any<br />

firearm, whether a utility-grade Crescent or a top <strong>of</strong> the line<br />

Parker, will reduce its value by half.” That’s an expert opinion<br />

<strong>of</strong> a gun’s market value.<br />

In a recent article in The Shotgun News, entitled Condition +<br />

Backstory = Collector Heaven, writer Luke Mercaldo detailed<br />

his purchase <strong>of</strong> a Model 1891 Mosin Nagant, a Russiandesigned,<br />

<strong>America</strong>n-made rifle rich in history. The rifle’s<br />

history—it’s place in the spectrum <strong>of</strong> firearm development, its<br />

role in historical events, and the story <strong>of</strong> how Mr. Mercaldo<br />

purchased it—all contribute a potentially high market value<br />

that would have likely plummeted if it were carelessly<br />

‘restored.’ The fact that “the rifle still had the original armory<br />

grease/preservative on the wood and metal,” also contributes<br />

to the gun’s market value.<br />

The technical description <strong>of</strong> this gun's condition is "ugh!"<br />

It shouldn’t take a great detective to see that this is Exhibit 1<br />

to the decline <strong>of</strong> value, market or personal, from a NIB<br />

condition.<br />

The metal’s original finish was largely gone with only patches<br />

<strong>of</strong> bluing existing in protected places such as the space<br />

where the barrel is joined to the receiver. Overall the barrel<br />

presented extensive light surface corrosion and a few small<br />

dents and gouges on the metal. There was no overall<br />

consistent patina on the metal.<br />

Bolt and receiver share the same serial number. Barrel, lands<br />

and grooves and muzzle are in good condition. All markings<br />

are sharp including the Winchester roll marks on the barrel.<br />

Action is mechanically sound, edges and fit are sharp and<br />

tight. Trigger works, dummy .22 rounds are ejected, and the<br />

safety functions.<br />

If one were to take Mercaldo’s rifle, strip and polish the<br />

metalwork, re-blue or re-parkerize it, upgrade components,<br />

drill and tap for a modern scope, and give it a high-gloss<br />

urethane finish, its context as an historical firearm would be<br />

dramatically reduced.<br />

Ultimately, a firearm is a personal possession, and the owner’s<br />

wishes contribute to the gunsmith’s actions. In fact, the<br />

narrator for AGI’s video “Restoring the <strong>America</strong>n Long Rifle”<br />

states, “I’m not going to debate whether or not restoration <strong>of</strong><br />

a historic firearm should or should not be done . . . I’m going<br />

to show you how I do it.” Thus, the decision to restore starts<br />

with the owner, and is performed by a willing gunsmith.<br />

Firearm Market Value<br />

Behold! A Winchester Model 57, SN 23XXX which, according<br />

to web sources, puts it in the 1931 production category. The<br />

32nd Edition Blue Book <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gun</strong> Values - 2<strong>01</strong>1, places<br />

Winchester Model 57 values from $775 (100%) to $375 (60%).<br />

A perusing <strong>of</strong> firearms websites indicated the rifle was a good<br />

plinker though it wasn’t rare or historic, and didn’t represent<br />

a significant contribution to firearm design or history.<br />

Firearm Condition<br />

My next assessment was the firearm’s condition. Now, I’m no<br />

Sherlock Holmes, but Exhibit 1 was the fact the rifle arrived<br />

in several parts, and most parts were in a ziplock bag.<br />

At least it looks like it has all <strong>of</strong> its parts<br />

Rear sight appeared to be a correct Lyman peep sight<br />

mounted to the rear left <strong>of</strong> the receiver. Elevation is adjusted<br />

by turning a small lever that releases a cam so the sight can<br />

be raised and lowered; windage is—or would be—adjusted by<br />

loosening a screw that allows the peep sight to shift right and<br />

left in a dovetail. This screw appeared to be inserted with a<br />

ball peen hammer, which made removal problematic. Overall,<br />

the rear sight presented light surface rust and corrosion. All<br />

screws were damaged or mangled and both the peep and a<br />

mounting screw were missing.<br />

The front sight appeared to be a badly dented Marble<br />

“Sheard”. The one-piece stock was un-checkered walnut and<br />

showed what remains <strong>of</strong> a matte finish. No carvings or<br />

“improvements” by unskilled (or bored) previous owners.<br />

There was a prominent blemish on the stock near the butt<br />

where the finish had been corrupted by water or solvent. It<br />

Continue on page 9<br />

7


Rifle Cleaning<br />

Equipment:<br />

Solvents and Oils that won’t<br />

put you in the doghouse<br />

By Ron Dague - Sinclair Reloading Technician<br />

Reprinted by Permission <strong>of</strong> Sinclair International<br />

One time, after I had cleaned some rifles in the garage, my<br />

wife told me to go chase the skunk from under the pine tree.<br />

The joke was on me. I was the skunk. We all know that cleaning<br />

our guns is a necessary part <strong>of</strong> shooting. And there are<br />

plenty <strong>of</strong> chemicals and solvents out there that clean guns<br />

really well. But a lot <strong>of</strong> us also know, from hard experience,<br />

that some products that clean well don’t preserve the peace<br />

in the house very well. Simply put, a lot <strong>of</strong> gun cleaners stink—<br />

literally.<br />

Inside The House<br />

When I clean firearms inside<br />

the house or in the basement,<br />

I use what I call “familyfriendly”<br />

cleaners that are<br />

odorless for the most part. I<br />

use TM Solution and Bore<br />

Tech C4 Carbon Remover for<br />

starters. They go after carbon and powder fouling very<br />

aggressively, and when the carbon is gone they will turn the<br />

patch light blue. That’s when I switch to Cu+2 Copper<br />

Remover. I don’t mix TM Solution and Bore Tech C4. I use one<br />

or the other, but not both at the same time.<br />

Here is a list <strong>of</strong> the other tools and chemicals I like to use<br />

cleaning guns inside the house:<br />

• Two Dewey cleaning rods—one for brush and one for jag.<br />

Cleaning rod cases are good ideas as well.<br />

• Cleaning rod guide, specific to each rifle I’m cleaning.<br />

• Cleaning patches in sizes to cover .22, 6mm, and .30<br />

caliber; I keep plenty <strong>of</strong> 1-1/8″, 1-3/8″ and 2″ patches on<br />

hand at all times.<br />

• A cleaning cradle or maintenance center is a good idea.<br />

I like to keep the muzzle down so solvents will run out the<br />

muzzle. I use the Sinclair cleaning cradles.<br />

• Bronze brushes in the specific calibers I am cleaning.<br />

A word on bronze brushes. I have heard all the pros and cons<br />

<strong>of</strong> the debate <strong>of</strong> bronze brushes versus nylon brushes. I think<br />

the nylon applies cleaners better, but I also think the bronze<br />

brushes scrub better. Any brush can damage a bore or crown<br />

if used improperly. Don’t change direction in the middle <strong>of</strong> the<br />

bore and when you start back from the muzzle go slow and<br />

8 let the brush self-center.<br />

Carbon First<br />

I start by running two or three wet patches down the bore and<br />

I let it soak for about five minutes. Then I put solvent on a<br />

brush that’s mounted on a rod, and give five stokes down and<br />

back. I repeat this process about four or five times and let it<br />

soak for another 15 to 20 minutes. Then I dry patch the<br />

cleaner out and run two or three wet patches through the<br />

bore and let it soak for about 15 minutes.<br />

Finally, I dry patch and see if the patch turns black, or if there<br />

is light blue on the patch. If it is still black I repeat two wet<br />

patches and let it soak 15 minutes. I will keep repeating this<br />

process until the patches start turning blue. If the patches<br />

come out white on the last pass with carbon remover, I will<br />

run some copper solvent through to see if there is any copper<br />

fouling. I only use the rod with a brush at the very beginning<br />

to break up the loose carbon and powder fouling. After that,<br />

I just use jags and patches.<br />

Copper Second<br />

Cleaning out the carbon as described above also removes<br />

some <strong>of</strong> the copper. But there is still some copper fouling left.<br />

For this I use Cu+2 from Bore Tech. It works fast on normal<br />

copper fouling. If the fouling is really heavy I will soak the<br />

barrel with three or four wet patches and let it stand<br />

overnight. The next day, before I go to work I will go push the<br />

cleaner out and reapply. When I get home from work, I do the<br />

same and then let it set until later that night and go finish the<br />

cleaning. After the barrel is copper and carbon-free I run a<br />

patch with Butch’s <strong>Gun</strong> Oil through the barrel about four or<br />

five times. This leaves a film <strong>of</strong> oil and cleans up any excess<br />

oil left behind. It is a laid back way <strong>of</strong> cleaning rifles when you<br />

can let the solvent do most <strong>of</strong> the work for you.<br />

Cleaning <strong>Gun</strong>s Outside<br />

For cleaning at the range or outdoors and you need fast<br />

results: I use the same cleaning methods described above,<br />

but I don’t leave the cleaner in the barrel for overnight soak. I<br />

apply cleaner and remove it in 15 to 20 minutes. Since I don’t<br />

have to worry about what the cleaners smell<br />

like outside, I use Butch’s Bore<br />

Shine or Montana X-treme 50<br />

BMG .<br />

These cleaners are very<br />

strong solvents with strong<br />

ammonia smells. They are not<br />

family friendly.<br />

Some other products I usually use<br />

outside include Montana X-Treme<br />

<strong>Gun</strong> Grease and Kellube for the bolt and firing pin main<br />

spring. For cleaning triggers, I apply Red Devil lighter fluid or<br />

RONSON oil and then blow it all out with canned air. Be<br />

careful: lighter fluid and RONSON oil are both flammable. I<br />

do this two times a year on the rifles I shoot in competition,<br />

or as needed.


Since I shoot mostly Remington rifles, I use the Sinclair firing<br />

pin removal tool and ejector tool shown below. These allow<br />

you to disassemble the bolt for easy maintenance.<br />

Restoring the WInchester Model 57 Continued . . .<br />

With a little<br />

careful planning,<br />

and correct selection<br />

<strong>of</strong> cleaners and solvents,<br />

you too can clean guns<br />

inside the house without being<br />

the skunk. ◆<br />

Coming Next Month<br />

February has been considered a month for lovers since the<br />

invention <strong>of</strong> Valentine’s Day, and you are going to LOVE what<br />

we’ve got coming for you in the February issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gun</strong>Tech!<br />

The 5¼ pound Mountain Ascent<br />

Rifle from Kimber <strong>America</strong><br />

Jack gets all the<br />

details on a new lightweight<br />

Mountain Ascent Rifle from an<br />

unusual source, Gene Shuey’s “Tip from the<br />

Workbench” will improve the quality <strong>of</strong> your customizing<br />

projects and Gene Kelly visits the prolific “Century Arms<br />

Co.” to see what great new guns they are bringing out.<br />

Badly damaged Marble front sight<br />

appeared as a whitish stain with drippings that ran down and<br />

collected near the rear strap swivel. There was some staining<br />

on the wood under the front barrel band, where the metal<br />

contacts the wood. The metal to wood fit was very good.<br />

There was no significant figure to the wood.<br />

It looks like acetone or lacquer thinner dripped on the stock<br />

Jack is back with more product reviews. He is always on the<br />

lookout for bargains AND innovative products that solve<br />

problems and enhance your<br />

shootin' and smithin'.<br />

AGI Instructor and master gunsmith Ken<br />

Brooks visits with a new firearms company<br />

that has a new and innovative, well-designed carry<br />

pistol called the “Caracal.”<br />

New Caracal 9mm tactical pistol from the United Arab Emirates<br />

Mr. Kelly checks out some VERY cool automation that takes<br />

your firearms training to a whole new level. These robots keep<br />

shooters on their toes because they are remote controlled by<br />

your instructor. Jack has his pick for “Tool <strong>of</strong> the Month” (<strong>of</strong><br />

course!) and more.<br />

Stoeger Cougar 8000<br />

Compact 9mm by Beretta<br />

Your Disassembly/Reassembly Course<br />

for February is on the Beretta Cougar pistol. AGI<br />

instructor and master gunsmith Ken Brooks<br />

guides you through the detailed disassembly and<br />

reassembly with exceptional clarity and simplicity, adding to<br />

your every increasing knowledge and expertise with firearms.<br />

So get yourself ready to “fall in love” in February . . .<br />

with <strong>Gun</strong>Tech! ◆<br />

Assessment Conclusion<br />

This is a well-known .22 LR rifle and although many were<br />

made, there are no historic connotations or connections<br />

associated with it that would be altered by a restoration <strong>of</strong><br />

wood and metal surfaces. With the combination <strong>of</strong> lack <strong>of</strong><br />

metal finish, poor but not deleterious condition <strong>of</strong> the metal<br />

and wood, and the missing or broken parts, I estimated this<br />

firearm to be well below the 60% threshold in the BBGV, and<br />

a prime candidate for restoration.<br />

The narrator <strong>of</strong> AGI’s “Restoring the <strong>America</strong>n Long Rifle”<br />

commented that his goal “is to bring this gun to a condition<br />

that shows it has had care in its life, that somebody cared<br />

about the gun.” That would be my goal too. The personal<br />

value <strong>of</strong> this rifle was as an introductory plinker for the<br />

owner’s grandson and I couldn’t think <strong>of</strong> a greater goal to<br />

shoot for.<br />

Continued next month ◆<br />

Drip marks on left side <strong>of</strong> butt<br />

9


Producer’s<br />

Cut<br />

by Keith Hezmalhalch<br />

AGI/<strong>GCA</strong> Executive<br />

Video Producer and<br />

New Age Sage<br />

Not with a bang but . . .<br />

With a whimper 2<strong>01</strong>3 made its way into reality, at least for me<br />

up here on the mountain. Happy New Year everyone, we all<br />

survived the predicted apocalypse! I don’t know about you<br />

but I was never worried (Mayan calendar or no). Why do I say<br />

2<strong>01</strong>3 arrived with a whimper I say that because up here no<br />

one in the canyon was lighting <strong>of</strong>f firecrackers or shooting<br />

guns at midnight and I also say that because I was deeply<br />

saddened by the astounding losses we accumulated in 2<strong>01</strong>2.<br />

It’s the passing <strong>of</strong> an era . . .<br />

It truly was. The year before wasn’t so hot either, many <strong>of</strong> the<br />

greats in film, television, music and literature passed on in<br />

2<strong>01</strong>1, but last year . . . wow. As I pondered the huge losses <strong>of</strong><br />

wonderful performers and artists last year I figured<br />

something out. Whenever there was a new era created by a<br />

new trend or technology, such as the “Age <strong>of</strong> Vaudeville,” the<br />

beginning <strong>of</strong> movies, the “Golden Era <strong>of</strong> Radio”, and certainly<br />

the beginning <strong>of</strong> television, there is an initial period when lots<br />

<strong>of</strong> new faces (or voices) appear at roughly the same time.<br />

Obviously this is because a new entertainment or new venue<br />

opens up opportunity for new artists and personalities. It goes<br />

without saying that many <strong>of</strong> them are younger artists, as it is<br />

hard for older well-established artists to make the change, as<br />

was the case with the change from silent films to “talkies” or<br />

radio to television.<br />

Aged like fine wine . . .<br />

Therefore, what you end up with is a cluster <strong>of</strong> artists and<br />

performers <strong>of</strong> about the same age who entered this new frontier<br />

at about the same time. Think <strong>of</strong> them as a cluster <strong>of</strong><br />

grapes. If you’ve ever gone into a vineyard during harvest,<br />

you’ve seen how some clusters are small in number and others<br />

are quite large. Additionally, some are composed <strong>of</strong> smaller<br />

grapes but others have “perfect” size grapes. Last year we<br />

lost one <strong>of</strong> those larger, more perfect clusters.<br />

John F. Kennedy . . .<br />

He was the first president I can remember. I was only 6 when<br />

he was elected. Things and people who are close to our roots<br />

during that fertile period where we are like little sponges<br />

absorbing everything around us, those people and things are<br />

usually the things that make a deeper impression on us.<br />

Indeed they <strong>of</strong>ten define us in many ways.<br />

10<br />

Others who come along later continue to build on that initial<br />

legacy. Last year we lost many members <strong>of</strong> a group that<br />

certainly played a major part in defining my early years and<br />

also some tragedies where people were simply taken too<br />

soon (from our perspective). A few years ago when we lost<br />

Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart I felt it, but they were before<br />

my time. Those <strong>of</strong> you who grew-up with them can relate to<br />

what I am feeling.<br />

In Memoriam . . .<br />

I am fortunate in that I subscribe<br />

to Entertainment Weekly.<br />

This magazine keeps you upto-date<br />

on the latest in books,<br />

music, movies, television and<br />

stage without focusing on the<br />

stupid gossip. Each year they<br />

dedicate a major part <strong>of</strong> the<br />

first issue <strong>of</strong> the new year to the<br />

passing <strong>of</strong> people from all those mediums as well as others.<br />

I’d like to take a moment to list those from the “old guard” <strong>of</strong><br />

which I previously spoke as well as a few who were taken too<br />

soon just so we can reflect and remember again how much<br />

they made us laugh, cry, sing and smile.<br />

Andy Griffith, Phyllis Diller, Etta James, Dick Clark,<br />

Gore Vidal, Ernest Borgnine, Mike Wallace,<br />

Maurice Sendak, Ray Bradbury, Sherman Hemsley,<br />

Nora Ephron, Don Cornelius, Larry Hagman,<br />

Donna Summer, Michael Clarke Duncan,<br />

Whitney Houston.<br />

They will most assuredly be missed for the rest <strong>of</strong> our lives.<br />

Mixed bag . . .<br />

Most <strong>of</strong> us realize that life is a mixed bag, but sometimes it<br />

becomes too apparent and we wish it didn’t have to be right<br />

in our face. This year is beginning as a mixed bag for me. On<br />

the one hand I am feeling very energetic and am able to<br />

breathe a huge sigh <strong>of</strong> relief that I completed some major<br />

projects that dogged me in 2<strong>01</strong>2, and I am indeed on a roll<br />

toward completing in very short order the few that are left!<br />

But, on the other hand . . . I am left quite nostalgic for those<br />

who are gone (just losing Andy and Ernie alone has hit me<br />

quite hard). I am making it a priority to remember them again<br />

and again throughout the year as I pause and reflect.<br />

The buck stops here . . .<br />

Speaking <strong>of</strong> bucks . . . and deer . . . I must say, the bucks have<br />

certainly come out <strong>of</strong> the woodwork since December! I see<br />

them routinely now, nearly every day. I am happy to say that<br />

there aren’t many does and fawns with them, so the<br />

gunfighters certainly did another great job when they came to<br />

town for the holidays! I can only hope they have a return trip<br />

planned for late Spring to once again cull the herd.<br />

Continue on page 13


Thank you to the 27 who took the<br />

time to email me an answer to<br />

this month’s question. We had 20<br />

correct answers, that our part is the operating rod from an M-14 or M1A rifle. The majority<br />

<strong>of</strong> the incorrect answers were the M1 Garand, but its rod section is much longer. One<br />

answered M-1 Carbine, nope, that has the large block in front. We also had 2 who thought<br />

it was an extractor, not a bad guess since it does look like one <strong>of</strong> the oddly long European<br />

extractors.<br />

*$50 limit<br />

We said we’d take the first, last before publication, fifth and twelfth correct responses for the<br />

first three prizes and Honorable Mention. This month’s winners are shown below.<br />

This month we are going to pay <strong>of</strong>f based on the “function” <strong>of</strong> the part and the gun it belongs to.<br />

By that I mean is it a Colt, S&W, AK, etc. hammer, trigger, discomfrabulator, etc. We’ll pay an<br />

additional $20 AGI if you know whether it is a First, Second, or Third Model. Don’t lollygag,<br />

we’re talking free money from Mr. Kelly here!<br />

(Hints: #1. note the barrel length given. #2. It is NOT in Brownells catalog. #3 It is from Gene’s<br />

first (legal) concealed carry pistol.<br />

You can call me with<br />

the answer ONLY if:<br />

1. You do not have a computer/<br />

email access.<br />

2. You call (800) 797-0867, ext. 104<br />

between 0800 - 1700 PST Mon - Fri.<br />

3. If you get my voicemail, you leave your name,<br />

phone number, and guess. The voicemail<br />

time stamps, so be CLEAR with the info.<br />

Jack's<br />

Dumb<br />

Statements<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Month's Winner . . .<br />

Nobody caught either <strong>of</strong> the slips <strong>of</strong> the tongue I made in last month’s<br />

issue, so I guess Gene’s wallet, and my job are safe for another month.<br />

I noticed two in this month’s DVD. Good luck in your search!<br />

Remember we’re not talking opinions here, opinions are like noses, everyone is entitled to one. By “Dumb<br />

Statement” we mean a real, unnoticed and uncorrected erroneous statement, i.e. saying hammer instead <strong>of</strong><br />

striker, Colt instead <strong>of</strong> Smith & Wesson. Don’t despair, keep looking and listening.<br />

11


I was recently visiting my brother, Bill, in Georgia. We have many <strong>of</strong> the same interests and firearms are certainly one <strong>of</strong> them. That<br />

being said, I asked him if I could rummage around in his gun cabinet. In the cabinet, I found a few old friends from our childhood,<br />

but that is a topic for a different article. My hands were like a divining rod, as they gravitated toward a double barreled side by side<br />

shotgun that I had not seen before. It had a nice patina on the steel and the stocks looked to be in good shape. I was pleasantly<br />

surprised when I read Fox Sterlingworth on the right side <strong>of</strong> the receiver.<br />

In 1896 Ansley H. Fox started the Fox <strong>Gun</strong> Co. in Baltimore, Maryland and produced shotguns until around 1900. The guns made<br />

in Baltimore are quite rare and are worth a lot to a collector. After working at the Baltimore <strong>Gun</strong> Co., Ansley formed the<br />

Philadelphia <strong>Gun</strong> Co. and then started the A.H. Fox <strong>Gun</strong> Co. in 1905. During 1905, the Sterlingworth 12 gauge shotgun began<br />

production. It is a double trigger shotgun with very simple engraving. It is a quality <strong>America</strong>n shotgun that was meant to be used for<br />

hunting and not to be stored in a glass cabinet and ogled for its beauty.<br />

Fox produced guns in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1903 to around<br />

1929. Savage Arms bought the company in 1929 and “Fox” shotguns<br />

were manufactured in Utica, New York from 1930 to 1988. This is<br />

where my brother’s Sterlingworth was produced. They continued to produce<br />

the Sterlingworth, as well as grades A thru GE through about 1946,<br />

although some <strong>of</strong> the higher grades were dropped along the way. The last<br />

Fox was sold in 1956. The Fox Model B was a Savage shotgun that bore<br />

no relationship to the actual Fox shotguns, other than the name.<br />

Editor Jack Landis apparently went into a swooning trance when he<br />

Fox Sterlingworth manufactured after 1929 by Savage in New York.<br />

spotted a rather tired Philadelphia Sterlingworth in 16Ga, a gauge for<br />

which he has some odd affinity, at a gun show in Ventura, California last year. Apparently it was love at first sight since he overpaid<br />

and was overjoyed. Thankfully for him he had Bob Dunlap in a good mood and he fixed its rather unique rotating locking block<br />

system and did a working fix for the forend. He’s mentioned its ongoing restoration more than once in his column.<br />

These fine shotguns are still being manufactured by the Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company <strong>of</strong> New Britain,<br />

Connecticut. They began production here in 1993. These shotguns are top notch. The finishing <strong>of</strong> these new firearms is still<br />

performed by hand. The polishing, rust bluing, stock checkering, part fitting and engraving is some <strong>of</strong> the finest work I have ever<br />

12


New Fox Exhibition Grade gun produced by Connecticut Shotguns in New Britain, Conn.<br />

seen. The craftsman and toolmakers from this facility do not crank out<br />

thousands <strong>of</strong> guns each year, they will most likely produce less than one<br />

hundred shotguns annually. When you feast your eyes on one <strong>of</strong> their<br />

Exhibition Grade guns, you will see why!<br />

Another fine example from Connecticut Shotguns<br />

Bill and I selected a couple <strong>of</strong> firearms to go with us to the cabin for<br />

some fun and then we rummaged around in a few ammo cans to find<br />

some select ammunition. In doing so, I found a really cool box <strong>of</strong> Victor<br />

paper shot shells manufactured by The Peters Cartridge Company, in<br />

Cincinnati, Ohio. I love old cartridge boxes and this one had a lot <strong>of</strong><br />

character. These old guys were loaded with that newfangled Smokeless<br />

Powder, which was first produced in the United States around 1893.<br />

The Peters Cartridge Company was established in 1887 and manufactured many calibers <strong>of</strong> ammunition throughout the 20th<br />

century. The Peters Cartridge Company was founded by two brothers (the Peters brothers). One brother’s father in law was<br />

J.W. King, who just happened to be the founder <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the biggest explosive makers in <strong>America</strong>, King Powder Company. The<br />

Peters Cartridge Company was also one <strong>of</strong> the first companies to utilize an automatic machine to load cartridges. The Peters<br />

Company was bought by Remington in 1934.<br />

My brother’s Fox Sterlingworth, in much spryer condition than our editor’s.<br />

If you are<br />

looking for a<br />

great working<br />

shotgun with a<br />

cool history,<br />

pick up one <strong>of</strong><br />

the older Fox<br />

shotguns. If you<br />

want to buy the<br />

equivalent <strong>of</strong><br />

Vintage Peters smokeless cartridges<br />

a Rolls Royce in a shotgun, look into one <strong>of</strong> the new Fox shotguns<br />

made by the Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company, it doesn't<br />

get any better than these guns.<br />

Producer's Cut Continued . . .<br />

"On the road again" . . .<br />

There are songs and then there are iconic songs and that one<br />

is certainly iconic! In this case I am referring to my little excursion<br />

in this month’s issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gun</strong>Tech. When I found out about<br />

those guys and the cool guns they had I just had to go film it<br />

for you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and remember,<br />

many items are still available if you want your very own.<br />

New Horizons . . .<br />

Ok, actually it’s the same horizon that’s always been there,<br />

but looking to the horizon I see a whirlwind approaching<br />

when it comes to the projects and shows that are right at the<br />

beginning <strong>of</strong> the new year! That said, I have a lot to do so I<br />

will sign <strong>of</strong>f early this month. My New Year’s wish for you is<br />

that you spend some time reflecting on what has gone before,<br />

and also in the here and now. There are friends and family in<br />

our lives who are getting closer to that horizon and although<br />

they may be “the same as they always were” right now . . . we<br />

know how fast that can change. So, this year I’d like to<br />

encourage you to plan on spending time in the now, while<br />

you still can.<br />

May God bless you with much this year and I’ll see<br />

you next month . . . in <strong>Gun</strong>Tech!!! ◆<br />

13


Resource Directory Issue #81<br />

14<br />

Ten-X Ammunition<br />

TX12 12GA Under-barrel Attachment<br />

for ARs, Cowboy Action and<br />

Classic 19th Century Cartridges<br />

5650 Arrow Highway<br />

Montclair, CA 91763<br />

(909) 605-1617<br />

www.TenXAmmo.com<br />

CDNN Sports Inc.<br />

10/22 Rear Laser Site by Laserlyte<br />

P.O. Box 6514<br />

Abilene, TX 79608<br />

(800) 588-9500<br />

www.cdnninvestments.com<br />

SIG SAUER<br />

P224, 226, 250, & 290 Pistols<br />

18 Industrial Drive, Exeter, NH 03833<br />

(603) 772-23025<br />

www.sigsauer.com<br />

Grizzly Tools<br />

<strong>Gun</strong>smithing and Machine Tools<br />

1821 Valencia Street<br />

Bellingham, WA 98229<br />

(800) 438-59<strong>01</strong><br />

www.grizzly.com<br />

ArmaLite, Inc.<br />

AR-30 Tactical Rifle<br />

P.O. Box 299<br />

Geneseo, IL 61254<br />

(309) 944-6939<br />

www.armalite.com<br />

Factory Entertainment, Inc.<br />

Movie Prop Replicas<br />

1<strong>01</strong>5 Shary Circle, Suite 2<br />

Concord, CA 94518<br />

(925) 270-3739<br />

www.factoryent.com<br />

Holland Shooters Supply<br />

Superb Riflesmithing/Custom Rifles,<br />

Scope Mounts/Rings/Levels, Tools,<br />

Long Range Shooting School,<br />

711 Avenue "H"<br />

Powers, OR 97466<br />

(541) 439-5155<br />

www.hollandguns.com<br />

4D Reamer Rentals<br />

Chambering Reamers, Bolt Handles,<br />

Extensive Line <strong>of</strong> Custom <strong>Gun</strong>smithing Tools & Parts<br />

432 East Idaho Street<br />

Suite C420<br />

Kalispell, MT 599<strong>01</strong><br />

(406) 752-2520<br />

www.4-dproducts.com<br />

Joe Alesia AKA "Lefty Longridge"<br />

Next Level Shooting Clinics – Cowboy, IPSC<br />

(661) 373-2709<br />

www.deadwoodboys.org<br />

Email: leftylongridge@ca.rr.com<br />

Dealer Showroom – John Bush<br />

Huge Stock <strong>of</strong> Military <strong>Gun</strong> Parts,<br />

Accessories and Books from the 20th Century<br />

553 Market Street,<br />

Klamath Falls, OR 976<strong>01</strong><br />

(541) 882-4249<br />

Email: Johnd.bush@yahoo.com<br />

Shuey Custom<br />

Gene Shuey, Master <strong>Gun</strong>smith<br />

Ultra Custom 1911 & Glock Pistols<br />

21 Cygnet Dr. #200,<br />

Carson City, NV 89706<br />

(775) 246-7662<br />

www.shueycustom.com<br />

PISCO <strong>Gun</strong>smithing<br />

Bob Dunlap/Ken Brooks – <strong>Gun</strong>smithing<br />

1455B N. Hemlock Street<br />

Coquille, OR 97423<br />

(541) 396-5558<br />

www.piscogunsmithing.com<br />

AGI - The <strong>America</strong>n <strong>Gun</strong>smithing Institute<br />

Hobby and Pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>Gun</strong>smithing Courses<br />

351 Second Street<br />

Napa, CA 94559<br />

(800) 797-0867<br />

www.<strong>America</strong>n<strong>Gun</strong>smith.com<br />

www.<strong>America</strong>n<strong>Gun</strong>smithingInstitute.org<br />

<strong>GCA</strong> - <strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>America</strong><br />

351 Second Street<br />

Napa, CA 94559<br />

(800) 435-4262<br />

www.<strong>Gun</strong><strong>Club</strong>Of<strong>America</strong>.com


November Student Certifications<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>Gun</strong>smithing<br />

Introduction<br />

Harry Nolan<br />

Paul Dallaire<br />

Scott Lowmiller<br />

Antone Carrier<br />

Richard A. Czapp<br />

Shawn Kevin Mc David<br />

David Slusser<br />

John A. Auger<br />

Tyson C. Wooldridge<br />

Dennis Pullaro<br />

Ronny L. Tilson<br />

Clifford G. Steele<br />

Steve York<br />

Keith Chesnut<br />

Kevin Vanlandingham<br />

Daniel F. La Tulip<br />

Mike Kemp<br />

Max Smith<br />

Curt Cheshire<br />

Brian A. Bunting<br />

Anthony Sacco<br />

Scott Liepitz<br />

Jeffery D. Shipp<br />

Johnny Roberts<br />

Mickey D. Russell<br />

Jerry Blaze Lee<br />

James Parsons<br />

James B. Haggard, III<br />

Lawrence Wilson<br />

Douglas Hesler<br />

Donald Klatt<br />

Anthony Johnson<br />

Mike Hubbard<br />

Alan Joyner<br />

Steven Psaros<br />

Tom Dove<br />

Ann Miller<br />

Jeff Sloan<br />

Roy Kidd<br />

Daniel Lowyns<br />

Donald Hardin<br />

Glenn Morefield<br />

Machine Shop<br />

Robert Badeer<br />

Bucky Smith<br />

Practical and Hobby<br />

<strong>Gun</strong>smithing<br />

Don Bennett<br />

Victor L. Brown<br />

Derrick Ray Izor<br />

Richard P. Bartee<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>Gun</strong>smithing<br />

Shotguns<br />

Walter Simmons<br />

Kyle P. Cobb<br />

Charles Welch<br />

Josh Rook<br />

Zach Glaser<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>Gun</strong>smithing<br />

Rifles<br />

Tom Woitt<br />

John Owens<br />

Ronald K. Clark<br />

Kyle P. Cobb<br />

David Dautel<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>Gun</strong>smithing<br />

Rimfires<br />

John Shride<br />

Nathaniel B. McFadden<br />

Alex Evans<br />

Gregory Culver<br />

Dennis Prins<br />

Congratulations!<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>Gun</strong>smithing<br />

Pistols/Revolvers<br />

Tyson Wooldridge<br />

Charles Milburn<br />

Lukas Bartee<br />

Shawn Kevin Mcdavid<br />

Alex Evans<br />

Thomas Johnson<br />

George Walters<br />

Allen Fleming<br />

David Anderson<br />

Damon Knight<br />

John Walter Platt<br />

Antone Carrier<br />

Law Enforcement<br />

Armorer's Course<br />

Chris Cochran<br />

James C. Daniels<br />

Michael L. Mullens<br />

Richard A. Petrencsik<br />

Law Enforcement<br />

Armorer's Course - Amended<br />

Ronny L. Tilson<br />

Steve Jacek<br />

Richard A. Petrencsik<br />

Ryan Powers<br />

Michael E. Blakesmith<br />

Firearms Appraiser<br />

Robert J. Perry<br />

Doug E. Stanton<br />

Tom Privett<br />

Robert Mckim, Jr.<br />

Welding<br />

Grayson Mobley<br />

Cowboy Action Armorer<br />

Samuel Lanter<br />

15


Disassembly/Reassembly Video Index<br />

Firearm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <strong>Gun</strong>Tech Volume #<br />

Hi-Point Pistol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45<br />

Mossberg 500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46<br />

Walther P-38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47<br />

Hi-Point Carbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48<br />

Beretta Al 391 Urika Shotgun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49<br />

Savage Model 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50<br />

NAA Mini-Revolver / Crickett .22 Training Rifle . . . . . . . . . . 51<br />

Remington 1100/1187 Shotgun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52<br />

Browning BAR Semi-Auto Rifle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53<br />

Beretta 21 Pistol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54<br />

Ruger LCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55<br />

Ruger #1 Single-Shot Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56<br />

Walther P22 Pistol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57<br />

Winchester Model 77 Rifle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58<br />

S&W Double Action Revolver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59<br />

Sako Model 4 Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60<br />

Walther P99 Pistol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61<br />

Browning Cynergy Shotgun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62<br />

Firearm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <strong>Gun</strong>Tech Volume #<br />

Charter Arms .44 Bulldog Revolver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63<br />

Steyr M9 Pistol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64<br />

1907 Winchester Autoloader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65<br />

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66<br />

1905 Ross Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67<br />

Heckler & Koch P7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68<br />

Interstate Arms Model 99 '87 Coach <strong>Gun</strong> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69<br />

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 38 Revolver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70<br />

Ruger LC9 and LCP Pistols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71<br />

Chiappa .357 Magnum "Rhino" Revolver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72<br />

Remington 81 Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73<br />

Husqvarna Swedish M-40 "Lahti". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74<br />

Darrell Holland's PGW .45 Carbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75<br />

Benelli B80 Lever Locking Pistol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76<br />

Remington 581 Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77<br />

Colt 19<strong>01</strong> DA New Army Revolver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78<br />

Werndl Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79<br />

Ruger <strong>America</strong>n Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80<br />

DID YOU MISS SOMETHING<br />

Want to order back issues <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gun</strong>Tech Back issues <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gun</strong>Tech are available to current, paying members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>America</strong>. Single issues <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gun</strong>Tech are available for $30 each + $5 shipping. Multiple issues are available in<br />

either 6 or 12 month sets. You can get 6 consecutive months <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gun</strong>Tech for only $168 ($28 each) + $10 shipping.<br />

You can order an entire year <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gun</strong>Tech (12 consecutive issues) for only $312 ($26 each) + $12 shipping.<br />

Order your back issues today by calling <strong>GCA</strong> at 1-800-435-4262 or go to:<br />

www.<strong>Gun</strong><strong>Club</strong><strong>of</strong><strong>America</strong>.com to order and view the entire video index <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gun</strong>Tech issues and their contents.<br />

©<strong>GCA</strong>, 351 Second Street, Napa, CA 94559, 800-435-GCOA (4262), Fax 707-253-2135, www.<strong>Gun</strong><strong>Club</strong><strong>of</strong><strong>America</strong>.com

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!