The Art and Trade of Gunsmithing
Since the dawn of time humans have looked for the tools to defend and provide for themselves. From making spears to atlatl’s man has been the creator of tools. Today we still make weapons and tools, thanks to modern technology and manufacturing process we can produce products at an exponential rate. Despite being in the 21st century there are still craftsmen and tradesmen producing goods by hand via skills Passed down through generations of families. Hand made goods are more unique and quality build compared to those made by CNC machines and mills. Gunsmithing is still a skill that requires years of training and education. It is a rare trade that requires weapons to be worked on by hand with every product being unique and different from anything else made. Gunsmithing has been called a dying art form because of todays technology. Less skill is required to create a piece of art. Gunsmithing is a skill that is not well known in our society and gunsmiths are slowly disappearing. From early gunsmithing to modern day armorers these skills and lessons need to be known.
In early America gunsmiths were some of the first tradesmen to set foot on this land. Firearms were vital for their survival, game animals needed to be harvested and protection from natives. Gunsmiths eventually prepared Americans for the revolution that created this country. Gunsmithing in its early years was mostly several trades put into one title. “To be an accomplished gun maker can require knowledge about working with a variety of materials: iron, steel, brass, silver, and wood. You also need to know about the skills required by a carver, engraver, machinist, blacksmith, silversmith and tool maker” (Crews). Creating early american firearms was simple at best. Each firearm consisted of three parts the firing mechanism, barrel and stock. However European guns were far more sophisticated and massed produce in comparison. England was at its prime during this time period with the industrial revolution and they were creating firearms at an increasingly faster rate. American made guns are eventually what founded this country. Guns that were so basic defeated the worlds most powerful military force at the time. Without gunsmiths in theory we could still be British colonies.
The skills and knowledge needed to work on firearms is impressive. So much goes into these now sophisticated tools. Even the most basic of jobs can take hours to beform. Simply carving a name or engraving simple scrolls takes hours of skilled labor. Unlike many trades gunsmithing requires no mistakes to be made, every action must be done perfectly. Many firearms are valued well over $10,0000 with some Holland and Holland shotguns going for a quarter of a million. When working with metal there is a simple rule, you cannot add metal back to a project. Every engraver has there own style with special techniques and signature works. Engraving has its own special place in gunsmithing because of its special skill and steady hands. Being a gunsmith is much like being an artist. it requires strength in certain actions and also to be gentle while performing some of the most fragile jobs.
Another critical skill to being a gunsmith or armorer is being able to set an action and barrel into a stock. Some setting jobs might be a Remington 700 action which is the cheapest and most simple modern action ever created or might be setting a Mcmillan action for long range shots up to 2,100 yards. Setting is critically important because of accuracy. Perfectly set free floating barrels are the most accurate in the industry. A good industry standard test is to run a crisp dollar bill between the barrel and stock all the way to the action of the rifle. Consumers are always looking to test the limits of their rifles, call it bragging rights. Shooters demand the most accurate of rifles and wanting to push their rifles to the limits. “If you got your elk at 819 yards, measured by laser and recorded on your cellphone, cool. You’re a hell of a shot. End of story”(Petzal). Hunters and marksmen are always looking to improve what they have. Gunsmithing grants shooters the possibility to work on their rifles to create the ultimate long range rifle.
Some jobs are much more simple than engraving or setting stocks. Some jobs are as simple as replacing a front sight on a pistol or changing out a recoil spring for more accurate shooting with a heavier grained bullet. These jobs are referred to as workings. They are simple and easy. “Working jobs are the bread and butter of todays gunsmith. You will suffer only doing these jobs but they pay your bills”(Firing Line). Gunsmiths average hourly rate is $40 a hour. Figuring in insurance, wages, heat and electricity that doesn't leave much room for profits. Most profits are made from creating a name for yourself in the industry and building exquisite rifle or pistols by hand.
In todays world with modern technology some products have become controversial in regards to shootings. The AR platform has been blamed for several shootings around the nation including the tragedies in Aurora and Sandy Hook School. Because of its design and military background people assume its sole purpose is for killing. The AR platform was designed to be a versatile rifle. Parts of this rifle are meant to be interchangeable and parts designed to be used for specific jobs such as competition shooting, hunting or personal defense. The AR is one of the first training steps to become an armorer or gunsmith.
Also with todays modern technology and advances hand made firearms are becoming extinct. Computer numerically controlled machines or CNC for short have been leading the way in removing the needs of gun makers. Today one man types code into a computer for a mill to cut out parts to a very accurate level to the 1/1000 of an inch. These new machines remove the human element of crafting a weapons platform. Few companies in this world still fit and build firearms by hand and they are some of the best firearms on this planet. Wilson Combat is one of the select companies where guns are made by hand. The most basic pistol they make starts at $3500, but they are some of the smoothest and quality products I have ever handled and shot. A machined pistol of similar standards feels cheap in comparison. Handmade firearms have a soul. Gunsmiths are becoming extinct because of CNC machines. ..
The skills of gunsmithing need to be passed down and taught to those willing to learn about this amazing trade. Handmade firearms built this nation, if we quit making them by hand where will be in fifty years and what could we be in fifty years? Firearms are also a pieces of art that require artists to create one off pieces of work. People are also always looking to improve their firearms and doing that requires skills that most average people don't have the skills or tools to modify them. Gunsmithing is a trade that many people don't realize how much effort goes into its workings and the skills and patience that is required.
Works Cited
Crews, Ed. "History.org: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's Official History and Citizenship Website." The Gunsmith's Shop : The Colonial Williamsburg Official History & Citizenship Site. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
"How to Be a Gunsmith? Field & Stream." Field & Stream. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
"I Want to Become a Gunsmith. - The Firing Line Forums." The Firing Line Forums RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
Petzal, David E. "Gun Making: Man Versus Machine Field & Stream." Field & Stream. Field and Stream Magazine, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
"Shooting Long Range: The Generational Theory Field & Stream." Field & Stream. Field and Stream Magazine, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
Todd, Chip. "Take the Safety off the Rest of GunReports.com Now, Free!" Tricks of the Gunsmithing Trade. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
Weeks, Larry. "How To Build Your Own Remington 700 - Part I." World's Largest Supplier of Gun Parts, Gunsmith Tools & Shooting Accessories. Brownells, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.