All posts by Patrick Heraghty

gunsmithing, kink, technique

What is a Gunsmith Kink?

After we posted our first gunsmith kink yesterday, someone asked, “What is a gunsmith kink?”

If you are not familiar with the term “kink” used in this manner, it refers to “a clever unusual way of doing something.” Thus, a Gunsmith Kink is a shop short cut, tip, or trick that that improves quality, makes a given process easier, etc.

They are mostly small things, or unique tools that that typically come from experience or have been handed down from one gunsmith to another.

We post one here from time to time. Watch for the category “kink.”

 

Footnotes / Sources:

“Kink ⇒.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 15 July 2015.

gunsmithing, kink, technique

Gunsmith Kink: Clean Acraglas From Hands

When using Brownells Acraglas it is easy to get it on your hands, etc. I use vinegar to remove it from my skin after a job. It will take off the unmixed components or the mixed epoxy.

After posting the above kink, someone correctly pointed out that vinegar, being mainly acetic acid and water, will cause rust and/or loss of bluing on gun metal. Thus, while vinegar still works for hands, aprons, clothing (used away from gun metal), if you are cleaning acraglas from gunmetal use TCE or lacquer thinner.

general

Independence Day

In celebration of Independence Day, Classic American Gunsmith will be closed Friday and Saturday, 3 & 4 Jul 2015.

On Independence Day, all Americans should take a moment to remember our Country’s past. It is the day that, as a nation, we choose to celebrate many things. Among them, the Declaration of Independence, the deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and most importantly the birth of our Great Nation.

We hope that you can all enjoy the holiday safely.

general

National Shooting Sports Foundation Retail Education Seminar

Previously published on LinkedIn ⇒ by Patrick Heraghty.

When I was in gunsmithing school we were taught about the bound A&D book and other items associated with the ATF record-keeping requirements for owning a gunsmith shop. Later, when I opened Classic American Gunsmith my assigned ATF IOI (Industry Operations Investigator) sat down with me and the other key personnel and went through all of the record keeping that was expected of us.

Depending on your perspective, surprisingly / unsurprisingly a great deal of what our IOI told us did not mesh with what I was taught in gunsmithing school. Since the IOI that met with us will most likely be the guy who inspects us later we do it the way that he taught us.

With that said, I still think that it is always good to keep learning. So when I saw an opportunity to attend a National Shooting Sports Foundation ⇒ (NSSF) Retail Education Seminar ⇒ I signed up. I attended yesterday.

The course segments are taught by former ATF / LEO folks that specialize in the area that they are teaching. I went to the course with an open mind and really tried to listen to what was said.

I found that I already knew a great deal of what was being taught. However, when you think about it I should or I would not be very good at my job. That said, I still took a few items from the seminar that I brought back to the shop that will clean up my bound book / 4473s and hopefully make future ATF inspections run that much smoother.

I strongly recommend that everyone who works with ATF recordkeeping requirements take the time to attend one of these seminars in your area. If you attend with an open mind and take what you learn back to the shop your records will be better for it.

general

Memorial Day

If Classic American Gunsmith had shop hours on Mondays, we would be closed on Memorial Day to honor the memory and respect the sacrifice of all the selfless American men and women who have died in the defense of our Great Nation and to foster freedom around the world.

While you enjoy yourself during the holiday weekend, please stop what you are doing, and encourage others to do the same, at 3 PM (local time) and take a moment of silence to join the National Moment of Remembrance ⇒. During this time reflect on the sacrifices that have been made to bring you the freedoms you enjoy today.

Today, and always, remember and respect that your “freedom is a light for which many men [and women] have died in darkness ⇒.”

safety

SAFETY INFO: Winchester SXP Shotgun Safety Warning & Recall Notice

From the recall notice:

Winchester Repeating Arms has discovered that a limited number of SXP (3½” chamber) shotguns (also called the Super X Pump) may, under certain circumstances, unintentionally discharge while closing the action. Failure to return any affected shotguns for inspection and/or repair may create a risk of harm, including serious personal injury or death.

If you own one of the following firearms, please immediately contact our Winchester Consumer Administrative Center to find out if your firearm is affected and should be returned. Please be prepared to provide the serial number of your firearm.

CHAMBERGAUGEBARREL LENGTH
SXP WATERFOWL HUNTER3½"1226" or 28"
SXP BLACK SHADOW3½"1226" or 28"
SXP TURKEY HUNTER3½"1224"
SXP LONG BEARD3½"1224"

DO NOT LOAD OR SHOOT ANY OF THE SHOTGUNS LISTED ABOVE CURRENTLY IN YOUR POSSESSION OR CONTROL UNTIL YOU HAVE CONTACTED THE WINCHESTER CONSUMER ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER

If you have purchased one or more of the shotguns listed above, and have confirmed with the Winchester Consumer Administrative Center that it is an affected shotgun, please note that such shotguns should not, under any circumstance, be fired until they have been inspected and/or repaired by the Winchester Repeating Arms Service Center.

For further information and instructions, please contact the Winchester Consumer Administrative Center: CALL: 1-800-945-5372 OR EMAIL: SXP@WINCHESTERGUNS.COM ⇒

The original notice can be found on the Winchester website ⇒.

general

Project Appleseed ‘Ladyseed’ Program Moved to October

Classic American Gunsmith LLC and Patrick Heraghty have no affiliation with the Appleseed Program or the Revolutionary War Veterans Association. However, Patrick Heraghty, our gunsmith, has attended an Appleseed Program in the past and fully supports the program as something that every American citizen (especially our children) should do.

Project Appleseed is a non-political rifle marksmanship training program that has an excellent history lesson included with it.

The marksmanship portion of the program focuses on traditional rifle techniques from standing, sitting/kneeling, and prone positions. The history lesson covers the difficult choices, heroic actions, and sacrifices that our founding fathers made on behalf of our freedom during the Revolutionary War battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19th, 1775).

The Rivanna Rifle & Pistol Club (RRPC) (Charlottesville, VA) is hosting a ‘Ladyseed Program’ on 3-4 October 2015.

What is a ‘Ladyseed’ you ask? It is a women only Appleseed Program. During a ‘Ladyseed’ event, the attendees and the  instructors are all women. This set-up offers the offers a supportive environment that is relaxed and comfortable. Note: A few men will be setting up the line and cooking lunch.

Ladies, if you have not learned proper rifle marksmanship you should. It is a great confidence builder and valuable skill set  that you can rely on throughout your life.

Guys, a ticket to this Ladyseed program would make an excellent present for all the ladies in your life. It also shows the mothers, sisters, daughters, granddaughters, wives, girlfriends, etc. that you support them in becoming the most independent and confident woman that they can be.

For more information, visit www.appleseedusa.org or email Bob Newton at rpnewton@hotmail.com.