I was recently doing some testing for a customer gun before shipping it out.  The shop’s normal test ammo is Winchester “white box” variety that you can pick up from big box stores.  This is used because it is what most of our customer base is likely to pick up.  If a gun runs well with this, we have a good chance that it will run well with most other factory ammo (handloaded ammo is an issue unto itself). I had shot a good...

I was thinking about how revolvers are so complex.  They really are like the proverbial mouse trap.  Everything must be fitted precisely to work in the right way.  Take for instance the issue of trigger return.  So many times a gun is fitted with a trigger return spring that is much lighter than the factory spring.  This sounds good at first, but in the end, it ends up being of little benefit if it causes short strokes. The trigger must return,...

I had friend recently get me to install his Ruger LCP with a Lasermax laser.  I had not seen this laser before, and I was impressed.  One of the great things about the Ruger LCP is that it is so small and perfect for a pocket or backup gun.  However, the sights leave something to be desired.  In a word, they are almost non-existent. Enter the Lasermax option for the LCP.  It is a compact laser that mounts on the trigger guard of the gun. ...

Summer is winding down, and I for one am glad.  I’m sick of a hot shop that sucks the life out of you.  I am also ready for the change of season and the busyness that comes with fall.  Our shop is already coming out of the summer lull (who shoots when its hot?!!).  We are excited about a few of the great projects that kept us rolling this summer.  Two of these were outside the norm, but very interesting restorations.  More to come on that...

Last month I was customizing a PPC revolver for a customer when I discovered the mythical floating hand.  The gun was a 686-1 in .357 magnum.  It was the perfect candidate for a PPC gun.  If you are not familiar with PPC, they are competitions that were originally designed for Law Enforcement officers.  They are great tests of accuracy with the handgun. In the initial bench tests of the 686-1 that was sent to me, I was encouraged that we had a...

I recently had the opportunity to work on a Remington 870 that was having some feeding problems. As I began dissasembly of the gun the magazine cap flew off as I unscrewed it. Along with the cap came the green magazine plug for hunting. Thankfully I still have both of my eyes! The customer was reporting cycling issues with the gun, and it became evident why. The magazine cap had been placed over top of the magazine plug, which was on top of the...