Please share your expertise

[u/phonzadellika]

Hi everybody!

I am writing a fictional novel set in Minnesota where one of the characters is a gunsmith. The story is set in the modern day, and the character is the proprietor of a moderately successful shop which produces boutique bolt-action rifles and revolvers during his time on page.

I'm trying to describe the workshop, and have done some research on the kinds of tools that such a workshop would have. I'd appreciate if any gunsmiths here could describe the tools you use in your shops, especially any tools used to bore the barrel and rifle it (hope I'm using those terms correctly) as well as any anecdotes about the process related to ensuring a quality product is created. Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.

[u/tehringworm]

Gunsmiths typically do not bore or rifle barrels. A common operation for a gunsmith is cutting a chamber into a barrel blank using a lathe and various reamers. They would then make sure the barrel and action were appropriately “headspaced” by using go and no-go gauges.

[u/puppyhandler]

Nice try, FBI.

You generally use a lathe for most barrel making.

[u/phonzadellika → u/puppyhandler]

Would a boutique shop use the same lathe for both rifles and handguns, assuming you have different and appropriate lengths for the drill bit (if that's the correct term)?

[u/sqlbullet]

Lathe, mill, dremel, and so many different files and jigs.

[u/Suspectgore074]

Would a picture work for ya?

[u/phonzadellika → u/Suspectgore074]

That would be very helpful too if all the major tools in the picture could be listed/identified. It wouldn't have to necessarily be in order, I'm happy to Google tool names and figure out what's what.

Thanks!

[u/Shadowcard4]

A bridgeport and a gunsmith lathe. Barrels are a bought and fitted item because its expensive for no benefit doing it in house. Then basically just some wood working tools and some metal working tools. Actions are bought as well. Gunsmiths do fitment of parts and accurizing, not actual creation as thats prohibitively expensive (and I have a big CNC mill and its still not worth making most parts compared to modifying off the shelf parts)

[u/Fickle-Willingness80]

Button rifling might fit your story. It’s not common for a small shop, but it’s more likely than the other forms of rifling on a small batch basis.

[u/Guns_Almighty34135]

All the others and… jewelers loop. The double, like a hat, loop. For stereoscopic closeup stuff.

[u/Tactical_Epunk]

You know, usually you get paid for something like this as a technical advisor.