when does it become gunsmithing?

[wstan]

It's easy enough to pick up the basics of handgun mechanics and keeping them in smooth operating condition, but when does tweaking become gunsmithings and where might one reliably learn to do things like trigger work?

 

[Rick Benn]

It becomes an Armorer issue when it involves more than field stripping for basic cleaning. It becomes gunsmithing when it involves more skills than you learned in an Armorers school.

IMHO and in the opinion of most if not all manufacturers, the average person should not be messing with "trigger work." What most people fail to realize is how firearms actually work. When you change one thing in the cycle of fire, you must adjust other things in that cycle to compliment the initial change. Other wise the gun may not function properly and above all else, safely.

 

[MamaLiberty]

No doubt about it in my book... if anything beyond standard cleaning is required, it goes to a gunsmith. Some people may want to buy the books and do whatever else is required to learn how to do those things, but I'm not really mechanically inclined. I do well to accomplish the standard take down for a deep cleaning... and get it put back together - following the manual EACH time.

 

[maine04619]

It becomes an Armorer issue when it involves more than field stripping for basic cleaning. It becomes gunsmithing when it involves more skills than you learned in an Armorers school.

IMHO and in the opinion of most if not all manufacturers, the average person should not be messing with "trigger work." What most people fail to realize is how firearms actually work. When you change one thing in the cycle of fire, you must adjust other things in that cycle to compliment the initial change. Other wise the gun may not function properly and above all else, safely.

A armorer is a gunsmith in charge of a ARMORY.

As for trigger work as long as one learns the fundamentals of positive and negative it aint brain surgery. It can be confusing when multiple geometries like those of a ar are worked on. As long as you have a good understanding of what your doing and do it safe then no problem. Just remember for the new person giving it a shot be ready to order new parts JIC... I will agree that if you do NOT understand the above you should not try at all.

 

[mappow]

Errrr, I believe this should be ref'd to the BATF (ATF Online - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) concerning Gunsmith and Federal Law. Supposition with out references is in YOUR HUBLE OPINION not the Law. wstan, I would research both Federal and State Law concerning modification. BUT you could be fishing so have some fun at it!

 

[NavyLCDR]

Errrr, I believe this should be ref'd to the BATF (ATF Online - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) concerning Gunsmith and Federal Law. Supposition with out references is in YOUR HUBLE OPINION not the Law. wstan, I would research both Federal and State Law concerning modification. BUT you could be fishing so have some fun at it!

As long as he is working on his own firearms, Federal law has nothing to do with it, unless he obliterates a serial number. It isn't "gunsmithing" that requires any type of license. It is engaging in the business of gunsmithing for the purpose of livelihood and profit that requires the license. That is in 18 USC 921 and 923.

 

[wstan]

Errrr, I believe this should be ref'd to the BATF (ATF Online - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) concerning Gunsmith and Federal Law. Supposition with out references is in YOUR HUBLE OPINION not the Law. wstan, I would research both Federal and State Law concerning modification. BUT you could be fishing so have some fun at it!

Just idle curiosity at where the formal distinctions lie--I mentioned trigger work only because it seemed more likely to cross the boundary than something like the ubiquitous "polish the feed ramp" discussions on the internet. I've no intention of *doing* anything beyond factory recommended maintenance because I don't know how and don't see this as a proper vehicle to "learn by doing." I do however, want to know enough to develop a competent BS detector.

 

[JCliff]

A armorer is a gunsmith in charge of a ARMORY. ...

Ummm, no. An armorer is not a gunsmith.

 

[SGB]

An armorer is qualified to replace parts back to OEM specs. A gunsmith does that an more ........ to include fabrication and modification of parts. Just the .O2 of a self confessed shade tree gun plumper.

 

[wolf_fire]

A armorer is a gunsmith in charge of a ARMORY.

As for trigger work as long as one learns the fundamentals of positive and negative it aint brain surgery. It can be confusing when multiple geometries like those of a ar are worked on. As long as you have a good understanding of what your doing and do it safe then no problem. Just remember for the new person giving it a shot be ready to order new parts JIC... I will agree that if you do NOT understand the above you should not try at all.

Glock Armorers are not in charge of an armory. They have just been trained by Glock to do more than just basic cleaning. They are trained on complete disassembly/reassembly of the weapon and how to replace worn parts.

GLOCK Training - Course Description

 

[wizrd]

It becomes 'gunsmithing' when you have taken apart more of the firearm than you are capable of putting back together correctly. Had a friend once, took a nice double action revolver apart for thorough cleaning, down to the last pin, spring & screw. Easy. Put it back together - HARD. Stubborn guy, but he did it...his estimate was it took him about 800 hours work to get it right. Too stubborn to admit defeat & go to a gunsmith. :no:

 

[JimPage]

It becomes 'gunsmithing' when you have taken apart more of the firearm than you are capable of putting back together correctly. Had a friend once, took a nice double action revolver apart for thorough cleaning, down to the last pin, spring & screw. Easy. Put it back together - HARD. Stubborn guy, but he did it...his estimate was it took him about 800 hours work to get it right. Too stubborn to admit defeat & go to a gunsmith. :no:

If it takes that long to fry chicken, does that make him a chef?

Just as doing some cooking (even for 800hrs) does not make one a chef, doing some "gunsmithing" does not make one a gunsmith