Gunsmithing - How to Repair the Tumbler and Sear on an Axtell 1877 Sharps Rifle

This episode delves into the often-underestimated costs and complexities of professional gunsmithing. Hosts Brent Wheat and Rory Huntington discuss why 'just doing it yourself' or opting for cheap services can lead to more problems and expense. They highlight the specialized tools, skills, and time required for tasks like drilling and tapping, action jobs, and even basic cleaning, emphasizing that professional gunsmiths provide value through expertise, quality, and safety.

This guide details the expert gunsmithing process of sleeving a Peabody rifle's chamber to .45-70 Government, as demonstrated by Mark Novak. The modification involves precise machining on a lathe and milling machine to adapt the breech and extractor for the larger cartridge. Crucially, the rifle is only safe for black powder loads due to structural modifications.

This guide details the expert process of repairing a broken firing pin on a rare 1869 Sharps Rifle, a saddle ring carbine chambered in .50-70 Government. Master Gunsmith Larry Potterfield demonstrates precise machining techniques, including facing the old pin, drilling for a new tip, and using Loctite for secure attachment. The repair is verified with precision measurements and culminates in successful range testing, showcasing advanced gunsmithing skills.

This video provides an expert-level overview of American single-shot cartridge rifles, presented by Larry Potterfield, founder of MidwayUSA. It details the evolution and mechanics of iconic models from Sharps, Ballard, Springfield, Remington, Stevens, and Winchester. Potterfield, an authority on historical firearms, explains the design principles, historical context, and practical aspects of these firearms, including their actions and calibers.

This video provides a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) session focused on the essential task of cleaning black powder firearms. The presenter emphasizes the critical need to clean these firearms after every single use to ensure their longevity and proper function. While not demonstrating a specific firearm, the video's core message revolves around the maintenance and care of black powder firearms, a niche but important aspect of historical firearms ownership.

This guide details the process of creating paper-patched ammunition for the 40-50 Sharps Bottleneck rifle. It covers casting bullets, preparing and applying paper patches, forming cases from 45-70 brass, and the specific steps for loading with black powder, wads, and lubricant. The technique aims for accurate shooting with historical rifle designs.

This guide details a high-speed Cowboy Action Shooting stage, demonstrating expert transitions between a lever-action rifle, dual single-action revolvers, and a side-by-side shotgun. It highlights efficient manual shotgun reloading techniques from a belt carrier, showcasing advanced proficiency in competitive shooting disciplines. The video emphasizes speed and accuracy across multiple firearm types.

This video provides an expert-level demonstration of the Mosin-Nagant M91/30 PU Sniper rifle. It covers visual inspection, the proper loading procedure for 7.62x54R ammunition, and live fire at an outdoor range, showcasing bolt manipulation and recoil control. The demonstration is presented in a silent, ASMR-style format by an authoritative demonstrator.

This guide details the complex process of reboring a Winchester 1885 Low Wall rifle from .32 Rimfire to .357 Magnum, addressing a pitted bore. Expert gunsmith Larry Potterfield demonstrates disassembly, barrel removal, specialized reboring at Delta Gun Shop, chambering, crowning, action conversion, and final marking/finishing. The process highlights advanced machining techniques and specialized tools required for such a conversion.

This guide details the cycle of operation for the Winchester Model 12 shotgun, as explained by Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA using a cutaway model. It covers loading, safety engagement, firing, extraction, and chambering. The explanation highlights the hammerless pump-action design and internal component interactions, offering valuable insights for gunsmithing and understanding firearm mechanics.