Roy’s Most Important Gunsmith Tool

This video provides an in-depth tour of the Ordnance.com restoration shop, detailing the comprehensive process of bringing antique and military firearms and components back to life. It covers essential stages from initial disassembly and abrasive blasting to bodywork, painting, polishing, and final assembly. The shop utilizes specialized equipment like sandblasting cabinets, CNC water jets, and a paint booth, emphasizing meticulous attention to detail for museum-quality results.

This guide details the disassembly process for the gas trap variant of the M1 Garand, highlighting its differences from the later, more common models. It involves removing the bolt and operating rod first, then a specific screw to release the gas trap, followed by the sight block, before the gas trap assembly can be rotated off. This early design proved less reliable than the later gas piston system.

This guide details the process of fitting and trimming an aftermarket rail intended for a 6-inch barrel Colt Python to a 4-inch barrel model. The primary challenge is the difference in barrel ramp angles, which prevents a flush fit. The process involves cutting the rail to size and applying a finish to the exposed metal.

Roy Huntington demonstrates the process of bead blasting stainless steel 1911 parts to achieve a uniform satin finish. The video highlights the use of a modified Harbor Freight bead blasting machine and glass beads, emphasizing the importance of circulation for consistent results. This technique is presented as a valuable method for improving the aesthetics and uniformity of firearm components.

This guide details the installation of Slick Shot stainless steel nipples on a Pietta 1860 black powder revolver. The upgrade aims to improve reliability by preventing cap fragments from jamming the cylinder and potentially enhancing ignition consistency due to a larger internal passage. The process involves unscrewing old nipples and installing the new ones, with a specific note on using Remington #10 caps.

This guide details the process of upgrading Colt Grizzly and Kodiak revolvers by replacing rubber grips with aftermarket wood grips and installing a fiber optic front sight on the Grizzly. The speaker emphasizes the aesthetic and functional improvements gained from these modifications, noting that parts interchangeable with Colt Pythons will also fit these models. The process involves careful removal of old parts and precise installation of new ones, including the use of Loctite for sight security.

This guide, informed by Roy Huntington, Editor of American Handgunner Magazine, details the critical differences between buckshot and birdshot for home defense. It covers their physical characteristics, penetration capabilities through walls, and effectiveness at close range. The advice emphasizes choosing a load based on concerns about over-penetration while stressing the universal importance of training, target identification, and using a light for any home defense scenario.

This guide details the field stripping process for a 1911 pistol, presented by Roy Huntington, Publisher of American Handgunner. It covers essential safety checks, step-by-step disassembly, and reassembly, emphasizing techniques to prevent damage. An alternative 'cheat' method for faster disassembly is also demonstrated, along with advice on using specialized tools for tight components.

This video showcases an exceptionally rare find: a first-generation 1873 Colt Single Action Peacemaker, discovered via metal detecting in Arizona. The expert speaker details its museum-quality condition, dating it to 1875, and analyzes the authentic patina and wear, including specific gutta-percha grip details and muzzle wear from holster friction. The firearm's discovery context among homestead ruins adds to its historical narrative.

This guide, presented by Roy Huntington, Editor of American Handgunner Magazine, outlines an efficient '5-minute clean' for modern semi-automatic pistols like the Glock 26/27. It emphasizes that over-cleaning is unnecessary and can cause premature wear. The process focuses on targeted cleaning of critical areas like the barrel and slide rails, with minimal lubrication applied only to high-friction points. Proper function checks after reassembly are also highlighted.