by GCA Member Timothy Tweed

Often when discussing barrel erosion or head space erosion and the gauging of it, I like to explain to the student how erosion occurs in nature. As we all know erosion occurs in nature and can easily be observed on a riverbank, creekbed, or lakeshore. Little bits of surface area are taken away by force gradually. In the case of water erosion it may take awhile while in mechanical erosion it depends on the use of the item and the conditioning and fit of the parts. Many times people dont think they are “mechanical” enough to understand what you are talking about so a visual aid always becomes helpful. I’ve found that many times relating concepts to students who have never seen a rifle let alone held a bullet in their hand, using visualizations like natural erosion puts their minds to a better understanding. I used to be a Park Ranger at the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. I got to see plenty of natural erosion done by the river. The concept of “wearing away” can be seen by the deformation of rocks. Edges wear down by movement of water and other debris constantly “riding” over another surface and removing surface area. I then relay the concept of this “wearing away” to the firearm. The erosion of the barrel after many successive firings. I relay how the lands and grooves of the barrel become affected by the constant and many explosions and bullet travel over these surfaces. I show how metal erosion immitates nature and why parts get worn and why it is important to monitor the situation in every firearm. Just as streambed conservation works, so it is with gunsmiths. We have to “shore up” in a firearm what metal wear has taken away. We so this by replacing parts and resurfacing what we can. Ultimately however, at some point the erosion and age of a firearm will move us to determine whether or not an item stays functional or becomes merely a non-firing heirloom. Erosion, pay attention to it and keep your firearms safe and operable