GCA Blog

Your go-to resource for the latest news, tips, and insights in the world of gunsmithing. Our team of experts share their knowledge and experience on a variety of topics, including gunsmithing techniques, industry trends, and product reviews.

.22 Long Rifle Rimfire Cartridge

May 20, 2021 .22 Long Rifle Rimfire CartridgeBy: Robert DunnI learned to shoot using the .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge and it is still one of my favorite and most used rounds. The rimfire’s low felt recoil and quiet report make it a good cartridge for beginning and youth shooters. It is a great small game

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I Love Moderating GCA Forums!

April 11, 2021   By Robert Dunn  There are several reasons why I love moderating the GCA website. First and foremost are the GCA members themselves. Though we all seem to have different backgrounds and we are different ages from one another, all of the members of the Gunsmithing Club of America have in common our passion

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Working with Ken Brooks

By Robert Dunn April 23, 2021 I am fortunate enough to be able to say that I work with a lot of my friends. One of my closest friends is also my coworker. I am speaking of Master Gunsmith and AGI instructor Ken Brooks. Like many of you that might be reading this, I felt

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Restoring a Springfield Model 1866 2nd Allin Conversion Part 1

Restoring a Springfield Model 1866 2nd Allin Conversion Part 1 By: Scott C. Radtke The Springfield Model 1866 rifle holds an interesting place in history. It bridges the gap between muzzle-loading and breech-loading rifles in the US Military and actually served in both capacities. During the Civil War, the muzzle-loader had become obsolete. After that

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Mountain Gunsmiths and their Firearms

Above is a fine display of Southern Mountain Rifles at the Museum of Appalachia. Mountain Gunsmiths and their Firearms By: Robert Dunn I have always been fascinated with old muzzleloaders and the gunsmiths that built them. Early vacations to Williamsburg, Virginia exposed me to master gunsmith Wallace Gusler, as well as the Gunsmith and Blacksmith

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Ruger 10/22 ®

Ruger 10/22 ® By: Robert Dunn * I wrote this article for AGI/GCA over a decade ago. The rifle pictured in this article is just about the same as it was back then, though it now has a different barrel band that has a tactical light attached to it and TRUGLO front and rear sights.

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Erma .22 LA Luger Pistol

  Erma La 22 Luger Pistol By: Robert Dunn   The Erma .22 rimfire Luger style pistol was manufactured in Germany between the years of 1964-1967. Before shortening the company’s name to ERMA-Werke or simply Erma after WWII, its name was Erfurter Maschinenfabrik. They manufactured many of the German army’s weapons, such as the MP38

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Using a Laser Boresighter

Using a Laser Boresighter By: Jack Landis I’ve been using laser boresighters  in my shop for years, and I wouldn’t be without one. They are, in my opinion, the fastest, easiest, way to square up the scope’s crosshairs and get your first shot within a foot of your aiming point at 100 yards. I’ve got

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Custom Sights Part 1 of 2

95 Winchester with custom quarter rib and express sights By: Fred Zeglin AGI Instructor, Author, Lassen College Gunsmithing Graduate and Cartridge Designer When I graduated from gunsmithing school, I went to work in a shop that exposed me to many custom features and services that could be offered to our clients. High on that list

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Rust and Corrosion

Rust and Corrosion By: Robert Dunn Rust and corrosion has enabled me to make money since I can remember, but it’s not my friend. When I was very young, I remember getting a small bump in my allowance for cleaning up a bunch of rusty parts for something my Dad was rebuilding with a product

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A Man of Invention, John Moses Browning

A Man of Invention By: Robert Dunn When someone describes a person as being inventive, creative, prolific and a genius, certain historic men come to mind. Michelangelo, da Vinci, Newton, Mozart, Escher, Edison are all names of people that have the above qualities. Many of you will have already thought of these historic men based

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Gunsmith of Williamsburg

Gunsmith of Williamsburg By: Robert Dunn One of my childhood vacation spots was Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. My Parents met one another in Virginia when they were in college after WWII had ended. My Dad went to V.P.I. and my Mom was going to William and Mary College (right next to Colonial Williamsburg). Virginia is my

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