Freestate Training Academy

It is my understanding of this week's discussion prompt that I, the customer, will be choosing a type of wood for a build I am completing and that I will need to explain to “the custom stock maker” Why I believe this choice works for my build. So, If I were to choose a type of wood for my next project it would probably be black walnut. Not only is it still popular in a lot of builds here in America, making it appealing to the buyer, but I chose black walnut for a number of ot

Should you choose maple as your wood when preparing your own wood stock? I believe this comes down to your comfort and experience when working with different types of wood. As I am fairly new to custom woodworking, I would probably use maple as my wood of choice. This is simply because it is easier to work with than other wood types. Having said this, it is still important to check the piece I am starting with because a good wood for gunstocks needs to meet certain criteria t

Knowing the critical measurements when custom making a gun stock is critical to the fitment of the gun to its user and to the overall success of your build. Things like pitch, drop at heel, length of trigger pull and the drop at comb will all make or break your sale when it comes to custom work. So, let us begin at the length of pull. The reading mentions that most American firearms have approximately a 14-inch measurement because this feels good to the average sized male, bu

The term inletting is used to describe the process of carefully cutting away sections of a stock to fit the receiver, barrel and action. Typically, if you are buying a kit today there is a semi-finished stock included that has its general shape already formed and the section where you drop in your receiver, action or barrel are usually precut and only need a little work to fully complete. Using inletting black or simply by smoking the parts, press them in place and it should

Seeing as I am just getting started building a new rifle stock and I have a very limited budget and skill level, I may need to think of a few things I can do to save money but still get decent results. The first thing I would hope most people would consider when just starting off is the amount of time and attention to detail necessary to complete this task right. Putting tools and costs aside for the moment, this type of work will take some time and if not done correctly then

To start my hypothetical gunstock project, I need to select a type of wood that is durable and strong but one that still has a tight good-looking grain to it. So, I think I may go with the popular choice of many and use a walnut. I have chosen this because walnut is known for its strength, stability, and attractive grain patterns and there are many types to choose from so this choice still allows me to shop around a bit. Also, walnut can be relatively easy to work with, allow

For the purposes of this conversation, a customer brings in a J.C. Higgins Model 20-gauge shotgun in poor condition with a split in the stock by the grip. This is no good as this is one of the places that needs to be the toughest, especially considering it is a shotgun. My options are to either repair it or replace it and I think we know what option is easier. However, I always leave the choosing to the client so they cannot say I chose the more expensive option so I could ma

Wood Preparation can be the key to a successful project and can mean the difference

Checkering may have different purposes depending on who you are asking. For

For this, I have selected the Barrett M82A1 .50 Caliber rifle because it is one of the heaviest recoiling rifles on the market today. This is not often seen by many gunsmiths because of its price and availability but I myself have had the pleasure of working with and handling this rifle. While I believe this rifle specifically should have every available option installed in an attempt to reduce its felt recoil, the option I would likely start with would probably be to add a s

Having worked with a ridiculous number of firearms at this point in my career, I can attest that firearms blueprints and drawings can really come in handy when trying to diagnose and fix a malfunctioning firearm. If someone is handing you a firearm that you have never worked on before there is always going to be some sort of learning curve but one of the best ways to get started is research and this is done best with the use of things like exploded views and diagrams. If you

According to what I was able to find in the Encyclopedia Britannica website, a chemical reaction can be defined as “a process in which one or more substances, the reactants, are converted to one or more different substances, the products.” In other words, it is a change from one thing to another like a solid into a gas or a liquid into a solid. A great example of a chemical reaction can be the change gunpowder undergoes once ignited. What starts off as a solid, becomes a gas

There are three major factors to consider when looking to purchase a new rifle or designing a stock and they are the rifle’s purpose, the caliber it fires, and the amount of felt recoil the user gets when using it. Let us begin with the reason the rifle is being purchased. People may buy a rifle for a number of reasons, but I would say the most common would be for hunting, recreational shooting or simply because it looks really cool and will impress others. Hunters want an ac

Both the 6.5 Creedmoor and the .308 Winchester (commonly referred to as 308) are popular cartridges for long-range shooting and hunting. However, determining which one performs better is subjective and depends on the specific requirements and preferences of the shooter. The 6.5 Creedmoor typically offers better long-range ballistics due to its high ballistic coefficient and less wind drift, resulting in less bullet drop and better accuracy at extended distances. It also has

The AK-47 and AK-74 are both iconic assault rifles designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. While they share similar overall designs, there are several key differences between the two: 1. Caliber: The primary difference between the AK-47 and AK-74 lies in the caliber and associated ammunition they use. The AK-47 is chambered in the 7.62x39mm cartridge, while the AK-74 is chambered in the 5.45x39mm cartridge. The AK-47 fires a larger, heavier bullet compared to the smaller, faster bu

1. Personal Protection: One of the primary reasons individuals choose to own a firearm is for personal protection. Having a firearm can provide a means to defend oneself and loved ones in potentially dangerous situations. 2. Home Defense: Firearms can serve as a deterrent and a means to protect one's home and property. In the event of a break-in or home invasion, a firearm can offer a greater sense of security and the ability to defend oneself and their family. 3. Recreatio

The .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO (commonly referred to as .556) are two popular rifle cartridges. While they appear similar, there are a few key differences between the two: 1. Chamber pressure: The 5.56 cartridge is loaded to a higher pressure than the .223. This means that rifles chambered for 5.56 are designed to handle the higher pressures safely. 2. Chamber dimensions: The chamber dimensions of the 5.56 are slightly different compared to the .223. The 5.56 chamber

Self-defense and home protection are essential considerations for personal safety and the well-being of individuals and their loved ones. While self-defense and home protection strategies can encompass various aspects, having the means to protect oneself and deter potential threats is a significant component. Firearms: Firearms are often considered as a means of self-defense and home protection. They offer the potential for immediate response and the ability to neutralize a

Benelli is a renowned firearms manufacturer with a rich history and a legacy of producing high-quality shotguns and rifles. The company's commitment to innovation, reliability, and Italian craftsmanship has solidified its position as a leader in the firearms industry. This article explores the heritage of Benelli, notable models, technological advancements, community involvement, and the enduring appeal of Benelli firearms. Legacy of Excellence: Founded in 1967 by the Benell

1. Are there any features that are common to all the firearms in this publication? 2. Choose five features of Henry firearms that are not common to most of the models listed. 3. Describe those features, and state which models exhibit them. The Henry rifle company has been around for a long time and was patented back in 1860. Most of their models use the iconic leaver action to feed, chamber, extract and eject ammunition and have done so since their earliest mo