Freestate Training Academy

When building an AR-15 Rifle it is important your barrel is at least 16 inches in length to meet the requirement. This is when using a tape measurer or ruler may be used for the measurement. However, something that long you would not use calipers or micrometers for because these tools are meant to be used on things much smaller. For example, when drifting sights on and off of a handgun you will need to be sure the new sight sits center on the slide to ensure an accurate shot

The Real Avid AR-15 Front Sight Adjuster Tool  is a dedicated front sight post adjustment tool  for AR-15-style rifles. It’s built to make elevation changes to the front sight post  cleanly and precisely — a task that’s tricky with improvised tools like punches or screwdrivers. Works on both A1 (5-pin) and A2 (4-pin) front sights  — the dual-ended design eliminates the need for two separate tools. Precision-machined stainless steel  construction with a black oxide coating  fo

The pistol that I own and have decided to use for the purposes of this discussion is the Glock 17 Gen 5. It is a very popular make and model of firearm and a great choice for those looking to purchase their first firearm. Having worked at one live fire facility or another, I have seen and worked on countless Glock pistols and went as far as to get certified as a Glock Armorer in the process. In the first link listed below I have a YouTube animation type video that covers the

The Birchwood Casey Perma Blue Gun Blue Paste  is a cold bluing compound in a paste form  designed to chemically darken and protect steel firearms surfaces by forming a thin layer of black oxide. It can be used for: Touching up scratches and worn areas Re-bluing entire firearms Restoring vintage or weathered metal parts It works on steel and iron  but won’t work on stainless steel, aluminum, or non-ferrous metals . How It Works Unlike liquid bluing solutions that act quickly

1. How would you make this firearm safe to begin working on? Starting with the safety selector being pushed into a safe position and keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction I would inspect the feeding tube for the presence of ammunition. Then I would use the bolts charging handle and locking it to the rear I would physically and visually inspect the chamber for ammunition. Once I was sure it was free of ammunition I would continue with my work.

The Brownells AR-15 Upper Receiver Vise Block  is a bench vise block  made specifically to hold AR-15 upper receivers securely  while you work on them. It fits the receiver’s internal profile and uses stainless steel pins  to lock into position, allowing you to clamp the upper in a bench vise without damaging the receiver. Typical uses: Barrel nut installation/removal Installing muzzle devices Accessory/optic installation General receiver maintenance and cleaning Any upper wo

The firearm I own and chose to talk about this week is my Taurus Judge. Yes, that's right, I am That Guy! But when I begin to cover the firearms unique aspects you may begin to understand why I chose this one. This firearm actually came as a kit from Taurus and was called the First 24 because it came with a bunch of survival stuff to match. The cylinder, barrel and frame came with a flat dark earth Cerakote finish. I can confidently say that this firearm came from the manufac

The Real Avid Smart Drive 90  is a 90-piece gunsmithing driver kit  centered around a high-quality bit driver  designed specifically for firearm hardware. It includes: 87 gun-specific bits  (standard & metric) in multiple types (Torx, Phillips, hex, hollow-ground flat) Main driver  with ergonomic grip, 360° LED light , and magnetic bit holder Smaller driver  for tight spaces that integrates with the main driver for extra leverage (Real Avid calls this Force Assist™ ) Magnetic

1. What is the first thing you must know before attempting to disassemble or inspect a firearm? The first thing I would want to know before attempting to disassemble or inspect a firearm is how to clear it of ammunition. Some firearms like Glocks require the user pull the trigger to remove the slide and being sure the firearm is not loaded is the first and most critical step. 2. In a straight blowback system, when does the bolt/slide begin reacting to the pressure created by

The Real Avid 4-in-1 Tool for Glock  is a gunsmithing multi-tool  built specifically for Glock pistols. It consolidates four commonly-needed Glock armorer tools into one compact, pocket-ready device  with a push-button deployment  mechanism. Included Tools Inside the ergonomic housing are four key tools: 3 mm Armorer’s Pin Punch  – for pushing out roll pins during disassembly/cleaning. Magnetic 3/16″ Hex Driver  – for front sight removal/installation (works with stock and aft

Customer brings you a Browning Hi Power and explains that it does not fire when the hammer falls on a loaded chamber. He states that the hammer does reach full cock when cycling the slide and manually cocking the hammer itself.

The Real Avid Master Cleaning Station  is an integrated firearm cleaning system  that combines: A large cleaning mat Organized tool storage A comprehensive set of caliber-specific cleaning tools A magnetic parts tray A multi-function T-handle with rod and attachments It’s intended to give firearm owners a dedicated, organized workspace  for disassembling and cleaning guns from bore to action and back again. The station is available in different versions (e.g., Universal , Han

We all know that safety is the goal when dealing with any firearm but when someone brings me a firearm (especially the older ones) the conclusion I need to draw is usually, do they want a pretty gun or a functioning one. This tells me up front what my end goal will be and what is going to make the client happiest. This is not to say a firearm cannot be both but often times it comes down to show piece or work tool. Pretty guns have had lots of care with regard to their appeara

The Tipton Gun Butler  is an all-in-one gun cleaning station  designed to: Hold your firearm securely during cleaning and maintenance Organize and store cleaning tools and supplies Provide a stable, portable workspace for rifles and shotguns It’s constructed from durable, solvent-resistant polymer  and includes removable non-marring forks  to cradle your firearm, plus specially molded compartments and slots  for bore solvent, brushes, jags, mops, cleaning rods, spray lube, an

If the result desired by the customer is a color then yes, I would agree that spray on finishes are the future. However, a lot of people are getting away from the classic methods of bluing and browning type finishes which leads me to believe that I should invest in the older methods first. Anyone can buy a can of this spray on stuff and give it a shot on their own making the gunsmith obsolete. Sure the average joe wouldn't spend the money for a full Cerakote kit with sprayer

When you shoot a firearm, combustion residues (carbon, lead, copper), powder fouling, oils from your hands, and environmental moisture build up both inside and on the surface. Good cleaners and lubricants: Remove fouling and buildup  that can affect accuracy and function Reduce friction  between moving parts Protect against rust and corrosion Help maintain reliability and longevity  of the firearm Several types are commonly used: Solvents / bore cleaners  (for fouling removal

Though I believe it is necessary to be able to fix fasteners and other small parts, I also believe it is reasonable to begin the trouble shooting process even if you are unable to fix the part causing the problem. Step one is always clearing the firearm and if the customer was claiming it wont chamber a round and you find out it was because they were loading them backwards, then problem solved. You did not need the ability to fix small parts to solve this problem. Most of the

Cotton swabs are one of the most overlooked firearm cleaning tools , yet they excel at jobs where brushes and patches are too large or aggressive. They’re ideal for: Tight spaces Light carbon removal Oil application Final wipe-down and inspection With the right assortment , they become precision tools instead of fuzzy sticks. Types of Cotton Swabs (and Where to Use Them) Standard Cotton Swabs Best for: Slide rails Trigger housings Bolt carrier exterior Mag wells Breech faces

1.To properly make a firearm safe, what checks would you perform?

A pistol lock  is a safety device designed to block access to the trigger or action of a handgun , preventing the firearm from being fired by unauthorized users (especially children or untrained people). It’s one layer in a responsible storage strategy — not a replacement for safe handling practices. Common types: Trigger Locks  (clamp over trigger/guard) Cable Locks  (thread through action/barrel) Chamber Locks / Action Locks  (block chamber/breech) Smart/Secure Gun Locks  (