GUNSMITHING SHOTGUNS
PATRICK SWEENEY
©2000 by Krause Publications
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a critical article or review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper or electronically transmitted on radio or television.
Published by
700 East State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001
eISBN: 978-1-44022-448-5
715-445-2214
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Library of Congress Catalog Number: 00-104631
ISBN: 0-87341-902-0
Printed in the United States of America
Acknowledgments
Writing a book that consists of more than a collection of memoirs requires assistance. In the case of a book on gunsmithing, writing requires the help of other gunsmiths, the manufacturers and suppliers, and the forbearance of the editor. I would like to thank my fellow gunsmiths for their help through the years and on this book. I would also like to thank the manufacturers for their kind loan of shotguns, ammunition, tools and parts. As for my long-suffering editor, I hope that Kevin has found a 200-yard range at which to soothe his frustrations.
Dedication
I think it was H.L. Mencken who described writing as “… sitting at a typewriter and staring at a blank sheet of paper until beads of blood form on your forehead, fall off and form words.” I laughed the first time I read it. I didn't laugh the first time I found myself sitting at a typewriter at 2 a.m., unable to write anything worth sending off in the morning mail to make the deadline. That was in 1987. However, writing, and being a writer, are two different states. I will forever be in debt to Felicia for kicking me from writing to being a writer. I only thought I knew the language before reading what she can write, and for what she has done to improve my writing. Thanks, Felicia, “Had I a hat, off it would be.”
The Author
Patrick Sweeney lives in the Midwest, writing and teaching, and traveling to various exotic locales to shoot and teach. While many consider the job of a gun writer to be a dream come true, he just wants you to know that the grind of shooting mountains of ammunition, traveling to Paris to view the museum at Les Invalides (and stopping off in Liege to see the FN factory) are not as fun as they might seem. They are a lot more fun. Stay tuned for more episodes.
Foreword
If you've ever looked at a malfunctioning shotgun and said, “I can fix that,” this book is for you. If you've ever looked at an ugly shotgun and said, “I can spruce that up a bit,” keep reading. Gunsmith Patrick Sweeney has again added to the collective knowledge of hobby gunsmiths everywhere. Gunsmithing Shotguns, provides the insight and the details to give you the confidence to work on your own shotgun. Whether you hunt upland birds, waterfowl, turkey or deer, this book has something that will make your life easier. The same is true if you use your shotgun for competitive sport shooting. Sweeney's years of experience at the gunsmithing bench have been translated into easy-to-read text and augmented with clear, instructional photos. Read this book, practice the skills presented here and you will be able to work on your shotgun. Just that simple.
Kevin Michalowski
Firearms Book Editor
Krause Publications.
Table of Contents
Chapter 2 Black Powder to Breechloaders
Chapter 3 Tools, A Place, and Practice
Chapter 4 Shotgun Types and Their Maintenance
Chapter 5 Stocks and Woodworking
Chapter 7 Chamber, Forcing Cone and Bore
Chapter 8 Insert Tubes and Smaller Gauges
Chapter 12 The Winchester 1897
Chapter 16 The Remington 1100 & 11-87
Chapter 17 The Browning Auto-5
Chapter 18 Building a Turkey Gun
Chapter 19 Building a Deer Hunting Shotgun
Chapter 20 Building a Shotgun for Practical Competition
