c/gunsmiths

Tried to fix a rusty bore with vinegar and ended up with a rifle that smells like pickles.

The rust is gone, but now every shot comes with a tangy smell.

Coming home from a historic firearm tour with fresh ideas for my shop

Seeing old guns made by hand really sparked my creativity.

Skipping stretches before detailing barrels wrecked my shoulder.

I used to think stretching was for gym rats, not gunsmiths. But after hunching over a lathe for hours, my back would SCREAM. Last month, I ignored the twinges and now I'm sidelined with a pinched nerve. Take it from me, your health IS part of the craft. A five-minute warm-up could save your career.

Debate with my uncle about teaching apprentices safety first vs. letting them learn from mistakes. Which approach works better?

Appreciation post: Slow breaths kept me steady on a tricky inlay job

Last Tuesday, I was fitting a tiny wood inlay into a rifle stock, and the pressure was real. One wrong move and the piece would snap or look off. I felt that familiar tension build in my shoulders, and my mind started to race. On a whim, I stopped and did five slow breaths, counting each one out. Just that tiny pause let the stress melt away. My vision cleared up, and I could see the fit perfectly. I slid the inlay in smooth, no force needed. Hitting that mental reset button felt like a huge step for my craft. If you ever feel rushed on fine work, try pausing to breathe.

That faint ring on the chamber face told me everything

Had a rifle with consistent light strikes... traced it back to a burr on the firing pin hole. Polishing it out with a tiny stone got it running smooth again.