• AR-15 Rifles

Bob Dunlap completely understands the design, function, and repair of Eugene Stoner’s masterpiece, the AR-15 rifle. This extremely successful design, whether you love it or hate it, has been the U.S. military’s first line battle rifle longer than any other in our history, over 40 years as of this writing. It is the second most prevalent rifle design in the world today, behind only the AK-47 and its derivatives. If you want the “quick” course on how to get this rifle apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you (if you want the “long course”, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith course).

History

• Discussion of the gun’s designer and the company he worked for at its origination, and its 1930’s era Jungmann gas operation system
• The AR-18 /180 as an improvement on the AR-15 and a short history
• Gene Stoner’s activities post ArmaLite
• ArmaLite’s activities after the sale of the design to Colt
• Discussion of changes in the gun, post A1, including the A2 and HBAR’s

Design & Function

• Explanation and demonstration of the parts and operation of the direct impingement gas system
• Where the gas comes from, where it goes, and what it causes the bolt carrier and bolt to do, and why
• Explanation and demonstration of the operation of the primary and secondary sears (disconnect) and the hammer cycle
• Explanation of the buffer assembly, what it does and how it does it. Why the various sizes, weights and constructions are important in full auto fire, but of little importance in semi-auto mode
• Operation and purpose of the ejection port cover and the bolt stop are demonstrated
• Bob shows the forward assist and how it works, and gives his considered opinion on how its purpose should  have been accomplished

Disassembly

• Extensive disassembly shown and explained, including front sight and gas tube. Parts not removed have removal described, including barrel
• Special tools needed are shown and their function explained
• Why you need to shoot full power loads if you shoot lead bullets or have a .22LR conversion
• What to look for around the gas port, and how to correct misalignment of the ports in barrel and front sight
• As usual, Bob tells you which parts, springs, and plungers are likely to launch themselves into “NeverToBeSeenAgainLand”, and how to avoid that happening
• Common problem areas to watch out for, what parts give trouble, and which do not

Cleaning & Lubrication

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use

Reassembly

• Making sure you have no parts “Left over”, and help for the problem of “Those springs all look alike!!! Where do they go?”
• Extractor requirements explained and solutions to extraction problems shown
• Firing pin specs given, both Bob’s preferences and the military’s. Why they are different, and both are correct for their intended uses
• Making sure the gas system gets in line

Tuning Tips

• What you need to know about the ejector
• Ditto with the extractor, and corrections
• Barrel is removed and put back on in the process of showing how to modify the frame and barrel extension to correct “Low Feeding”
• How the rounds need to sit in the magazine to feed properly, and what to do to the magazine if they do not

Accessories

• What to use
• What to avoid and why
• .22LR conversion unit
• Spare parts to keep on hand

Tuning Tips – Redux

• Why the gun fires on trigger release, and what to do to correct it if it does. Also known as “Stayin’ Out of Jail”!
• Why gas port diameter is more critical in carbines (“shortys”) than in rifles, and how to correct the short cycling that may occur with certain loads in a carbine
• A cause of short cycling commonly expressed in the Blogosphere and in magazine articles that, in Bob’s experience, is not a problem
• Correcting bolt/receiver/bore misalignments

Shooting the AR

• AR-15 Semi-Auto
• CAR-15 Semi-Auto
• CAR-15 Full Auto
• CAR-15 .22LR conversion Full Auto

If you noticed how often the terms “explanation”, and “visual demonstration” are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a “must have” for any AR series auto-loading rifle owner, or someone who intends to be.

Bob Dunlap is a renowned expert on most of today’s and yesterday’s important AND obscure firearms. He has been a warranty station for most manufacturers, both large and small. He understands the design, function, and repair of firearms in general, and the Beretta pistols in particular. We use a cut-away gun to let you actually see how the pistol and all of its components operates. Does not cover disassembly of the slide mounted safety on “S” versions of the gun. We have J. B. Woods “Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: Auto-Pistols” which shows the disassembly of that version. And, “Yes” the course is applicable to the Beretta 96, and the Taurus PT-99.

If you want the “quick” course on how to get Beretta’s contribution to the U. S. military’s small arms arsenal apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you (if you want the “long course”, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith course).
Among the items covered are:

History

• Beretta began its firearms manufacturing history in 1526, and is the oldest manufacturing company in the world in terms of its continued existence. It is still owned and operated by the Beretta family
• Beretta firearms have always had a reputation for high quality.
• The gun is very popular and highly refined, although large for its calibers
• The M-92 is a take off from the Walther P-38 in its locking system, although its fire control system is different
• The pistol is descended from the single action, single row magazine, Beretta Brigadier, the military sidearm of Italy, Egypt, etc.
• Slide breakage problem was overblown and has been cured

Design & Function

• “Short recoil, locked breech” operating system explained and demonstrated
• Demonstration of the operation of the plunger actuated unlocking system
• How the locking system works during the firing cycle
• See how the locking block rises in the slide cutouts as the slide closes
• The reason the locking block rises is demonstrated
• The parts arresting the slide in its fore and aft motions are shown
• The operation of the trigger and its drawbar is shown
• Interaction of the trigger bar and the hammer is shown
• How the trigger bar causes the lever which deactivates the firing pin blocking safety to rise and do its job
• How the frame mounted, sear blocking safety works
• Mention made of the other safety types (slide mounted, hammer dropping) and how they operate
• Demonstration of the firing pin blocking safety’s operation
• Demonstration of the operation of the extractor and the reason for its arched face explained
• Why the firing pin hole in the breech face is chamfered
• Slide stop activation demonstrated
• Operation of the disconnector shown, it is only a vertical tab on the trigger bar
• Firing pin and the blocking plunger are removed from the slide so that their interaction can be seen
• Extractor removed from the slide and its operation in the recoil/extraction shown
• Why the extractor doesn’t really work hard extracting, since the case essentially extracts itself
• What the extractor’s job really is
• Coil binding of the recoil spring, what it is and why you don’t want it. Beware of poorly designed aftermarket springs
• Trigger bar lifter spring and trigger return spring have their operation demonstrated
• How the tiny ramp in the frame helps prevent stub jams resulting from magazine surge

Disassembly

• Extensive disassembly, with discussion of what the various parts do
• Does not cover disassembly of the slide mounted safety on “S” versions of the gun.
• U. S. military “F” version with mag release behind the trigger guard is covered. Both Beretta and Taurus versions explained
• You get a good look at how the various parts fit together and interact (particularly the springs) after they are removed from the gun and Bob “’splains” things

Cleaning & Lubrication

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use
• After cleaning, dry with air gun, or in the oven on Warm ~185-200 degrees (metal parts ONLY)

Reassembly

• Pins, slave and tapered, hook, punches, etc. Helpful tools to help you get this Chinese puzzle back together easier
• Pay close attention to the firing pin and safety plunger installation
• Barrel and frame ramp relationship (the 1.5 – 1 rule) shown
• WHICH RAMP NOT TO TOUCH. HEED!
• Extractor configuration and rules shown and explained
• Sear and hammer assembled on the outside of the gun in order for you to view their relationship and operation
• Explanation given of the “positive” sear and hammer notch engagement
• How to do the easy trigger job. If you don’t understand this portion completely, get the “Trigger Jobs” course or take the gun to a qualified, professional gunsmith. Be Safe, not Sorry!

Accessories

• Grips, Bob tells you which he likes
• Springs, are the after market items a good idea?

If you noticed how often the terms “explanation”, and “demonstration” are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a “must have” for any Beretta 92/Taurus PT-92 owner, or someone who intends to be.

The Belt-fed Browning 1919 A-4 was the U.S. Military’s light machine gun for decades and it can still be found in use around the world. Master Armorer John Bush will teach you how this gun works step by step, along with complete disassembly, reassembly, troubleshooting and repairs. You will also see many rare accessories, tools, belt-loading machines, and a number of different caliber conversions including 8mm & .308. We also take you on a trip to the range where you will see how to properly set up the gun on a tripod, and field adjust headspace, as well as close-up views of several different guns firing cloth and link belts. This exhaustive course is over 3 hours in length and covers EVERYTHING in detail.

If you want the “quick” course on how to get the Browning 1919-A4 Machine Guns apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you (if you want the “long course”, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith course). Among the items covered are:

• The history of Colt Manufacturing’s relationship with John M. Browning, the inventor of the 1919 Machine Gun, is explored
• After many design changes to the Browning machine gun, in 1917 the United States Military tested the machine gun that now utilized downward ejection. After 20,000 rounds were continuously fired through the weapon with no failures, there was some skepticism, as they thought this was some type of fluke. So, Browning took out another machine gun and fired continuously for around 48 minutes with no failures and the Ordinance Department was silenced. They knew that they had an extraordinary firearm in front of them.
• During WWI, Colt was busy manufacturing other firearms, including another one of John Browning’s designs, “the Potato Digger” (M1895 machine gun). Thus, many of the 1917 machine guns were manufactured by New England Westinghouse, and Remington. By the end of WWI, 56,608 Model 1917s were manufactured for the Military
• We are shown a variety of tech manuals and other literature for the Browning machine guns
• After even more design changes were made, the Model 1919-A4 was put into production and many other countries adopted this .30 caliber weapon besides the U. S.

• Top cover, bolt, feedway and the belt holding pawl are shown and feeding linked ammunition is demonstrated
• The firing sequence is explained and shown via extreme close ups
• The top cover’s function is shown and explained
• The spring loaded extractor is shown and its function is explained
• With the use of an oversized training weapon, various parts and their functions are further explained
• The cocking of the firing pin is demonstrated
• Belt feeding mechanism is shown and demonstrated
• Feeding and extracting the round as well as the bolt operation and lock-up are discussed and shown
• The cocking lever, extractor, T slot, barrel extension, front and rear cam plates, trigger, sear and locking block are all shown, and their functions explained and demonstrated
• Primary extraction of cartridge case by the locking block is explained
• The lock frame, barrel extension and accelerator are shown and demonstrated
• The return spring and plunger are shown and their recoil function is explained
• The disconnecting action of the trigger is discussed (This is a safety of sorts, because it won’t fire out of battery)

• Field stripping is shown and demonstrated with just a cartridge (the only tool needed). Caution is given in regards to the driving spring (which is under heavy compression) in the back of the gun after the back plate is taken off
• Stripping the receiver is demonstrated
• Muzzle booster and barrel jacket are shown, and information on their functions is given
• Front and rear sight disassembly is demonstrated. Zeroing the weapon is also explained
• Lock frame disassembly is demonstrated
• Bolt and firing pin disassembly is shown and demonstrated
• Barrel extension disassembly is demonstrated
• Top cover disassembly is demonstrated
• Pistol grip information is given

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use
• After cleaning, dry with air gun, or in the oven on Warm ~185-200 degrees (metal parts ONLY)
• John lubricated using the “AGI method”

• Barrel extension reassembly is demonstrated. Manufacturers marks are shown and discussed
• We are shown an insert in the face of the bolt. Manufacturers began using this procedure so that the bolt would not have to be junked if the bolt face was damaged from gas leakage in the primer
• Bolt reassembly (Firing pin, sear, sear spring, extractor, cocking lever) is shown and demonstrated
• Lock frame (accelerator, return plunger & spring, trigger plunger, trigger) is shown being reassembled
• Top cover (spring, feed pawl, feed lever, stud and retaining screw) reassembly is shown and demonstrated
• Muzzle booster is shown being installed on the front of the barrel jacket
• Pawl and its spring are shown being installed into the receiver

• Various barrels are shown and compared
• Various barrel extensions are shown and compared
• The differences and similarities in British and American lock frames are shown
• Various bolts are shown and compared
• Different styles of top covers are shown and compared
• Various pistol grips/back plates and their evolution in design are shown and compared

• Top cover installation is shown and demonstrated
• Field stripping reassembly is demonstrated
• Head spacing is demonstrated and explained
• Front sight installation is demonstrated
• Safety checks are demonstrated and explained
• Setting head space using gauges is demonstrated and explained (specs are given)
• The semi-auto Browning 1919 is shown. The similarities and differences between the semi and full auto versions are explained with parts both inside and outside of the firearm
• The dummy Browning 1919. The side plate is shown and its design is explained

• The .30-06 model is tested and head spacing is checked at the range. Charging the weapon and the use of the tripod is demonstrated. We also get to see how to clear a jam and what to do when there is a failure to feed. Immediate action drills are demonstrated. Caution is given not to leave a live round in the chamber, as we don’t want get a “cook off”
• The .308 model is shown being firing in long and short bursts
• The Israeli .308 (1919-A6) model is shown and fired at the range.  This model uses a butt stock and has a bipod

• Accessories are shown and discussed (a special tool for unscrewing the muzzle booster, a blank firing device, a carrying handle, chamber inspection mirrors and other special tools and gauges are all shown and explained)
• The Shaw-type link loader is shown and demonstrated
• The cloth type loader is shown and demonstrated

• John summarizes the bulk of information found in this intensive Armorer’s course and goes over other important safety guidelines

If you noticed how often the terms “explanation”, and “demonstration” are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a “must have” for any Browning 1919-A4 owner, or someone who intends to be.

Everybody\'s favorite humpback shotgun and all the duplicate models are featured in this two-hour long video course. Using a cutaway action and artist’s drawings, Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlap explains all the intricate details of this recoiling action. Finally everyone who has ever owned one of these popular guns can understand the design and function of John Browning\'s best selling shotgun. Learn how to completely take the gun apart and put it back together, as well as how to fix and prevent the most common problems. If you\'ve ever owned one of these guns, you need this course.

If you want the “quick” course on how to get the Browning A-5 Shotgun apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you (if you want the “long course”, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith course). Among the items covered are:

• The history of the Browning Auto 5 and its inventor, John Browning, is given
• The Browning A-5, Remington Model 11, Savage 720 and the Remington Model 1148 are shown
• Bob compares the similarities and differences of the various models of shotguns
• The Auto 5 was manufactured from the early 1900s through about 1998

• Through the use of a cutaway firearms, the design and function of this shotgun is explained in depth
• The Auto 5 is a long recoil operated shotgun
• Action operation is sequentially shown and demonstrated
• Cartridge feeding is shown and explained
• The first and second primary cartridge stops (locking block latch and cartridge stop respectively) and the secondary cartridge stops (carrier latch) functions are shown and demonstrated in depth
• Trigger mechanism operation is shown in detail and demonstrated
• With the trigger assembly outside of the firearm, extreme close-ups enable us to see the primary and secondary sear systems, the link, the safety sear, trigger, hammer and mainspring and how they function
• Locking block and carrier operation is demonstrated and explained
• Brake system (bronze friction piece, friction ring, recoil spring and barrel ring) operation is shown, explained and demonstrated. The correct position of these parts is shown and explained for heavy and light loads
• Caution is given concerning the Remington Models 11s micarta buffer (which cushions the blow from the bolt in the back of the receiver) because as this part wears out or breaks, damage can occur to the back of the receiver. This wear or breakage can also reveal a rivet that can cause the gun to fire if it is manually cycled or dropped. Bob explains how to alleviate this problem
• Operation of the Remington 1148 is shown and explained
• Browning bolt is compared with the Remington 1148 bolt
• Bob explains a problem that can occur in the 1148 that can be terminal to the gun, although it could be converted to a single shot firearm
• Browning’s firing pin blocking safety operation is shown and explained. Caution is given regarding using a Japanese firing pin in a Belgian A-5

• Bob shows us an old Belgian A-5 and its unique safety
• A rare tapered hollow rib on the barrel is shown

• As various parts come out of the firearm, further explanation of their function is given
• Barrel, fore end, brake system and recoil spring removal is shown and demonstrated
• Buttstock removal is demonstrated
• Trigger plate removal and disassembly is shown and demonstrated
• Carrier removal is shown
• Action spring and follower removal is demonstrated
• Bolt removal and disassembly is shown and demonstrated (the purpose of the small hole on the left side of the receiver is disclosed)
• Cartridge stop and carrier latch removal is shown
• Magazine cutoff and spring removal is demonstrated
• Magazine spring assembly removal from the magazine tube is shown
• Barrel extension removal is explained
• Ejector removal is explained

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use
• After cleaning, dry with air gun, or in the oven on Warm ~185-200 degrees (metal parts ONLY)
• Bob discusses what he uses for lubrication and why it works the best

• Magazine tube reassembly is demonstrated
• Magazine cutoff and spring reassembly is shown
• Cartridge stop reassembly is shown
• Carrier latch and its button are shown being reassembled
• Trigger plate reassembly is shown and demonstrated
• Troubleshooting tip; safety/sear problems are discussed and shown. The fix is demonstrated
• Bolt reassembly is shown and demonstrated
• Troubleshooting tip; the two extractors’ operations are explained in depth
• Troubleshooting tip; headspace and lock-up is explained. Tests are demonstrated and specs are given
• Bolt, locking block latch, action spring, follower and plug are shown being reassembled into the receiver
• Carrier, carrier spring and trigger plate reassembly is demonstrated
• Buttstock reassembly is shown
• Braking system, barrel, fore end and magazine cap reassembly is shown and demonstrated
• Operational checks are explained and demonstrated. Additional Troubleshooting tips are given

If you noticed how often the terms “explanation” and demonstration are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a “must have” for any Browning A-5, Remington Model 11 or Savage 720 Shotgun owner, or someone who intends to be.

Bob Dunlap is a renowned expert on all of John M. Browning’s pistols. He understands the design, function, and repair of the firearms of the unchallenged genius of modern firearms design better than anyone else alive today. We use a cut-away gun to let you actually see how the pistol and all of its components operates. If you want the “quick” course on how to get Browning’s final pistol design apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you (if you want the “long course”, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith course).
Among the items covered are:

History

• Designed by John M. Browning prior to his death in 1926, but not produced until 1935
• Addresses a number of the weaknesses of the 1911 design, such as the deletion of the straight line trigger, negating the effect of trigger surge
• Addition of the magazine safety
• Addition of the “Modern” staggered column “hi-cap” magazine
• Like so many of Browning’s designs, it has been manufactured by many countries, has been the service weapon of many more, and is still in production today
• Production of the gun has been very long lived, like so many Browning designs, as the gun is extremely durable and reliable

Design & Function

• Explanation and demonstration of the “Short recoil, locked breech, tipping barrel system”
• Why the cam lock breeching system is superior to the swinging link of the 1911 design, and why the barrel and slide lugs last longer
• How the fire control system operates
• Operation of the trigger
• Function and operation of the trigger bar
• The trigger bar’s interaction with the sear, and how the sear moves in relation to it and the hammer
• Operation of the disconnector
• Operation of the magazine disconnector shown and explained
• Operation of the sear blocking thumb safety shown and explained

Disassembly

• Extensive disassembly, with discussion of what the various parts do
• How the recoil spring guide assembly also detents and loads the slide stop down
• Differences between early and later guns’ trigger bars and extractors, and their disassembly
• A simple tool you can make (for guns with a ring style hammer, and another one with the spur style hammer) to ease removal of the sear spring
• How to get a decent trigger pull (feel) with the magazine safety in place
• Why you really do not want to leave the magazine safety out
• The easiest way to get the trigger out and back into the gun, and it still ain’t easy at all!
• A good look at how they operate, with the trigger, connector, and magazine safety out of the gun
• Removal of the tangent sight, safety plunger, and trigger plunger described during the cleaning phase

Cleaning & Lubrication

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use
• The condition known as loose breech is shown, what it means, how to spot it
• How to re-shape the early two-stage feed ramp to feed modern hollow points
• How to use a ramp gauge to make sure some earlier gun-wrecker didn’t over ramp the barrel
• How to spot the later two piece barrels and why they are made that way
• How to get lubricant into a hole without removing the spring or plunger
• How to properly shape the extractor hook
• Why the firing pin in 9mm guns is smaller than that in a .45ACP
• Maximum diameter and tip shape discussed
• How the shape should vary in guns with excessive headspace and/or loose breech
• How to know if the recoil spring needs replacing

Reassembly

• Brownings need to be assembled in the proper order. Pay heed!
• A new style ambidextrous safety shown and its assembly and fitting shown
• How to know if the safety is properly fitted
• Spec for trigger pull weight, and how to adjust it
• Making sure you have no parts “Left over”
• How to clean the magazine, and properly load it

Tuning & Accessories

• Magazine lip spec
• What spare parts you should keep on hand
• What accessories are available, and what is best
• You’re in luck, 1911 sights fit!
• Simple trick to improve accuracy
• Other tips for improving accuracy

If you noticed how often the terms “explanation”, and “demonstration” are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a “must have” for any Hi-Power owner, or someone who intends to be.