Murphey's Law, now chambered in .22

[kayak-man]

My dad, before I was born, was given a Remington Sportmaster .22 by his brothers in law, and its sort of been passed down to me. Right now, The bolt is not going forward all the way. I suspect that it just needs a very detailed cleaning.

The punchline is that I am still recovering from shoulder surgery, and my right/dominant arm is pretty much useless for now, so I'm going to have to do it all with one hand. I was just wondering if anybody else had any stories about working on their gun while having to deal with a non-gun problem, like not having any light or tool or trying to assemble it in an improvised workshop.

Anyone? Anyone? (John Moses) Bueller? Anyone?

 

[Hold My Own]

Try disassembling a Glock 17 with your non-dominant hand and your legs. Much harder than I thought it was, lol.

 

[CoastieShep]

Once had an old single shot 20ga FTE. Had to hunt around for a stick long enough to slide down the barrel and pop out the empty out. I was in the field hunting and didn't have any tools with me.
Non gun related, had to remove the head from a 71 bug in a parking lot with basic tools and a scissor jack. If you don't know, to remove the heads from a bug, you really need to drop the engine. I didn't have the stuff I needed to drop the engine.

 

[mbopp]

I broke my right wrist this summer and had 4 pins holding it together. I got the pins out and still had a brace on, could barely rack the bolt on a .22 auto, but insisted on getting some trigger time. I still haven't tried my 44 Mag yet, or a rifle or shotgun.

 

[essayons21]

Thousands of rounds of blanks and live rounds through a M2 over the course of 2 months while living in a muddy tent with no cleaning supplies or lubricant. A true testament to the Ma Duece that it keeps running with only motor oil and t-shirts. I seriously once wiped off with my finger about 1/2" of gunk composed of mud, oil, and carbon, yet it never even hiccupped. And that was the inside of the gun!

 

[Dulvarian]

I recommend a well lit bench with lots of room and one of those movable desk lamps. It's what I use for all my detail work on anything.

As for not having the right tools... any time I have ever tried to do a job without the right tools, I waste more time and effort in the long run than if I had just gone out and bought the right (*&^ing tool in the first place. Besides, then you have the right tool the next time that you need it. On the down side, eventually you start running out of room. But I still have every tool I ever bought, except for a tape measure that busted (kind hard to use after that...) and screwdrivers, which are disposable IMHO.

As for having issues using only one hand, a bench vise with rubber grips, or some type of padding would help. Better yet would be one of the rifle racks that I have seen gunsmiths use. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, but something to hold it in place while you used a single hand should work. Or you could get a friend to lend you both of their good ones (hands that is). And enjoy some good companionship, coffee, etc. I personally use things like that to get my son to learn stuff. Makes him feel pretty important being my helper, and I get to teach him all kinds of fun stuff.

 

[Skribs]

I just bought my XDM .40 on Wednesday, and I discovered I needed a 3/32 in punch to change the backstraps. I asked my Dad if he had one, and he didn't (well, he did, but not one with a long nose), so he just cut the tip off a 3/32 in nail and handed it to me. Worked like a charm. Of course, in the end, I decided to go with the one that was already on it, so I didn't even need to change it in the first place.

 

[o Unforgiven o]

and screwdrivers, which are disposable IMHO.

You are using the wrong tools.


A couple years ago I shattered my thumb and index finger, and it was very hard to adjust to using one hand for everything. Having the a garage full of the right tools and someone to help out was a big help but it was very frustrating. And the metal pins make airports oh so fun.

 

[Blackrock]

I had Prostate Cancer surgery and shot two rounds of trap with a catheter in and a pee bag strapped to my leg. I wasn't going to miss that shoot.

 

[dkk73]

Think of it as one of those offhand drills that is always advocated...

Hope you recover smoothly, regardless!

 

[JTHunter]

Blackrock - that's determination! Good for you and good luck!

 

[Smokey Joe]

Hold 'er down...

WRT

issues using only one hand, a bench vise with rubber grips, or some type of padding would help. Better yet would be one of the rifle racks that I have seen gunsmiths use.

I use a cheapo imitation of the Black & Decker Workmate, bought for small cash @ Harbor Freight. Pad the firearm with a small towel, clamp it down, and get cleaning.

Haven't had to do that one-handed, but except for taking twice as long, I expect it'd work fine.

I have a good friend who has only had the use of one hand for 20 years or so. The stuff he can do one-handed is absolutely amazing. You do what you gotta, and practice helps a lot.

 

[kayak-man]

CoastieShep, that is quite an accomplishment. Did you find a way to drop the engine or did you manage to work around dropping the engine?

Blackrock, that is downright impressive. Catheters are never fun, especially that kind. I admire your determination.

Everybody else, thanks for the stories, advice, and occasional life lesson!

BTW, I fixed the Remington. Its the dirtiest gun I've ever seen, but I love it. I guess the bolt handle just needed to pivoted so it wasn't blocking everything (it sounds more obvious and complicated than it was.)