Why is simple gunsmithing, and 'fixing' so enjoyable?

[Australian410hunter]

Just finished 'adjusting' the choke on the .410 barrel of a Savage 24 (it was super full .384, now just a little more open than full choke .398 which I find just right), and polishing.
Fixed rear sight, using spares on hand.
Cleaned and oiled internals whilst apart.
I have done other 'fiddly' things like oiling the dry wood inside the foregrip n stock (to avoid water swelling), with a boiled linseed oil mixture (tend to take them out in damp weather/areas).
Added a little grease to the hinge, etc.

Why does doing 'little things' to a firearm you like seem so enjoyable?

 

[Riomouse911]

For me it's nice to see my handiwork bring a machine back to life if it's broken... to make a gun work or fit better if it's not right... and I like not having to pay a gunsmith a bunch of $$ that I can spend elsewhere.

Over the past year I've redone the guts of my three Ruger Mk pistols and two 10-22 rifles with Volquartsen fire control and bolt improvements, I've restocked a Ruger American Rimfire and a Winchester Model 70 with Boyd's laminate stocks, I've regripped a bunch of S&W K-frames, I've mounted/sighted in four rifle scopes, I installed an Apex trigger set up for my Glock 17L and Dremeled the edges of the triggerguards on four Glock 9mm pistols to prevent blisters on my middle finger during a long shooting session.

Yeah, I like to tinker a bit, too.

Stay safe.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

My wife asks the same question all the time.

 

[Australian410hunter]

Just finished 'adjusting' the choke on the .410 barrel of a Savage 24 (it was super full .384, now just a little more open than full choke .398 which I find just right), and polishing.
Fixed rear sight, using spares on hand.
Cleaned and oiled internals whilst apart.
I have done other 'fiddly' things like oiling the dry wood inside the foregrip n stock (to avoid water swelling), with a boiled linseed oil mixture (tend to take them out in damp weather/areas).
Added a little grease to the hinge, etc.

Why does doing 'little things' to a firearm you like seem so enjoyable?

I would think the second half of the pleasure is testing something you've 'fixed' and seeing it work perfectly; just test fired the barrel after ream and polish. Still shoots to same point of aim (both barrels shoot to same point, which I lucked out with, after a simple shim of shotgun barrel), and 3 inch Federal No. 4 buck have a lovely cluster in the centre and even spread around outside, and No 6 Winchester give an even pattern... NOW I couldn't be happier with the result! Especially knowing my 'bush mechanic' fix worked well (which it usually does if you are careful with the reamer, and take small cuts).

 

[Australian410hunter]

My wife asks the same question all the time.

Your's too?

 

[Jeff62]

Because, in Phillip Sharpe’s vernacular, you are a gun bug.
I will spend hours in my shop “doing stuff”. It doesn’t have to make sense to anybody but me.

 

[wiscoaster]

I think it's pretty much doing anything that's mildly challenging and involves mind and hands and concentration and that diverts your attention from whatever other unimportant BS may be threatening to interfere with your enjoyment of your day. You're interested in guns, so it involves guns. For someone else, who likes to bake, it may involve cookies.

 

[Armorer 101]

Phil Sharpe’s Handbook is a great read for anyone interested in the history of powder, reloading or the history of shooting. I have loaned my copy to engineers at the USAF R&D center at Eglin AFB. Their copy, in their museum has 24 pages missing. My first edition is near new, signed.

The beveled point penetrator bullet the US paid the Swiss $50K, to use their patent to produce, for the M-16, is pictured in the 1930s Sharpe book as a US invention.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Generally speaking - I view every firearm as a machine powered by either; me as a primary or merely priming element and/or ammunition as the fuel and the work in one.

That in mind, I love to tussle with either; why a machine is not working or, not working to its full potential.

Add to the above that while addressing those points, one may dabble in areas of physics, mathematics, geometry, etc - one also gets to allow abstract thinking into the equation. Something I find to be both physically and intellectually relaxing.

Then, there is the issue of reasonable assurance of meeting a set goal. The dynamics of firearms operation being quite firmly bracketed.

After all that number-based stuff - one is still left with the wonderfully gratifying arena of aesthetics.

Todd.

 

[X62503]

I like taking things apart, which I do well and without hesitation; however, I learn better how they work by proceeding in the forward direction, putting them back together, though I am left with a lingering doubt that I did it as well as my Grandfather could. This process brings me joy, and Mrs. X62503 encourages it.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I hate waste- and a sad, neglected, rusty, unloved or unmaintained weapon is a tremendous waste of the engineering talent and production resources that went into constructing it.

Thus, I will often buy the basket case guns nobody wants and restore them to, well, if not glory, then at least something usable, lol.

 

[EMC45]

I like tinkering. I like rescuing orphan guns too....

 

[LoonWulf]

Cause fixing stuff is fun and rewarding, and tuning/improving is even funner and rewardinger!
My wife would rather i work on important things, like our vehicles. I work on guns (and other stuff) because i enjoy them.

 

[entropy]

Just finished 'adjusting' the choke on the .410 barrel of a Savage 24 (it was super full .384, now just a little more open than full choke .398 which I find just right), and polishing.
Fixed rear sight, using spares on hand.
Cleaned and oiled internals whilst apart.
I have done other 'fiddly' things like oiling the dry wood inside the foregrip n stock (to avoid water swelling), with a boiled linseed oil mixture (tend to take them out in damp weather/areas).
Added a little grease to the hinge, etc.

Why does doing 'little things' to a firearm you like seem so enjoyable?

I do enjoy it more when I'm not getting paid for it. Which I'm not anymore; I get to take my time and do it my way.

 

[scotty]

I have done auto repair for a living for nearly 50 years and have owned my own shop for nearly 40. Gun work is just an extension of that. I fully understand the satisfaction of a job well done. At work, I insist on a job done my way and my customers agree.

 

[entropy]

And those first ten years, you did it someone else's way. I started out doing it my way, but was mostly paid in beer and shotgun shells. Then I did it the Army's way, and they are very particular about how they want their weapons maintained. I worked for two other shops, again doing it their way. Now I work on my own guns, or for family, and select friends. I take my time, and enjoy it more.