[MicroBalrog]

I will begin work as an armourer for the IDF in a week. I hope to get deployed somewhere where guns actually get used (maybe a training facility). Any advice from the more experienced?

[4v50 Gary]

Learn as much as you can. If you can learn how to use a lathe & milling machine, do so. When you leave the service, you may have the skills to become a custom gun maker.

[Art Eatman]

Get the service manuals for all the firearms in your inventory.

Art

[Standing Wolf]

Get the service manuals for all the firearms in your inventory.

I'll second that and add this: get all the service manuals you can get your hands on.

[Jim K]

I don't know about the IDF, but in the U.S. Army, an armorer/articifer is basically a parts replacer, record keeper and inventory control clerk. The unit armorer is charged with securing and controlling of unit weapons not in the hands of troops, keeping inventory records, issuing weapons as ordered, keeping records of the individuals who have weapons, performing minor repairs and adjustments as required, and replacing parts as authorized using authorized parts stocks. He/she is also charged with making sure that the individual to whom a weapon is assigned performs authorized maintenance (mainly cleaning) as required by regulations or the unit commander.

The people who do serious repair and rebuild are at a higher level (post ordnance, depot). In the U.S. most post ordnance and depot personnel are civilians. Field repair units are usually at the division level or higher; these organizations rarely perform much repair in the U.S., but are critical in overseas operations. They are staffed by military personnel.

I would think that with the IDF operating in a relatively small area, small unit armorers would be mainly concerned with weapons security and inventory. Weapons in need of serious repair could easily be shipped back to depot level.

Jim

[4v50 Gary]

OK, Jim is right about our system. You've got to get to the level where you're servicing the competition team and to do that, you must be a master gunsmith. The folks who service the guns for the Army Marksmanship Training Unit and the Marine Corps Shooting Teams are all super qualified. I didn't realize it until years later that my instructor at HK, Gary Gregory, was a USMC armorer for their shooting team. Saw his picture in one of Chandler Bros. Death From Afar books.

[Jim K]

Hi, Gary and Micro,

I was not even thinking of the master armorers (gunsmiths) who put out the equipment for competition teams. Those guys are very good, but there are not a lot of them and they don't work on common issue guns.

I was thinking of a couple of postings from guys who planned to enter the service hoping to become unit armorers and thinking of having something like Springfield Armory at their disposal. One guy wanted to know how to make an M14 in case the Army didn't have one and said he would never use an M16.

I told him the bad news - armorers take inventory and replace some parts, and soldiers use what they are issued, period. He called me an idiot and said he knew better. I never saw any more posts from him and wonder if he ever built his M14.

Jim

[MicroBalrog]

an armorer/articifer is basically a parts replacer, record keeper and inventory control clerk

Israeli Armourer Ranking System:


Level 07 - (Grade A) - Parts replacement/modification for all parts but
those permanently attachment. (M-16, Galil, Uzi, M203
-

[MicroBalrog]

an armorer/articifer is basically a parts replacer, record keeper and inventory control clerk

Israeli Armourer Ranking System:


Level 07 - (Grade A) - Parts replacement/modification for all parts but
those permanently attachment. (M-16, Galil, Uzi,
M203)
- (Grade B) -Almost all parts modification (except what requires
a lathe.
Harder stuff - not done by armourers.

Further levels = more arms.

Only the Chief Armourer and the I.C. clerk of the armoury are responsible for inventory. Technically, I'm not supposed to be doing Grade B work, but I will be.

I can also get a pick at my armoury and CHOOSE the service arm I'm issued (Galil, M-16, Uzi, sometimes - handguns. Some units have AK's).