Any cool gun tips?

Status
Not open for further replies.
If you forget ear plugs, chew a piece of paper into a moist wad and CAREFULLY place into the outer ear like the wax plugs swimmers use. DO NOT PRESS TOO HARD!

Plastic coffee cans work great to sort & store dang near anything - brass, cleaning jags, etc. Plastic ammo boxes (like what Stingers come in) work great for small parts.

At my range, they sell ear plugs by the pair in individual baggies for a quarter. I always buy an extra couple bags and keep them in various places - glove box, side pocket on car door, range bag - so I don't have to resort to chewed paper or 9mm bullets in my ear. These plugs are also handy for fast use when driving with nosy children in the backseat :D

Disposable rubber/latex/poly gloves make any job cleaner - reloading, cleaning, even changing oil in a car.

Keep a multi-tool, some wood dowel pieces to fit your gun's bore, and a small cleaning kit in the range bag with a small bottle of lubricant. A small first-aid kit is a pretty good idea, too.

Q
 
Last edited:
A buck for a pair of earplugs at the range doesnt seem too bad, however you can get them for about 10 to 15 cents a pair if you buy a box of 200...

I like the AO Safety Classics (uncomfortable, but they work well). Seems like Northern Tool has them on sale half the time for $20/200. Reg price is $30.

NRR Varies depending on your ear. They have some that have a higher NRR (32db vs the classics 29), but the other plugs dont work as well for me.
 
For you bullet casters...

The plastic cartridge trays that some brands of ammo is packed in make good storage containers for your sized, lubed boolits. Works especially well for soft subes. Blazer Brass ammo is packed in very nice trays. I scrounge'em from the trash cans at the range. .45 ACP ammo trays fit 405 grain slugs for my .45-70 perfectly.

Sized and lubed...drop'em in nose down. When it's time to load'em...flip the box upside down on a board, and they're standin' on the bases...ready to go.

Makes it easy to keep up with how many you've got...stacks neatly...and keeps the lube in place.
 
For students:
You can print out lots of targets using old assignments and whatnot.

Old phone books make great targets and are plentiful.
 
A 2x4 cut to 6" x 2" x 4" with a 2" wooden dowel and a pool skimmer make a cheap brass catcher for semi-auto handguns.
 
Prior to putting the bolt carrier back into an AK hold the trigger back as you push the hammer down. Keep the trigger back as you install the bolt. This holds the hammer lower in the receiver so you don't have to push down as hard while lining the bolt up with the rails. This is especially helpful on a Saiga .308.
 
When firing off-brand ammo, treat it like it's corrosive, no matter what the box says.

A dab of RTV sealant in the primer pocket of an empty case make a good snap cap.

Only have the powder you are loading on the bench.

Remember, stupid is as stupid does. PAY ATTENTION.
 
If you reload, build your own trays. It's cheap and you can get a hundred cases instead of 50. Saves a lot of time under the powder throw.

Also be careful of wadded up paper as earplugs, it's very easy to shove them in too far, and you end up at the dr's office. He'll spend about an hour pulling the pieces out of your ear. Very expensive :uhoh::eek:
 
Safety tips -

Wear a cap with a bill to help prevent hot cases from popping up and over the edge of your glasses.

Wear a buttoned up collar shirt or tie a bandanna around your neck to keep the hot cases that bounce off the bill of your hat from going down your shirt. It may make for funny video to see someone with a hot case down their front dancing around, but dancing around with a loaded weapon should make your buddies nervous.

Buy disposable earplugs in bulk and drop a few in a ziplock to keep in the vehicle, range bag, ammo can, ... Sticking ammunition, cases or other material in your ears is an inadequate substitute for ear plugs.

Wear glasses when shooting. High impact rated safety glasses are best, but any polymer glasses will be better than nothing. Safety glasses cost less than a couple of coffees, a week of sodas or a box of ammo so almost anyone can afford them. Wear them when working on or cleaning your guns as well.

Latex works for keeping simple dirt and water off your skin, but they can dissolve with some solvent gun cleaners. Try to use disposable nitrile gloves instead. With a little effort you can use them several times.

Change clothes and wash up after shooting. Every time.
 
hso said:
Safety tips -

Wear a cap with a bill to help prevent hot cases from popping up and over the edge of your glasses.

Wear a buttoned up collar shirt or tie a bandanna around your neck to keep the hot cases that bounce off the bill of your hat from going down your shirt. It may make for funny video to see someone with a hot case down their front dancing around, but dancing around with a loaded weapon should make your buddies nervous.

Buy disposable earplugs in bulk and drop a few in a ziplock to keep in the vehicle, range bag, ammo can, ... Sticking ammunition, cases or other material in your ears is an inadequate substitute for ear plugs.

Wear glasses when shooting. High impact rated safety glasses are best, but any polymer glasses will be better than nothing. Safety glasses cost less than a couple of coffees, a week of sodas or a box of ammo so almost anyone can afford them. Wear them when working on or cleaning your guns as well.

Latex works for keeping simple dirt and water off your skin, but they can dissolve with some solvent gun cleaners. Try to use disposable nitrile gloves instead. With a little effort you can use them several times.

Change clothes and wash up after shooting. Every time.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the idea, i think i'll do a Safety Tips video also. Not just "fun" tips.
 
Anyone know about dropping a cartridge in the muzzle end of a barrel to check it? Is it just for a counterbore test? or is it a good test to check and see if the barrel is good or not.
 
Anyone know about dropping a cartridge in the muzzle end of a barrel to check it? Is it just for a counterbore test? or is it a good test to check and see if the barrel is good or not.
Click to expand...

I do it as a quick check on M1's. Muzzles got pretty well worn jambing those steel rods down them.
 
The little plastic signs that go on the shelves behind the DVDs at blockbuster make good targets and they will give you them by the ton from all the old movies for free! (You have not enjoyed shooting until you put a few rounds through the display sign for a chick flick).
 
Those annoying steel wire legged paper or plastic signs (painting companies, etc.) placed around your neighborhood with no permits, and which I regard as litter, make good targets holders.

Same for all those similar election signs never removed after election day. They're there for months if nobody removes them and the losers never seem to care.

Staple or tape targets to them, stick 'em in the ground, and have at 'em. You can even tape them together and piggyback them to make them higher.
 
Just got a tip from my cousin. Use a chopstick for leverage in order to push the pin back into a ruger mark II during reassembly.

Ruger Mark 2 chopstick assembly.jpg
 
A field expedient tip for removing the fore guards on an AR. Tie an 18-20" piece of cord to the bottom of the lower guard, using the vent holes in the guard; make a 4-5" loop at the opposite end. While seated insert your foot in the loop, barrel muzzle on the floor and the butt stock against your shoulder; lift the retaining ring with both hands, keeping foot pressure in the cord and the guard pops loose.
 
Just got a tip from my cousin. Use a chopstick for leverage in order to push the pin back into a ruger mark II during reassembly.
Click to expand...
If you follow the direction in the manual, no assistance is required.
:neener:
 
wishin said:
A field expedient tip for removing the fore guards on an AR. Tie an 18-20" piece of cord to the bottom of the lower guard, using the vent holes in the guard; make a 4-5" loop at the opposite end. While seated insert your foot in the loop, barrel muzzle on the floor and the butt stock against your shoulder; lift the retaining ring with both hands, keeping foot pressure in the cord and the guard pops loose.
Click to expand...

I like this idea! I'm going to try this first thing when I get home and I'll let you know how it goes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

F
  • Locked
First gun show... any advice/pointers?
2
Replies
40
Views
2K
Zen21Tao
Z
G
  • Locked
SKS in Combat / Barrel Gets hot
Replies
18
Views
4K
stubbicatt
S
X
  • Locked
How to keep rifle ammo at the ready?
Replies
22
Views
1K
jpwilly
J
S
  • Locked
Glossary of terms
Replies
15
Views
702
Sunray
S
I
  • Locked
Initial impressions: Yugo SKS from AIM
Replies
4
Views
1K
Kharn
K
Back
Top