Gun Car correlation

[MachIVshooter]

In my experience, most gun nuts have more mechanical aptitude than money, although as a career automotive technician I can tell you the automakers are not doing the back yard mechanic any favors. Even a task as simple as replacing brake pads; You can screw up the ABS system on some vehicles if you drive the caliper pistons in too fast.

And don't waste your money on one of those silly little code readers. DTC's only tell you where to start looking for the problem. You need data stream, self test capabilities, diagnostic flow charts and access to TSB's to correctly diagnose 49 out of 50 times. Not to mention the no code driveability problems. OK, rant off.

 

[Mulliga]

I voted "fix guns but take car to the shop."

I've fixed (with the help of people on this board and others) many problems with my guns by myself. Mostly because it's expensive and time-consuming to send it off to a smith. For cars, it's faster for me to just drop it off at the shop for anything but minor things or emergency repairs.

On the other hand, I have the tools and knowledge to do pretty much any kind of computer or electronics repair under the sun, so I suppose it's a toss-up.

 

[tackleberry]

MachIV....I feel your pain

I used to enjoy repairing cars, but after 12+ years in the industry I'd just rather not. The long hours, harsh working conditions, high cost of investment in tools and training......



I still enjoy working on the guns though, kinda soothing after a long day hugging a hot engine block.


Wish I had just a little bit of the 70,000+ i had invested in tools for something a little more fun

 

[SigfanUSAF]

I'm an ASE certified Automobile Technician. My father is a 35 year veteran of gunsmithing(Dave Chicoine), so I fix my guns AND our cars. If only we had plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers, computer techs, etc in the immediate family

 

[10 Ring Tao]

Now, to clarify, I do all the maintenance stuff like brake pads and oil changes, but if something complicated breaks, it goes to the shop.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'm an ASE certified Automobile Technician

No offense and not that it's a bad thing to have on one's resumé, but ASE is an absolute joke. Kind of like "NRA certified instructor".

I suppose it's not a bad thing to have on the wall, but I've watched more ASE certified Wyotech and DADC graduates have vehicles come back on the hook than I care to think about. The shop I'm at ate a Toyota 3.4l 3 months ago to one of these hotshots.

 

[Lambo119]

I fix my guns. It's my hobby and I find it very relaxing and a joy. I own almost all the tools you could ever need but still find cars to be a pain in my a**. I will tinker with small things if I have the time but anything else to the shop. The days of the old chevy 350 are over and if my guns had a cpu and dozens of sensors they would probably go to the shop to. :banghead:

 

[jeepmor]

I used to fix EVERYTHING

Now my time is worth more to me, so it goes to the shop. One, I have more time for my hobbies this way, and my car doesn't soak up my weekend getting a repair. I pay more, sure, but when you find a good mechanic, you keep him. I know I'm a good mechanic, but I have other things to invest my time in money in than saving a few bucks on a major repair. The lack of headaches is worth a lot of greenbacks to me.

As for guns, I suspect I'll be finding a good gunsmith in the same fashion when the need arises. By trial and error. As for now, I just want a good holster outfit. I'm currently dealing with HBE Leatherwork excuses and am filing it on the side of error.


jeepmor

 

[B yond]

I do both just because I'm afraid someone else will screw it up. Mistakes with either could cost someone their life.

 

[ProguninTN]

Both

If I can, I'll do both myself.

 

[Zen21Tao]

Wow, this question has too many levels address in general terms. Are we talking minor upgrades/repairs or a major over haul? If the "problem" with my gun is a spring or a simple adjustment/replacement part then I do it myself. Howver, if it is a component where the use of gunsmith will make the product better than I can, I let a gunsmith do it. For example, I built my own FAL with the single exception of attaching the barrel to the reciever. While I felt I could do this I chose to have DSA do it for me because I know their knowledge and excellence in this area would translate into a much more accurate gun that I could make it.

The same goes with automotive work. I have changes starter, solenoids, alternators, radiators, etc. in my time and have had mechanics do a wide assortment of work for me. It depends on whether I could fix it and how much of my time it would take me. The latter being highly important. Often it is more cost effective for me to pay someone to do something I could do so that I can apply my time towards other ends.

 

[Koobuh]

Since I bought my Jeep I've been doing as much work on it as I feasibly can. Stuff like oil changes and major repairs I farm out, mainly because we don't have the facilities to do the work.
My father and I have been doing enough work on our mutual collection of guns to almost consider taking gunsmith courses.

I probably should qualify these: most of the car work is my dad and I pooling the job, and most of our guns are either Russian designs or fantastically rugged. Most of our work on the latter is modification (or building, as in the case of our AKs).
I also am somewhat handy with computers and can design/build woodshop type items without too much fuss.