Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread

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11 years 1 month ago - 11 years 4 weeks ago #31614 by Lizardette
Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread was created by Lizardette
Let me tell you, this school is something else. There's not a lot of classroom time, or reading. We spend the vast majority of our time in the shop, working with our hands. Right now, "Basics" is the name of the game. We've gone over the use of a lot of measuring tools and hand tools. Now the idea is to get good at using them.

When I say "hand tools," I mean a hacksaw, files, chisels, etc. I never knew there was so much to know about files. Most of my work with them has been shaping pieces of steel stock. It's enough of an adventure making sure that both faces of a 2.5"x6"x0.25" piece of steel are flat, and making sure that at least two sides are square with each other. It's something else completely when you have to file one end of the piece (after cutting it down) to a perfect half circle. Then, and this is the fun part, the other end gets a perfect half (concave) circle cut out of it. The flat sides have to be parallel as well. Like I said, it's an adventure.

They also gave us a rifle barrel that's been beat to crap. Literally. It's bent. That's in addition to all of the nicks and scratches in the finish down its entire length. Guess what we use to fix this? That's right. Files and sand paper. Well, we will be getting to use polishing wheels on them after that part, and then re-finishing them, but it's kind of a nightmare. I'm pretty sure that after we're done with them and they've been graded, they get reused by the next class. That is, these beautiful barrels we've worked so hard on get beaten up again. Probably the same for the practice stocks we'll be working on in a few weeks.

Eventually, we're going to be building a bolt action rifle. It will be based on a Montana 1999 action. Mine is going to be a standard long action chambered for 6.5x55 Swedish. As I've heard it, the actions are pretty rough when they come to the school. That is, there work that needs to be done to them, in addition to the stocks we'll be shaping by hand and the barrels we'll be fitting to them. Sometime after that, there's more classroom time devoted to the general theory regarding how and why firearms are designed the way they are, not to mention how they work. That's going to lead into the part of the program where we get to repair guns that actual customers have brought in to have fixed.

Enough about the program though. The staff and the other students are awesome. In particular, the teachers see it as their job to help you pass the program, so they'll take basically as much time as you need them too in explaining things that you don't understand. Students are encouraged to help each other. The only thing that's considered cheating is trying to pass someone else's work off as your own. Also, it's nice spending the entire day around gun people.

Did I mention that all of the teachers carry guns? Students aren't allowed to, but the fact that the staff does makes me feel a lot better. I mean, where else are teachers actually taking personal responsibility for the protection of their students in the event that someone tries to hurt them? I don't think the school has ever had a violent incident of any kind, but it makes me feel good regardless.

Oh, as far as my actual grades are concerned, right now it's right around a 3.0. I think the highest anyone has ever graduated with was around a 3.8 or something. If I can keep it about a 3.0, I'll be very happy.

I still haven't gotten to do any shooting since I've been here. I'm going through withdrawals. Looks like our best bet is going to be about 70 miles east. They do have a 1000 yard range though. As soon as my dad heard that, he mentioned he was planning on visiting in the spring. lol

Anyway, that's how things are going at the moment. I'll be sure to keep y'all updated.
Last edit: 11 years 4 weeks ago by mlotziii.
The following user(s) said Thank You: jtallen83, faawrenchbndr, Sharkey

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11 years 1 month ago #31626 by Sharkey
Replied by Sharkey on topic Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread
Very interesting stuff Lizzie and thanks for the "insider" reports. Keep us updated as things progress and don't forget, when you start building custom rifles, we'll all be expecting some seriously awesome "special pricing"... :laugh:

As always, it's a real pleasure to have you with us and keep up the good work... :thumbs:

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11 years 1 month ago #31635 by 13fcolt
Replied by 13fcolt on topic Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread
That's great to hear the school is going so well. You know we'd all love to see pics of all this work, and we wont grade you as harshly.

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11 years 1 month ago #31638 by Sharkey
Replied by Sharkey on topic Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread
Pics WOULD be cool if it's possible... :)

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11 years 1 month ago #31644 by Siscowet
Replied by Siscowet on topic Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread
Lizzie you definitely picked the right school. You will be able to fix just about anything after that. Keep the posts coming as your time permits. It is interesting. :thumbs:

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11 years 1 month ago #31749 by MrMarty51
Replied by MrMarty51 on topic Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread
:cowboy: :wave: :whip: :cowboy: waitink fur reeeport. :cowboy: :wave: :whip: :cowboy:

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11 years 4 weeks ago #32459 by Lizardette
Replied by Lizardette on topic Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread
Ok, so school is kicking my ass.

Literally.

I don't remember the last time I was this sore *all the time*.

The work only gets more difficult, but I like a challenge. The order of the day is a recoil pad fixture. Before that it was a depth gauge. I've yet to get grades back on the last couple of assignments, so I don't know what my grade is currently. When I have some of this stuff back, I'll get pictures for you. Promise.

Also: I got to meet MrRalley yesterday. The Armalite Armorer's course was yesterday and the day before. He seems like a really cool guy. We didn't get a chance to talk for very long, but it was a pleasure meeting him.

The teaching assistant who informed me that he was asking for me seemed a little confused.

Oh, mrralley: I promise, I don't normally wear makeup in a shop environment, and more of my chest is usually covered. I had an appointment earlier that morning and no time to clean up or change before going to school.

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11 years 4 weeks ago #32460 by faawrenchbndr
Replied by faawrenchbndr on topic Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread
Very cool,.......never been to a formal school. Have attend the Glock Armorers course many years ago.
I do however, have a ton of GunSmithing info.

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11 years 4 weeks ago #32461 by MrMarty51
Replied by MrMarty51 on topic Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread
Sounds to Me like You are doing real good. After all, if there is no challenge, means, you already know it, or, You are`nt learning it, I doubt the latter to be true.
Your report card will be JUST FINE. :I-agree: and so do I. :busted:
Must have been really K~00~L meeting MrRalley in perskon. I bet He thought it was pretty K~00~L meeting another member from the forum too. In perskon that is.

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11 years 4 weeks ago #32463 by Siscowet
Replied by Siscowet on topic Armorer's School - Lizzie's "Report Card" Thread
The tougher the course, the better Gunsmith/Armorer you will be. I give you all the credit in the world for doing that. We need more good gunsmiths!

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