When I first started my journey of becoming a gunsmith, I was hungry for any and all information. Despite being in another career, I made the conscious decision to go all in. The Gunsmith Kinks series of books was my first dive into the trade and changed the way I looked at gunsmithing.
I remember being slightly disappointed with the series at first because it wasn’t what I expected. I read all four volumes cover to cover. Being accustomed to the use of checklists in aviation, I wanted them to be laid out in a similar format. I soon realized that just wasn’t possible. Gunsmithing is not a “follow steps A through Z” type of thing. It is a series of decisions built on the skills and background knowledge of metallurgy, woodwork, and general firearms principles.
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After coming to that realization, I gave the books another shot while attending gunsmithing school at the Colorado School of Trades. What I got out of it was completely different than my previous experience. The information in these books is invaluable!
The books are compiled of real techniques and procedures developed by real gunsmiths. It is laid out in an easy-to-read format that makes it quick to reference when stumped on a project in your shop. As Jason Schreckengost, a 5th-generation Pennsylvania gunsmith, put it, “These were the Google of gunsmithing before the internet.”
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Highlights
Organization – The books are very well organized under headings, making it easy to quickly reference something when needed.
Information – These books are loaded with good information. This means no combing through forum boards and having people argue about how their way is best.
Specialized Tools – Hundreds of plans and drawings for making specialized tooling for those firearms that need it.
How I Use the Gunsmith Kinks
As mentioned earlier, I read the books cover to cover when I first got them. However, I don’t necessarily recommend that anymore. I have found them much more useful to be used as a reference. For example, when I have a project on the horizon that involves using some exotic wood that I haven’t worked with yet, I flip through the stock sections of each book and find tips on working with and finishing that type of wood.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the content of the book and how it is organized. There are a ton of plans for tools and jigs that make some of those odd jobs easy. There are whole sections on parts interchangeability between old firearms models such as Sears, Roebuck & Company.
Every time I open one of the kinks books, I have an “Aha” moment or add a sticky note to a page that has a tool I want to make. While they can be expensive if purchased as a set, it is very useful information that will absolutely be used in your shop. This is a must-have for any gun shop!
Written by: Kurt Martonik
Kurt is a Gunsmith, Reloader, Hunter, and Outdoorsman. He grew up in Elk County, Pennsylvania, where he became obsessed with the world of firearms. Following high school, Kurt enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Boom Operator, where he eventually rose to the position of Instructor. After his military service, he attended the Colorado School of Trades(CST) in Lakewood, CO for gunsmithing. Following graduation, he accepted a job at C. Sharps Arms in Montana, where he worked as a full time stockmaker and gunsmith.
Great article man. I’m going to add those 4 books to my Brownells wish list.
Thank you! They are a must-have for the bench!