How to Remove Brass Marks from a Gun
Anyone who has worked on a firearm with a brass drift or hammer has experienced the problem of removing the brass marks from the gun without damaging the finish. Here’s a quick tip to take care of this problem easily.
If the brass is lightly stuck to your gun, wet a q-tip with WD-40 and gently rub the brass marks away. Re-wet and change q-tips as necessary. Dry the area with a soft cloth when you are satisfied with the job.
If the brass is really stuck to the gun, such as results from an errant brass hammer strike, gentle rubbing with a q-tip will not always work. If you have this problem, apply some WD-40 and let it sit on the brass for a few minutes. Then use a nylon Scotch pad, or even a moderately aggressive dish washing sponge to scrub the affected area. Reapply WD-40 as necessary until the area is clear.
These two methods will remove almost all brass stains on a firearm. If these methods do not work, you may consider using a solvent such as Sweet’s 7.62, but be very careful as solvents can damage the finish of the firearm.
The Fallacy of the Loaded Chamber Indicator
During my classes I am often asked why we must visually or physically check the chamber of our weapons. Can we simply use the loaded chamber indicator? On the surface of the question, there seems to be no negative consequence of using the loaded chamber indicator, but that is completely incorrect.
Before we discuss the ins and outs of loaded chamber indicators, it is important to know exactly what part of a gun we consider a loaded chamber indicator. Most recently manufactured handguns, and some rifles, have loaded chamber indicators. In general, a loaded chamber indicator is any mechanical device or part on a firearm that allows the user to know if there is a round in the chamber via visual or tactile inspection. The most common loaded chamber indicator is the tactile device.
On weapons with a tactile loaded chamber indicator, the round in the chamber physically moves a part on the weapon to change the way it looks or feels. A great example of this type of loaded chamber indicator is used on the Springfield XD handguns (see photos below).
When the slide feels flat the loaded chamber indicator is in the down position (left picture), there should not be a round in the chamber. When the slide has a bump caused by the loaded chamber indicator being raised up (right picture), there should be a round in the chamber.
Other weapons systems use this type of loaded chamber indicators, too. Glocks, Ruger SR-9’s, and many others use tactile loaded chamber indicators. (continued below)
There is also a visual loaded chamber indicator in use on many models of weapons. This type of indicator uses a modification of the weapon, usually the slide, to allow direct visual examination of the rear of the chamber. If the user can see brass in the cutout, the chamber has a round in it. If he cannot see brass, there is not a round in the chamber (see photos below).
This style of loaded chamber indicator is used on Smith and Wesson M&P handguns and others. The left hand photo shows an empty chamber indication, and the right hand photo shows a loaded chamber indication.
As mentioned above, these devices and modifications seem to be fairly functional and easy to use. That is a very common misconception. At their most basic level, loaded chamber indicators are considered to be mechanical devices, just like a manual safety is considered to be a mechanical device. Mechanical devices can, and often do, catastrophically fail. If the loaded chamber indicator on a firearm fails, and the user has been misled by the broken device, a negligent discharge and injury or death can follow.
The obvious decision with regard to loaded chamber indicators is to not use them. Why take the chance that the device is broken or malfunctioning? It is very simple to verify the status of the weapon via a quick chamber check and magazine check, a process that is completely fool proof.
But what about the visual loaded chamber indicators? They do not have moving parts and thus cannot technically fail. In answer, we agree – the device cannot technically fail, but the user can absolutely fail to use it properly.
When using weapons, individuals who are not intimately familiar with their firearm and have not been properly trained to operate it will see what they want to see with regard to visual loaded chamber indicators. They are not fool proof. People get in a hurry, they simply do not use them, or they have ammunition that is dark colored, like Wolf, and cannot readily be seen through the small observation port. Additionally, visual loaded chamber indicators cannot be used in darkness. A standard chamber check and magazine check must be performed. Thus, it makes no sense to learn and use multiple checks – just learn the simple chamber check and magazine check! It works on all weapons, in all lighting or weather conditions, and as long as you have close to normal feeling in your fingers,it is completely foolproof.
The bottom line, and the recommendation of professional firearms trainers across the industry, is to not depend on loaded chamber indicators. They can fail. Do you want to bet your life, or the life of a loved one on a ten cent part, made by the lowest bidder, and added to the weapon design as an afterthought in order to meet import restrictions? Learn to perform a proper chamber check and magazine check, and leave the loaded chamber indicators to the “safety minded” crowd in Washington, D.C. and the liberal state legislatures.
The Gun Carrying Lifestyle – A Definition
We refer to the practice of carrying weapons and diligently training for effective self-defense as the gun carrying lifestyle. That term encompasses much more than simply strapping on a sidearm and walking around with it. It involves a complete adoption of a way of life which permeates everything you do.
The antithesis of the gun carrying lifestyle is the typical individual you meet at the range. They are not all that different than you, but upon close examination, it is apparent they do not live the lifestyle. They treat their weapon like a golfer treats their clubs. As is evidenced by the way in which they handle their weapon, they have not taken the time to receive proper training with their firearm. This leaves them unsafe and incompetent. When finished turning money into noise, they lock their gun into its case, lock their ammo into a separate case, and disappear back into their life. The next time they see their firearm will be when they take it out to clean it (if they clean it), or the next time they go to the range to shoot. Guns are a fun diversion, a hobby, to these people. (continued below)
The bottom line is that carrying weapons is not a daily habit for most Americans. Most people in our country who believe in the right to keep and bear arms do not live their daily life with firearms. They want to own them. They believe they know how to use them. They believe they will always own them. They believe they are ready to use them if necessary.
Without training, practice, and mental preparation, you cannot hope to protect yourself when necessary, use your weapon properly, or exercise enough political muscle to keep your guns. You must choose to live the firearms lifestyle.
True competence with weapons, or what is referred to as skill at arms, is the result of living a lifestyle conducive to the physical and mental skill sets required to be effective in personal defense, awareness, and the willingness to act with regard to the proper use of weapons. This lifestyle choice will be the subject of many articles to be written over the next few months.
Thus, for our purposes, the gun carrying lifestyle shall be defined as the conscious set of choices an individual makes when choosing to live their life with the deliberate involvement of firearms and other weapons, the consistent and diligent effort to acquire the physical and mental abilities to use his or her weapons in a manner consistent with the generally accepted parameters of affirmative self defense, the preservation of individual and collective freedom, and the acceptance of all the responsibilities associated with these choices.
Remington Factory Rebates
Remington is offering a slew of rebates on many of their firearms. Some of the models covered are:
- Model 870 Express
- Model 1187
- Select Model 700′s
- 700 SPS
- XCR II
- CDL
- CDL SF
- BDL
- VTR
- XCR
- XHR
Click the above photo for complete details.
Eotech Factory Rebates
Eotech is offering up to $80 back on the purchase of select models of holographic weapon sights. They are offering $30 on the 512, and $50 on the XPS2, 552, 556, 557, 517, XPS3, G23, 553, 555, 516, and a few others. The rebate period is from 8/16/10 until 12/31/10. Go to Eotech’s website for details and the rebate coupon.
Marlin Firearms Fall Promo
Marlin Firearms is offering factory rebates on many of their guns. Go to www.marlinfirearms.com for details, or see your local gun dealer.
1911 Thumb Safety Replacement
One of the most commonly replaced parts on any 1911 is the thumb safety. Unfortunately, the safety system on a 1911 can seem very complicated and you may be hesitant to work on it yourself. Rest assured, replacement of the safety is a simple task. Anyone can do it with a bit of patience and the right procedure to follow.
Whether you are replacing the stock safety with an ambidextrous safety, or adding an extra-large single-sided safety, the procedure is basically the same. This guide will work on almost all 1911’s. If you are having difficulty removing any part of your pistol, stop and take the pistol to a qualified gunsmith. No operation in the tutorial should be difficult to complete. Here is how you do it:
First, make sure your pistol is unloaded. You need to field strip the pistol to make it easier to handle. Remove the slide, barrel, and guide rod assembly. Remove the grip panels and set them aside.
Next, place the pistol’s safety halfway between “engaged” and “off.” It may be tricky to get it to stay in the middle position, so you may have to combine this step with the next one.
Using either your thumb or a small brass drift, gently push the safety out of the frame from right to left. If you have an ambidextrous safety, you must remove the right side first by gently wiggling the safety up and down while pulling the safety from the right side of the frame. Once the right side is out, use the drift to gently nudge the left side out of the frame if it does not come out easily.
The safety should come out fairly easy. There is no need to pry on the safety or the frame. If the safety is bound up, take the weapon to a qualified gunsmith for repair. If the safety feels loose, but still refuses to slide out of the frame, make sure the safety has not slipped into the “full on” or “full off” position. Make sure it is between the on position and the off position. In most cases, gently working the safety back and forth will allow it to come free.
When the safety comes out of the frame, the beavertail safety will be loose. It will be trapped in the frame by the mainspring housing. Do not attempt to remove it from the frame. IMPORTANT: Do not lower the hammer, press the trigger, or otherwise disturb the configuration of the weapon.
When installing the new safety, align the beavertail safety with the axel hole and gently insert the safety into the frame. Make sure the safety slides into the frame in the middle position. It should go into the frame easily. If you feel resistance, examine the parts for damage and proper orientation. If you continue to experience difficulty, take the weapon to a competent gunsmith for repair. (continued below)
If you are installing an ambidextrous safety, after installing the left side, slide the right side into the frame. It should smoothly attach to the left side, and fit flush to the frame on both sides.
Reinstall the grip panels (keep in mind the grip panels hold the safety in the weapon in the case of an ambidextrous safety and may need to be hollowed on the right side to accommodate the retention tab on the safety). Reassemble the weapon.
Test the safety to make sure it functions properly. First double check the pistol is unloaded. Then, using a safe downrange direction and backstop, cock the hammer, grip the pistol and press the trigger. The hammer should fall without hesitation when the trigger breaks. Next, cock the hammer, engage the thumb safety, grip the pistol, and press the trigger. The hammer should not move at all, even with significant trigger pressure. Finally, cock the hammer, DO NOT grip the pistol, and press the trigger. The hammer should not fall. It is important to test the safety system with the beavertail safety both engaged and disengaged. Failure to do so could lead to a negligent discharge and injury or death.
If you have any doubt about the proper functionality of your 1911′s safeties, take your weapon to a qualified gunsmith. Keep in mind that the safety systems on a 1911, or any other firearm, are mechanical devices which can and do fail. Never substitute safe gun handling techniques with reliance on a mechanical safety. Always follow the four rules of firearm safety.
- Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
- Do not cover anything with the muzzle you do not intend to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger, and outside the trigger guard, until you are pointed in at your target and have decided to fire.
- Know your target and what lies in front of and behind your target.
The Firearm Resource
Welcome back! This is the newly reconstituted Firearm Resource blog. I will be adding content regularly again. I apologize to my former readers when I went offline, but I was simply overtaken by events. I will begin adding content, new and previously posted articles, on 25 August, 2010.
I am also actively seeking guest contributions. If you are a gun lover, a freelance writer, or another gun blogger, please feel free to contact me!
