The 8 simple tools you need to start gunsmithing at home

Want to work on your hunting rifle or shotgun, but you’re not sure where to begin? Armed with a handful of tools, accessories and know-how, you can complete a wide range of maintenance, repair and upgrade tasks in your own home. And there’s no better time to get started than now, during the off-season.

Firearms maintenance typically starts with disassembly, so consult your owner’s manual or buy a disassembly guide for step-by-step instructions. Other than that, just find yourself a suitable workspace and you’re on your way to home gunsmithing. Here’s what you need to get started.

#1  FIREARM CLEANING SUPPLIES

Before working on any firearm, always ensure it’s unloaded. Safety first! You can easily solve many firearm problems with a thorough cleaning and some lubrication. Scrubbing the bore restores accuracy, and removing grit and grime from the action ensures the gun goes bang when it should. To get your rifle or shotgun squeaky clean, you’ll need solvent to remove fouling, and gun oil to prevent rust and reduce friction on the moving parts. I like to use CLP—an all-in-one cleaner, lubricant and preservative—to simplify the process. Get a cleaning rod to push solvent- and oil-soaked patches and brushes down the bore, and swabs to remove grime from the action.

#2  SCREWDRIVERS

When it comes to working on firearms, regular tapered-end screwdrivers won’t do. Gunsmithing screwdrivers are hollow-ground—the tip of the bit is squared—to increase torque and reduce the chance of slippage. A variety of tips are available, configured as ¼-inch hex-drive bits and sold in sets with a handle. A standard set with 11 bits will cover most firearm screws, while more deluxe sets include specialty bits for sights and choke tubes.