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Excerpt from this Ruger Guide:

The Ruger .44 Carbine and the Ruger 10/22

At first glance these two rifles appear to be very similar. From its debut in 1964, the 10/22 was marketed as an “ideal hunting companion” to Ruger’s first rifle, the .44 Magnum Carbine. The .44 Magnum Carbine was introduced in 1959. Barrel length, safety, sights, barrel band, and stock, are identical. The 10/22 weighs about 5 pounds and the .44 weighs in at 5.75 pounds. However, the internal mechanisms are as different as night and day.

Although the .44 carbine was discontinued in 1985, the 10/22 lives on and is considered the most popular .22 rifle on the planet with over 4 million produced since 1964.

Operation of the Ruger 10/22 Carbines

RUGER COMPLETE GUIDES  RUGER .22 Automatic Pistols 1947 ~ 2004

	The only CURRENT printed manual that includes information on ALL models from 1947 ~ 2004 (Mark I, Mark II, 22/45, etc.)
	Contains most of the same text and high resolution graphics found in the CD-ROM program
	Easy to use -- lies open and flat on your work surface
	56 pages - 55 high-resolution grayscale images
	Includes "rare" complete serial numbers and manufacturing dates from 1949 ~ 2004
	Printed in the USA with card stock cover and bright white paper.

Excerpt from this Ruger Guide:

The .22 Ruger Pistol - 1949 Instant Success

The Ruger .22 is the best selling .22 pistol in the world. Since its introduction in 1949, the Ruger .22 Standard Model pistol quietly took over the .22 pistol market. Its good looks, superior performance and very reasonable price tag gave it an instant advantage over long established brands on the market such as the High Standard or Colt Woodsman. America’s shooters found a .22 pistol that delivered solid value and outstanding performance for the money.

Ruger Mark I Standard Pistol circa 1949, with its “salt cod” box and Ruger cardboard carton, circa 1954-1960. Cost: $37.50

Since 1950, the demand for these Ruger pistols exceeded supply. Ruger enjoyed a back-order condition into the mid 1970’s.

The .22 Ruger Pistol - 1951

In 1951, The Mark I Target Pistol was introduced, with an adjustable rear sight and a 6 7/8” barrel. Cost: $57.50 During 1952~1953 Ruger produced a Mark I with a 5 1/4 tapered barrel. Due to lack of interest, this version was dropped from production. It remains one of the only Rugers ever discountinued as most have been replaced by design improvements. This short-lived model is sought after by most pistol collectors.

In 1955, Ruger made an aftermarket muzzle brake available, but it was discontinued. Ruger introduced the “Bull Barrel” in 1964. These 5 1/2 inch barrels have a front sight base attached by screws. In 1971, the black emblem was moved to the right grip panel. All Standard and Mark I pistols made in 1976 have barrels stamped with “Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty”.

Disassembly/Reassembly Guide to the Ruger Mark III Automatic Pistols (Introduced in 2004)

 Complete Guide to the Ruger Mini-14, Mini-30 and Deerfield Carbine

Excerpt from this Ruger Guide:

The Mini-14
At first glance the Mini-14 looks very similar to a combination of a M1 Garand Rifle’s rotating bolt and the overall appearance of
the US Military M14. The M1 Garand (.30.-06 caliber) was adopted by the US Army in 1932 and was carried by most US troops until the 1950’s. The M14 (.308 caliber) was adopted by the US Army in 1957 and was later replaced by the current AR-15/M-16 rifle. (.223 / 5.65mm caliber).

Design and Series of the Mini-14

The Ruger Mini-14 was designed by Bill Ruger. Early versions from 1972 ~ 1975 were produced in Southport, Connecticut and have serial numbers with the three digit prefix of “180”.

The Ruger Mini-14 180 series have a few minor internal and external design changes that make it incompatible with most of the commercial and aftermarket accessories that are specifically made for the later 181 and 182 series rifles.

These early 180 series rifles are sought after by collectors.

Most “shooters” prefer the later models.

Disassembly/Reassembly Guide for the Browning Buck Mark Pistol Series

Excerpt from this Guide:

Brief History of the Browning Buck Mark 22

1914 John M Browning invents the Colt Woodsman or Colt .22

1969 Bruce Browning produces the Browning Nomad .22

1976 Introduction of the Challenger. Later, the Challenger II and III are developed.

1985 Buck Mark 22 Pistol. Made in the USA.

1987 Grade VI Semi-Auto 22. Buck Mark Plus, Silhouette and Varmint models added.

1991 New Buck Mark pistols include Standard Nickel, 5.5 Gold, 5.5 Field and Unlimited Match.

1992 Buck Mark Micro Standard Nickel, Buck Mark Micro Plus and Buck Mark Micro Standard added to the line.

1996 Buck Mark Plus Nickel, Micro Plus Nickel, Bullseye with rose wood grips, Bullseye with rubber grips.

1999 Buck Mark pistol offered in two new models, Challenge and Micro Challenge.

2003 Browning celebrates 125 years. Commemorative Buck Marks.

2005 Buck Mark Camper and Standard Stainless offer a stainless steel tapered bull or flat-sided bull 5 1/2” barrel.
They have a matte finished slide. New Cocabolo grips adorn the Buck Mark 5.5 Target and 5.5 Field models.

Disassembly/Reassembly Guide for 1911 Series Pistols

Excerpt from this Guide:

Brief History of the 1911 Series Pistol.

“For nearly a century the Colt Government Model 1911 has been without challenge, the most recognized, most imitated, most influential and the most used semi-auto handgun in the world.”
Guns & Ammo Magazine - 2006

1911 John Moses Browning’s original .45 Colt Auto Cartridge and 1911 Pistol was adopted as the standard U.S. service pistol and remained in faithful service for nearly 75 years.

1923 Modifications were made to include a narrower trigger, wider and longer grip safety spur, and an arched mainspring housing. Adopted as the U.S. Model 1911-A1 in 1924.

1932 National Match Version with adjustable rear sights.

1935 National Match Version in .38 Super caliber.

1957 Gold Cup National Match with improved trigger assembly.

1970 Series 70. Introduction of the collet-type barrel bushing.

1981 Series 80. Introduction of the firing-pin-block safety.

1985 Colt’s introduction of stainless steel models.

A Brief history of the Mauser K98k and M48

Based on the success of the Mauser Gewehr 98 long rifle (Gew 98), adopted by the German Army in 1898 and used throughout World War I, there was a demand for a shorter version that could be used by cavalry and stormtroop units. The Karabiner 98 Kurz (carbine 98 short) was developed in the 1930’s from the standard rifle-length Karabiner 98b and was adopted by Nazi Germany in 1935. This would become the standard rifle for the German army, navy, and airforce until the end of World War II commonly known as the K98k, Kar98, or Mauser 98k.

Over 14 million of these rifles were produced by various manufacturers. However, this number includes versions of the rifle other than the K98k, such as the Czech vz-24.

In 1900, Springfield Armory paid Mauser $200,000 to incorporate the action into the US 1903 Springfield.

From 1950 to 1965, Yugoslavia’s Zavodi Crvena Zastava factory (Red Banner Works) manufactured almost an exact clone of the 98k. The Model 1948, has a shorter bolt-action found on the Model 1924 Mauser rifles. The M48 was manufactured with all milled parts. The M48A has a stamped magazine floorplate and trigger guard. The M48B was made with additional stamped parts.

In 1953, the Spanish were manufacturing a slightly modified version, but with a straight bolt handle. CZ and FN also produced new K98k rifles after the war, many of which were assembled from leftover German parts.

With a little research you will quickly find that there are a few dozen other countries that have produced Mauser type rifles. Argentina, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, China, Iran, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, and Venezuela have also benefited from Paul and Wilhelm’s Mauser’s inventive genius.

Excerpt from this Guide:

Brief History of O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.

Oscar Frederick Mossberg and his two sons, Iver and Harold, founded the company in 1919. To this day, it is the oldest family owned firearms manufacturer in America and is the largest pump-action shotgun manufacturer in the world.

Their first firearm was a four barreled .22 handgun known as the “Brownie”. Currently Mossberg has over 100 design and utility patents and was the first to introduce Monte Carlo style stocks, molded trigger housings, spring-loaded quick release swivels, the first 3- 1/2” chambered 12 gauge shotgun, and the first firearm manufacturer to be ISO 9001 certified.

Early in its manufacturing history, Mossberg began to earn the reputation for building “more gun for the money”, producing quality, extremely dependable firearms at an affordable price.

The Mossberg 500 pump-action shotgun was designed and marketed in 1962. The 500 series utilizes an aluminum receiver to reduce weight. The bolt assembly uses a steel bolt lock that engages a recess in the barrel extension for steel-on-steel lock up.

Disassembly/Reassembly Guide for Ruger Revolvers

Excerpt from this Ruger Guide:

Production History of the Ruger Single Action Revolvers

Disassembly/Reassembly Guide for AK-47 AKM Rifles and Variants

Excerpt from this Guide:

Brief history of the AK-47 Assault Rifle

It has been estimated that the worldwide production of the AK-47 rifle and its variants has exceed over 90 million. The AK has been licensed (and copied) in dozens of countries. Even after nearly 60 years, it is still the weapon of choice for soldiers, law enforcement, and the gun enthusiast.

Mikhail T. Kalashnikov, a Soviet Engineer, designed the weapon in the late 40’s and it was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1949 as the officially designated “7.62mm Automat Kalashnikova, obraztsa 1947 goda” (7.62mm Kalashnikov automatic rifle, model of 1947). The weapon went into service in 1951.

The AK-47 and AKM (AK Modified) fire a 7.62 x 39-mm (M1943) ammo which is a heavy caliber small arms round capable of defeating most body armor. The weapon is usually equipped with 30 round magazines and is available in a fixed wooden or folding stock (AKS). The AKM has a stamped receiver and entered into service in 1961. The AK-74 fires a 5.45 mm bullet and has replaced many of the 7.62 weapons. All models are gas operated with a rotating bolt feed system.

Excerpt from this Guide:

Brief History of the SKS Semi-Automatic Rifle
(Samozaryadnyi Karabin Simonova)

The SKS Rifle chambered in caliber 7.62 x 39mm (SKS-45) was designed by Russian arms inventor Sergei Simonov and was adopted by the Soviet Union in 1946. Since then the SKS has been fabricated by several other countries including China (Type 56 / Norinco), East Germany (Karabiner-S), North Korea (Type 63), Albania, North Vietnam, Romania, and Yugoslavia (M59 & M59 /66).

Excerpt from this Guide:

A brief history of the M1 Carbine
 

The US Carbine, Caliber .30, M1 served as a lightweight semi-automatic carbine for the US Military from July 1942 ~ the 1960’s. The M2 (selective fire and fully automatic) and the M3 (active infrared scope system) are not covered in this Guide. In 1941, the Ordnance Department requested that US firearm companies and designers compete to develop a smaller and handier weapon for service troops such as truck drivers, medics, and paratroopers. The new .30 M1 cartridge was designed for an effective range of 300 yards using a round-nose 110 grain bullet. Most agree that the effective combat range is about 200 yards.

Although Winchester was awarded the initial contract in September 1941, the Inland Division of General Motors turned out to be the largest producer of M1 Carbines. A total of over 6 million M1 Carbines were produced by several contractors such as IBM, Underwood Typewriter Company, and the Rock-Ola Jukebox Company. The most rare are the Irwin-Peterson models with just over 4,000 produced.

At first glance, the M1 Carbine appears to be smaller version of the US M1 Garand rifle. The M1 Carbine has a different gas system, trigger mechanism design, and is fed by a detachable magazine....

Disassembly/Reassembly Guide for Glock Pistols

Excerpt from this Guide:

THE GLOCK “SAFE-ACTION” PISTOL

The following is a description of how the GLOCK “Safe-Action” trigger mechanism functions.

CAUTION: It is possible that a loaded round may still remain in the chamber when a loaded or empty magazine is being removed or inserted. Like most firearms, any round in the chamber will discharge by pulling the trigger with the Glock magazine inserted OR removed from the firearm.

Remove the magazine, cock the pistol, and CONFIRM with your eyes and finger that the chamber is empty and that there are no rounds present. The GLOCK pistol is actually considered half-cocked at this point. The firing pin has been slightly tensioned, the trigger is moved to its forward position, and the trigger safety protrudes from the trigger.

When you first pull the trigger back about 1/4 of an inch, the trigger bar slides behind the trigger ramp, the firing pin moves up, and the firing pin is tensioned. The Glock pistol is now on “FIRE / SAFETY OFF”.

When the Glock trigger is pulled back further, the trigger bar releases the connector which releases the firing pin and discharges the loaded ammo.

The recoil produced by the fired round forces the slide backwards.

At about the .012 position, the barrel is released from the slide and moves down over the locking block.

The Glock slide continues to move backward and the spent cartridge case is pulled out of the chamber by the extractor and tossed out towards the right by an ejector.

A ramp in the slide moves the connector and separates it from the trigger bar and lifts it off the trigger spring and toward the path of the firing pin face.

Next, the recoil spring forces the slide forward and the trigger bar slides on to the safety ramp near the firing pin - the firing pin safety returns back to its original position - a slight tension is placed on the firing pin - if present, the next round is stripped from the magazine and placed in the chamber - the barrel is locked into slide and the pistol is ready to fire.

Excerpt from this Guide:

Model 1100

In 1967, the Remington Model 1100 forever changed the way American shooters viewed autoloading shotguns. It was the first autoloader to combine the repeat-shot versatility of early-century models with the sleek, modern lines and handling qualities of revered double barrels. It’s been a field-proven favorite ever since. Its superb balance, handling, durability and soft recoil from the gas operated action are the foundation of the Remington autoloading legacy. In 2004, Remington added a new 20-gauge model in the Classic Field design.

Model 11-87: RELIABILITY WITH 3 1/2 " CAPABILITY.

In 1987, Remington introduced the Model 11-87. The unmatched versatility of the Model 11-87 Super Magnum results from the unique metering system of its patented gas-operated action. With 2 3/4" field loads, an integral pressure relief valve remains closed, utilizing all of the shell’s pressure to operate the action. When heavier shells are used, the valve opens proportionately to release the unneeded pressure – retaining just the right amount to operate the action. This not only assures reliable handling of all shell sizes, but prevents excessive bolt velocity that could increase wear. Cumulative production total for the Remington 1100 and 11-87 exceeds 4.5 million.

Disassembly/Reassembly Guide for  Winchester 1300 Shotguns

Excerpt from this Guide:

A Brief history of the Winchester 1300 Shotgun

No pump shotgun is faster than the Winchester Model 1300.
In fact, the Model 1300 is so fast, we call it the Speed Pump™

The Model 1300 is based on the Model 1200 introduced by
Winchester in 1964. Please see similar models listed on the back cover.
 

Historical timeline of the Model 1300.

1978: Model 1300 pump shotgun introduced.
1984: 1300 Featherweight pump shotgun, 12 ga., 20 ga and pistol grip models.
1985: Magnum Waterfowl and Ranger youth slide action.
1987: Model 1300 Camo Pack 22” and 30” barrels, Ranger Deer combination pack.
1988 Model 1300 Wild Turkey Federation “Gun of the Year”, XTR 28” barrel, Featherweight 22” barrel, and WinTuffs.
1990: Slug Hunter, 28” & 26” barrels, Stainless Marine, Ranger 26”, and 20 gauge Defender.
1994: Realtree Turkey Gun
1995: Model 1300 Turkey and Deer Smoothbore barrel
1997: Model 1300 Lady Defender 8 shot 20 gauge.
1999: Model 1300 Upland and Camp Defender
2000: Model 1300 Black Shadow Cantilever Deer
2002: NWTF Short Turkey
2005: Model 1300 Practical Defender

January 17th of 2006 it was announced that U.S. Repeating Arms
Company (the company that makes Winchester the Model 1300 Speed Pump Shotgun) would be shutting down the factory located in New Haven, Connecticut.

Disassembly/Reassembly Guide for Remington 870 Shotguns

Excerpt from this Guide:

The Remington 870 is the most popular shotgun ever made.

Period. Since it’s introduction in 1950 through 2003, Remington has produced 8,726,789 model 870s. Today it is still the standard for which all other pump-action shotguns are made. And because they practically never wear out, there are more Model 870s in use today than any other shotgun.

870’s are currently offered in 12-gauge, Super Magnum 12, 16, 20, 28-gauge, and 410 bore.

The 870 Wingmaster combines unique, timeless solid steel design and rugged reliability with a custom-quality finish.

The model 870 is available is several configurations including youth models, Super Magnum, Special Purpose Deer and Turkey guns, Express, Combo, Camo, and Marine Magnums.

Disassembly/Reassembly Guide for Colt AR-15 Rifles including Variants

Excerpt from this Guide:

1959: Colt acquires manufacturing and marketing rights to AR15.

1962: Colt gets US Department of Defense orders 85,000 M16’s for Vietnam and 19,000 for the Air Force.

Mid 60’s: The M16A1 was updated with a new buffer to reduce the rate of fire, chrome plated chamber and barrel, closed prong flash hider, forward bolt assist, new buttstock with cleaning kit, and a 30 shot magazine. Rifles were also produced by GM and Harington & Richardson during the Vietnam war as well as outside the USA.

1978: M16A2 was produced using an increase barrel diameter, rifling was changed from 1:12 to 1:7 to accommodate a new 62 gr. bullet, modified rear sight, case deflector, new round handguard, and full-auto was replaced with three round burst.

Excerpt from this Guide:

“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised.” LGEN George S. Patton, Jr.  The U.S. rifle caliber .30, M1 is an air-cooled, gas-operated, clip-fed, semiautomatic shoulder weapon. This means that the air cools the barrel; the power to cock the rifle and chamber the succeeding round comes from the expanding gas of the round fired previously; it is loaded by inserting a metal clip (containing a maximum of eight rounds) into the receiver; and the rifle fires one round each time the trigger is pulled.

 Disassembly/Reassembly Guide for the Mosin-Nagant Rifle

Excerpt from this Guide:

A Brief history of the Mosin-Nagant Rifle
1891: Russian Sergei Mosin and Belgian Leon Nagant’s initial production of the Model 1891 at the factories in Izhevsk, Tula, and Sestroryetsk. Throughout WWI contracts were issued to Westinghouse and Remington for over 3 million M91s. During the Russian revolution these contracts were cancelled and rifles were sold to U.S. civilians.
 

1925 ~ 1927 The Finnish Civil Guard produced a M24 which is very similar to the Russian M91. The M27 and improved M28 were adopted with a 27” heavy barrel and were produced from 1927 ~ 1940. M28/30 & M39’s followed with improvements in the barrel bands and pistol grip type stocks. These rifles are very accurate and desired by all Mosin Nagant collectors.

1930: Introduction of the M91/30 with updates on the front sights, barrel bands and round receiver.

1938 ~ 1945 The M38 was adopted as a 40” carbine and was built at Izhevsk until 1945 and did not have a bayonet attached.

1942: The PU version of the M91/30 was adopted with a side rail scope mount.

By the end of WWII, approximately 17,475,000 Model 91/20’s were produced.

1943~1948: M44 carbine was adopted and incorporated a side-folding bayonet.