American Gunsmithing Institute

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Tactical Or Tacticool?

May 15, 2013 by 3 Comments

I had a chance to meet with Laura Burgess at the recent NRA Annual Meeting. We discussed the new releases from the American Gunsmithing Institute and I’ll have a review of their DVD on the FN-FAL up soon. One of the planned releases Laura mentioned was about customizing your AR-15. I got notice today that it had been released.

I’ve viewed a number of the AGI videos and they are all well done. The key thing about all their videos is that their instructors have been there and done that. They are gunsmiths and armorers first and foremost.

Below is the release on it along with an excerpt from YouTube.

NAPA, CA (May 2013) – The American Gunsmithing Institute, producers of the most authoritative instructional Gunsmithing DVD courses, and also the Nation’s Premier Gunsmithing School, today released a new course, AR15: Practical, Tactical or Tacti-Cool, hosted by Master Gunsmith Sgt. Mark Foster. Foster has over 30 years of gunsmithing experience and is a 20 year veteran of a California Sheriff’s Department where he is the Chief Armorer and Training Officer. In this course, the student will see many examples of triggers, grips, optics, lights, rails, barrels, stocks, muzzle brakes, compensators, flash-hiders, sights, hand guards, gas systems and more. For each category, Foster outlines what works well, tells the viewer what to avoid and explains why. His daily field experience combined with his armorer experience working on fellow officers’ weapons gives him practical knowledge regarding the reliability and functionality of each of these options.

After reviewing the accessories thoroughly, Foster builds a variety of “mission-oriented” ARs and reviews what he chose for each and why. For example, he tailors the AR for: CQB, general hunting, SWAT, 3-gun, varmint hunting, home defense, plinking and Zombie killing, just to name a few.

After watching this course, the viewer will be able to design and build his or her own ultimate AR. Foster also discusses and shows some of the tools needed for changing barrels and hand guards, but more importantly, demonstrates step-by-step how to change a barrel and install a free-floating hand guard.

The AGI AR15: Practical, Tactical or Tacti-Cool is a must have for any AR-15 enthusiast and is available at www.americangunsmith.com for only $79.95 (plus s/h) (Product ID#3464).

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Of Interest To Crufflers

November 9, 2011 by

When I first started collecting C&R firearms, tons of CZ-52s were on the market for around $100-125. The price has risen but they are still cool – and very powerful – handguns. They are also somewhat complicated and unusual compared to more modern like the Glock.

The American Gunsmithing Institute has recently released another in their series of technical manuals and armorer’s course and it is devoted to the CZ-52.

Originally produced between 1952 and 1954 in Czechoslovakia for the Czech military, the CZ-52 Pistol has become increasingly popular on American soil in recent years. Now, the American Gunsmithing Institute has a new Technical Manual & Armorer’s Course: CZ-52 Pistols.

This course is taught by Master Gunsmith and Certified Gunsmithing Instructor Bob Dunlap. Dunlap is a renowned expert on most of todays and yesterday’s important AND obscure firearms. He has been a warranty station for most manufacturers, both large and small. His understanding of the design, functionality and repair of firearms in general is unsurpassed, and his appreciation of European and exotic arms is legendary among his students.

The CZ-52 was an extremely successful Soviet Bloc service pistol, and its hot .30 caliber (7.62×25) cartridge is an amazingly entertaining jack rabbit motivator. The guns have been imported to the U.S. in big numbers since the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and this course is designed to help the fans of this gun who may be a little mystified by its workings. AGI uses a rare factory cut-away gun that allows the viewer to actually see how the various parts work and interact.

Among the items covered are:

History
Design & Function
Arsenal Identification of “Most Accurate” models
Disassembly
Cleaning & Lubrication
Reassembly

This video is a valuable addition to the knowledge base of any person who wants to know more about this former Soviet Bloc service pistol. It provides detailed explanations and demonstrations and is a must have for any CZ-52 owner. The AGI Technical Manual & Armorer’s Course: CZ-52 Pistols is available at www.americangunsmith.com for only $39.95 (Product ID# 145DVD).

If you own a CZ-52, you may well want to get a copy of this DVD. I haven’t watched the full DVD yet but have watched other of their DVDs featuring Bob Dunlap. He’s good. In the meantime, here are some excerpts from the CZ-52 DVD.