Sovereignty Module: Arm the Righteous
Arm the Righteous
Firearms Maintenance, Gunsmithing Principles, and Ammunition Reloading Reference
Complete Firearms Construction, Maintenance, and Ammunition Production Guide
Firearms are the great equalizer in defense of community and family. This campaign covers the principles of firearm operation, construction of simple firearms from available materials, ammunition production (reloading and from-scratch), maintenance, and marksmanship fundamentals. All knowledge here is for righteous defense only.
Chapter 1: Firearm Operating Principles
| Action Type | Mechanism | Examples | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matchlock | Burning match cord touches powder | Earliest firearms (1400s) | Lowest |
| Flintlock | Flint strikes steel, sparks ignite powder | Muskets, early rifles (1600-1800s) | Low |
| Percussion cap | Hammer strikes cap containing fulminate | Civil War era rifles, shotguns | Low-moderate |
| Bolt action | Manual bolt cycles cartridge | Hunting rifles, military rifles | Moderate |
| Lever action | Lever cycles cartridge | Winchester-type rifles | Moderate |
| Pump action | Sliding forearm cycles cartridge | Shotguns | Moderate |
| Semi-automatic | Gas or recoil cycles next round | Pistols, rifles | High |
| Revolver | Rotating cylinder presents chambers | Handguns | Moderate |
Chapter 2: Simple Firearm Construction
A single-shot break-action shotgun is the simplest effective firearm to construct.
| Component | Material | Construction Method |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel | Seamless steel tube (DOM tubing) | Select correct bore diameter; chamber reamed |
| Chamber | Rear of barrel, enlarged | Reamed to cartridge dimensions |
| Breech block | Solid steel | Machined or forged to seal chamber |
| Hinge pin | Hardened steel pin | Connects barrel to frame |
| Locking latch | Spring steel | Holds barrel closed during firing |
| Firing pin | Hardened steel rod | Strikes primer through breech face |
| Hammer/striker | Spring-loaded steel | Drives firing pin |
| Trigger | Steel with sear engagement | Releases hammer when pulled |
| Stock | Hardwood (walnut, maple, oak) | Carved and fitted |
Critical safety: barrel must withstand 3x maximum chamber pressure. Proof test with overloaded cartridge (remotely, tied to tree) before first hand firing.
Chapter 3: Barrel Making
| Method | Equipment | Quality | Feasibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salvage existing barrel | Hacksaw, files | Excellent | Best option if available |
| Seamless steel tubing (DOM) | Lathe, reamer | Good | Requires correct ID tubing |
| Drill and ream from solid bar | Lathe, long drill, reamer | Excellent | Slow but precise |
| Forge-weld around mandrel | Forge, hammer, mandrel | Moderate | Historical method, skill-intensive |
| Damascus (pattern-weld strips) | Forge, hammer, mandrel | Good (shotgun only) | Beautiful but labor-intensive |
Rifling (for accuracy): Cut or button-broach spiral grooves inside barrel. Twist rate depends on bullet weight and caliber. Smoothbore (no rifling) works for shotguns and short-range.
Chapter 4: Ammunition Components
| Component | Function | Material | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case (brass) | Contains all components, seals chamber | Brass (70/30 copper-zinc) | Salvaged cases (reloadable 5-20 times) or drawn from brass sheet |
| Primer | Initiates ignition when struck | Lead styphnate or mercury fulminate in copper cup | Most difficult component to manufacture |
| Propellant (powder) | Burns rapidly, produces gas pressure | Smokeless powder (nitrocellulose) or black powder | Black powder: 75% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal, 10% sulfur |
| Projectile (bullet) | The part that flies | Lead (cast), copper-jacketed lead | Cast from wheel weights, plumbing lead, or salvaged |
Chapter 5: Black Powder Production
| Ingredient | Percentage | Source | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate (saltpeter) | 75% | Leach from aged manure/compost soil, or cave deposits | Dissolve in hot water, filter, crystallize by cooling |
| Charcoal | 15% | Willow, alder, or grapevine (light, porous woods best) | Char in sealed container, grind to fine powder |
| Sulfur | 10% | Volcanic deposits, or chemical supply | Grind to fine powder |
Process: Grind each ingredient separately to fine powder. Mix thoroughly (wet with water or alcohol for safety). Mill together (ball mill or mortar and pestle) for 2-4 hours minimum. Corn (press into cake, break into granules, sieve to size). Dry completely.
Granulation sizes: FFFFg (finest, priming), FFFg (pistol), FFg (rifle), Fg (musket/cannon).
Chapter 6: Bullet Casting
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obtain lead | Wheel weights, plumbing, fishing sinkers, batteries (wash thoroughly) |
| 2 | Melt in iron pot | 621F melting point; skim dross (impurities) from surface |
| 3 | Add tin (2-5%) | Improves fill-out and hardness (wheel weights already contain tin/antimony) |
| 4 | Pour into mold | Brass or iron mold, preheated; pour from bottom (sprue plate) |
| 5 | Open mold, cut sprue | Trim excess lead from pour hole |
| 6 | Size bullet | Push through sizing die for consistent diameter |
| 7 | Lubricate | Dip base or grooves in beeswax-tallow mix (prevents leading) |
Chapter 7: Reloading Ammunition
| Step | Tool | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Inspect case | Eyes, fingers | Discard cracked, split, or thinned cases |
| 2. Resize/deprime | Sizing die in press | Returns case to original dimensions, pushes out spent primer |
| 3. Clean primer pocket | Pocket tool | Removes residue for reliable ignition |
| 4. Prime | Priming tool | Seats new primer flush or slightly below case head |
| 5. Charge powder | Scale + powder measure | Weigh each charge (NEVER estimate) |
| 6. Seat bullet | Seating die in press | Presses bullet to correct depth |
| 7. Crimp (if needed) | Crimp die | Secures bullet in case (revolver, tube-magazine rifles) |
Safety: ALWAYS use published load data. NEVER exceed maximum charges. Double charges kill.
Chapter 8: Maintenance and Repair
| Task | Frequency | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Clean bore | After every use | Rod + patch with solvent, then oil |
| Clean action | After every use | Brush, solvent, compressed air, oil |
| Inspect headspace | Annually or if suspect | Go/no-go gauges |
| Check stock fit | As needed | Tighten screws, repair cracks with epoxy |
| Replace springs | When weakened | Match original specifications |
| Rust prevention | Ongoing | Light oil coat on all metal surfaces; store in dry location |
Chapter 9: Marksmanship Fundamentals
| Principle | Description | Practice Method |
|---|---|---|
| Sight alignment | Front sight centered in rear notch | Dry fire practice (unloaded) |
| Sight picture | Aligned sights placed on target | Start at 25 yards, work outward |
| Trigger control | Smooth, steady squeeze (surprise break) | Dry fire with coin balanced on barrel |
| Breathing | Fire during natural respiratory pause | Breathe, exhale half, hold, squeeze |
| Follow-through | Maintain position after shot | Don't flinch or look up |
| Position | Stable platform (prone, sitting, kneeling, standing) | Practice each position |
Reference Card
- A single-shot break-action is the simplest effective firearm to build
- Barrel must withstand 3x maximum chamber pressure (proof test remotely first)
- Black powder: 75% potassium nitrate + 15% charcoal + 10% sulfur (mill thoroughly)
- Cast bullets from scrap lead at 621F; add 2-5% tin for hardness
- NEVER exceed published load data when reloading; weigh every powder charge
- Clean bore and action after every use; oil all metal for rust prevention
- Marksmanship: sight alignment, trigger control, breathing, follow-through
- All arms are for righteous defense of community, family, and the innocent
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