Dumbest Gunsmithing mistakes

[Metallicat]

Might be fun and worthy of a good laugh.  I pushed the rear sight out on my new PCR, forgetting to unloosen the set screw.  I used a sight pusher and only stopped because it would go no further.  I was sick to my stomach and had told myself 100 times to mind the set screw.  I minimized the damage with a file job on the bur that was created.  The worst part?  It was a brand new sight from Dawson that I didn't think I had quite fitted correctly, and I simply wanted to check.  I ruined the sight. 

[Texas377]

A new Dawson sight?  Ouch!   

I've been lucky.  The worst thing I've done is lose small springs.

[Tok36]

   I cut a set screw in half once removing a factory CZ night sight. No significant damage to the sight, no visible damage to the slide with the replacement sight installed. I did need to buy a replacement scerw. 

[Metallicat]

I am actually surprised that you broke a set screw in half without some form of damage.  The good news on my end is that I did receive a new replacement and it went in perfectly.  The original sight I still have and is a reminder to me.  This was just 2 weeks ago in a new gun. 

[Earl Keese]

While de-plating a nickel pre-b transitional frame I inadvertently let the frame touch the anode while current was on. Very quickly pitted the trigger guard. Good thing I prefer round guards. Felt like an idiot, but it was a good learning experience and luckily fixable.

[DenStinett]

While removing the Elevation Screw from the Rear Sight of my Delta Gold Cup, I destroyed it and tore-up the Sight Base
I didn't realize that the Rear Sight on the Delta was different from the other Gold Cup Models, that use the Elliason type Rears
The Screw for the Delta has a Shoulder, and Delta Rear Sight Base has a Retaining Pin for the Screw
The Sight Pivot Pin has to be removed first
Then the whole Rear Sight Assembly comes out by simply loosening the Screw
Good-thing I was replacing them with a set of Meprolight Gold Cup Sights
And THAT is a Horror Story unto itself   

[Tok36]

I am actually surprised that you broke a set screw in half without some form of damage.  The good news on my end is that I did receive a new replacement and it went in perfectly.  The original sight I still have and is a reminder to me.  This was just 2 weeks ago in a new gun.

   The factory  CZ mepro night sights are known to be made of very hard material. To be more clear, there was some minor damage to the underside of the sight around the set scerw hole, but not significant damage that would stop one from reusing the sight.

[Luvdog]

Installing a gas block on an AR I was building... forgot to loosen/remove the set screws.  Nice scratches half way down the barrel.

[crosstimbers]

I ruined a screw in the lock of a muzzleloader, even though I knew it was soft steel and that I should be careful. I had taken the lock apart to stone surfaces and make the trigger better. A smith was able to re-tap and install a new screw. I got a much nicer trigger, but like the smith said, if I had just brought the rifle to him he would have smoothed the trigger for about half what I ended up paying for him to repair my botched work.

[puddintame]

had a few these
broke off an allen wrench inside the set screw of a CZC rear sight. had to hammer it out with a steel punch to get it out. ruined the sight and marred the dove tail and small part of the slide.
marred up a P07 comp trying to remove it
lately im on my third hi viz front sight.
and just lately i installed a very tight dawson front sight. then couldnt get my barrel back in. removed it [without ruining it] had to buy a new bushing. installed that and still cant get the barrel in. so i will have my local GS look at it. and if he cant or wont fit the barrel, i will have to send it off to someone. all of this on a perfectly good and working BD that i wanted to switch out tritiums for FO sights

[david s]

I doubt it's my dumbest mistake but it came to mind when discussing the 3 round conversion to CZ 527 rifles with Pomyluy in the centerfire rifle section. The first time I tried to modify a 5 round 527 magazine I didn't anneal the magazine enough (there surprisingly hard) and cracked the little flange that I was trying to form. Suffice it to say my first modified magazine has it's base plate held on by epoxy. Live and learn, hopefully.

[sunsetIE]

Set a gas tube/block in place on an AR before i torqued the barrel nut once. Good thing i had a spare gas tube!

[AZ_CZ]

I’ve done plenty of silly stupid and foolish things. My big mistake is a mystery: the small spring I found on the floor one day. It’s very specific and I would love to know what gun it came from. I keep it in the magnet parts bowl on my desk waiting for the day of enlightenment. So far everything works but I’ll be ready when it quits, lol. Should note I’ve had this on my bench for 2 years or so.



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[radagast]

Looks like one I found after stepping on my kid's PEZ dispenser !

[sunsetIE]

I’ve done plenty of silly stupid and foolish things. My big mistake is a mystery: the small spring I found on the floor one day. It’s very specific and I would love to know what gun it came from. I keep it in the magnet parts bowl on my desk waiting for the day of enlightenment. So far everything works but I’ll be ready when it quits, lol. Should note I’ve had this on my bench for 2 years or so.



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Atleast you found it. I launched an AR takedown detent in my kitchen years ago. Never found it, even moved the fridge and stove.