Gunsmithing Pistols & Revolvers

A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Repairing, Maintaining, and Customizing Handguns

You don’t need to be a professional gunsmith or own a fully equipped machine shop to work on your own handguns. In the all-new 5th Edition of Gunsmithing Pistols & Revolvers, certified master gunsmith Patrick Sweeney shows everyday handgun owners how to confidently handle basic maintenance, simple repairs, and practical upgrades at home. With clear explanations and hundreds of step-by-step photos, this guide removes the intimidation factor and makes handgun gunsmithing approachable for beginners.

Whether you own a Glock, a 1911, a classic revolver, or a modern carry pistol, you’ll learn how to diagnose common problems, improve reliability, and keep your firearms running their best, often with simple tools and a small workspace. Best of all, many of these projects can save you hundreds of dollars in gunsmithing fees while giving you the satisfaction of learning valuable hands-on skills.

Inside You’ll Learn:
• How to safely clean, maintain, and inspect pistols and revolvers
• Simple fixes for common handgun malfunctions and reliability issues
• Step-by-step guidance with hundreds of detailed photos
• How to create an efficient home workspace—even in a small area
• Beginner-friendly projects that build confidence and skills
• Easy upgrades to improve ergonomics, accuracy, and performance
• New chapters covering today’s most popular handgun models

As your skills grow, you can read up on Sweeney's introductions to advanced projects, including trigger work, refinishing, red-dot optics mounting, compensators, and custom modifications such as grip stippling on polymer-frame pistols.

Written in a straightforward, easy-to-understand style, Gunsmithing Pistols & Revolvers, 5th Edition helps take the mystery out of handgun maintenance and customization so you can stop being intimidated and start learning by doing.