Your firearm's safety is the last line of defense. Here's how to test it properly: Visual Inspection: Look for wear, cracks, or loose parts on the safety lever or button. Functional Test: Engage and disengage the safety multiple times. Each click should be firm and distinct. Feel Test: The safety should move smoothly without grinding or sticking. If it feels mushy or loose, that's a red flag. Position Check: Test all safety positions (if your firearm has multiple). Each should lock firmly. Listen: You should hear a clear click when engaging. A dull thud or grinding sound means something's wrong. What to do if it fails: Don't use the firearm until it's inspected by a professional. A compromised safety isn't something to DIY. This is critical. Spring is the perfect time to run through all your firearms and check their safeties. It takes five minutes per gun and could prevent tragedy. If you find any issues, schedule an inspection with Blue Coat Arms—we'll make sure everything is functional and safe.

Hello all! We are Blue Coat Arms Company, a family-owned gunsmithing business out of Central Illinois. We are excited to build a community here around the thing that we love. While we are still currently working on building our content for this platform, we are fairly active on Facebook(When they let us be. The joys of being in the firearm business!) In the meantime, if you want to see what we are about, please check us out there as well. While we get everything ready to go, we want to get to know you! What are somethings that you would be interested in seeing from us? We look forward to hearing from you as we all build this community together!

One of the best parts of spring is teaching the next generation. Our eldest daughter KJ (9), has spent time recently learning our spring inspection process. She's learning how to use a bore light, what to look for when checking for rust, and understanding why each step matters. Watching her connect the dots—that maintenance is respect for the craft—that's the real reward. All of our kiddos are always super interested in what Dad is doing in the shop. Whether it's watching tools being used, asking questions about how things work, or wanting to help with a project, they're learning by osmosis. When kids see that firearms require care and attention, they develop a mindset of responsibility. It's not just about the gun; it's about discipline, precision, and respect. These are life skills that go way beyond gunsmithing. If you're a parent or mentor with young people interested in firearms, spring is the perfect teaching season. Start with inspection. Let them see the process. Ask them questions. Let them find the rust spots. Make it a learning experience, not a lecture. The next generation is watching. What will you teach them?

Spring cleaning enthusiasm can backfire. We've seen it happen: people deep-clean their firearms and accidentally cause damage. Here are the three biggest mistakes we see every spring: Mistake #1: Over-cleaning. More cleaning doesn't mean better protection. Excessive scrubbing can damage finishes and wear out internal parts. Clean thoroughly once, then maintain lightly. Mistake #2: Wrong lubricants. Using heavy oils or greases in spring humidity creates gunk buildup. Use light gun oil and wipe excess. Mistake #3: Improper storage after cleaning. You clean the gun, then store it in a humid garage. Defeats the purpose. Store in a dry area with silica gel. Watch our video breakdown to see these mistakes in action and learn the right way. Your firearms will thank you.

Spring cleaning season is here, and temperatures are finally rising! This week, we're diving back into a deep workshop clean and organization—getting everything closer to where it needs to be. Why does this matter? A fresh, organized workspace directly impacts the quality of your work and your safety. We're resetting everything this year: finalizing our new space, how we organize by frequency of use, proper tool storage to prevent rust, and creating zones for different types of work. Whether you're a gunsmith or a firearm enthusiast maintaining your own collection, these principles apply. A disorganized shop leads to mistakes, lost tools, and wasted time. But spring cleaning isn't just about the workspace—it's about mindset. New season, fresh perspective, same commitment to the craft. When you reset your environment, you reset your focus. That's why we're looking forward to this. And if you need something comfy to wear, grab a BCAC tee or tank while you're at it. When you wear BCAC, you're saying: "I value craftsmanship. I respect the tradition. I'm part of this community." Spring is the perfect time to refresh your gear, your workspace, and your commitment to excellence. What's your spring project? Share it in the comments—let's inspire each other. https://www.teepublic.com/stores/bcac63?ref_id=22683&utm_campaign=22683&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=BCAC63