- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Fine-Forming Operations
Home > Modern Firearms Manufacture > Fine-Forming Operations
Fine forming starts with an intermediate part produced by casting, forging, or stamping. This process prepares the firearms component for final surface finishing and assembly. The majority of these metalworking operations fall under the general subject of machining. Machining covers just about every operation in which a moving tool removes metal to achieve final dimensions. In machining, a sharpened metal tool or abrasive surface refines and reduces the intermediate part to the desired form and dimension. The tool must be harder than the surface it shapes. Machining operations produce heat that, if not controlled, will destroy expensive tooling and potentially damage the intermediate part.
