From the Bench: Understanding the legal framework that protects our Second Amendment rights By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company Originally published June 23, 2019 | Updated July 1, 2025 Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this should not be considered legal advice or an attempt at practicing law. When I started Blue Coat Arms Company, I thought I'd be spending my days fixing rifles and restoring historical firearms. I never expected that holding a Federal Firearms License

From the Bench: Because your workshop safety is as important as your craftsmanship By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company July 1, 2025 IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER : I am not a medical professional, and nothing in this article constitutes medical advice. This information is for educational purposes only. For proper medical training in trauma response and bleeding control, consult with certified medical professionals and take accredited courses through organizations like the American

From the Bench: A gunsmith's perspective on constitutional foundations By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company Originally published June 24, 2019 | Updated July 1, 2025 IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER : I am not a lawyer, and nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. In today's heated debates over "reasonable restraints" on our constitutional rights, we've lost sight of a fundamental truth about the Bill of Rights. As someone who works daily with firearms and serves customers wh

From the Bench: Where safety meets sanity (and occasionally leaves both behind) By Hootey Cline | Blue Coat Arms Company After nine years of running Blue Coat Arms Company, I've learned that shop safety isn't just about following OSHA guidelines – it's about developing a healthy respect for the fact that everything in a gunsmith's workshop is actively plotting your demise. These rules have kept me (mostly) intact, my customers happy, and my insurance premiums from reaching as

From the Bench: Where Anglo-Saxon wisdom meets the gunsmith's craft By Hootey Cline | Blue Coat Arms Company The rhythmic strike of hammer on steel. The patient filing of metal until precision emerges. The quiet contemplation as bluing solution transforms raw iron into something beautiful and functional. These moments in the gunsmith's workshop echo practices far older than our modern craft – they connect us to the wisdom of our ancestors. As a Germanic Heathen practitioner,

From the Bench: A comprehensive guide to selecting the right AR-15 for your needs By Hootey Cline | Blue Coat Arms Company After nearly a decade of working on AR-15 platforms—from basic carbines to precision builds—I can tell you there's truly an AR-15 out there for everyone. The key is understanding what you need and what you're willing to invest. By the time you finish this guide, you'll understand how different configurations affect performance, reliability, and value. Mor

From the Bench: A gunsmith's perspective on choosing the right battle rifle By Hootey Cline | Blue Coat Arms Company The AR-15 has earned its place as America's rifle, but there are times when you need more power, more range, and more stopping capability. That's where the AR-10 comes in. After working on everything from Civil War muskets to modern sporting rifles, I can tell you that the AR-10 platform represents one of the most versatile and capable rifle systems available t

From the Bench: Separating fact from fiction in the ongoing firearms debate By: Hootey Cline | Blue Coat Arms Company As a professional gunsmith who works daily with firearms and their owners, I've witnessed firsthand the disconnect between political rhetoric and statistical reality. Let's examine what the data actually tells us about firearms regulation and violence in America. The Regulatory Reality America currently has between 18,000 and 20,000 laws regulating every aspec

By: Hootey Cline | Blue Coat Arms Company Classics never go out of style – and John Moses Browning's 1911 proves that exceptional design transcends generations. When I first picked up a 1911 at 21 for my concealed carry, I had no idea I was beginning a lifelong relationship with what many consider the grandfather of modern pistol design. Over a decade later, as a professional gunsmith who's worked on everything from Revolutionary War muskets to modern AR platforms, I can conf

By Hootey Cline A lone warrior demonstrating the ancient use of a flamethrower, casting fiery light against a dramatic evening sky amidst the backdrop of silhouettes and smoke. Modern flamethrowers emerged at the turn of the 20th century, but the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, was far ahead of the curve. The empire's most closely guarded secret — its exact formula is a mystery even today — was its recipe for Greek fire, a napalm-like incendiary subs

From the Bench brought to you by Blue Coat Arms Company " No Matter Your Era, We Got Your Six!" By Hootey Cline I've watched friends and colleagues on the Left side of the gun control debate become genuinely confused about why Second Amendment advocates don't seem to budge on their views after mass shootings. As a professional gunsmith who works with firearms daily - from antique muskets to modern AR platforms - I thought I'd try explaining this phenomenon in hopes that we ca

From the Bench: A gunsmith's reflection on the foundations of American liberty By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company July 4, 2025 "The...

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From the Bench: Exploring the remarkable world of shotguns By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company Originally published June 17, 2019 |...

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From the Bench: A gunsmith's journey in marksmanship development By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company Originally published June 17,...

From the Bench: A gunsmith's perspective on managing the inevitable By Kevin Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company July 1, 2025 After nearly a...

From the Bench: A gunsmith's ongoing education in safety and skill By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company Originally published June 13,...