Gunsmith of the Month: Andy Fuller

Andy lives and works in the Western Cape. He qualified as a gunsmith in 1974 at the Olifantsfontein testing centre while he worked at the SA Defence Force. Andy specialises in doing verifications for the Gunsmith Trade Test and repairing all types of firearms. He does not build rifles.

He is working with the PFTC on a program whereby new gunsmiths can qualify, now that Olifantsfontein has closed down, and he has been involved in the introduction of a Trade Test to afford qualification to those who have been working in the industry without any formal qualification – this is currently on the basis of RPL (recognition of prior learning). Andy is also deeply involved in developing a semi-automatic rifle for sport shooting.

Andy considers Vektor rifle barrels (hammer forged) to be extremely accurate and reliable and SAKO actions would be his choice for hunting and precision rifles, specifically the SAKO TRG action. His favourite wood for hunting rifle stocks is walnut.

A regular hunter, mainly in the Eastern Cape, Andy shoots only for the pot. He has been a SAPSA member for about 40 years and still participates. He is a member of the SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association and does Dedicated Hunter’s training for SAHGCA in the Garden Route area.