Rifle Build

Master Sgt. Monte Ealy, 28th Civil Engineer readiness and emergency management NCO in charge, displays his collection of rifles he’s built from the ground up in Rapid City, S.D., Dec. 11, 2012. Ealy has honed his craft over the past seven years and has completed 24 rifles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Hada/Released)

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Rifle Build

Master Sgt. Monte Ealy, 28th Civil Engineer readiness and emergency management NCO in charge, uses a 12-ton shop press to forge the body frame of a custom made AK- pattern semi-automatic rifle replica in Rapid City, S.D., Dec. 11, 2012. Ealy says that rifle building is an art that requires a good amount of ingenuity, a drill press, a 12-ton shop press, and a variety of other tools required by craftsmen gunsmiths. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Hada/Released)

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Rifle Build

Master Sgt. Monte Ealy, 28th Civil Engineer readiness and emergency management NCO in charge, tightens the frame of an AK- pattern semi-automatic rifle replica in Rapid City, S.D., Dec. 11, 2012. Ealy built his first AK-pattern Yugoslavian rifle, with a folding stock in 2005. Since then he has built, rebuilt or modified 24 rifles, four pistols, and a shotgun. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Hada/Released)

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Rifle Build

Master Sgt. Monte Ealy, 28th Civil Engineer readiness and emergency management NCO in charge, assembles an AK- pattern semi-automatic rifle replica frame in Rapid City, S.D., Dec. 11, 2012. Ealy, an exercise evaluation team member, ensures exercises are conducted according to directives while on duty, and builds rifles, as a hobby. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Hada/Released)

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Rifle Build

Master Sgt. Monte Ealy, 28th Civil Engineer readiness and emergency management NCO in charge, examines the interior of his custom AK- pattern semi-automatic rifle replica in Rapid City, S.D., Dec. 11, 2012. On duty Ealy monitors 28th CES readiness and installation disaster preparedness activities, ensures disaster preparedness teams are established and manned. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Hada/Released)

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Rifle Build

Master Sgt. Monte Ealy, 28th Civil Engineer readiness and emergency management NCO in charge, adds his completed AK- pattern semi-automatic rifle replica to his collection in Rapid City, S.D., Dec. 11, 2012. Ealy explained that there’s a sense of pride and craftsmanship in putting together a loose collection of parts and building a functioning firearm. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Hada/Released)

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Not just a Hobby - an Art

Published Jan. 28, 2013

Rifle Build

Rifle Build

Rifle Build

Rifle Build

Rifle Build

Rifle Build