[@KatherinWinter] Umm, I mean he has basic gunsmithing knowledge... as most hunters do, since it's a long trek into to town, and in his case it was probably through a lot of snow and ice as well across slopes, (ie it was often unfeasible, if not impossible to travel). It's necessary for their survival. I'm not saying he can take some copper tubing, some duct tape, a nail, and some bullet and make a gun, he just know how to clean most guns, or at least how to figure it out, and can replace broken parts if he has spares. (he does need spare parts, he's not a blacksmith/metallurgist and can't make his own parts) 

Does that make sense? (I think that addresses your issue, but I'm not sure)