gunsmithing in my future?
Well, after some talking to people and some deep thought, I've decided that I really want to become a gunsmith. I love guns, I love working on my own, and it seems like a really good idea.
I know that training is the biggest part of the process, and I realize that there aren't many schools available. Is there any sort of independent study path that would be worth the effort, or would I have to spend a few years in CO?
I know a license is required, but I've heard conflicting opinions as to whether or not a 01 is sufficient (some say a 07 is needed). Can anyone clarify?
Any suggestions as to additional matters I need to consider?
Thanks, all.
I know that training is the biggest part of the process, and I realize that there aren't many schools available. Is there any sort of independent study path that would be worth the effort, or would I have to spend a few years in CO?
I know a license is required, but I've heard conflicting opinions as to whether or not a 01 is sufficient (some say a 07 is needed). Can anyone clarify?
Any suggestions as to additional matters I need to consider?
Thanks, all.
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31 looks, no responses? BTT 0 -
Find a good local one to take you under his wing! 0 -
You really need opinions from real working gunsmiths, not a bunch of over opinionated know-it-alls like us. I think a real school is necessary, you are going to need real machining skills which you are not going to get from correspondence school. Bill Costik is going to smithing school I believe and jbw1776 is a smith. So is Der Gebirgsjager, but he has not been around in a while. It would be worth getting opinions from them, and looking at real world employment possibilities, capitalization, FFL compliance etc. Best of luck! 0 -
eastwood44mag,
I didn't make He Dog's list but I am qualified to answer from several levels. Another member, redice either just graduated or is getting ready to as is Bill Costik.
The top 2 schools according to businesses and companies that employ gunsmithing school graduates are:
Yavapai College(1) and Trinidad State Jr. College(2)
These are a couple of responses that I've written in the past. I've included the links so you can read the whole thread if you'd like. You can also search all of the forums by using the 'search' feature in the upper right corner of the screen. Type in 'gunsmithing schools'.
First off, there are no correspondence schools that can teach you gunsmithing. You can get information from books but gunsmithing involves your eyes, hands, brains and some machinery. They can't teach you how to run a machine or use a file or make a spring out of a book. Most of gunsmithing education involves hands on work, with instructors lecturing, doing demos and then assisting you while you develop the hand/eye coordination required for a manual skill. You have to build a mental and verbal library as well as a manual skills library for your profession. It involves practice and then more practice.
This is most important in my opinion, to pick the best school, you need to gather all of the material about each school that is either near you or has a good description of its' program that peaks your interest. Narrow them down as best you can. Then plan on physically visiting each school that you have a good interest in so that you see the physical plant, meet the instructors, discuss the curriculum and then meet some of the current students and get their thoughts on the program since they have been in it. Also, get a list of graduates and poll them by phone, letters or e-mail to see how they feel that the program benefitted them in the pursuit of a career in gunsmithing. Most folks are too lazy to do all of this work but this is your career choice, not just some frolic at someone else's expense. You are the one that will have to make the sacrifices and pay the bills, so do as much advance work as you possibly can.
Ask if you need more.
This is the list that Brownells publishes in their catalog. I removed the correspondence courses but the list is selectable online:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/Company/links.aspx?catid=8
Gunsmithing Schools
Colorado School of Trades (commercial business - operates to make a profit)
1575 Hoyt Street
Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: 800-234-4594
Lassen Community College
P.O. Box 3000
Susanville, CA 96130
Phone: 530-257-4211
Montgomery Community College
1011 Page Street
P.O. Box 787
Troy, NC 27371
Phone: 800-839-6222
Murray State College
One Murray Campus
Tishomingo, OK 73460
Phone: 580-371-2371
Pennsylvania Gunsmith School (commercial business - operates to make a profit)
812 Ohio River Blvd.
Avalon
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Phone: 412-766-1812
Piedmont Community College
1715 College Drive
P.O. Box 1197
Roxboro, NC 27573
Phone: 336-599-1181
Pine Technical Institute
900 4th Street
Pine City, MN 55063
Phone: 800-521-7463
Trinidad State Jr. College
600 Prospect
Trinidad, CO 81082
Phone: 800-621-8752
Yavapai College
1100 East Sheldon Street
Prescott, AZ 86301
Phone: 1-800-922-6787 or 928-776-2348
http://www.gunsmithing.org/
NRA schools are just short courses offered at various times of the year but concentrated during the summer. Colorado School of Trades and Pennsylvania Gunsmith School are commercial entities, they are owned and operated for a profit. The other seven schools are associated with Community Colleges or Junior Colleges. Each has their own methods and curriculum. I think your best bet is to contact each of them and ask for their program packets, then spend time reading and absorbing the information. Don't hesitate to call any or all of them and discuss any questions that you might have.
Let me know if you have any questions.
http://forums.forthehunt.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=234243&SearchTerms=gunsmithing,schools
Here is the link to a discussion that just took place:
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=103519
http://forums.forthehunt.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=103995&SearchTerms=gunsmithing,schools0 -
I am a 49 y/o who graduated from Trinidad State Jr. College this past December. I would say to go to a school without hesitation. They offer not only what to do, but how to do it correctly. TSJC just brought on "Speedy" Gonzales as their machining instructor and he is awsome. The focus of their first semester is basic machining and bench metal in which you learn how to file by making a Rem #6 action from plate steel with a file along with Firearms History and Development. The second will be conversions (taking a 98 Mauser and transforming it to a true custom action) and making the barrel for it from a blank on a lathe and the rest will be advanced machine practices. Third semester you will complete your Mauser by making a stock from a blank in stockmaking I and Repair will teach the basic gun repair on the standard "simple" actions (Win 94, 1911, SAA, etc)and you will be in Advanced Barrel where you will learn to chamber and fit Rem 700, Win 70, Springfield 03 and the Ruger 10/22. The fourth semester will be Stockmaking II where you do a stock from an semi-inletted bland and learn the "custom touches" that make a stock a truely custom along with learning synthetics. Your "spare" time will be taken up with Repair II where you learn the more complex guns like the Browning A-5, BAR, Rem 7400 & 7600, Mossberg 500, 22 semi auto pistols, etc. Electives are offered in 1911 accurizing, AR building, Race guns (custom revolvers), checkering, rifle blue printing along with several others.
It is ALOT of work but it is well worth it. The trick is to learn to look and see below the finish and surface of your work to see the imperfections you have left. It is hard to explain but you can. I look at my first projects now and can see what my "crazy" instructors saw.
I am now a full time Gunsmith for Gander Mountain and they will only consider a graduate from an accreditated school or somebody who has apprenticed under a gunsmith for 6 years.
Best of luck and I can recommend TSJC wholeheartedly.
Lance0 -
Well, I definitely appreciate the advice. If anything works out, I'll let you all know. 0
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