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Gunsmithing education question

eastwood44mag
I'm giving serious consideration to gunsmithing as a secondary source of income. I figure I tinker around enough that I might as well get paid for it, so why not.

Anywho, I would just assume go to get trained at one of the schools, but I have absolutely no idea which one to go to. Everyone seems to have an opinion, but I was wondering what the GB gunsmiths think. Eventually, I would like to get into custom work, but for now I would like to keep it more functional than cosmetic in nature. Input/advice/suggestions?

Thanks.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • spasmcreek
    first off there are two types in this field...first a hobbyist & then a real gunsmith...lots of the first presume to be the second.....i am a hobbyist with my own lathe & mill & have turned out some good results but learn how little i know with each project....in clint's words "mans got to know his limitations"....most smiths i have known have had a primary source of income to cover living....what are your realistic goals?...mainline or sideline.....is a good hands on school close & can you manage time & $$$ to attend.....brownell's gunsmith kinks books & experience at the old home shop are a satisfying trip for me but when i see some real handcraft it makes me appreciate the skill involved all the more....
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  • eastwood44mag
    Sideline for now, mainline if I could make it work, but I don't plan on it happening.

    No schools close, going to try to save up the $ over the next couple years to pay it off. I figure I can find a way to make it work, if I want it bad enough. The only question is where.
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  • txtacco
    As spasmcreek says, whichever you decide to be, be the best at what it is you do. The gunsmith "profession" is chock full of con-artists and hash-artists. Oh, my life for a gunsmith who produces high-quality work, treats his customer and customer's guns like gold, and doesn't expect to be paid like a king. If you do all that, you'll build an enviable customer base, make a better than decent living, and die knowing you contributed to the betterment of mankind. Is that too much to ask?

    Chris
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  • Locust Fork
    My only words of advice on this is to pick which of these you are and NEVER EVER stray from your choice......

    You fix guns....it doesn't matter what type...it gets done quickly and without a lot of "buff and polish" in the end. If it takes a screw to fix it...whatever....if its a Jennings, Smith, JC Higgins, whatever. The fix is usually going to be to a gun that isn't worth the money it takes to fix it....whatever.

    OR....

    The guns you repair are taken down and put back together with great care. There is a LONG amount of time and effort given to each firearm that comes to you and therefor you cannot devote your time to just anything that comes along. The piece comes back to the owner in better shape than they ever believed could be possible.

    Either way....you are going to find your "nitch"....even if you don't know which one. I have people I can send a $400 shotgun to and pay them $700 and I will get a $2,000 gun back....in 6 months or more. I also have the guy who I can give any gun to and he can make it work and have it back to me the very next day. I would NOT DARE send either of the guns meant for one of these guys to the other one!
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  • TrinityScrimshaw
    It is a life long dream of mine. Oh how I wish I would have used my GI bill to pay for the schooling before it expired.

    Trinity +++
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  • duckhunter
    Colorado.
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  • chollagardens
    The NRA has summer gunsmithing courses. I know they are going on now at Lassen Community College Susanville Ca. There are probably more going on at other places. You would be able to take a course like bluing, stock repair, reloading, armors courses, machine shop ect. Each course lasts a week or two. It is a good way to scope out the school and learn something.
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  • HandLoad
    Without exception, every Gunsmith I have used who graduated from the program at Trinity did me a great job, and gave more than I expected.
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  • He Dog
    I would ask Nononsense and Bill Costick.
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  • eastwood44mag
    quote:Originally posted by eboydell
    What part of the country are you in?[?]


    The wrong part. I'm in Chicago, and looking for any reason and way to get out.
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