I'm 16, and I'm interested in a firearms related career. Please help

[TMiller556]

I'm 16 and I'm going into 11th grade. I became interested in guns back when I was 15 and I've learned a lot since then and I think that I know a lot for someone my age. I have no direct experience with guns, considering I'm from NYC, but I've been reading a lot online and in books and I've come a long way and I'm still learning more. I've also done some shooting at the range. Anyway, I wanted to know, what are some good-paying firearm related jobs? I was interesting in gunsmithing, but I heard the pay isn't that good. What other jobs are out there? I'm enlisting in the Marines for field artillery when I turn 18 and when I get out I want to go to college for something that will give me the opportunity to get started on my career involving firearms, but I'm not sure yet. And I know I will have to relocate. By the way, this isn't a phase or anything, I'm serious about all of this and I pretty much made up my mind that this is what I want to do. I would really appreciate if anyone can help me. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sport45]

Thanks in advance for your planned service to the country. I wish I could help in your quest, but I can't think of a way to earn a good living in the firearms industry. The ones who get the most money from me are the guys that are selling guns. I don't know what their profit margin is individually, but I hope it's not much.

 

[avs11054]

The Marines is a good start. My biggest regret in life is not enlisting in the military. I know a lot of people who were in the military, and the experiences they gained seem to be priceless. And don't wait until you get out to start college. Do it while you're in the military.

If I am correct, you can enlist when you are 17, as long as you finish basic when you are 18. You'll be able to retire at 37 and have a pension the rest of your life. If you've gotten your degree while you're in, then you can start you "gun" career (as if guns and the military don't go hand in hand) and you'll have experience and education that might be beneficial in your job search.

Just my $.02

 

[TMiller556]

Thanks, that's a pretty good idea. So after I retire, I'll be able to use my experience from the Marines to find a job? Will any additional courses be necessary to find one?

 

[colt1911fan]

Field artillery is some fun stuff. I joined when I was 17 I don't know how the marines do it but in the Army your parent sign a release of liability and you go to basic the summer before your senior year then send you to MOS Q after you graduate. Back on topic once you deploy you qualify for low interest business loans from the government so I'd just apply for one of those loans and open a gun shop somewhere.

My $.02

 

[kingpin008]

Regarding schooling, I would recommend taking engineering courses, business courses and marketing courses. All of these things will give you skills and knowledge that are useful in a variety of aspects of the gun business, from design and manufacture to sales, etc.

 

[MachIVshooter]

what are some good-paying firearm related jobs?

Being a successful manufacturer. Of course, then you need to know more about business than guns.

Seriously, it's one of those fields where there just isn't a lot of money to be made. Most of the guys working the counter at a gun store could make just as much at Home Depot, and the owners often make even less.

I understand where you're coming from. Since I can remember, I had a serious interest in firearms, and would love nothing more than to make a living in that industry. Yet here I am, the owner of an auto repair shop, because I have bills to pay. Not that I don't love working on cars, just sayin'....

 

[Old Fuff]

Keep in mind that the gun industry is exactly that - an industry. There are well paid jobs in all and every occupation that you'd find in other manufacturing and sales/promotion fields.

Probably the most important thing is knowledge, both that required to do the particular job, and then being able to relate it specifically to the firearms business model.

So start by thinking, "In the overall picture what would I like to get into?" Then, "How would it relate to firearms?"

And keep doing what you are - read everything you can get your hands on. The one sure thing is that you can't know too much, but unfortunately there are too many that don't know enough. Regardless of what the job is, someone will pay you for your knowledge - if and when it will make them money.

 

[TMiller556]

so if I wanted to start up a small manufacturing company, would it be possible for me to also study engineering along with business/marketing to also design the guns?

 

[SARDiver]

You could always try to become an armorer in the Corps, then get your mechanical engineering degree. This would allow you to join a firm that designs firearms. Industrial engineering would help with the manufacturing side.

I would be careful about trying to go to college while in the Corps. It's possible, but the needs of the Marines will trump whatever plans you have. You could also go for an ROTC scholarship and enter as an officer.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Old Fuff]

so if I wanted to start up a small manufacturing company, would it be possible for me to also study engineering along with business/marketing to also design the guns?

Sure.

I knew another individual who did much the same, starting when he was about your age.

His name was Bill Ruger Sr. You may have heard of him.

PS: Go to www.amazon.com and see if you can find a not-too-expensive used or new copy of Ruger and His Guns, by R.L. Wilson. I think you will find it interesting for a number of reasons.

 

[Old krow]

Will any additional courses be necessary to find one?

Additional courses won't hurt, but you should consider what part of the industry that you want to be in. I think the military is a pretty good start though.

would it be possible for me to also study engineering along with business/marketing to also design the guns?

Yes, but, SARDiver is correct. It will be tough on AD to keep any real pace in college, especially engineering coursework. Don't let that get you down, there's something to said for the view in the traditional college setting.

Most Engineering curriculum will not have a traditional minor. You'll probably need to take classes that are outside of the curriculum in order to incorporate a lot of business classes into your studies. The GI bill is only going to pay for classes that are required for the degree that you declared, so I might start taking the business classes on AD and hit Engineering full on when you get out.

The Post 911 GI Bill is a substantial benefit. Use it! If you ever have any questions about the education programs shoot me a PM or an email.

It sounds like a pretty good game plan that you've got. Stick with it. I think that you'll find some pretty interesting doors will open up for you if you get an engineering degree.

 

[btg3]

This link...
http://www.allenarms.net/

...is to a successful indoor range that started up a few years ago. It's a father/son venture with the son coming out of military service to help start this business. They've got good facilities, products, services, and staff.

Take care to understand the difference between a firearms-related career versus a firearms-related hobby and you'll do fine.

Consider the needs of military armament suppliers as possible employment for a variety of professional skills.

 

[oneounceload]

Good paying? Sales and marketing folks that can sell do well in ANY area.

 

[Steel Talon]

To make money in a field you enjoy requires education.

Continue on with school become a mechanical engineer. You can start to specialize in rocketry, munitions, weapons development.

If you want to enlist be patient. One option as you enter college look to the ROTC programs with Air Force,or Navy. Either way get your degree and enter in as an officer.

With a mechanical eng. degree companies such as NASA, Raytheon, and others pay well.

Best of luck

 

[CraigC]

I'm a firm believer that the easiest way to take all the fun out of something is to try to make a living at it. My advice would be to get all the education you can and then find something you are good at, that you CAN make a good living at. Enjoy shooting & hunting in your free time. I say this not to be negative but because I wanted to be a custom gunsmith when I was your age. Armed with experience from working in a gunshop and wisdom gained from books, I decided that the last thing I wanted to do was to take the fun out of guns & shooting. I now work from home and make a great living doing something completely unrelated. I make enough money to do all the shooting I want, live on acreage and own a nice home. A day never goes by that I wish it were any different. The best part is that shooting is still fun.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I hate to say it, but mixing your livelihood with your love of guns is a tough go. If you went into the military, for instance, they seem to find a way to take something like shooting machineguns, and take the fun out of it. Go figure. I would heartily recommend keeping guns out of your career, doing something lucrative, like being an attorney or doctor, so you can make enough money to have all the guns you want, and go on African safari, etc. I know some very happy doctors that go to Africa every year, and have really nice gun collections. Cops, military, and gunsmiths rarely enjoy the expendable money for a big gun collection or expensive gun related vacations, etc.

 

[Sky]

The CIA’s Clandestine Service is the cutting-edge of American Intelligence. It is an elite corps, providing vital information needed by US policymakers, the military and law enforcement services to protect the national security interests of the American people. For the extraordinary person who wants more than just a job, the Clandestine Service offers a unique career — a way of life that challenges the deepest resources of an individual’s intelligence, self reliance and responsibility.

You will need a degree in something better than Bathroom edicate.

You need to realise once in you really never leave.

Extended stays away from family and your days work can never be discussed even after your death.

Paranoia is widely respected and rewarded.

Their are many fields/careers in different agencies that with your proposed military enlistment coupled with the proper education their doors will open for you. Paid holidays with good medical to boot! As you age your priorities might change but needing an education should always be pretty high up on your list.

 

[hso]

You're best bet is to work through a college prep program in high school to get a degree in engineering if you want to design firearms.

Artillery isn't a supporting career field for your future plans. Small Arms/Artillery Repair would be.

You need to PM Owen since he's successfully done what you want to do.

 

[avs11054]

Thanks, that's a pretty good idea. So after I retire, I'll be able to use my experience from the Marines to find a job? Will any additional courses be necessary to find one?

College courses, or more importantly, a degree, never hurt in any job search. Many employers do not specifically care what your degree is in, just that you have a degree.

As far as learning what you need to know while you're in the military, I've taken a couple of leadership classes. One thing that has been brought up in both is that in any given organization, there are 10% of employees who are leaders, 80% who are the run of the mill employees and show up every day and do what's required, and 10% who are worthless. The organization that is an exception to this is the Marines, where about 70% of the people are effective leaders. So yes, the Marines will give you skills necessary to succeed at any career when you get out, as leadership is an important quality to be successful at a job.

 

[CraigC]

One thing I would caution about the military is specialized technical training. Several years of training that is specific to submarines will do you no good in the outside world. The old man, as an IT director at a major corporation, has seen plenty of ex-military guys come in with vast amounts of knowledge and experience in computer systems that has zero application outside the military. Great people with a lot to offer but their technical knowledge is essentially worthless. Learn something you can use, preferably to make money.

 

[kayak-man]

I hate to say it, but mixing your livelihood with your love of guns is a tough go. If you went into the military, for instance, they seem to find a way to take something like shooting machineguns, and take the fun out of it. Go figure. I would heartily recommend keeping guns out of your career, doing something lucrative, like being an attorney or doctor, so you can make enough money to have all the guns you want, and go on African safari, etc. I know some very happy doctors that go to Africa every year, and have really nice gun collections. Cops, military, and gunsmiths rarely enjoy the expendable money for a big gun collection or expensive gun related vacations, etc.

Pretty much what I was going to say, except better worded.

 

[Hacker15E]

Wanting to join the military is a good goal. Focus on that first, and then on education second.

By the time you are done with serving a tour or two in the military, and then completed some kind of college education, I think you'll all ready be a long way toward realizing what you really want to do with your life.

I know that what I wanted to do with my life when I was 16 was different than what I wanted at 26 and 36. My personal and professional goals have changed as I've experienced more in life and developed as an individual.

There's no reason to chart your future so narrowly at your age while you still have every option open.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but there is nothing the military can do for you careerwise that same time spent in college won't do for you. I did the Army thing, Viet Nam era, and had I not been draftable, and looking back, I would have better spent my time out of the military. The miltary takes more than it gives. Sure, you get 10-20% off Lowes or some restaurant now, and some educational benefits (under tight, difficult conditions), but, as mentioned, rarely does a military occupational specialty translate into a great civilian job. Some exceptions are graduating from a military academy, being an officer in a useable trade (or having the college degree desired by an employer, and then the officer status is just icing on the cake), or something like that. I would even suspect that going to specialized couses designed to improve your resume, speaking or interviewing abilities, or how to enhance you experience or background for a particular field is better time spent than college OR military. You have to wow the interviewer today in all ways to beat out the competition.

 

[TMiller556]

yeah i know what you mean. i'm only 16 and my goals have changed over the years too. i'll give it some time to decide what I want to do but in the mean time I'm still getting prepared to join the marines. but say if i still want to do something related to firearms after I get discharged, would it be possible to study mechanical engineering/business to start up my own small firearm manufacturing company? I know it's not easy, but I'm just wondering if it would be possible at all?