Anything said about these gunsmithing schools

[doom]

I'm almost done with my Art(s) Associate here in NE Illinois, I was looking for some gunsmithing schools, and surprise! not even Illinois has one! So I basically have narrowed my search for gunsmithing schools down to these three:

1) Yavapai Gunsmith School, it's in AZ and they allow title II weapons on campus so it seems that they'd be my first choice

2) Trinidad Gunsmith School, Colorado, I have not heard much about them

3) Pennsylvania Gunsmith School, I got their packet in the mail, it seems like an interesting school, but they don't cover, or allow tax-stamp weapons on campus

If anyone has had any personal experience with these schools, is there anything you can tell me about your experience with them? like course material etc. what was your experience like?

 

[mbopp]

PM'd ya'

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Trinidad Gunsmith School, Colorado, I have not heard much about them

I've toured this school (actually, it's part of Trinidad State Junior College) and actually sent an employee there to learn hand engraving many years ago. A couple of the instructors there have been P.O. Ackley and Ed Shulen (stockmaker). They used to offer knifemaking also, but I don't know if they still do.

It was an impressive operation when I was last there in the 1980s.

 

[Abb7]

Took their engraving courses and ther were top notch under Rachel Wells.Knew enough of the students taking other gunsmithing courses to know that they were high quality too

 

[CMC]

I can reccomend Montgomery community college in Troy North Carolina.
http://www.montgomery.edu/acgunsmith.htm

 

[Corey]

I went to Yavapai for their gunsmithing program and it was a good program. Ended up working at Gunsite for 5 years as a result so I was even able to stay in the area. I have heard a lot of good things as well about both Trinidad College and Colorado School of Trades.

 

[mgmorden]

I can reccomend Montgomery community college in Troy North Carolina.
http://www.montgomery.edu/acgunsmith.htm

I really wish one of the tech schools/community colleges around here offered this. I'm interested in learning more, but not really switching careers. I need something that I can keep my regular day job while I study. Nothing local offers gunsmithing. I've considered just taking some regular machinist courses though. I figure that its not as directly applied but a lot of the concepts should be the same.

 

[Toforo]

Several of those mentioned are part of the NRA Short-term Gunsmithing School Courses -

Montgomery C.C.

Murray State

Trinidad State

Lassen C.C.

http://www.nragunsmithing.com/

A friend of mine just finished the 1 week 1911 Armorer's class at Trinidad in July.
Price wasn't too bad (I think he said in the $400.00 range for THIS class) - of course he was responsible for his own food and lodging, as well as bringing a 1911 with him and all the parts he wanted to work with (and some smithing tools)

He actually didn't take a factory-gun with him, but ordered a receiver/frame/etc from Caspian and all the parts and tools from Brownells and built a gun from scratch during the week he was there.... well, everything except "the finish" - it's still bare metal.

Considering he's never been a "1911 Guy" - he did pretty good; shoots and hits the target where you aim it ! ! !

 

[mnrivrat]

Took their engraving courses and ther were top notch under Rachel Wells.

Wasn't Rachel in Prescott, AZ or am I thinking of someone else ?

 

[Corey]

Yes, Rachel still lives in Prescott and teaches engraving at Yavapai. I took a few classes of hers when I was there and spent plenty of time at the shop visiting her and Fred and learning what I could.

 

[mnrivrat]

Thanks - My late brother Bob lived in Presott/Dewy area and spent time with Rachel and Fred. He always said they were nice folks, and I thought perhaps they had moved ?

I have head a lot of good things about the Colorado school.

 

[Strykervet]

Trinidad rings a bell. I knew an SF gunsmith that wanted me to go to a gunsmith school so I could get the job post army. I went to the university and studied mathematics instead. Anyway, he said they did extensive gunsmith work and projects and you got to keep all the projects. Said it was a good experience, but he did have to live in a dorm? Wasn't thrilled about that being a disabled vet himself with a family.

This guy really knows his stuff. I can't vouch for the school, but I can vouch for a graduate of theirs.

 

[ball3006]

I attended Trinidad Jr College in the early 60s. Even though my major was not gunsmithing, I took enough gunsmithing courses as electives to get me by the rest of my life. It was a great school then and I bet it is even better now. The city was a hangout for the Earps, Doc Holliday and Bat Masterson was the city marshall for 10 years. Alot of history there. The town is in the long term process of restoring main street so it looks like it did in the 1800s.....chris3

 

[nwilliams]

I would vote for Yavapai College although I never took the gunsmith program there. I do know many of the instructors of the program however and I knew Rachel Wells and her husband Fred before he passed away.

Rachel is a wonderful person and an amazing engraver and Fred Wells was an amazing gunsmith, his passing a few years back was a great loss to the gun world. When I last saw him he was in his 80's still working in his shop almost every day on oxygen. In particular he loved to build custom rifles off of old Mauser actions and he had an amazing collection of fine rifles. It was always an honor to hang out with him in his shop and listen to his stories and watch him work.

As for Yavapai College. I wanted to take the gunsmithing program there but never did, instead I got a degree in graphic design. The facilities are incredible for a community college and the it's not expensive. It's also in a great location, Prescott is a wonderful place to live especially if you are a gun enthusiast because there are quite a few fine gun shops in the area.

One thing I will warn you about in regards to the Yavapai College gunsmithing program is that it's very difficult to get in. I was looking at going back and doing the gunsmithing program there this Fall but the program is completely booked up until Fall 2012. When I talked to the program coordinator earlier this summer she said that when registration opened for the Fall 2011 program it completely filled up in a matter of hours and they couldn't put anymore people on the waiting list. So if you are interested in the Program I would register asap!

Here's some photos I took of some of the guns that came out of Fred and Rachel's workshop. I had a lot more but for the life of me I can't find them:banghead:

Here is a Fred Wells built rifle that Rachel Wells engraved....


Here's an artillery Luger engraved by Rachel....


Another example of Rachel's fine engraving skills...