Gunsmith Training

[Priz]

Hello,

After almost a year of doing absolutely nothing of value, work wise, I've decided it's time to get a real trade. Gunsmithing is hugely appealing for me, but I'm kind of at a loss as to where to start. Should I go across the country and go to the real school (we only seem to have one in Canada, and it's REALLY pricey for the basic course, which seems incomplete to me), or is there a correspondance type course that could give me something just as good?

I'd be more than willing to move to the U.S. to go to a school there (you guys seem to have gun laws figured out a little better than us anyway), but once again, I don't really know what I should be looking for.

Any advice?



edit: I'd ask around at our local store, but as far as I can tell, they're all idiots for the most part and won't tell me anything useful.

 

[deanathpc]

Well I have gotten information from AGI - American Gunsmithing Institute which can be found online at: www.amerciangunsmith.com

Phone number is: 800-797-0867

The address I have is:

Amercian Gunsmithing Institute
351 Second Street
Napa, CA 94559

I only have their info. and that is only a couple of weeks now. Money is still an obsticle for me which is why I haven't done anything with it yet. I hear it's a whole bunch cheaper than a school and it's done at home so it's on your own time with no traveling.

I'm all ears on this topic so I'll be paying close attention to what everyone has to say!

 

[dfariswheel]

Do a search on this forum and you'll find a lot of info on this.

Bottom line: If you want to do hobby work on your own guns a mail order or even internet course will get you started.

If you intend to be a real professional and take peoples money for working on their guns, these courses will NOT qualify you.
The way to become a real pro is to attend a real gunsmithing school that has a wide reputation for turning out professionals.

Among the schools here in the US, the top two are Colorado School of Trades and Trinidad State Junior College, both in Colorado.
There are several others with good reps.

These schools have an industry wide reputation for turning out pros, and a degree from them will get you an interview, if not a job.
Hand over a job resume from a mail order school and the resume goes in the trash can.

There are a number of ways to become a real gunsmith including working as an apprentice, but the only guaranteed method is an attendance school.

This is not what people want to hear. They want to hear that some mail order school or working for a few months for some unknown gunsmith down the street is enough for you to open your own business or get hired by some company or gun shop.

 

[Maj Dad]

Murray State College, Tishomingo, OK

You've gotta love a place named Tishomingo (even if your mother isn't from there and didn't play basketball for Murray in the early 30's ), especially since they have a full-up gunsmithing school, and if you maintain a B average, you pay in-state tuition (this was a couple of years ago - can't say for sure now). There are several around the country, North Carolina & Colorado I know for sure, but the tuition deal is hard to beat. Tish is a pretty little town, too, and the capital of the Chickasaw Nation (American Indians). I spent some very happy times there as a child, but that's another thread...

 

[deanathpc]

dfariswheel it sounds to me like you are a graduate of said "real gunsmithing school."

Why is it people insist on home study courses not making you a "Professional!?!?!?!?!"

SO because I took New York Institute of Photography "home study course" I'm not a professional? Funny my BUSINESS bank acount and my wedding schedule seems to tell otherwise.... Not only that but another photography business tapped me on the shoulder to come work for them part time. Pretty impressive work I'm told.

So why is it he couldn't be a professional when a Master Gunsmith is doing the education and there are many people who are successful after doing said course? Or are you just bitter because you spent all that money when you didn't have to?

Maybe Priz was planning on becoming an apprentice after some training? Gawd it drives me crazy when people spout off like that. How many gunsmiths are out there right now who taught themselves and are taking peoples money? And are PROFITABLE?

With this economy getting hired right now is almost null and void esp. with how many dealers etc. have closed their doors.

 

[dovedescending]

fight fight fight

 

[deanathpc]

Oh please.....

 

[dclevinger]

I will let dfariswheel answer for himself.

I have taken a correspondence course for gunsmithing and have also graduated from a real school. The big problem with correspondence is that you only get the theory behind the work. very little hands on. In a b&m school, you do the work and have someone there to guide you. Many of the instructors have spent years in the trade and have a ton of extra information that they share.

Apprenticing is a fantastic way to learn as well.......if you can find a shop that is willing. The important thing is making sure that the shop does quality work so you are learning the proper way to do things.

You're right, there are a lot of guys out there that are self taught and do wonderful work. Much of what they know was learned the hard way which translates to the expensive way(in most cases). A school helps to shorten the learning curve. but as always there are exceptions on both sides.

David

 

[deanathpc]

Understood. I can honestly say I had that same problem with Photography. While we did get some feed back from an instructor from our submitted work it is not the same. Won't deny that one at all.

For those of us though that can not afford not only the school but to travel to the few schools available there isn't much of a choice. And to be honest I am not sure there are any gunsmiths in my area. And if there are it is probably a good amount of travel to get to them as well. I know I ran into the problem of apprenticing when it came to Locksmithing. In this state you have to be an apprentice for x amount of years. No one was willing to give that opporunity so I gave up on that too.

Personally to study at home is the only option and I think at this point in my life it would be for personal use only. Cost is still a huge factor of course esp. if it's in a hobby standpoint.

The maching aspect would probably be the hardest for me as I have not done that in any way shape or form.

 

[dfariswheel]

If you have the talent, the capability to develop the manual skills, and the drive, you can become a gunsmith or most anything else, no matter how you learn.

Some people who are master gunsmiths are entirely self taught.
Others have been to the top schools and had the best hands-on instruction and were never anything more than gun butchers.

The point is, the MOST certain method of becoming a professional gunsmith, (or most anything else) is to attend a top school where top professionals are literally looking over your shoulder offering pointers on how to do it.

If you want to open your own business, you need no training whatsoever. ANYONE can hang out a shingle as a gunsmith even if he knows absolutely nothing about guns.
You'll last in business until the public wises up to you or until you get sued for everything you own or ever hope to own.

If you want to get HIRED by someone else, you better have the credentials or your resume goes in the trash.

As for my training, I was trained (in a top school) as a watchmaker, becoming a Master at it.
I trained myself in gunsmithing, becoming a Colt revolver gunsmith specializing in offering "rescue" services for other gunsmiths who found out that being an expert on S&W or Ruger doesn't make you able to repair the Colt's.

 

[crossrhodes]

CANADA?? wait a year and your country won't allow any more guns. I think for you AGI would be best to get started, but you might have the RCMP knocking on your door wanting to know why you want to repair guns.

Good luck