Gunsmithing, best way to learn the trade?

[obiwanbartobi]

I have looked into a couple of schools that "teach" gunsmithing, but now am wondering how others learned the trade.

Some of the responses from the other thread I started seemed to think that with a working brain and some enthusiasm you could be a gunsmith.

What do you think?

 

[earlthegoat2]

Ideally, some kind of apprenticeship while possibly taking business and machining classes at a trade school or community college.

Next best is probably a hands on gunsmithing school.

 

[N.Schafer]

I am a full-time gunsmith and I went to Trinidad State Junior College. For what I'm doing, college was the best and quickest way. Not the only way though.

It depends on what you mean by "gunsmith". There are many different fields and levels.

If you intend to just clean guns, mount scopes, and swap barrels on 10/22s, maybe just Duracoat-ing or other finishes, then the internet and books are all you need. There are some good Dis-assembly books out there that can teach a lot.

Maybe accurizing and customizing specific firearms. There are some week long classes offered for that.

If you are looking to repair or customize any firearm that comes in, then school is priceless. Not only do you learn the basics, you learn why. Once you understand the theory behind everything, you can work on ANY firearm.

 

[BADUNAME27]

If you want to "plumb guns" then I'd devote five years in a machine shop somewhere. Learn how to operate equipment/crash machines/ruin parts/make good parts/make great parts on someone else's dime.

Then start tinkering with guns. Guns are expensive. Nothing sucks more than ruining a 400 barrel that took six months to get. Anyone who's been in the trade has done it and it will eat your bottom line in a hurry.

The schools are good and I had five employees fresh out of school when I ran the GM dept for Nesika Bay Precision. The problem is nobody had experience, they new how to use a file and had the fundementals down, but this is the modern age. Computers, CNC, and software really make this trade 10x fun! The equipment is all over the world right now for cheap too. If you want to build rifles/pistols/whatever in a profitable manner and make timely delivery dates then CNC is the way to go. It can be a steep learning curve, but thats what the five years in a shop learns ya.

good luck and remember:

Experience is never cheap.

 

[w_houle]

How to become a gunsmith:
1) buy junky guns
2) Shoot often.


Plenty of good answers already provided

 

[Jim K]

I once said there were only two jobs that everyone thought they could do with no training and no experience - Hollywood movie star and President of the United States.

I think I will add gunsmith.

Jim

 

[Zeke/PA]

I also went to Trinidad State Jr. College so I can , in reality offer an opinion.
If one attends there with an " I want to learn attitude", the opportunity IS there one- hundred fold.
I was fortunate to room with guys with that attitude.
I am not a full-time Gunsmith BUT I was able to parlay the Trinidad expirence into a VERY successful career as a Tool & Die Maker.
A lot of the TSJC learned stuff has served me very well in my chosen career.
Once again, there is A LOT to be learned a Trinidad, the rest is up to the individual.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I heard that Trinidad is a good school. Colorado School of Trades hooked me before I got the chance to look at any others in detail. I got a lot out of the program, others did not. I am a full-time gunsmith that works for a smaller semi-custom AR-15 manufacturer.