Gunsmithing courses

[HK_USP_45]

I want to start a small gunsmithing business, and initially I want to focus on the AR. I've been wanting to get into some sort of career in firearms for awhile, but the idea of gunsmithing is fairly new to me, so I don't know a lot about what all I need to do to get started. I've been around ARs my whole adult life, and I would feel pretty comfortable building one from scratch or doing whatever maintenance needs to be done on one.

In starting my business, though, what type of schooling should I look into, if any at all? Right now I'm a stay at home dad with 3 boys under the age of 5, so traveling anywhere for more than a couple of days would be out of the question, so I've been looking into taking an online course. 2 of the ones I've been looking into are Penn Foster and Ashworth College. Does anyone have any experience with these 2 courses, or know of any that are better? I talked to a lady at Penn Foster, and the program seems a little weak. I'm just not really sure if I'll get a lot of it. I'm just kind of thinking that some sort of certificate hanging on my wall will give me some sort of credibility as I offer my services.

By posting this, I guess I'm looking for anyone's thoughts on my idea, or if you think I'm going about this the wrong way. I'd appreciate anyone's input.

 

[dfariswheel]

Most any gunsmithing course is going to be orientated toward making you a qualified general gunsmith.
While there are short courses available to train you on specific guns, most standard training is going to include a lot you may not want or need if you're going to stick with AR work.

The NRA, some gunsmith schools, some gunsmithing companies, and some gun companies offer short courses in gunsmithing specific guns like the 1911 and almost certainly the AR.

Note that the gun companies usually offer armorers courses for law enforcement and these are NOT real gunsmithing courses, these are to train law enforcement armorers how to maintain and do simply parts switching repairs to guns. These will not be suitable for real gunsmithing.

Since you don't have to have anything in the way of a degree to open up shop as a gunsmith, whether one hanging on the wall is a selling point for your skills depends on the customer.

What you DO have to have is a Federal Firearms License for gunsmithing operations, any state or local business licenses and permits, a state tax number, be in an area zoned for commercial business, and most important.... you need insurance to protect you from lawsuits.

Whether your current skills are enough to qualify you to take money for working on other people's guns is something you and they will have to decide.
If they decide your skills aren't, you'll be out of business, and you'll also be getting sued, thus the need for insurance.

Since you can't attend a real gunsmithing school, and the mail order and internet courses are seriously lacking in what's needed, you should start looking around for any short AR-specific courses that are being offered.
Check with the NRA, and contact Brownell's to ask what they may know of.

A good start might be to buy some of the AR videos offered by Brownell's and others and start looking at how the pro's do things.
Since the AR is the most modular rifle made, you can assemble some nice rifles with a minimum of the more heavy-duty gunsmithing skills.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

some sort of certificate hanging on my wall will give me some sort of credibility as I offer my services.

I doubt it. Most people wont even look at it even prominently displayed. The AGI videos are weapons specific and are very good,IMO.

 

[HK_USP_45]

dfariswheel, thanks, that was very helpful info. One thing I didn't realize was the FFL for gunsmithing. I thought that was only if you made guns and sold them. At what point is the FFL needed? For example, say I was just offering services to "Trick out" ARs, like put on free float tubes, upgrade the gas block, upgrade trigger, etc. Or doesn't it matter, I just need one because I'm opening a business that is a professional firearm business?

 

[HK_USP_45]

jimmyraythomason, thanks for the info, I'll check out AGI.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

ANY work done on guns where you charge a fee (i.e. for profit) requires an 01 FFL. That is called "being in the business". If you are building ARs (or any other gun) to sell you may need an 07 FFL (manufacturer)as well.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

internet courses are seriously lacking

That isn't always true. Some are quite good.

 

[HK_USP_45]

jimmyrahthomason, which do you think are the best internet courses, other than AGI?

 

[jimmyraythomason]

AGI isn't an internet course but a video course. If you intened to focus primarily on the AR that is the way I would go as any other course is going to cover so much that you wont ever use. The Modern Gun School is the best (again IMO) of the correspondence schools but unless you plan on doing full service gunsmithing you will cover a LOT of stuff you wont need but are still paying for. With AGI you can taylor what you wish to learn and can expand at any time. PLUS you only pay for what you need.

 

[MWBOKC]

I took both the North American School of Firearms and NRI correspondence courses 20+ years ago. TOTAL CRAP. Yes there is a lot of good general info but nothing very detailed or "hands on." If you can't go to an actual school, look into AGI's Professional Gunsmithing Course. Not just the armorers courses. The complete pro course covers very detailed design, function & repair, welding, machine shop etc. It's not cheap, but it is very detailed and taught by very experienced master gunsmiths like Bob Dunlap.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

North American School of Firearms....... TOTAL CRAP

I agree. Don't waste your money on it.