Gunsmithing schools

[Lone_Wolf_mentality]

Hey folks, new to the forum and I figured somebody on here could help me out. I am thinking about learning the gunsmithing trade, i have tried to find a gunsmithing college close to my area,i live in northeast mississippi, but have come up empty handed. If anybody could help me out i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for the time and advice.

 

[Old Fuff]

The first thing you need to do is decide what kind of gunsmithing you want too do. These days more and more gunmakers are going to designs that only require parts be replaced, not fitted - at least not much. I call folks that do this, "gun repairmen," rather then "gunsmiths."

If you want to do actual "building" or "customizing" you will either have to learn to run machines, such as lathes or milling machines, or how to custom stock a rifle or shotgun. For a start, see if any community colleges in your area offer anything in the way of training toolmakers.

Be aware that a lot of gunsmiths have to work a second job, and maybe more, to survive. Others run a retail store along with whatever 'smithing they do.

If you haven't done so, go to www.brownells.com and buy a copy of their catalog. That book will tell you alot about the gunsmithing trade.

 

[Lone_Wolf_mentality]

Thanks for the advice and link Old Fuff.

 

[rmw]

If you really want to do this you may want to move to go to school . I went to Lassen CC in Susanville Ca in the 80's . At that time the program was considered one of the best Bob Dunlap "one of the AGI video guys" was the head instructor at the time . One thing they offered was an associates degree and a gunsmith welding degree . With the AS degree if you ever want to do something else you will at least have your first 2yrs of college covered . And knowing how to use a tig welder will let you do things allot of other gunsmiths don't . I think there is a college in OK, AZ , CA , PA and CO . DO RESEARCH , call the NRA , call places that employ gunsmiths look at the programs that they offer and get the best education you can . You really gotta love it to do it for a living . I made my living as a gunsmith for about 10 yrs after leaving LCC but then made the decision to take a job where I make about twice as much for knowing about half as much as I needed to to be a gunsmith . But that's the way the world works

 

[Old Fuff]

I think that folks on welfare make more money then some gunsmiths…

Anyway, as I said before – get a copy of Brownells’ catalog and look at some of the different stuff gunsmiths do. Also notice that setting up a shop with machine tools, special gunsmithing tools, bluing tanks, etc. isn’t necessary inexpensive – if ya’ know what I mean.

The best way of course would be to go to one of the college gunsmithing schools, and if necessary they can get you financial help so that you can go. If none of this will work, then we’ll go the Plan B, and see what might be done in your local area.

 

[medmo]

OLD FUFF, good info. Seeing your location.... do you know if Yavapai Community College in Prescott still has a smith program?

 

[whitebear]

I'm not Old Fuff, but their website says they do -

Yavapai College

 

[Old Fuff]

AH..... Ya' beat me too it.