Gunsmithing Schools?

[ugaarguy]

Folks, I'm hoping I can get some good advice from y'all. I'm currently serving in the US Air Force with about 11 months remaining on my enlistment. I've been weighing my options and thinking about whats best for me long term. I really believe that becoming a Gunsmith would be a profession that I'd enjoy and could become good at doing. So where do I need to go for school? I've already contacted Colorado School of Trades and I like what I've found out from them. I grew up in Georgia, but I have some family in (and like what I've seen in) Colorado. If there are some good schools on the east coast I'd be interested in them too. Any suggestions and information would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ga Dawg (who wants to be the DawgSmith)

 

[Onmilo]

Contact Brownells Gunsmithing parts and tools.
http://www.brownells.com
They will send you a whole list of accredited Gunsmithing Schools with locations all across the country.

I didn't get the opportunity to attend one of the schools but wish I had.
After working as a Small Arms Repairman in the Army and training as a Machinest I learned old school by hands on, in shop.
The money isn't all that great in this field but you can make a living at it and there is a certain amount of satisfaction that comes with the job.

If you complete the two year credit courses I can list at least ten firearm manufacturers that you can gain employment with.

 

[ugaarguy]

Thanks for the info Onmilo

 

[Hk91 Fan]

Hey ugaarguy,

My brother went to the Colorado School of Trades in Lakewood? I think that its right outside of Denver. Anyway, he learned a whole lot. I'll tell him of this thread.

 

[ball3006]

Trinidad State Jr College....

in Trinidad Colorado has one of the best gunsmithing schools. Pretty, small town south of Denver on the southern border with NM. Of course, I am partial...........chris3/TSJC class of '64

 

[SpaceCowboy]

I just finished at the Colorado School of Trades. What school you go to will really depend on what you want to do after you graduate. CST is probably the best practical gunsmithing school, as in hands on in general repairs with a number of extracurricular armorers courses and customization classes. Trinidad is a great school too, very college oriented. They cover things not covered at CST such as professional/industrial heat treating and color case hardening(which are some things I would liked to have learned), but as far as I recall it is 90% class room with 10% hands on; where as CST is 90% hands on and 10% class time.

So, if you would rather be a general gunsmith I would say CST. If you would rather work for a manufacturer or machining/industrial company I would say Trinidad.

Hope this helped.

 

[simmonsguns]

gunsmithing schools.

Very few of the guys i went to school are doing gunsmithing full-time.
there are some who are doing some really cool stuff.
One of my friends from there is building M40-A3's for the Marines.he's a hoot.
We had a guy that finished CST and went to trinadad to build a double rifle,he did a perfect job.
I would like to find more of the guys from 95 to 96.just to see what they are doing now.
You won't get rich but you will have fun if you find the right place to work.
Spacecowboy,When you get time,give me a shout on PM's so i can ask you some question's about the school.

 

[Polekat]

What types of courses would help with gunsmithing schooling ? Welding? Or???? I have a day job right now and, but might want to go to gunsmith school after I retire

I was thinking of taking some night courses that would compliment gunsmithing school.

Anyone consider if a correspondence course on gunsmithing might be helpful prior to a two year real school on gunsmithing?

 

[Tejas Gunwerks]

"I would like to find more of the guys from 95 to 96.just to see what they are doing now."

I graduated from the Colorado School of Trades in October 1994.

 

[kahr404life]

Person Community College (Roxboro NC) has a great gunsmith course (2 years).

 

[SpaceCowboy]

What types of courses would help with gunsmithing schooling

Hey Polekat,
Welding would help you out some, especially TIG welding which you may or may not get to in school. A basic machining course would be very helpful. CST is pretty good at teaching machining, but there are alot of things they don't teach; mostly simple shortcut type things (faster ways of centering for example) that they figure you will find out through experience.

 

[Polekat]

SpaceCowBoy;

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking at what is available locally.