Gunsmith School?

travlnusa · #1 02/20/10, 03:13 PM

My youngest son is very interested in becoming a gunsmith. He sees this as a nice backup job to whatever career he may end up choosing.

There are 100's of "via the mail/internet" crud out there. Are there schools out there that are considered better than others? Any idea where to find a list of solid one rather than the "degree by mail (matchbook when I was a kid)"?

Thanks for any direction here.

big rockpile · #2 02/20/10, 04:02 PM

I believe he would be better going to Trade School learning Metal Work.Then get a Job as an Apprentice.

big rockpile

Darren · #3 02/20/10, 06:30 PM

Learning gunsmithing can't be done without hands on work. If he's serious about it:

http://www.trinidadstate.edu/index.p...252&Itemid=412

Note the job opportunities on the website. If he wants general machining skills look for a near by program that teaches computer driven machining skills. The Robert C. Byrd Center in WV is one. With that training a correspondence course can fill in specific gunsmitthing knowledge.

allison · #4 02/20/10, 06:55 PM

There is 4 colleges that offer a degree or certificate program in gunsmithing theory. One being Murray State College in Tishomingo OK, Trinidad CO, Lassen in Susanville CA, Montgomery in Troy NC. There is some certificate only places also. If he is wanting to try out taking some classes, he can google NRA summer gunsmithing classes and it will pull up a list for the different summer classes that are being offered. My husband is currently in his second semester at Tishomingo and loves it. They have taken people from all different states. If he is seriously interested in attending he should call and talk with the gunsmithing departments and or the school and make an appointment to visit with them. My husband interviewed in Tishomingo, they asked him a bunch a question about what he wanted to do when he got out, what his plans were after he finished school ie: working for someone, getting a job somewhere etc. You can PM me if you have any specific questions and I will have them answer them for you. Allison

gunsmithgirl · #5 02/20/10, 10:34 PM

I went to the Colorado School of Trades Gunsmithing Program. It was hands on, you get a 2 year degree in 14 months because the school doesn't break for spring breaks, holidays, ect. Not bad but I would recommend some more machining and welding experience than they offered there.
My second choice in schools would have been the Pennsylvania Gunsmithing School. (can't remember the exact name anymore) It is also very hands on and I have heard nothing but good things about it.

The online schools are not worth a flip. I have also heard some negative stories form the Trinidad school. The NRA courses sound like they would be O.K. but I have never been to one to experience them, At least the instructors there sound to be very experienced and they are a hands on course.

No matter what school he goes to apprentice work afterwards in a working shop would be a good idea, till he gets a little more experience in the field.

travlnusa · #6 02/21/10, 06:11 AM

Thank you all. I will have him look into the places you have talked about.

deaconjim · #7 02/21/10, 06:24 AM

I've done some gunsmithing on the side, but I could never bring myself to charge enough to make it profitable. Other gunsmiths I used however, haven't had that hangup. A good mechanical knowledge and some metal working know-how are important.

DavidUnderwood · #8 02/21/10, 07:29 AM

Montgomery Community College in Troy
NC is ranked first or second in the US.

tinknal · #9 02/21/10, 11:49 AM

Pine technical college in Pine City MN offers an advanced course. Real close to the WI border too.

http://www.pinetech.edu/academics/ca...ms/gunsmithing

TedH71 · #10 02/21/10, 12:34 PM

Thought about gunsmithing school but I already have a CNC machining certificate and no job. I have a nephew-in-law who graduated from gunsmithing school. He ended up doing cnc machining as a career until they laid him off and now he's doing something entirely different. He said it's tough to run it as a business unless you live in an area where there are lots of hunters and quite a bit of it is seasonal work.

Win07_351 · #11 02/21/10, 02:40 PM

Although not a school, I came across this website that offers video instruction on many different specific types of guns. Might be helpful to somebody, especially wanting to learn more about their own firearm/s

http://www.americangunsmith.com/index.php?id=12

celina · #12 02/21/10, 04:27 PM

i think that is a great idea...i'd also up my welding and other skills others have mentioned..i know a few retired gentlemen who do small machinery repair work and make more now than they did back in the day...cause guys like my husband don't have a clue anymore...

i think "additional" skills like this are invaluable..way to go for him to be thinking ahead..

travlnusa · #13 02/21/10, 06:17 PM

Thanks again for the leads.

He has always enjoyed working on them. When he cleans a gun, it is a 100% breakdown, cleaning, and reassemble.

He is not seeking this as a career, rather something to do on the side. Do something he loves to do while others pay him.

We live in an area where there would be a bit of demand. Who knows where or what his true future may hold.

frogmammy · #14 02/21/10, 06:29 PM

From what I've seen in my area, he could maybe make a decent living. Lots of people out buying handguns, basic gun classes and CCW classes have waiting lists.

Mon

MN Gardener · #15 02/21/10, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinknal

Pine technical college in Pine City MN offers an advanced course. Real close to the WI border too.

http://www.pinetech.edu/academics/ca...ms/gunsmithing

I was just going to suggest this!