Firearms manufacturing

[SixPointEight]

Well...I sent out some emails about a year ago to a few manufacturer's and none of them managed to get back to me. Just read a post about a guy and his wife both working in the firearms industry.

A little background, I'm into guns, and engineering, so I kinda want to mix those together, get my mechanical engineering degree and work on weapons design. Or somehow be involved in the firearms industry. Unfortunately where we live in California, you won't exactly find brochures on how to get into the industry.

So, anyone that works in the industry, or knows about it, that can give me some tips on what to start doing to get myself ready?

[TheCilician]

First off, most gun-manufactures are not going to tell you the ropes of GM, so you're on your own....you'll just be competition for them in Cali, and it's hard enough to earn a living here with the Firearm industry.

Second, you're majoring in engineering, that's great. Your best bet is to major in mechanical engineering. One, you will learn CAD, or some other design programs, and learn the physics of velocity, volume, mass, and other useful information that could always be applied to firearms. Second, for the next step:

CVC machines. It's something that you will learn to use throughout your engineering classes and it's one of the most useful tools to drawing up prototypes and displays for your potential work. AR-15 lower receivers can be made very easily and precisely with these machines,and often are. They are hundreds of thousands of dollars, so being a student with access to them is a very useful and recommended step.

Other than that, your passion for firearms and our second amendment should fuel your mind throughout the countless number of hours you will spend developing prototypes and potential future firearms for us Calgunners to use. remember, you work for freedom, not the military =)

[joepamjohn]

You may consider contacting some of the gun makers back east for employment. I believe Ruger,Colt,Marlin, and some others are in the Connecticut area. You may consider applying for a job with one of them and use you mechanical abilities (and their equipment) to perhaps develop a new gun for the lineup.

After you get some experience and contacts, a venture out on your own could be a worth while risk.

[freakshow10mm]

There aren't brochures how to get into the firearms industry.

Work for yourself or work for someone else.

Get your resume out. Get some experience.

If you are going for yourself, you need your **** together. Cash, investors/financing, solid plan, marketing strategy, sales team. It's like any other business.

Before you get involved for yourself, figure out something that is truly marketable and will sell.

Find a problem, solve it. Take a product and method, improve it.

I find a large part of manufacturing focus right now is efficiency and quality control. Focus on the manufacturing process instead of the gun stuff. Then market yourself to that industry.

[SixPointEight]

First off, most gun-manufactures are not going to tell you the ropes of GM, so you're on your own....you'll just be competition for them in Cali, and it's hard enough to earn a living here with the Firearm industry.

Second, you're majoring in engineering, that's great. Your best bet is to major in mechanical engineering. One, you will learn CAD, or some other design programs, and learn the physics of velocity, volume, mass, and other useful information that could always be applied to firearms. Second, for the next step:

CVC machines. It's something that you will learn to use throughout your engineering classes and it's one of the most useful tools to drawing up prototypes and displays for your potential work. AR-15 lower receivers can be made very easily and precisely with these machines,and often are. They are hundreds of thousands of dollars, so being a student with access to them is a very useful and recommended step.

Other than that, your passion for firearms and our second amendment should fuel your mind throughout the countless number of hours you will spend developing prototypes and potential future firearms for us Calgunners to use. remember, you work for freedom, not the military =)

Not planning on striking out on my own just yet. Want to have a solid basis for it first. My research has pointed me to the east coast for job opportunities.

Educationally, sounds like I'm better off finishing my degree before trying to get more involved in the field. I am pretty familiar with AutoCAD, but not the other design programs, nor the use of a CVC. Thanks for the input. I'll learn everything I can, hopefully someday you'll be buying a weapon with my brain behind it.

[JeffM]

start by inventing a better mousetrap

[totenkopf]

I'll learn everything I can, hopefully someday you'll be buying a weapon with my brain behind it.

better your brain behind it then in front of it!

[Hoolpe]

start by inventing a better mousetrap

I agree with this. If you're just starting out, then you may want to consider biomechanical engineering. That's where the newest innovations will be coming from.

[customizedcreationz]

Good luck with your venture. I am sure something will come along. Just dont be discouraged along the way.

[SixPointEight]

better your brain behind it then in front of it!

That's the truth.

Bio mechanical may be where the money is, but it's not my preference. I'll just keep trying, and try to get some contacts along the way