Gunsmith types

[Gunsmithing]

Here is a list of types of gunsmith that I found over the years.

Dave

1. Full Service gunsmith------------ Repair, make new parts as need and some customizing will send out for special work
2. Master Gunsmith-----------------Same as Full Service gunsmith With a strong back ground in machine work & welding.
3. Custom gunsmith.----------------Manufacture of custom firearms
4. Hobby gunsmith------------------Doing some work on the firearms
5. Pistol gunsmith/ pistol smiths------Works on pistol repair and customizing
6. Rifle gunsmith--------------------Works on rifles repair and customizing
7. Shotgun gunsmith----------------Works on shotgun repair and customizing
8. Repair gunsmith ------------------Does only repair only
9. Machine shop Gunsmith ----------Has a machine shop doing some work on firearms
10. Gun shop gunsmith--------------- Clearing & installing sights also some replacing of parts
11. Parts replace gunsmith------------Does only replacing of parts on firearms
12. Jack of gunsmithing---------------Does ever think in shop does send out for any other work.
13. Engraver gunsmith----------------Does only engraving
14. Checkering gunsmith--------------Does only checkering
15. Bluing gunsmith-------------------Does only bluing
16. Plating & Anodizing Gunsmith ----- Does only Plating and or Anodizing
17. Internet/Mail Gunsmith------------Does most work by using Internet/Mail Gunsmith
18. Internet Expert Gunsmith--------- Know a lot about guns and will share the information.
19. Armorer--------------------------Parts replacer and makes adjustment
20. Stock Gunsmith ----------------- Works on gun stocks
21. One week wonder gunsmith ------Takes a course in gunsmith for just a few weeks mostly use by gun shop
22. Video gunsmith.------------------Use course on videos mostly use by gun shop & hobby gunsmith
23. Internet marvel gunsmith -------- Use internet course mostly use by gun shop & hobby gunsmith



What is need to be a Gunsmith
License and permits
1. FFL license 01 or 07
2. State license COE
3 State license to ship firearms in the state of CA
4. State sale tax license
5. City license and or county
6. May need a permit from city and or county
7. File with Sheriff and or police

*Sales and transfer will need all above plus liability insurance (slip and fall type) around $2,000.00 per year {2011}

Tools need for Armorer and Gunsmith just replacing parts
1. Screwdriver set.
2. Pin punch set
3. Work bench.
4. Vise(s)
5. Vise jaw padded inserts.
6. Calipers
7. Safety glasses
8. Pliers
9. files
10. Flex grinder
11. Drill press (small)
12. tooling


Tools need for Full Service gunsmith / Master Gunsmith
All above plus Machine tools
1. Lathe 12" cc for Pistol gunsmith/ pistol smiths for Rifle gunsmith / Rifle Smith at less 22" cc
2. Mini Milling Machine at less better Mill/Drill Milling Machine
3. Bench grinder 6"
4. Bench Buffer 6"
5. Oxygen Acetylene Welding torch.
6. Arbor press 3 ton or more
7. Belt sander
8. Disk sander
9. Wood Saw
10. Micrometers and other fine measuring instruments.

[chuckdc]

Add in one more kind:

Specialist gunsmith: works on one particular variety of pistol/rifle/shotgun etc.

there's a guy here in Houston whose business consists of pretty much JUST single-actions (he does work on other guns, but he told me pretty much to take them to someone else who is more into them.

He does freakin' awesome work on SA's though.

Sorta like the custom-1911 guys, or the ones who just work on double shotguns or whatever.

[deez]

Dave,

For future reference, may I ask - what type of gunsmith are you?

[Gunsmithing]

Full Service gunsmith/Master Gunsmith
I do most of work in my shop I do not do Engraver, Checkering, Hot Bluing, Plating & Anodizing I will send the work out for the best job on the firearm. I am not a jack of all and I will not sell any firearm I am a gunsmith first only.

Dave

[deez]

Good to know, Dave.

Thank you.

[Tom Slick]

Where does "armorer" fit into your list? I.E. A lot of 'smiths call themselves "Pistol Armorers"

[psango]

Not too many around!

Full Service gunsmith/Master Gunsmith
I do most of work in my shop I do not do Engraver, Checkering, Hot Bluing, Plating & Anodizing I will send the work out for the best job on the firearm. I am not a jack of all and I will not sell any firearm I am a gunsmith first only.

Dave

Not too many around! Takes years of experience. Lots of hobbyists like me. I only work on my own. My mess up becomes someone else's problem. Well I try not to make it that way and fix my own screw ups.

[Gunsmithing]

I have add Armorers to the list

Dave

Where does "armorer" fit into your list? I.E. A lot of 'smiths call themselves "Pistol Armorers"

[9mmepiphany]

I notice you didn't include the ability to weld on the list...the old time gunsmiths I usually use have been Master Welders...is that a dying art or something that is now sub-contracted out

[Gunsmithing]

I have add welding
I guess most do not know part of a Journeyman machinist work is welding .

Dave

I notice you didn't include the ability to weld on the list...the old time gunsmiths I usually use have been Master Welders...is that a dying art or something that is now sub-contracted out

[PRCABR4Christ]

I'll take my place in the hobby category :P

[Gunsmithing]

All most all gunsmith start as a hobby gunsmith

Dave

I'll take my place in the hobby category :P

[PRCABR4Christ]

All most all gunsmith start as a hobby gunsmith

Dave

I'll be in the hobby category until I get my FFL hopefully next year so I can graduate to pistolsmith

Then again, I did work on a 10/22 today...I'm screwed LOL

[CC Gunsmithing]

I started as a hobby- smith, then after the machining around here dried up I started taking on clients, and was very thankful I took some smithing classes at Lassen for fun while I was taking my machining stuff... Restored my grandfathers rifles when I was in my early 20's, my own pistols and longarms as I acquired them, and grew to love tinkering on firearms more all the time... From working on desert eagles, cool old shotguns, fitting plastic parts on a new saiga, to Fabricating a part and making something the client wants specifically, it doesn't matter what I do, I love the challenges I get when I'm working on a firearm...
Dave, yes, I know that the journeyman gunsmith is certified in welding as well, I just like the sound of Master Gunsmith, That's the course I took, and I think it fits great, because I do have a very strong backgound in machining and welding/ prototyping and fabrication... I started my machining work as a prototyper...
I think one of the problems here in the bay area, is that there are a lot of older gunsmiths that are simply tired of smithing, set in their ways, and don't want to have to deal with new customers/ clients/ shooters, and the questions that come with them...

[Gunsmithing]

The three keys to a master Gunsmith

1) Good knowledge of firearms (from books or class)

2) A great desirer, joy and discipline of doing a good job

3) A strong back ground in machine work and welding (metal working).
Most Journeyman machinist to get to be a Journeyman takes 20,000 hours of working in one class of work (In machine work two main classes Manual/repair and CNC/production machinist)

Any one can have a all the right and best tools and a great show room and still can not do the work. Even can take a great game.
But very few are true craftsman

Dave