Where to begin?

[Badmusic]

Ok, maybe not "where" to begin, but how. Planning second career prior to immanent retirement. ill probably begin with a basic gunsmithing course, online for now.

Anyone know the best online course and why?

Am completely addicted to my new firearm collection hobby, having learned to field strip and maintain every firearm I own, a minor history of WWll to current American, German, Russian, English, and Japanese. Infantry or similar arms. Recently learned to assemble an AR from parts.

Looking to eventually become ffl dealer and eventeventually an ffl manufacturer as liability insurance seems within our means.

Any suggestions would be helpful, dint need to compete with Remington, will be a "boutique" custom manufacturer.

[milotrain]

The space between "Recently learned to assemble an AR from parts" and becoming a legitimate gunsmith is so vast that no course online or in person will even begin to bridge it.

Before taking any sort of online course or watching gunsmithing videos or anything of the sort you should check out a machining 101 course at a local community or city college and begin an education in working with metal. Kcstott gave you a good first assignment. Go make a block 1" square out of aluminum and then measure it for accuracy. Once you can do this, and keep the cube to within a square and dimensional tolerance of a few thou, then you can begin working on cylinders.

Remember that gunsmithing encompasses machining, welding, heat treating, metal finishing and patinas, wood working, and a large general understanding of firearms functioning.

It's like reading James Michener. In the book Hawaii he begins telling the story by talking about how many times a volcano broke through the surface of the ocean, before being buried beneath the sea. You've got to start at the beginning, and it's a LONG road.

Have fun, and good luck!

[Badmusic]

The college at Lassen is not available ( to me due to time )until after I close my current concerns, I am simply looking for general education opportunities that are not simply government grant pimping operations.

[Badmusic]

While Kcstott is certainly being harsh he's not really wrong. The space between "Recently learned to assemble an AR from parts" and becoming a legitimate gunsmith is so vast that no course online or in person will even begin to bridge it.

Before taking any sort of online course or watching gunsmithing videos or anything of the sort you should check out a machining 101 course at a local community or city college and begin an education in working with metal. Kcstott gave you a good first assignment. Go make a block 1" square out of aluminum and then measure it for accuracy. Once you can do this, and keep the cube to within a square and dimensional tolerance of a few thou, then you can begin working on cylinders.

Remember that gunsmithing encompasses machining, welding, heat treating, metal finishing and patinas, wood working, and a large general understanding of firearms functioning.

It's like reading James Michener. In the book Hawaii he begins telling the story by talking about how many times a volcano broke through the surface of the ocean, before being buried beneath the sea. You've got to start at the beginning, and it's a LONG road.

Have fun, and good luck!

Thank you. I already have machinists available.

[Alex$]

If you don't have the skills to be a gunsmith, a specialized machinist by definition, you have to hire someone like KC who has the skills to work for you. But to call KC a machinist would be an insult, he can elaborate if he chooses.

If you have machinists available then you know a good one is hard to keep. A good machinist is either poached or starts their own shop. A gunsmith, as mentioned, is a good machinist and much more. You don't hire one of those easily or cheaply. Sure, you can pay someone a lot of money to build custom rigs for sale, how long will you keep them though?

[Alex$]

hmmm, this thread has become interesting, suppose I should delete my post too...

[ar15barrels]

Thank you. I already have machinists available.

Are you going to "job out" your machine work instead of doing it yourself?
That's what "armorers" do.

Armorers are mechanics and assembly people that remove and install parts.
Gunsmiths are more like machinists, fabricators and welders that also know how to disassemble and reassemble guns and fit parts.

For me, the big dividing line between the two is the ability to shape metal.
If you can't shape metal, you are an armorer.
If you can shape metal, you can eventually be a gunsmith.

[ar15barrels]

hmmm, this thread has become interesting, suppose I should delete my post too...

Looks like I missed a bunch of fun earlier...

[6mmintl]

Guys, you need to tone it down, bottom line is you have to have a good understanding of mechanics, pattern analysis, basic machinist skills, and a logical approach to firearms repair for starters.

That's where you start, specific firearm repair/smithing is your decision, general firearms repair is much more broad and requires broad based knowledge.

Ive been building/repairing firearms since the 60's, every type of gun has its own set of rules and problems that you have to adapt too. It takes time to either be familiar or master each design, you have to decide if you have the time to master some/all types of weapons.

Its tough be a general gunsmith let alone specialist, its even tougher if you don't have the basic skillset.

[bridgeport]

Badmusic, I have done gunsmithing work most of my adult life, so here is my advice to you.
First off, I am glad that you are enjoying your new hobby, and for sure learning how to strip and reassemble a gun, any gun, is a great first step. You know the old saying about the journey of 10,000 miles begins with a single step. Well there you go. You may find the journey is worth the effort alone. So much to learn ya'know, Metal work (hot and cold), wood work, parts, machining, diagnosis. As with anything else there is a learning curve, and also as with anything else, there is a certain amount of talent, or what I call "knack" that comes into play. Personally, I like the guitar playing analogy, and since you use the handle "bad music" it is indeed fitting. Some people will pick up a guitar, learn to play a little, and enjoy the most basic of skill. Others will try to kick it up a notch and maybe have thoughts of playing in a band or in front of an audience, while still others will have a gift, and go on to become really skilled at the craft of guitar playing.The farther you go down the road, the fewer are really accomplished. Can a bad guitar player make a living at it? Indeed some do try, and if that is what floats their boat..... Now back to the journey of x starts with Y, I say go for it, and when you get there, you will know exactly what it takes. With understanding comes appreciation. So waste no time. the sooner you start, the better. So much to learn. Revolvers, shotguns, rifles, auto pistols. You could buy a new gun every week and learn to strip it work on it etc. And then there are the tools, hand tools, machine tools, welding. Lots to learn, and if you like that kind of thing, it is indeed very cool. I will also add this, the Business side, and the technical side are really two different things. A good gunsmith does not necessarily make a good businessman, and vice versa. From your original post though, it sounds like you have your financial game under control, and that being the case, you have the freedom to approach the craft (or business) from any angle you please. So, my best advice is (in spite of the crass answers you may receive) Ask lots of questions, do not be afraid to make mistakes, and utilize the same skills that made you successful in business (tenacity, focus, organizational skills) to put yourself into learning situations. Anything from armorers courses, to community college, buying a gun and teaching yourself the ins and outs, reading books, doing small projects in your workshop (garage, or dedicated shop if you have one) heck I know guys that do minor work on their kitchen table. Anything and any situation that you can utilize to learn is just another step on the road. Might I also suggest learning a little blacksmithing work. blacksmithing work is super interesting, very rewarding, and a great way to learn to move metal. Whatever the case may be, enjoy the process, the journey, and for goodness sakes..... have fun.
Regards, B

[stitchnicklas]

sure be a lot of hate and discouragement here for people wanting to enter gunsmith business....

so peoples post are a little discerning to me also....

[milotrain]

I think the reason that this is so heated is that there is an impression (perhaps from misunderstanding) that Badmusic seems to think that gunsmithing is something to be learned online. I don't think that Badmusic really thinks that though. Additionally it would seem like there are a LOT of crappy gunsmiths making what was once a respected vocation something to be cautious around.

KSCOTT has chosen to be a gunsmith and it's easy to see why he would be rubbed the wrong way by the thought of someone jumping into the pool without any training, both in the attitude and in the practice of adding yet another crappy gunsmith to the "roster". It does not help that Badmusic specifically made comments about how he's an excellent business man so it doesn't matter if he knows how to be a gunsmith. He's right, and that's the problem.

I think the last thread that Badmusic started about being a gunsmith was handled well. A few responses and then nothing. The data is out there, searching this forum works. I don't think we will get anything more out of this thread.

[bridgeport]

[God Bless America]

The best way to make a small fortune in the gun business is to start with a large fortune.

[Twystd1]

One of the major attributes a successful Gun Smith must have is inter personal skills and a thick skin.

Thats how one gets and keeps customers.

Saying things like " I can buy and sell a thousand of you."

Tells me you may not have those skills.... YET.

-T