Where to begin?

[Germz]

[6mmintl]

Well this sure seems to have gotten way out of hand.

Were here to help, swap experiences, mentor if possible, and point people in the right direction with positive suggestions.

Put your egos in back in the closet and focus/participate if you want, if not don't post negative personal stuff.

Kiss and make up, you'll feel better about it.

[cannon]

Happy to see I missed the heated part.

OP, Have you thought about an apprenticship? Work for the local guy for free while you learn so to speak.

Too many guys retire get bored and die. Don't be one of those guys.

Good luck and have fun

[heycorey]

I have a similar retirement plan ... find a nice quiet spot in the middle of nowhere and build custom guns.

Aiming towards that goal, I went back to school (at the age of 50) to study "machine technology"; machining, welding, fabrication. Three-plus years later ... I've got a decent handle on the basics. Going back to school was the best thing I've done for myself in a long time; highly recommend it.

Understanding how a firearm functions and/or working on your own guns is one thing. Customizing (ie, modifying) someone else's firearm is something else. And there are too many aspects of machining/smithing that you simply won't get watching videos or reading books.


PS - I've tried offering my time to several gunsmiths. Even with 1-3 years of machining experience under my belt, the answers is always ... nope. They're often too busy or too grumpy to invite a stranger into their world. Can't say as I blame them ... I prefer the quiet solitude of my own shop. But OP, if you can find a smith to take you on, go for it. Otherwise, I'd suggest checking out your local JC.