Becoming a gunsmith?

[Tacit Blue]

Hello guys, after trying to break into law enforcement for awhile. I've decided to pursue another career, and recently the idea of being a smith came to mind.


Everyone seems to say that Lassen community college has one of the best programs in CA. Only issue is i'm down here in San Diego, so central CA is kinda far away from me. Are there any other schools that anyone can recommend?

Also I was considering starting by taking a Colt armorers class, except it says that only law enforcement,military and nuclear security forces are allowed to take it are their any exceptions to this?


Thanks,

[kcstott]

Lassen is the ONLY gunsmith course in california. and from what I've heard no where near the best let alone a half assed school.

I'd say go to San diego city college and go to the machinist tool maker course.

or pack your bags and go to Colorado school of trade or Trinidad state college.
CST and TSC have the best Gunsmith course in the nation.

[G-forceJunkie]

Gunsmithing is a specialized machinist. I would look into local machine shop classes or trade schools. learn how to run a lathe, mill, single point threads, build tooling and fixtures, use precision measuring instruments, etc. Then apply it to firearms.

[Tacit Blue]

Lassen is the ONLY gunsmith course in california. and from what I've heard no where near the best let alone a half assed school.

I'd say go to San diego city college and go to the machinist tool maker course.

or pack your bags and go to Colorado school of trade or Trinidad state college.
CST and TSC have the best Gunsmith course in the nation.

During a apprenticeship or beginning what are some of the wages that a typical smith can expect to make?

[kcstott]

An apprentice toolmaker about $20 an hour. An apprentice Gunsmith.... In a good well equipped shop that has a steady customer base $12 to $15

[yari]

Lassen is the ONLY gunsmith course in california. and from what I've heard no where near the best let alone a half assed school.

I'd say go to San diego city college and go to the machinist tool maker course.

or pack your bags and go to Colorado school of trade or Trinidad state college.
CST and TSC have the best Gunsmith course in the nation.

hey kcscott san diego doesnt have a tool maker program anymore. im in the machine technology program all we deal with is cnc and mastercam programming. edm and lathe instruction isnt part of it, even though they have the equipment. its sad. i would recommend the program to everyone and do! its just not as in depth as one would hope for.

[CSACANNONEER]

I would recommend NOT becoming a geography teacher since, Lassen is twice as far from you as central California is. That said, you will need to suppliment your gunsmithing income for many years to come. I suggest first getting a job pumping gas. It should pay double to triple what a gunsmith will make. Then, if you want a hobby, you can take up gunsmithing.

[yari]

CSA why ever respond with that kind of cr@p? If someone has a passion for something it's a good thing. I've seen many of your posts, although I've never met you, I gotta say try to stay positive man.

[PlumDrumnGun]

Chemistry, Engineering and CAD

[CSACANNONEER]

I am positive that a decent gunsmith can make a slightly above poverty income after establishing him/herself and getting enough clients to actually make money. After years of earning a good reputation, one might be able to make a bit less than a gardener. I'm just being realistic here. I don't want the OP to fool himself into thinking that he can just go to school and then find a decent paying job as a gunsmith. Chances are that he will need a real income for years while he makes a name for himself as a smith.

[yari]

Read your post again and tell me you were not at all condescending. I hear what you are saying but it is still " off topic" cheer up buddy!

[CSACANNONEER]

OK, I'm not trying to be condescending. I'm just trying to let the OP know the facts before he jumps in. I would love to be a gunsmith and spend my days working on guns but, I would hate trying to establish myself and spending most of my "working time" trying to find work instead of getting paid to tinker. Again, after a sizeable investment in education, time and tooling, one can start a bussiness and, with any luck can end up making enough to cover overhead until he/she get's established. Most gunsmiths are not full time smiths for a reason. It just doesn't pay the bills for most.

[gunboat]

Did you hear about the gunsmith who won the lottery?

When asked what he was going to do, he replied "just keep 'smith'n til the money runs out"

[yari]

That's a better way to say it. Good job. I agree with that 100% I would also say that most people with the skills that most gunsmiths abtain can easily make an earninig doing other things.

[sendithit]

Does anyone know how much it costs to go through the gunsmith school at Trinity and Lassen? After completing gunsmithing school, how applying for a job with companies in the firearms industry and build your "reputation" from there. Later, if/when youre truelycoming gifted with yourthe smithing abilities, you could branch off and start your own smith business. Best of luck to you!