Gunsmithing School

[MixedMotives]

has anyone here attended Trinidad State Junior College
how was it ?
was it worth it?
was it easy to find employment with a cert from there
was the training adequate

[kcstott]

I have not attended but know a few guys that have and all they could say was it was the best thing they ever did.

Trinidad is the Gunsmith school by which all others are measured.

[CIV Tactical]

DO IT... I have a cert from Pheonix state university and I am taking the NRA summer courses up at Lassen Community College this year. The cert and or degree will make your life a lot easier when it comes to getting your ffl and starting your own business or looking for work. You will learn things that you would have never imagined and you will learn the REAL techniques used in the indusrty, I highly recommend going.

[CIV Tactical]

By the way Lassen Community College in Susanville CA has the same schooling as Trinidad so if your in Cali it might be a better option if you want to stay here.

[kcstott]

Take this with a grain of salt. Lassen has been reported by many as not so good anymore.
I don't have first hand knowledge of this so as with any school prospects Go there and look at the program, meet the instructors, and talk with the students. It's the only way you will know for sure which school is right for you.

Now FWIW I usually recommend that guys avoid the Gunsmith trade school. That was because the trade had more smiths then jobs. Not really the case anymore. So I'll throw it out there again if you want to make a good living Become a toolmaker you'll learn more about machine tools and how to use them then any gunsmith course can teach you. Now you will not learn a damn thing about guns doing that nor will you get to work on them. But you will have a better education and a wider variety of career choices available to you. including going to work in a shop as a smith. And you can get paid going through your apprenticeship.

That said in either field you will not start to garner any respect as a Smith or tool maker until you hit the fifteen year mark. That is the point where shop owners and Toolroom manager consider you to be not green anymore. But you are still in the training and learning phase. Don't expect to be able to garner a good deal of respect in your field until you hit the twenty year mark. That is when you will have enough experience to handle anything that comes through the door Tool room or gun shop.

Either way right now both are good career choices and pay is about the same at the entry level.

[CIV Tactical]

That sucks if Lassen's rep is not as good. I will let you guys know how it was and unfortunatly its my only realistic option. I figure any knowledge I can gain and connections I can make are a positive move.

[kcstott]

Like I said I don't have it first hand and may be just internet BS. I hope so and hope they are as good as they always have been.

[CIV Tactical]

I called and spoke with the director of the NRA program and it seemed very professional. They said there is a waiting list for the 2 year program with about 60 people on it. The program seems very legit and it is one of the three NRA school programs. Trinidad is one as well. I cant wait to take the L.E.A.S Design function and repair of full auto firearms course and the counter sniper rifle course. I will get to shoot full autos. Thats only 2 of the 5 im taking this year. Anyways like I said I will keep you guys posted and let you know how it is from first hand experience.

[Gunsmith Dan]

I have to say as a student from way back at Lassen it was one of the top schools (pre 1998)...... but yes I have heard that since some of the most experienced instructors have either retired or moved on to private jobs the amount of experience has gone down. Lassen still is a great school but the instructors with personal experience with the old guns is lacking.

Triadad is a top rated school ..... but to be honest there is only 6 dedicated gunsmithing schools in the ENTIRE U.S..

If you live close to Colorado or moving there then of course it would be the best pick.

but there is others so I would research it.

On top of all that if you got the cash I would highly recommend doing the AGI video courses .... they really give you a good basic foundation and reference and will give you a edge when attending the schools. I am not saying you need them ... just if you want to be the top in your class and have no experience working on firearms the videos will help give you a leg up on the competition.

[MixedMotives]

I dont live in Colorado the reason i was look at Trinidad State is that you can stay in dorm for 100 week so i wouldn't have to find apartment while there
and from i've been told Lassen is alot longer then Trinidad

[kcstott]

You need to look at the expenses involved with Lassen too. It's out in the middle of nowhere and not much around so driving is going to get expensive. and finding a place to stay may be an issue as well. Though others have done it.

[Gunsmith Dan]

yes it is but Reno is ony 80 miles away plus unless there is a recent change they used to have dorms at Lassen as well. Susanville, where Lassen is, is not that small of a city since it is where most of the employees from the big state prison live.

Yavapai in AZ is also a really good school, cost of living in AZ is low and AZ is very gun friendly as well, extremely gun friendly actually

[CIV Tactical]

Lassen does have dorms that you can stay in. Lassen has a 2 year program which involves getting an AA degree. You have to take all the prerequisites and classes that involve a 2 year degree like english, math etc... They also have a summer program which does not involve a degree but the classes are just as recognized. I am looking at places to rent in susanville for the summer and you can find apartments for like 500 a month. Like Dan said as well reno is only like 80 miles away and they are extremely gun friendly as well. I have a friend there with an NFA trust and we go blast his full auto HKG3 and 10mm MP5 sometimes. Lassen is beautiful country as well. Heres a list of there summer program courses just to give you an idea of what they offer.

general gunsmithing
basic machine shop for gunsmiths
basic hard metal engraving
GTAW welding for gunsmiths
cowboy action short guns
basic rifle barreling
cowboy long guns
cowboy leather belts and holster
muzzle loader kit guns
DFR spring piston guns
basic law enforcement armorers school
DFR classic match airguns-rifle
intro to knife making
LEAS design function & repair of single action autos
caustic bluing
advanced hard metal engraving
LEAS design function & repair of double action autos
color case hardening
LEAS design function and repair of counter-sniper rifles
assembly and tuning of gas op rifles
LEAS design function and repair of long guns
advanced knife making
DFR S&W revolver
LEAS full auto firearms
stock checkering
M1-M1a for competition

There 2 year course has alot more than that too.

[kingk00]

has anyone gone to or have any info about Yavapai in AZ. ive heard good things. just would like to know if anyone else has heard anything good or bad.