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Hi all, just curious if any of you or someone you know has taken an online gunsmith class? I have been tinkering in my garage for many years, but have decided to switch career paths. More than anything, I want to have a gun store. And in having said store, would like to do minor smith work. Also would like to have the knowledge to be able to properly work on my own stuff. Obviously I wont gain the knowledge or experience as GOING to a school, but I just cant seem too figure a way to juggle my current buisness, family and school, so online seems to be the only option. Any opinions and or info would be greatly appreciated,
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Gunsmithing seems to be the type of work you wanna get hands on a lot more with. -
If you are not going hardcore like building guns and invest on a CNC Milling machine to fabricate parts then just take the Armorer's class.Comment
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Gunsmith school
Before I went to a gunsmithing school I took the American Gunsmithing schools master gunsmithing course, It was very good and got me my first apprenticeship and gunsmith job. If you look on ebay every once in a while you can find the hole course on dvd or vhs for cheap considering the course is about ten grand now. Good luck, God bless . Seek him, I did and I have recieved more blessings than I can count.Comment
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The best "distance learning" gunsmithing courses you can take atm are the ones offered by The American Gunsmithing Institute. They excel compared to the others because everything in on video and explained at length, plus there is books and a few hands on projects to complete and mail back for the machining course. The "masters" level course has a total of over 180 hours of videos, which at 8 hours per day 5 days per week would take about 5 weeks to go through the first time ....... but highly recommended to go through at least 3 times to really get all the facts and fiqures down (unless you have a perfect photographic memory).
It is by no means a replacement to going to a real gunsmithing college, but it does give a great understanding of the design and function of firearms. The course also has alot on information on the different ways firearms are assembled, so if you ever run into one that you can not find a manual for you should be able to fiqure out if there is any special way it was put together.
BUT
You really do need to get your hands dirty so go buy cheap old broken guns for practice, and a hands on machining/welding course would help alot as well.
Hope this helped
Last edited by Gunsmith Dan; 10-27-2012, 8:09 PM.Comment
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You absolutely do not need a CNC to be a gunsmith. A set of good stones used carefully is most likely where your at, trigger jobs etc. Stones, a nice lathe, manual mill, is the order for tooling.Comment
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Hey the head gunsmith from Elite Firearms Unlimited in Orange/Laguna has a Online Penn Foster Gunsmith degree and supposedly made 3k in a month doing gunsmithing...
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That just goes to show theres a sucker born every minute.
What usually happens is someone gets a shop going promotes the hell out of being a gunsmith and then develops a reputation.... Good or bad the get a rep. It's that reputation that will either keep you from making money or allow you to prosper.
A couple of things
1. Don't advertise skills you don't have.
2. Don't take on work you can't afford to replace if you screw it up
3. Stand behind everything you do and back it up. Replace stuff you foul up free of charge.
4. keep the customer in the loop on everything, Lead times, part issues, ETC. It will keep you in good standing with customers.
Now the Biggest tip I can give you is GO TO BUSINESS SCHOOL!!!
There are far to many good gunsmiths out there that can't run a business. Either that or hire someone to do it for you.
The Other thing is what career path are you on right now? How mechanically inclined are you?? Do you now how to operate any machine tools?? Are you good with your hands or your brain? Can you do bench work?
What type of gunsmithing would you like to get into?? As there are about a hundred different paths to take From snapping together an AR to building a $20,000 custom bolt rifle and everything in between.Comment
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in reply to kcstott, I've been self employed for 13 years. With virtually no advertising, All word of mouth and referral. And I own a plumbing co. Most of you know what a bad rep most plumbing companies have.... I would never tell someone I can do something that I couldnt. I am quite mechanical. Matter of fact, been tinkering in my garage on my own firearms for nearly 20 years. But I am also aware, there is a whole bunch of info out there, and feel even an online school would help somewhat. I dont think I would overly promote the gunsmith part, but I really want to own my own gunshop. Firearms is where my passion is..
I really appreciate all the responses from you guys. Really glad I joined this forum.Comment
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Taking the online courses is a good start but it definitely will not give you the skills to professionally gunsmith. It will open your mind about the field though and give you a idea about the knowledge needed for this trade. I suggest the AGI videos that Gunsmith Dan mentioned earlier. They are highly informational and give you a more hands on viewing of whats going on. Reading and finding answers to a gunsmith question is easy and that is how these online courses work. I know first hand. I have a cert from Pheonix state university but it is just a paper they send you. It does not make you a gunsmith. I am currently in the 2 year vocational gunsmithing program at Lassen Community College and its a world of difference than the online course. I will be getting an AAS degree and 6 certifications of accomplishment in gunsmithing. Its all hands on and its the REAL DEAL. I realized that the online school was kind of a joke but a good start. If I had not taken the online course I would have never had my mind opened to what real gunsmithing is. Another note is that ATF recognizes some online certs and makes licensing a bit easier.
Anyways I share your passion and I hope you can find a way to make money doing what you love!
Just my 2 cents from experience
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Good information ....
There is a lot of great information posted above from good Calguns contributors.
The "gunsmith" profession is very difficult to break into with the simple fact that there are sooooooooo many different firearms out there...
I would suggest to pick an style of firearm to specialize in and expand as knowledge presents itself.
Are you a member of a club that does mostly pistol, rifle or shotgun?
Or maybe the type of firearms you already have and successfully modified or repaired? These could be a focus for a start.
Also if you had someone to talk with or kick around things that you may not have a specific experience with could be very helpful.
Machine tool experience along with welding is a must also. Metallurgy is a plus too.
Most of us here enjoy working on our own guns but few can justify the expense and liability to move into "Gunsmithing".
Wish you well......AR 15 tools.....
www.edsmetalshop.com
Tools@RobertsUSA.com
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...07#post8521107Comment
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YES! Since it is a degree program I need all the gen ed units as well and I went through the processes of the BOG waiver and the FAFSA . The BOG is paying for my units and the FAFSA is helping out as well. There is also financial aid available. It is alot of money in firearms and tools though. I did the summer gunsmithing school courses at Lassen College as well and they are cheap and each class consists of 1 to 2 weeks depending on the class. It was very hands on and informational and they issue you NRA certifications that are well earned not just given.Comment
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Thanks so much calgunners! That was alot more info than I imagined I would recieve. Thank you Thank you!!Comment
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