Hey guys, So I am looking at getting started as a gunsmith, More then just building ARs and putting kits together. Looking for advise on classes or what is the best route. Do need the training to be flexible, but also like having a structure to it. Thanks for the advice.
Getting started Gunsmithing
- Thread starter scottr
- Start date
- Replies 25
- Views 1,430
I'd contact Montgomery Community College (a sponsor here) and see what their advice may be on getting started....
Montgomery Community College has a great program. They used to offer night classes, but I'm not sure of their scheduling now. It's been many years since I graduated from the program.
Keep an eye out for their gun specific short courses. They are usually 1 week or a few days long.
This is good advice. I was a tool and die maker before I took all the gunsmithing classes. That specific skillset makes the gunsmithing world much easier.
doose
Happy to be here
Montgomery is a great school and I have hired many of their graduates. Only a couple I know of that have gone on to actually running their own shop. Have 5 graduates of their gunsmithing program working for me now, in a call center. There is not a lot of money in the gun business unless you carve out a really specific niche (think Turnbull). Many of the Big Box rifles, 770, Ruger American, are to me the bic lighters of the rifle world. Actually cost more to repair than to buy a new one. Great skill to have, but I would not bank on it.
Check out AGI. They have online courses and DVDs. There's also tons of books out there. This is the route I'll be going for 1911 pistol smithing while saving up to attend a Chambers or Rogers build class.
https://www.americangunsmith.com/app/categories/view/13/New-Courses
https://www.americangunsmith.com/app/categories/view/13/New-Courses
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Have a few friends that took that and they spent a lot of money and didn't get the education..
community college, mechanical engineering classes and some research/good books is great starting point.
41magnum
Well-Known Member
yep, '83 grad here
41magnum
Well-Known Member
and for folks who don't like to hunt
41magnum
Well-Known Member
My instructors left Montgomery and started the gunsmith school in Roxboro.
I'm at Piedmont Community College (Roxboro) taking night classes while funding my family with a day job at IBM. It's going well. Practical instructors, lot of machine work for the first two semesters.
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There are a lot of options for receiving some training that would be beneficial to you. My first piece of advice is that if you are interested in attending classes somewhere, schedule a visit at every school that you are considering. This goes for both machining or gunsmithing courses (I heartily recommend both). Look at the facilities and focus of the school. Every school is going to have a slightly different approach and ideas about what is important. Talk to instructors and students to get an idea of what the school is all about. BTW, 41 Mag.... you are invited for a visit to MCC too. The differences in the facility at MCC are pretty amazing since I was a student in 96/97. We expanded again last year, and now have 2 complete machine shops that are about 2000 SF each!
If you have a job and obligations that can't be put on hold while you attend a Gunsmithing school for 2 years, look into schools that have night courses, weekend classes, or gun-specific short-term classes available. I generally do not recommend online or video courses. While some of these options do deliver good information, it is tough to replace having an experienced person looking over your shoulder. These courses are generally end up being just as expensive as a seated program.
Short-term (usually 1 week) courses are a fantastic option for someone who wants to gain knowledge, but can't put life on hold. They represent a tremendous value financially too. This would also allow you to dip your toe in the water to determine if this is the path that you want to take.
I always recommend to students on a wait list for our program try to get some machining training under their belt. This gives them a huge advantage over students who do not have this experience when starting our program.
Mark Dye
If you have a job and obligations that can't be put on hold while you attend a Gunsmithing school for 2 years, look into schools that have night courses, weekend classes, or gun-specific short-term classes available. I generally do not recommend online or video courses. While some of these options do deliver good information, it is tough to replace having an experienced person looking over your shoulder. These courses are generally end up being just as expensive as a seated program.
Short-term (usually 1 week) courses are a fantastic option for someone who wants to gain knowledge, but can't put life on hold. They represent a tremendous value financially too. This would also allow you to dip your toe in the water to determine if this is the path that you want to take.
I always recommend to students on a wait list for our program try to get some machining training under their belt. This gives them a huge advantage over students who do not have this experience when starting our program.
Mark Dye
+1 for Mr. Dye's comments.
When I was researching the options that would fit my life, I did visit PCC. I would have liked to have visited MCC, and Lenoir as well. The distance, and availability of night classes led me to enroll at PCC, as well as the lack of a wait list. Knowing that distance and class times were my top criteria, short of a quality program, I made the decision without the additional visits. No regrets.
I do not know the curriculum details of MCC, or Lenior, but I do like how the first semester of PCC is centered around the making of tools for later use, using saws and files (aka by hand). After that your graduate on to making more tools using the machine tools. Having done a lot of filing over the last several years when refinishing double barrels, I appreciate the approach of using hand tools first. I expect that all of the programs are comparable.
I'm on to the mill and lathe tasks now, where I get to use the bits, center gauge, templates, and fixture that I made early on. The time spent working as a hobbyist, and observing the use of machinery by established gunsmiths help accelerate my progress through the coursework thus far.
PCC shop pictures: https://drive.google.com/open?id=10cYT9R1ddkrssm1HooroEDOF3sAyjG2X
When I was researching the options that would fit my life, I did visit PCC. I would have liked to have visited MCC, and Lenoir as well. The distance, and availability of night classes led me to enroll at PCC, as well as the lack of a wait list. Knowing that distance and class times were my top criteria, short of a quality program, I made the decision without the additional visits. No regrets.
I do not know the curriculum details of MCC, or Lenior, but I do like how the first semester of PCC is centered around the making of tools for later use, using saws and files (aka by hand). After that your graduate on to making more tools using the machine tools. Having done a lot of filing over the last several years when refinishing double barrels, I appreciate the approach of using hand tools first. I expect that all of the programs are comparable.
I'm on to the mill and lathe tasks now, where I get to use the bits, center gauge, templates, and fixture that I made early on. The time spent working as a hobbyist, and observing the use of machinery by established gunsmiths help accelerate my progress through the coursework thus far.
PCC shop pictures: https://drive.google.com/open?id=10cYT9R1ddkrssm1HooroEDOF3sAyjG2X
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