Any advice for a young aspiring gunsmith?

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  • Markpixs

    Active Member
    Apr 23, 2011
    190
    NOVA

    Mike OTDP

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 12, 2008
    3,319
    Depending on his options he may be better off trying to get into Colorado School of trades or a similar School that has a solid reputation for training Gunsmiths.

    To be successful he has to try everything to be a real gunsmith, and it helps him find out what in particular the is passionate about doing. You will do this at a gunsmith school.

    He could find a master gunsmith to apprentice him, but not all gunsmiths are good teachers and it won't give you a piece of paper showing completion. Finding a master to teach is not an easy task because many gunsmiths hold their trade close to the chest because they don't want to train someone who will try to run them out of business.

    If he plans to run his own business in the field, some business classes will certainly be helpful. Many gunsmiths are not good businessmen and don't do as well because of it.

    This. All of it. Most "gunsmiths" these days are parts swappers and assemblers. Ask them to make a replacement for a broken firing pin or similar, and they can't do it. The few who can command high prices...and are backed up for months or even years.

    Pro tip: Find an older gunsmith to apprentice under.
     

    FrankOceanXray

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 29, 2008
    12,028
    Apprentice as a machinist?

    Someone I am familiar with collected machining tools from his career in the field and naturally developed into a gunsmith ...
     

    traveller

    The one with two L
    Nov 26, 2010
    18,269
    variable
    A friend went to Trinidad State College in CO, went to work for Beretta when she graduated. Found the online -https://trinidadstate.edu/pdf/academics/programs/cte/advising/gus_aas_certificate.pdf
    Maybe a manufacturer has a entry job program, here's Kimber's job listings - https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=14a7b6b3-0f21-469d-a477-b63744cd945c&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US

    This.

    He should try to get in with a manufacturer. The bigger and .mil heavy the better. He can always start to build his own shop on the side.

    The other option is to do the class and then get into either national guard or fire service while apprenticing and furthering his gunsmithing around that.

    It's one thing to gunsmith when you are 50 while drawing a military or public safety retirement, it's something entirely different if you have to work three months to pay your health insurance bill before you can even start to pay your mortgage or put away money for retirement.
     

    clandestine

    AR-15 Savant
    Oct 13, 2008
    37,031
    Elkton, MD
    This. All of it. Most "gunsmiths" these days are parts swappers and assemblers. Ask them to make a replacement for a broken firing pin or similar, and they can't do it. The few who can command high prices...and are backed up for months or even years.

    Pro tip: Find an older gunsmith to apprentice under.

    I can't disagree.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    Another traditional route is to join LE , get assigned to the Armory , and get sent to the various factory LE only Armorers classes .

    There are distinctions between Parts Changers , Armorers , and Master Gunsmiths . There is also a shortage of * competent * Parts Changers and Armorer level people .

    For the uninitiated :

    Parts Changers - ( Should be able to ) totally detail strip , and replace any interchangeable parts , and properly reassemble .

    Armorer - Above , Plus properly fit all parts required fitting , plus diagnosis , tuning and smoothing anything requiring tuning and smoothing , plus some simple modifications . ( Arbitrary number from my observations ) 80% of people looking for " good gunsmith " , have issues that can be handled by competent Armorer .)

    ( True)Gunsmith - Above , Plus Make parts from scratch , make guns from scratch .
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    Trinidad State offers one of the premier GS schools in the country. Located in Tronidad Colorado next to Brownells.
    A local guy is attending a school in Pittsburg which seems quite credible. He is building a solid knowledge/skill base.
     

    Doco Overboard

    Ultimate Member
    My oldest son is a machinist. He's not even 30 years old. Everything he own is paid off including his house, truck land(s) etc. He really and truly doesn't give a dam about anything. Every-time I talk to him about getting involved in gun work he tells me the same thing.
    He became interested in a 9th grade Vo-tech class.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    Doco thinks he's joking . but .......

    It's only slightly joking with the old joke -

    Q: What's the best way tp because a gunsmith ( or custom knifemaker) ?

    A: Become a sucuessful watchmaker , tool & die maker, master machinist , etc .

    Then wake up one morning wake up , decide you hate your life , and you would be much happier to work twice as long , for 1/3 to 1/2 the income , as a gunsmith ( or custom knifemaker) .

    But seriously , most of the Greatest Generation Gunsmiths , started out as young people in WWII era as machinist either directly in .Mil or in Defense Industry , then later decided they would rather work on guns .
     

    Bob A

    όυ φροντισ
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Nov 11, 2009
    30,691
    There's a lot to be said for watchmaking.

    High-end watches are popular with the wealthy, and despite what the naysayers believe, there will always be wealthy people, looking to find places to park their wealth. Repair and maintenance of this sort of thing will always be necessary. Nobody needs precision mechanical watches, or other such devices, but that's not the point; these sort of items carry the cachet of exclusiveness, expense and high quality.

    Nobody needs a $50,000 (or more) Purdey shotgun, when you can get something just as functional for $500. But there are markets for both. Decide what level of skill you want to attain, and what level of compensation you require, and act accordingly.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    Well ...... Probably not as functional and durable for a $500 Double . But you could for $12-1500 , and functional for occasional use for $500 .

    But the big picture , is that that skill set to be a Master Gunsmith could earn you significantly more in multiple other careers .
     

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