gunsmithing schools - The Firearms Forum

mlvonha · 04-17-2006, 06:20 PM

Hello everyone,
I am trying to find information on any schools which teach gunsmithing skills. My father is a huge hobbiest in this area and is trying to find more information on programs where he could be taught more skills in this area. I am trying to assist him by doing searches on the Internet for more information. So far I've only found information on four schools, in CA, OK, CO and PA (i think) which were listed on NRA's website. I've also found a few schools that offer distance learning opportunities - american gunsmithing , penn state, etc.
Does anyone know anything (pros/cons) on these schools or even know of any other schools which teach this.
Any thoughts on how someone turns a hobby into job?

Thanks - I appreciate any and all comments you have.

mtnboomer · 04-17-2006, 09:19 PM

If you're really serious, use a brick-and-mortar school opposed to on-line or correspondence. Better classes and more hands-on learning.

Bruce FLinch · 04-17-2006, 09:21 PM

For a job, it is nice to do something you like. I would talk to some gunsmith's & see what they think. Don't know too many 'smiths, who think they are making more than enough $$. You do get some great bargains along the way. Most of the local ones here hold an FFL. Good luck.

Silencer · 04-17-2006, 11:12 PM

Below is the only link for home gunsmithing I know of, and they'll have information for you.

http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi

LDBennett · 04-18-2006, 07:05 AM

mlvonha:

While residence type gunsmithing schools (brick and mortor) certainly are the best, as they allow hands on experience no correspondence school can match, not many working people can afford to be away from home for the two years that most such schools require.

An alternative is a good correspondence school with a real course of study that concentrates on theory of operation with examples done on camera. Believe me there is a lot more to gunsmithing than adjusting adjustable triggers, bedding rifles, finishing stocks, and other mundane gun related tasks. Gunsmiths get guns in that have real problems that take problem solving techniques to fix. Without knowing the theory of operation a student of gunsmithing would be lost. The correspondence schools I see advertising in "Popular Mechanics" seem to only offer the easy gunsmithing tasks leaving the student without the proper mental tools.

On the other hand American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) offers what I would think to be a better alternative. Their course of study is over 100 hours of video, with along the way testing and with a certificate of completion at he end. I would think anyone having completed such a course of study would make a fine apprentice to a real gunsmith and could learn the hands on stuff over time. Or after completing the course the student could start taking on his friends errant guns and build his experience over time while holding down his regular job. As the course is offered on DVD's the student could refer back to the specific guns sections of the course as needed. Add to that the AGI detailed "How To" videos on the most popular guns and you may have gunsmithing covered. The AGI course is taught by the former head (now retired) of a resident school of gunsmithing in Northern California who had his own gunsmithing shop on the side. His teaching technique is excellent and is augmented by his many years of experience at gunsmithing. I think AGI is worth looking into in detail for your father. The few AGI video courses I have are absolutely excellent!

LDBennett

sck · 04-18-2006, 09:37 PM

I seem to remember something about a cooperative program between the NRA and some trade or technical school where they taught gunsmithing classes during the summer. I think there were about three of four of these locations around the country where you went and stayed for 4-8 weeks during the summer and learned about one specific aspect of gunsmithing. I'll look around and see what I can find, but if you haven't found it on the NRA's website, it may not exist anymore. There is also a school in North Carolina that teaches gunsmithing. It's not far from the place where Remington moved after they left New York. In fact, I understand that Remington has a couple of the instructors of this school work on some things for them now and then. Best of luck and happy smithing -- Steve

mlvonha · 04-21-2006, 03:48 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate it.

Xracer · 04-22-2006, 06:57 AM

And here's another one for you....Pine Techincal College, in Pine City, MN offers an AA degree in gunsmithing.

http://134.29.165.192/programsofstudy/posgunsmith.htm

04-17-2006, 06:20 PM	#1
mlvonha Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2	gunsmithing schools Hello everyone, I am trying to find information on any schools which teach gunsmithing skills. My father is a huge hobbiest in this area and is trying to find more information on programs where he could be taught more skills in this area. I am trying to assist him by doing searches on the Internet for more information. So far I've only found information on four schools, in CA, OK, CO and PA (i think) which were listed on NRA's website. I've also found a few schools that offer distance learning opportunities - american gunsmithing , penn state, etc. Does anyone know anything (pros/cons) on these schools or even know of any other schools which teach this. Any thoughts on how someone turns a hobby into job? Thanks - I appreciate any and all comments you have. -->

04-17-2006, 09:19 PM	#2
mtnboomer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Oklahoma by birth. America by the grace of God. Posts: 649	Re: gunsmithing schools If you're really serious, use a brick-and-mortar school opposed to on-line or correspondence. Better classes and more hands-on learning. __________________ The cost of freedom, is eternal vigilance. The cost of bondage, is your life. - mtnboomer Support the Second Amendment - Join the NRA! > http://www.nra.org < Oklahoma State - #1 - GO POKES!

04-17-2006, 09:21 PM	#3
Bruce FLinch Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Point, Kali..aka Gun Point Posts: 5,016	Re: gunsmithing schools For a job, it is nice to do something you like. I would talk to some gunsmith's & see what they think. Don't know too many 'smiths, who think they are making more than enough $$. You do get some great bargains along the way. Most of the local ones here hold an FFL. Good luck. __________________ A bad day @ the Range, is better than a good day @ work.

04-17-2006, 11:12 PM	#4
Silencer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Southern California: Inland Empire Posts: 1,296	Re: gunsmithing schools Below is the only link for home gunsmithing I know of, and they'll have information for you. http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi __________________ War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. Skeet Shooting Game! Don't Shoot Your Eye Out!

04-18-2006, 07:05 AM	#5
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,714	Re: gunsmithing schools mlvonha: While residence type gunsmithing schools (brick and mortor) certainly are the best, as they allow hands on experience no correspondence school can match, not many working people can afford to be away from home for the two years that most such schools require. An alternative is a good correspondence school with a real course of study that concentrates on theory of operation with examples done on camera. Believe me there is a lot more to gunsmithing than adjusting adjustable triggers, bedding rifles, finishing stocks, and other mundane gun related tasks. Gunsmiths get guns in that have real problems that take problem solving techniques to fix. Without knowing the theory of operation a student of gunsmithing would be lost. The correspondence schools I see advertising in "Popular Mechanics" seem to only offer the easy gunsmithing tasks leaving the student without the proper mental tools. On the other hand American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) offers what I would think to be a better alternative. Their course of study is over 100 hours of video, with along the way testing and with a certificate of completion at he end. I would think anyone having completed such a course of study would make a fine apprentice to a real gunsmith and could learn the hands on stuff over time. Or after completing the course the student could start taking on his friends errant guns and build his experience over time while holding down his regular job. As the course is offered on DVD's the student could refer back to the specific guns sections of the course as needed. Add to that the AGI detailed "How To" videos on the most popular guns and you may have gunsmithing covered. The AGI course is taught by the former head (now retired) of a resident school of gunsmithing in Northern California who had his own gunsmithing shop on the side. His teaching technique is excellent and is augmented by his many years of experience at gunsmithing. I think AGI is worth looking into in detail for your father. The few AGI video courses I have are absolutely excellent! LDBennett

04-18-2006, 09:37 PM	#6
sck V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 117	Re: gunsmithing schools I seem to remember something about a cooperative program between the NRA and some trade or technical school where they taught gunsmithing classes during the summer. I think there were about three of four of these locations around the country where you went and stayed for 4-8 weeks during the summer and learned about one specific aspect of gunsmithing. I'll look around and see what I can find, but if you haven't found it on the NRA's website, it may not exist anymore. There is also a school in North Carolina that teaches gunsmithing. It's not far from the place where Remington moved after they left New York. In fact, I understand that Remington has a couple of the instructors of this school work on some things for them now and then. Best of luck and happy smithing -- Steve

04-21-2006, 03:48 PM	#7
mlvonha Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2	Re: gunsmithing schools Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate it.

04-22-2006, 06:57 AM	#8
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: gunsmithing schools And here's another one for you....Pine Techincal College, in Pine City, MN offers an AA degree in gunsmithing. http://134.29.165.192/programsofstudy/posgunsmith.htm