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Gunsmith Training?

DireknyteDireknyte Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
edited May 2006 in General Discussion
Hello all, I am seriously looking into gunsmithing for a new career, and I would like opinions and advice on how and where to get the best training/schooling?

Ideally, I would like to start my own business or go into partnership with some like-minded folks. Gunsmithing work, couple of different range types, training, along with some sales.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.[8D]
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Comments

  • tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ......Someone on here is taking 'smith classes. I just can't recall who it is. Somebody will know.
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  • MadmanMadman Member Posts: 601 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Colorado school of trades probably the best, wish I had done some time there. Do a "hands on" school not a correspondence course. Don't go partnership unless it is your girlfriend like I did...

    It is a dieing profession and becoming very specialized. I do more work nationwide than local. A very satisfying job if you like history, wood and metal working all rolled into one...

    Paul
    Mountain Magic Gunsmithing
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  • Bill CostikBill Costik Member Posts: 1,845 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have no experiance with the CSOT, so I cannot speak for them. I attend the PA Gunsmithing School, in Avalon, PA, right outside of Pittsburgh. Its a pretty good school, and of course there are not that many smithing schools in the country. Another one to look at is Trinidad.

    First semester here is refinishing, followed by stockmaking/woodwork/stock repair. Third is machine work and and fourth is custom work ( custom rifles, etc.) Each semester is 4 months long, for a total of 16 months. Two weeks off in summer, two at Christmas, and I think a week or so at Easter and Thanksgiving.

    Direknyte, feel free to email me if you like. Later on after school Ill have more to time chat with you.
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  • Bill CostikBill Costik Member Posts: 1,845 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Double-tap[:I]
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  • abcguns2abcguns2 Member Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    O.K. , Ive been a 'smith' for over 26 years now , heres how I done it and how my present apprentice is working this : started Tinkering , took a corespondance courses (2 different), went to work as an apprentice for a smith for a couple of years , went to work @ winchester as a 'gun tech' (gunsmith) , took all training @ winchester available , started in Law Enforcement , took several 'armory' schools , have a 'shop' , still learning and taking video courses ....Its not the only way , but it worked so far for me !
    Good Luck !!!
    d.a.stearns
    Gunsmith / LEO
    Niota , Tn

    p.s. contact us if needed , we will try and help out and answer questions ........
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  • abcguns2abcguns2 Member Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    O.k. , I forgot a step I took , went to college for two (2) years for tool&die machinist ....very helpfull ...
    Thanks !!!
    d.a.stearns
    Gunsmith / LEO
    Niota , Tn
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  • glynglyn Member Posts: 5,698 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Susanville northern California is very good.Very hands on.I took courses there about 6 years ago when I decided to gunsmith full time.Also took machining classes (lathe and mill) many years ago that helped.It was my hobby for many years.The madman is right it is becoming very specialized.I specialize in antique.Works for me.
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  • DireknyteDireknyte Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks folks! Keep the info coming!

    I have sent off for information from both Colorado and PA schools. I have also been told of one in Arizona? Yavapai, if anyone knows anything about them? I was really uncertain as to how much good a correspondance course would do in a career like this, especially as I am very much a "hands on" kind of guy

    The reason I have decided I want to do this is that I have noticed myself that it is a seriously dying profession (I doubt there is a good smith within 50 miles of me atm, so apprenticing may be difficult) I also like history, wood and metal working. I have been a maintenance technician/mechanic for a lil over 5 years, but think I would find the challenges of working with, repairing, and modifying firearms to be more rewarding.

    Bill, madman, if you want to email me with more info, I would love to hear more about your approaches and experiences.

    Lee
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  • mrseatlemrseatle Member Posts: 15,467 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Anyone know a Gunsmith school that accepts GI BILL? or Montgomery CF?
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Forget correspondence schools, get hands on training at a decent school.
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  • DireknyteDireknyte Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    mrseatle:

    According to the literature I got from the PA school, they are accepting VA vetrans educational benefits.
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