gunsmith training

[John Traveler]

C130E?

Is that a reference to the Hercules cargo plane??

I've found that making the transition from hobby gunsmithing to professional is easiest by reading every article you can find and ccollecting every gunsmithing book you can locate.  Acquiring the handtools is relatively easy and economical.  Many of your metal-working tools and precision measuring instruments will work just fine.

If your woodworking skills need developing, try the evening vocational classes offered at many adult high schools.

As for machine shop training, try checking out the local community colleges for basic machine shop and drafting courses.  That's how I started out.  First the interest, the aptitude, and some formal training.

As far as formal gunsmithing schools, Colorado School of Trades in Trinidad is probably closest to you in the midwest.

Try a Web search for "gunsmithing schools".

HTH
John

[Dave in WV]

C130E, I'm a retired  C130E & H crew chief and flt. engineer. Good luck on your training. My gunsmith went to the Trinidad school and is really good.

[cjcocn]

C13OE

Well, the AGI one looks more comprehensive, but generally I found them to be so superficial that they are of limited benefit.

I enrolled in a crappy one and only finished it because I started it.  If there is a beach of gunsmithing knowledge then I only have one grain of it so far, and got that knowledge from the books that I collect and read, from the forums that I haunt (there is a ton of knowledge out there!), and from getting my hands on every firearm that I can and cleaning/fixing/etc.  to help increase my knowledge and experience.

As for machining, look for the Machinery Handbook, although Dunlop does discuss a bit of it in his book "Gunsmithing."

[Chargar]

Were I you..which I am not...I would select a good technical school and enroll in the machinst program.  I would go as far as I could go and would like to get a certificate. Now you have a skill in demand.  I would then select an area of gunsmithing that relies heavyly on metal working skills. It far easier to become top notch in one area that trying to be a jack of all trades and try and fix anything that comes in the door.  We live in an area of specialization. Be a pistolsmith, riflesmith, or whatever. You will need to live in an area that has a populaton of shooters that will give you the level of business you require.

Where I live we have a retired Navy CPO who profiles and barrels bolt action rifles. That is all he does..he won't drill and tap, bend a bolt or anything else. He is first rate at what he does and his work will stand up to the best and his charge is low compared to others. He has more work that he wants.  He doesn't consider himself a "gunsmith", he is a crackerjack machinest who profiles, chambers and barrels bolt action rifles.  In his shop he has a top quality lathe, a jet bench drill press, a bench grinder and that is about it. Plus of course a good selection of chamber reamers.