Gunsmithing course

[billynwtf]

 Can anyone give me some advice on a at home gunsmithing course. Been looking at some on line but would like to hear some imput from someone else.

[iiranger]

A gunsmith is basically a "metal smith" and a "wood smith" with an FFL (Federal Firearms License) or he/she is a crook...

You can teach youself with books from Brownells for your own amusement or you can find training in machine tool and wood working at most community colleges days? part time? Evenings? No, I doubt the community college will let you bring guns on campus, but they also have a "placement service" to help you find work. If this is for your own enlightenment, I would go the books route. A certificate from "Mail specialties" is worth??? If you are serious about full time, get the college paper and internships and Your taxes at work... luck.

[gunnut69]

iiranger is right metal smithing and wood smithing are important parts of a gunsmith's knowledge but there is more.. Some info is particular to the trade.. Still his advice is reminiscent of how many learned the skills. No formal training other than metal smithing and wood working just reading and networking with others. I was lucky in that respect as a good friend was a gunsmith. Perhaps that's why we became friends.. I don't know.. He's not here any more and is missed..  A lot depends on how serious you are. Formal training will go a long ways but reading will always be necessary. Things change and you must keep abreast of the changes.. The best placement opportunities for a gunsmith is the job fair being held at Brownells.. They are trying to get gunsmiths and jobs together.. You might check with them on the web to learn more.. It's a really great program for those starting out in the trade..

[PartsMan]

I have thought about the courses and books myself.
Mostly for myself and family though I doubt I would do any commercial business.
We are gunsmith poor around here.
One in town that works on $10,000 collector grade guns, and one an hour away that's two years behind.

[gunnut69]

Gunsmith is a much used(and some what abused) term referring to anyone who works on guns... that includes the back yard butcher who swaps parts..to Turnbull Restorations... You should remember that an individual can still ship a gun to a gunsmith and receive that gun back when it's repair/customizing is complete without involving an FFL licensee. The gunsmith or shop that does the work has to be licensed of course but you don't have to worry about it on your end.. You might also note that gunsmithing and guns themselves are still under attack. The current crop of potential presidents certainly doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.. Remember to vote your sport..and rights..

[koginam]

I have found that many of the community collages we have contacted for the gunsmith apprenticeship program are more then willing to let you bring in gun parts to work on, most don't want the complete gun brought in but you can bring in the barreled action to work on.  Most have been more then willing to add some of the gunsmiths programs requirements to their programs.

[STUMPJMPR]

When i was in machine shop in college I could bring it in disassembled.  Most instructors will let you work on stuff like that in their shops.  Just get to be his buddy and ask permission first.  It was a common thing for us to drill and tap for scopes in class by the way.