Gunsmithing

[Bonc_CHL]

Anyone know where you can learn gunsmithing? When I google it I get that AGI website, is that a good way or does anyone know where you can take classes?

[ghostrider]

There are few schools around the country, but I don't know of any in Texas.

http://www.schoolsintheusa.com/quickfac ... nstid=4064" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.schooloftrades.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.technician-schools.com/Gunsm ... ectory.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cylinder & Slide does offer a few pistolsmithing classes:
http://www.cylinder-slide.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[srothstein]

I would think you could probably get a good start on it by taking any machining courses available at your local community college or equivalent. Most gunsmithing is just a specialized application of the techniques in machining anyway.

Then the correspondence courses that are available might be a help in applying the machining techniques to gunsmithing. That combined with a little real practice would make you a gunsmith in a few years.

[Bonc_CHL]

Well I am a machinist by trade, been doing it for 11 years or so. So I think it would be a nice hobby kind of thing that goes along with my skills. I am going to have to check at ACC and see if they offer anything.

[srothstein]

Sorry, I did not know you were already a machinist. I recommend that as a starting point for new people so they will first learn metalworking techniques and tools. Since you have that knowledge and are looking at the gun application of it only, you could probably learn it well from something like gunschool.net (a correspondence type school where you do the work at home). I don't know if that particular one is any good, but it looks like ti would teach the basics of how a firearm works and what kind of work it would need so you can apply what you know already.

[HankB]

Well I am a machinist by trade,.

If you're a good machinist, you're probably 80% of the way to being a good gunsmith.

I've basically taught myself to use a lathe, and have been fiddling around with the Bridgeport at work . . . very basic stuff, "just enough" to accomplish what I need, and have only developed a fraction of the skill set someone like yourself has . . . yet I have been doing light gunsmithing work on my own firearms for years. (I still have all my fingers attached, and have never buggered up a gun with a Dremel tool and a grinding wheel! )

I've concluded that basic gunsmithing is not rocket science.

You might want to check out some DVDs on the subject - there's a basic selection available for rent from: http://smartflix.com/store/category/113/Firearms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CompVest]

I know that Colt offers gunsmithing classes. A friend went there for Colt's AR gunsmithing school.

[Chemist45]

Bonc_CHL,
Have you considered apprenticing?
That's how I learned the trade. There is nothing like learning from someone who has been doing it for 30 years.

In addition to machining skills, you will also need:
Mechanical aptitude
Woodworking skills
Excellent trouble shooting skills
Some people skills.
And if you plan to work for yourself - small business skills.
I watched several start up gun stores and gunsmiths go out of business because they did not know how to run a business.

[Bonc_CHL]

I have a lot of the skills you speak of, I would love to learn from some one with experiance, the more the better!
Not sure that I want to go into a full blown buisness but It is something I would like to do on the side.
Where would you look to appreantiance with someone?

[Chemist45]

Where to apprentice?
I would suggest a place that does the kind of work you like.
Many 'smiths specialize these days: Handguns, custom rifles, shotguns, etc.

I learned the trade at a shop I'd been doing business with so I knew them and they knew me.
This shop (D&D Gunsmith's, in Troy, MI) was an all around shop. They did everything from custom handguns to custom rifles and shotguns with custom wood to general cleaning and repair.
I did general repair because I liked the trouble shooting aspect.

I kind of got into it backwards - I was between jobs and they needed someone to keep the parts ordered. This was before the internet and ordering parts for obsolete guns was a tedious ordeal of calling place after place looking for the right part. That's assuming you were lucky enough to find a parts diagram, list or exploded view that you could reference.
Current parts were easy - Call Remington or Ruger and order what you need.
Anyway, the guy I replaced spent 40 hours a week on the ordering and could barely keep up.
I guess I was a little more organized because it only took me 4 hours a week once I got the hang of it.
After spending a few weeks bored out of my mind, I told the owner I couldn't take his money to sit around any more.
I'd still do the ordering a half day a week, but I needed something to occupy my time.
That's when he offered to teach me the trade.
It was a good deal for both of us.
I am no longer a practicing gunsmith - Decided college and Chemistry were for me, but I still work on my guns, my wife's guns and a few friend's guns.
(True story - If you tell a Californian or a New Yorker that you are / were a gunsmith they will back away from you and treat you warily. If you tell that to a Texan, they'll ask you to fix their guns.)

But I digress.
If I were you, I'd find a shop that was doing the kind of work you want to do and talk to the owner.
Be ready to explain the skills you bring to the table and be ready to be paid an apprentice wage until you can earn your keep.

FWIW - All of the guys I know who are / were gunsmiths fall into one of these categories:
Ex-military with some armory experience.
Apprentices like myself.
Graduates of the Colorado School of Trades gunsmithing program.

I know of NO-ONE who became a professional after taking one of those mail order courses, although I knew many who took the courses.