The pursuit to becoming a legal smith
- Thread starter antlery
- Start date
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
Contact the CFO Ontario.
They will tell you everything you need to know. Been there done that.
They will tell you everything you need to know. Been there done that.
- Location
- Whitehorse, Yukon
No real hoops to jump through !
Contact your local CFO and say you want to start up a gunsmith shop. They will gladly take you through the procedures.
Some areas have different rules regarding alarm systems and shop security {bars, etc}.
Have your premise / place of business inspected by CFO pay your $160 yearly and keep your blue book up to date with all repair data, PAL #'s of customers {all is needed for repairs}.
There are no requirements or qualification to be able to hang out your shingle in Canada as a Gunsmith. {UNFOURTUNATELY}
Make sure you also get a city business license as well.
Be prepared for some mighty lean times money wise as tools and equipment isn't cheap for the good stuff.
Your Good To Go !!
Hope I answered a few questions for you.
I'm sure others will speak their piece as you asked for information.
RC
Contact your local CFO and say you want to start up a gunsmith shop. They will gladly take you through the procedures.
Some areas have different rules regarding alarm systems and shop security {bars, etc}.
Have your premise / place of business inspected by CFO pay your $160 yearly and keep your blue book up to date with all repair data, PAL #'s of customers {all is needed for repairs}.
There are no requirements or qualification to be able to hang out your shingle in Canada as a Gunsmith. {UNFOURTUNATELY}
Make sure you also get a city business license as well.
Be prepared for some mighty lean times money wise as tools and equipment isn't cheap for the good stuff.
Your Good To Go !!
Hope I answered a few questions for you.
I'm sure others will speak their piece as you asked for information.
RC
- Location
- Whitehorse, Yukon
Best bet contact your CFO for requirements. You don't even have to identify yourself over the phone.
RC
RC
- Location
- Whitehorse, Yukon
Found an interesting link.
http://www.oodmag.com/guns-and-gear/where-are-the-gunsmiths/
http://www.oodmag.com/guns-and-gear/where-are-the-gunsmiths/
- Location
- Whitehorse, Yukon
Denis
How long ago did you hang out your shingle?
RC
How long ago did you hang out your shingle?
RC
Gunsmithing School (Trinidad, Co.) in 1966-67, then in Alberta in 1968 + for various stores, then on my own in the early 70's.... Moved to BC in 79... worked in a store for 10 years then on my own since 1989.
I had insurance for 2 years at about $500 a year, then that company decided they did not want to do that anymore... tried some others and couldn't afford the $25,000 annual premium.
That'd be a firearms business licence via the CPFO, a Provincial business registration and whatever municipal fees apply. Like guntech says, there are no required standards or qualifications. Anybody with a piece of paper and a Sharpie can call themselves a gun smith. The Socialist F**ks killed the industry.
Be prepared to live on minimum wage, if you can find an entry level job that doesn't exist(there are no entry level jobs doing anything.). Or have enough money to live on for at least 3 or more years.
Be prepared to live on minimum wage, if you can find an entry level job that doesn't exist(there are no entry level jobs doing anything.). Or have enough money to live on for at least 3 or more years.
Don't worry, you will never become rich. Just ask any gunsmith.
I'm curious - are there any laws surrounding apprenticing to a gunsmith? I heard someone say that in BC and Alberta gunsmiths aren't supposed to have non-employees in their work space while working for some reason, but I feel like working as an apprentice is probably the best way to learn in Canada.
Everyone in the licensed gunsmiths business requires a PAL.
I would not consider an apprentice unless the apprentice paid me. He would have to be taught everything on my equipment and time and I would be responsible for 'fixing' his mistakes... I think it would be fair to charge the apprentice $50 an hour plus shop supplies.
May or may not be the same across canada but I know here to get approved you need proof of insurance, which in my case was roughly an extra $4k on top of what I'm currently paying just to add gun work liability.
Price was under 2k before the school shooting in the US, right after that some insurances companies wanted nothing to do with it anymore and prices got worse. Either way, wasn't worth my time or $.
Price was under 2k before the school shooting in the US, right after that some insurances companies wanted nothing to do with it anymore and prices got worse. Either way, wasn't worth my time or $.
I agree. If a guy wants to learn the gunsmith trade he should already be a journeyman machinist or tool and die man as well as having some experience with stocks. Same with any trade, experience makes all the difference. A two year trade school course does not make a gunsmith any more than a trade school course makes a machinist or mechanic. Not saying there aren't some younger guys with really good hands but nobody wants to pay top dollar so someone can "practice" on their guns.
For the most part I would say that would be fair, though at $50 an hour I don't think there will be any gunsmiths with handed down knowledge coming in the next generation. I'd definitely agree that I wouldn't want an apprentice handling my gun - anyone apprenticing in a shop would have to work on their own guns before applying demonstrated skill on a client's gun. I'd also agree that they would have to supply their own tools if they are specialty, easily damaged or frequently used up. Really where I can see value in apprenticing is being able to watch a skilled smith work and discuss what they're doing, and get input if the apprentice runs into a problem.
I can figure things out, however often the solution involves reinventing the wheel. There is also a lot that can't be gained from working alone or reading books and forums. A lot of trade craft comes from small tricks and methods that smooth out progress, make things more efficient or simply make more sense to do than the way that is currently being used. I've taught myself blacksmithing, yet learned more in a month at a shop with experienced smiths than I did in 3 years on my own. I've also taught myself the basics of lathe and mill work, and I know I'm not doing things right, but without any available night classes or anyone around to watch work, I'm going to keep on making basic mistakes and progressing at a snail's pace while I learn each thing by trial and error.
Probably the most I've learned has come from sitting down and talking with CGN'ers. There're a hand full of CGN'ers that have taught me more in an occasional chat or in visiting their shop than I can say I've learned on my own in anything less than several years. I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out - I'm happy to work on my own and have a decent shop, but having someone to ask questions and watch work is a pretty fantastic resource.
Anyways, figured it was worth saying. Someone who really wants to be a gunsmith will figure it out, but it would be a heck of a lot easier if I had someone to talk to now and then. If I didn't have CGN and practical machinist I'd still be working on my first project
I can figure things out, however often the solution involves reinventing the wheel. There is also a lot that can't be gained from working alone or reading books and forums. A lot of trade craft comes from small tricks and methods that smooth out progress, make things more efficient or simply make more sense to do than the way that is currently being used. I've taught myself blacksmithing, yet learned more in a month at a shop with experienced smiths than I did in 3 years on my own. I've also taught myself the basics of lathe and mill work, and I know I'm not doing things right, but without any available night classes or anyone around to watch work, I'm going to keep on making basic mistakes and progressing at a snail's pace while I learn each thing by trial and error.
Probably the most I've learned has come from sitting down and talking with CGN'ers. There're a hand full of CGN'ers that have taught me more in an occasional chat or in visiting their shop than I can say I've learned on my own in anything less than several years. I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out - I'm happy to work on my own and have a decent shop, but having someone to ask questions and watch work is a pretty fantastic resource.
Anyways, figured it was worth saying. Someone who really wants to be a gunsmith will figure it out, but it would be a heck of a lot easier if I had someone to talk to now and then. If I didn't have CGN and practical machinist I'd still be working on my first project
Good thing you're not in charge of all trades or they would all be going extinct. I've trained many apprentices (not gunsmiths) and provided the person training them is good at their job he or she can easily keep mistakes to a minimum. Even the best trade people make mistakes.
