Takin`the Gunsmithing Correspondence Course

You are wasting your money IMHO. Been there done that.....learned much more by just doing it than by correspondance.....those courses are a joke for the most part. Which one are you doing?
 
if the courses are a joke, how does a canadian get training to be a certified gun smith? I heard of some place in quebec that offers a proper course but other than police or military avenues.... where does one go for the real deal?
apprentice under an established smith?
 
You got it. A correspondance course is not the way to become one, that's for sure.....and BTW, Military avanues don't qualify you to become one either.....for the most part, they are glorified parts changers......I know this because I are one of them :)....like i said, you'll learn more by doing. If you are genuinely interested in becoming a gunsmith, then talk to a gunsmith and he'll better inform you.....
 
gunasauras said:
You got it. A correspondance course is not the way to become one, that's for sure.....and BTW, Military avanues don't qualify you to become one either.....for the most part, they are glorified parts changers......I know this because I are one of them :)....like i said, you'll learn more by doing. If you are genuinely interested in becoming a gunsmith, then talk to a gunsmith and he'll better inform you.....
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Thanx for the inspiring words...Ive done a couple of these courses before and no what there all about.
 
To further rain on your parade...

I'm sure people will line up to have their expensive guns worked on by a guy with a gunsmithing "certificate" from a correspondence skool.


Most if not all the "gunsmiths" I know of are experienced machinists/too&die types...
I don't know if you can learn to be those skilled trades via mail order, but I doubt it.
 
667 said:
To further rain on your parade...

I'm sure people will line up to have their expensive guns worked on by a guy with a gunsmithing "certificate" from a correspondence skool.


Most if not all the "gunsmiths" I know of are experienced machinists/too&die types...
I don't know if you can learn to be those skilled trades via mail order, but I doubt it.
Click to expand...

'Nuff said....
 
667 said:
To further rain on your parade...

I'm sure people will line up to have their expensive guns worked on by a guy with a gunsmithing "certificate" from a correspondence skool.


Most if not all the "gunsmiths" I know of are experienced machinists/too&die types...
I don't know if you can learn to be those skilled trades via mail order, but I doubt it.
Click to expand...


Well, working on other peoples expensive guns isnt really the plan.

However, I am a licenced Fitter Welder and an Aircraft Mechanic as well.

The books will always be good reference material...I dont see the problem !

Now its `NUFF SAID;)
 
I've done the correspondence thing and other than some reference material, it's not worth the money (unless you count it as a tax deduction). I was fortunate to have an established gunsmith south of the border as a friend and travelled regularly to shoot the sh-t and learn. Eventually I bought his equipment, reference material and parts. Gunsmithing is a never ending education, there is always something out there that's going to stump you. Learn all you can by doing, read some, work some and then read some more.
I've been doing it informally for almost 20 years and will not "hang my shingle" out. People in my area know I do it and appreciate it. It's a hobby, nothing more for me.
 
I actually asked Jeff at valleyguns recently what I would have to do to get in the trade.He told me that there are 2 schools in the states (I believe 1 in colorado, one in massachussets), and it costs a lot of money.He said that after bill C-68, it has become prohibitively expensive to be in the trade, and that half of the gunsmiths in canada got out of the trade.
 
their is only 1 school in canada that will give you the credit (gunsmith) and it's in

Maniwaki Quebec about 2 hours drive from ottawa . All the weapon tech from the rcmp had their course their .

since 2001 it's the last one .

the other one was in west mount Montreal that's were i took it. Was a private school from pensylvania that was their.

They stop doing it because was to expensive for them to run that school and not enough students.the Quebec ministery of education is paying for the Maniwaki facilitie thats the only reason y it's still running...

Rick KGN
 
RT-
I think I understand your intent, and hope you enjoy the course. I did the same thing years ago, don't remember which course, or what it cost. Like you, did it with no intention of going commercial, but I found that I learned many basic skills and theories which I have always appreciated in many years of an enjoyable hobby. Lots of experience since, but have shortened many learning curves with some background knowledge.
 
Nothing wrong with the content of the course, whether it represents good value for the cost is a personal decision. In the long run, experience and skill development are what count.
 
dan belisle said:
You have to love the irony of the only gunsmithing school in Canada being in the most anti-gun province. - dan
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and i found that really stupid , specially run by curly sue from the liberal(anti-gun specialist).

to come back to the subject , i saw the books content and the basic in is really good !!!

after a course like that a person can turn and go get some experience as a apprentice with a gunsmith for a couple years.I know sometime that i could used acouple extra hands.

Rick KGN
 
I'm not sure now, but a coulple years back, SAIT, in Calgary, had a riflesmith course. You start with the action of your choice, and by the end, have built your own custom rifle.

For all those guys pissing on this guys idea, since when has knowledge, of any sort, ever been a bad thing. As long as the books they send aren't full of lies, and the guy has reasonable expectations (ie, not wanting to be commecial after the course) then why not?
 
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