highlander
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Newfoundland
That's it exactly.
And with all the new guns law coming here to Canada and the US, don't expect it to get better.
If you want to get into gunsmithing, have a full time job.
Career in Gunsmithing
- Thread starter JaySmith23
- Start date
That's it exactly.
And with all the new guns law coming here to Canada and the US, don't expect it to get better.
If you want to get into gunsmithing, have a full time job.
I think with YouTube and forums like this one, there may be less work for gunsmiths. I’m not very mechanical ,but with the help of CGN and YouTube , I’ve tackled gunsmith tasks that I would never dreamed of doing myself 25 years ago.
it depends on what you consider a gunsmith is doing. If the bulk of the work is just replacing a worn out part, then YouTube can certainly assist individuals who want to repair their own guns. Having said that, relatively few people in my experience have wanted to do any work on their own guns. If gunsmithing involves things like threading, fitting and chambering a barrel to an action, there are much fewer people with the equipment, knowledge and skill to do that. Even then, I doubt there is enough steady work to make a full time living for more than a few people in each province. As stated by others, gunsmithing is a job that requires a full time principle job to keep food on the table
cheers mooncoon
Im willing to bet theres alot of gunsmiths that hate youtube as some poor sole shows up with a bag of parts and a disassembled gun saying i think i lost a spring lol. I would love to be able to work with metal but i havent the skill or patience to learn and i hate myself everyday for it. I can do simple and basic things but when it comes down to it ill pay the guy who has laid out the investment to get his experience
If I could paint a somewhat different picture; the above advice is true and correct. “Gunsmithing in Canada is a bad business plan” “Get a ticket in something metal working related(machining, tool and die, etc) and pursue smithing on the side until such time as you think you can make the leap to full time”...
However, if I may, the “good” gunsmiths are quickly dying out in Canada. We need people to take a hard interest in this field. People who can learn from these old masters FAST before their knowledge dies away and to innovate, embracing new techniques and technologies.
I don’t foresee a gunsmith shop on every corner, but with the internet, one has access to a very large service area and, with very few high end competitors. I’ve fixed a lot of “gunsmiths” mistakes, the owner of the project expressing elation that someone “does this stuff around here and actually knows their crap!”
The political climate sucks, but has also created opportunity and demand for innovation and new products.
Far from ideal, but opportunity nonetheless.
One last point. over the last while, firearms manufacturers have done a stellar job at marketing to new shooters, female shooters and young shooters. Yes there are a butt load of “savage axis” guys running around with no consept of “fine firearms” and the only thing they need a “smith” for is installing their new tasco scope. Fast forward 10-20 years... how many of these new shooters will mature in their sport and begin searching for something Not found “at cabellas”. I submit that there will be a growing market for custom stuff and the current gunsmithing masters will have passed away.
I think the analogy of musician is a good one! Not an easy way to make a living, but the world needs them and if it’s your passion; pursue it!
However, if I may, the “good” gunsmiths are quickly dying out in Canada. We need people to take a hard interest in this field. People who can learn from these old masters FAST before their knowledge dies away and to innovate, embracing new techniques and technologies.
I don’t foresee a gunsmith shop on every corner, but with the internet, one has access to a very large service area and, with very few high end competitors. I’ve fixed a lot of “gunsmiths” mistakes, the owner of the project expressing elation that someone “does this stuff around here and actually knows their crap!”
The political climate sucks, but has also created opportunity and demand for innovation and new products.
Far from ideal, but opportunity nonetheless.
One last point. over the last while, firearms manufacturers have done a stellar job at marketing to new shooters, female shooters and young shooters. Yes there are a butt load of “savage axis” guys running around with no consept of “fine firearms” and the only thing they need a “smith” for is installing their new tasco scope. Fast forward 10-20 years... how many of these new shooters will mature in their sport and begin searching for something Not found “at cabellas”. I submit that there will be a growing market for custom stuff and the current gunsmithing masters will have passed away.
I think the analogy of musician is a good one! Not an easy way to make a living, but the world needs them and if it’s your passion; pursue it!
Do it, go for it, never slow down. Learn everything from tool and die making to heavy duty mechanics.
My suggestion would be to chart your own path. Your work will be your advertisement.
Look at people like Mark Novak. He had a career in the Navy building nuclear submarines. Then a highschool teacher. And a dozen things in between before being the full time gunsmith that he is and owner of Novak's Inc.
I think if that's the path you want you need to study, try, practice and repeat anything that interests you. You might find this is the only thing you want or it might become something secondary to something else.
Good luck
My suggestion would be to chart your own path. Your work will be your advertisement.
Look at people like Mark Novak. He had a career in the Navy building nuclear submarines. Then a highschool teacher. And a dozen things in between before being the full time gunsmith that he is and owner of Novak's Inc.
I think if that's the path you want you need to study, try, practice and repeat anything that interests you. You might find this is the only thing you want or it might become something secondary to something else.
Good luck
I am not sure on the legalities of an alien enrolling in a gunsmithing course in the US today. I did it back in 1966-67 at Trinidad State Junior College in Colorado. No problem at that time possessing firearms as a non resident of the US. I wasn't allowed to work while attending college but I could have and buy and sell all the guns and ammo I wanted...
Today the laws are much different...
Today the laws are much different...
Most I know were machinists first. One went to the Colorado school of trades and took the only credited course in gunsmithing I know of. Some, like myself, are law enforcement agency firearms armorers. We change out parts, we don’t build or make guns. Other industry types I know were former weapons techs in the military. Not a primary career path for anyone of them. That should tell you something...
ATRS Shaun
Business Member Rep.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I would definitely recommend this.
Made me laugh!
I agree and disagree. You are correct that there are more new shooters getting into the sport, and the older smiths are getting on in the years. However, so are the older shooters... And the continuing pressure that the industry is facing, and the direction our society seems to be moving... be prepared for absolutely absurd levels of stress.
This is about the last advice I would give. People are incredibly particular about stocks, and getting a foot in the door as a new guy... yikes. And that's if you're making a top quality product for a bottom of the barrel price. If you're just thinking 'oh hey, i can make a better plastic stock than Remington'... don't bother. I swear Remington/Savage/Tikka are paying $5 per stock for those plastic pieces of junk.
There are many unknown millions of guns in Canada, most of them valued at less than $500, many below $250. Most of them will require attention at some point. Any journeyman tradesman makes in excess of $30 an hour now, some a lot more, and a qualified gunsmith should be no exception and also needs to make shop expenses. Most gun owners have no idea of the time required to do any task on a firearm, thinking " oh, that's going to be a quick fix" and think any invoice more than $50 is outrageous and an estimated cost approaching or exceeding the cost of the gun to be a rip off. Canadians generally buy the cheapest, not the best, very few today save and sacrifice to get quality, it's a Walmart world.
infideleggwelder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I am not a gunsmith, nor play one on television. I have, however, made a bit of money cleaning old guns that people thought were broken. Sometimes they give them to me, and i clean and sell. Sometimes they want me to see what’s wrong with it and i get 50 bucks or whatever if i get it working again. Sometimes it actually is broken, and i can repair it, and sometimes it`s beyond my ability, so i keep the parts for a little while, then try to sell them or otherwise move them on if i can`t find another gun that needs them.
That's a damn shame too
A skilled tool and die maker, or a graduate from an accredited school, like the Colorado School of Trades, would have no trouble finding a willing employer who, in turn, would have no trouble getting the employee an H1B visa.
For example: <https://www.highnoonguns.net/gunsmith>
Given the overall state of Manufacturing in Canada, I wouldn't. Unless you were actually interested in CNC Machining and going into Tool and Die work to make enough of a living to support your hobby of being a gunsmith, anyways.
Spending years building time as a machinist so you can chuck it down the toilet while you go play with guns, is pretty much a waste of time, for anyone who does not wish to directly get in to actual manufacturing, vs. gunsmithing.
highlander
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Newfoundland
Yep, what he said.
With all these old guns, the cost of repairs is usually more then the cost of the gun, and few people are willing to pay a $300 dollars repair bill for a $100 gun.
Usually if it can't be fixed with a good cleaning then it's going to cost money.
Not altogether true.
When you apply, you must fill in a form DSP 83 which will get approved, or not, by the State Department. I have to fill them out for all of the courses I took in the US.
Brassman66
CGN frequent flyer
Lots of good Advice has been given, you would be wise thinking this over real good.
Cheers
Cheers
