Foreign citizen wanting to become gunsmith in Canada

Skallagrim

Skallagrim

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Hey folks!

This looks like a great website, with an instantly appealing name. :) Maybe I can find a little help here for the specific challenge I'm facing right now.

As you can see in my profile I'm not a Canadian but I'm very attracted by this country and really want to relocate. Or rather we, that is me and my fiancée. I'm currently studying in Norway (no, I'm not Norwegian) but have lately realized that my true passion is not the academic world but the world of firearms. And since I'm a person who thinks that it's never too late to follow your dreams, I have decided to put my energy and effort into becoming a gunsmith in Canada.

It's not just a "I want to tinker with guns" attitude by the way. In fact it feels like I've finally found the profession I REALLY want (for not to say my "calling", that would be too dramatic ;)).

Blah blah... ok, I'll try not to ramble too much. Right now I'm trying to gather as much information as possible to prepare myself for this career while I complete my current bachelor study (I'll have the degree next summer).
I know that formally all you need is a PAL and a gunsmith license. But how can I get the training and build up experience?

So far I think working as an apprentice for an established gunsmith might be the best way. The other possibility I see is to receive education at a gunsmith college while doing a firearm related part-time job. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

I'm also very interested in good books and videos on the topic. With only three pistols at home (Glock 35, Sig Mosquito, S&W Model 17) I have limited practice material but I can still try to get the theoretical basics. And general books on firearms with descriptions and history would certainly help too.

Alright, I guess that's it for now. Any help, ideas, and suggestions are highly appreciated. :)
 
You'd likely be further ahead to get an apprenticeship in a European country...

Just a thought...
 
Ditto on the apprenticeship advice. The guys who succeed in gun shops are the ones whose all-around skills are admirable. Anyone can order parts and put them on a broken gun. It is the custom gun building, engraving and fitting that will establish your reputation.

Secondly, you will find gun owners in Canada are notoriously cheap. They cringe and flinch at the price of everything! Your time is worth something, and you need to develop a reputation for providing value that will differentiate you from the parts changers.

Then, have a sympathetic spouse who will be able to support your passion while your business gets established.
 
Gunsmith training in Europe? Now that surprises me... Firearms are not exactly what I would call popular in Europe. And last time I checked at least in Germany gunsmiths were a rare species.

What about gunsmithing courses in Canada? The one that the Gatineau Valley Technical School offers looks quite interesting actually.

@Tooner:
So in other words gunsmiths don't earn much? Hm... the statistics I've seen did not look so bad. Sure, not overwhelmingly lucrative but not too shabby either. It seems that it depends much on the individual competence. The usually thing with business.
And if you're right, well... I guess criminology should do the trick.

Oh, and by the way, a position that caught my eye in particular was police armourer. I didn't find all that much information on that though. Any advice?
 
There have been a couple of long threads on becoming a gunsmith already on this forum, I would suggest that you read them, particularly with regard to income and time to develop experience and reputation. Bottom line is that you are looking at a very long time before you achieve a moderate income.
I am not sure about police armorer, if there is such a position but their forensic staff must serve several years as regular officers before going into forensics. Even in the military, I believe almost all work is basically change the pieces on a relatively few makes and models. Bottom line is that you would be far better advised to buy beaters and rebuild your own guns to feed your interest and support yourself with a more easily attained occupation.

cheers mooncoon
 
skallagrim, the boys are not trying to be rude to you, but there is not much in canada to offer you in gunsmithing courses. the states is where most of our gunsmiths have recieved there training. as for hunting or shooting, canada has it all!
good luck with your dream.
 
Hehe, I know that those responses were not meant to annoy me, Ajax. And negative feedback is okay; when I started this thread I expected real answers, not people telling me exactly what I like to hear, err see. :)

I'm just gathering information right now and I'm trying to be as open and flexible as possible. If I can receive the necessary training somewhere in Europe, in the US or even in New Zealand, I'll go for it. I can still relocate to Canada when I am a trained gunsmith.

@Mooncoon:
I tried to find those other threads but strangely, searching for "gunsmith" only leads me to exactly this thread here. :confused: Am I just being stupid?
 
Skallagrim said:
Hehe, I know that those responses were not meant to annoy me, Ajax. And negative feedback is okay; when I started this thread I expected real answers, not people telling me exactly what I like to hear, err see. :)

I'm just gathering information right now and I'm trying to be as open and flexible as possible. If I can receive the necessary training somewhere in Europe, in the US or even in New Zealand, I'll go for it. I can still relocate to Canada when I am a trained gunsmith.

@Mooncoon:
I tried to find those other threads but strangely, searching for "gunsmith" only leads me to exactly this thread here. :confused: Am I just being stupid?
Click to expand...

Forum Search defaults to last week - so you need to adjust it out a bunch to search for past year.

I would become an expert machinist, and then get into gunsmithing.
 
Gunsmthing jobs are few and very far between here. No entry level work at all.
"...the most boring town in the world..." Belgium is a country. Excellent beer.
 
Train in a country with a long history of skilled craftsman, and bring that skill to Canada, where it is rare. Canada is a very small country, spread thin.
 
A firend of mine did the gunsmithing course in Colorado USA some years ago. He came back knowledgeable and competent. Based on what I have seen of his capabilities and training I would say the training he did was quite good.

The other way to go is to apprentice as a machinist and learn gunsmithing on the side. That's probably the most cost effective method.

I don't believe you said where you were from?
 
Get trained in Europe. You will gain immigration points to if you have work experience aswell.
You can train in Liege, Ferlach, Suhl all three have schools there.
I'd avoid St.Etienne.
 
x2 for the school in Colorado.

My local shop just "imported" a fella from Montana who trained there. He seems confident and knowlegable, and also very meticulous in his work. pair him with the "oldster" in the back and they make a good team!

Good luck in your search for your dream.
 
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