Thinking About Becoming A Gunsmith

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

I just read the Becoming A Gunsmith sticky and I'm seriously considering it. I've always wanted to do it but have constantly been discouraged by family members and friends. Someone recently asked me, "What would you like to do if money was no object." and it didn't take more than 5 seconds to come up with, "work with guns."

All I'm asking from the CGN community at this point is a list of known gunsmiths that I may contact and ask questions too. I'm already aware of the ones on CGN but also would like to know of others out there. I'm thinking of specializing in the M1A but that might be too cliche. I'm unaware of what the demand is like for M1A specialists.

 

[S1de8urnz]

Move to Saskatchewan. Our options on gunsmiths isn't very big. There will be a lot of business.

 

[guntech]

I just read the Becoming A Gunsmith sticky and I'm seriously considering it. I've always wanted to do it but have constantly been discouraged by family members and friends. Someone recently asked me, "What would you like to do if money was no object." and it didn't take more than 5 seconds to come up with, "work with guns."

All I'm asking from the CGN community at this point is a list of known gunsmiths that I may contact and ask questions too. I'm already aware of the ones on CGN but also would like to know of others out there. I'm thinking of specializing in the M1A but that might be too cliche. I'm unaware of what the demand is like for M1A specialists.

I believe your family members and friends are concerned how you will support yourself while you are "gunsmithing". You should be too.

 

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

I believe your family members and friends are concerned how you will support yourself while you are "gunsmithing". You should be too.

They actually keep hitting me with the, "guns laws could put you out of a career."

I'm just looking at options right now. I'm a certified motorcycle, marine, and small engines mechanic but Id much rather be working with guns even if the pay is less. I'm trying to find a major gunsmith that is willing to take an apprentice and that is why I'm looking for gun smiths to call and talk too. If I could find someone who is willing to take an apprentice, id load up my truck and drive out there tomorrow.

 

[guntech]

They actually keep hitting me with the, "guns laws could put you out of a career."

I'm just looking at options right now. I'm a certified motorcycle, marine, and small engines mechanic but Id much rather be working with guns even if the pay is less. I'm trying to find a major gunsmith that is willing to take an apprentice and that is why I'm looking for gun smiths to call and talk too. If I could find someone who is willing to take an apprentice, id load up my truck and drive out there tomorrow.

I believe the days of an apprenticing gunsmith is long gone... I would never consider trying to teach someone what I know and training them to use my tools and tooling while trying to actually get gun work done correctly and in a timely manner...and make money... they would have to pay me a considerable amount.

 

[sunray]

The gun laws have already ended a lot of careers. There really are no 'major' gunsmiths in Canada, but do a net search. There's not that many Stateside either.
You don't want to specialize on any one rifle. Not enough demand for M1A mechanics here. Despite what you see on this and other forums.
Saddest part is most guys do not want to pay for what the work is worth and whine really loudly when they find out what smithy work costs. And they expect their toys fixed, modified, etc. in a day.
There are no entry level jobs or apprenticeships anywhere, including Stateside. Like guntech says, apprentices cost time and money. Companies do not want to train anybody and will not hire new guys. Any government sponsored job ends as soon as the funding ends too. That's why there is a huge, and growing, shortage of experienced tradesmen of every type.

 

[Mad_Mikee]

My personal view is that a lot of gunsmith type skills are being lost with the older generation.

Maybe you could focus on a machining/cnc type of background and then move into firearms.

I see lots of companies now who manufacture parts for firearms on cnc machines, lathes and mills.

Just another angle to look at. Might be boring replacing broken firing pins and blueing rifles.

 

[cyclops666]

Newer generations of people are becoming more disposable . Buy things cheap , when it coughs throw it away and buy another. There will always be people willing to spend money to customize their rifle but the majority are just buying Axis type guns.

 

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

My personal view is that a lot of gunsmith type skills are being lost with the older generation.

Maybe you could focus on a machining/cnc type of background and then move into firearms.

I see lots of companies now who manufacture parts for firearms on cnc machines, lathes and mills.

Just another angle to look at. Might be boring replacing broken firing pins and blueing rifles.

That's actually a good thing to consider.

I was thinking more along the lines of custom gun building. I believe there is a custom gun builder in Alberta. If I really want to do it and no one will take an apprentice, I can easily self teach myself on my own guns.

 

[Chefhunter]

I agree with mad mike

 

[superted]

That's actually a good thing to consider.

I was thinking more along the lines of custom gun building. I believe there is a custom gun builder in Alberta.

"If I really want to do it and no one will take an apprentice, I can easily self teach myself on my own guns.

"

Reminds me of doing brain surgery on yourself, the blind leading the blind etc AND ... PLEASE don't suggest you can learn off utube videos! It REALLY pains the old hands in the business to watch utube videos when the "instructor" doesn't even know the proper name of the gun parts he's handling... Bottom line ... if you're a good mechanic - focus on THAT trade to make good $$$$ so you can "tinker at" your own gun projects... OR help out your buddies if/when they have problems with their toys ...

 

[667]

Here's the thing...

There is little need these days for true "gunsmiths".
As with most products these days, when something breaks we replace "parts" or.... Toss the whole thing in the trash.
Guns are cheap... gun owners are the cheapest.
Often the labour cost to fix something is more than what the "thing" is worth... It's only the sentimental who are stupid enough to spend $350 to fix their $150 S&W prohib. Oh wait... That was me.

There's a reason there are so few gunsmiths.... There isn't enough work. Sure, plenty of guys refer to themselves as "gubsmiths", but I MO they're just hacks cashing in on those too inept to know which end of a screwdriver to hold on to.

You said your a licensed motorcycle mech.?

I need new tires, pads and would like to upgrade my lines to branded steel...
I don't need anything done to my guns.

 

[Aries-]

They actually keep hitting me with the, "guns laws could put you out of a career."

I'm just looking at options right now. I'm a certified motorcycle, marine, and small engines mechanic but Id much rather be working with guns even if the pay is less. I'm trying to find a major gunsmith that is willing to take an apprentice and that is why I'm looking for gun smiths to call and talk too. If I could find someone who is willing to take an apprentice, id load up my truck and drive out there tomorrow.

Pay isnt just much less. You are likely looking at a wage that would be maybe 5 -10 over minwage.

If you want to do gunsmithing make it a weekend hobby.
Currently you are likely making pretty good money as a mechanic.

 

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

Pay isnt just much less. You are likely looking at a wage that would be maybe 5 -10 over minwage.

If you want to do gunsmithing make it a weekend hobby.
Currently you are likely making pretty good money as a mechanic.

I don't think you realize just how little mechanics actually make. 5 - 10 over minimum is about right for Mechanics.

 

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

Here's the thing...

There is little need these days for true "gunsmiths".
As with most products these days, when something breaks we replace "parts" or.... Toss the whole thing in the trash.
Guns are cheap... gun owners are the cheapest.
Often the labour cost to fix something is more than what the "thing" is worth... It's only the sentimental who are stupid enough to spend $350 to fix their $150 S&W prohib. Oh wait... That was me.

There's a reason there are so few gunsmiths.... There isn't enough work. Sure, plenty of guys refer to themselves as "gubsmiths", but I MO they're just hacks cashing in on those too inept to know which end of a screwdriver to hold on to.

You said your a licensed motorcycle mech.?

I need new tires, pads and would like to upgrade my lines to branded steel...
I don't need anything done to my guns.

You just said "I MO they're just hacks cashing in on those too inept to know which end of a screwdriver to hold on to." Changing tires, brake pads, and changing brake lines is so easy, I could do it even if I was shot in the left side of head. I don't even understand how people need a mechanic to get it done.

I don't think you realize its the same way in the Motorcycle business. Someone brings in a piece of #### bike that will cost more than its worth to get it fix and we will try and sell him a new bike instead. Rebuild his old bike during the winter and resell it in the summer.

I don't buy that there isn't enough work. There are two gunsmiths in my near by area. Both are so booked that they can't even look at your gun for the next month or so.

 

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

"

Reminds me of doing brain surgery on yourself, the blind leading the blind etc AND ... PLEASE don't suggest you can learn off utube videos! It REALLY pains the old hands in the business to watch utube videos when the "instructor" doesn't even know the proper name of the gun parts he's handling... Bottom line ... if you're a good mechanic - focus on THAT trade to make good $$$$ so you can "tinker at" your own gun projects... OR help out your buddies if/when they have problems with their toys ...

I know a guy who never went to school for any kind of mechanics. He is completely self taught. He can do everything from Marine, motorcycle, heavy duty, automotive, and even computers and smartphones. All self taught. He is a better mechanic that someone who went to school for it and has been doing it for 30 years. If anything, the self taught mechanics are the good ones that know real skills. The ones who went to school only know what the text book told them. I never said I would refer to youtube videos. But a fiberglass beading job is a fiberglass beading job. Doesn't matter what rifle you're using you can easily transition the skills from one rifle to almost all of them. This is the same for mechanics. Once you learn one carb, you've learned them all. Sadly, people have no idea how to tune a carb these days. Really, knowing the proper names doesn't mean ####. If the person is skilled at what they're doing, knowing the proper names is redundant. He can make up his own names for all he cares.

Its not about making good money. Its about doing what I want to do.

Ever heard of Iraqvetern8888? Hes got a lot of good gunsmithing videos on youtube.

 

[45ACPKING]

I just read the Becoming A Gunsmith sticky and I'm seriously considering it. I've always wanted to do it but have constantly been discouraged by family members and friends. Someone recently asked me, "What would you like to do if money was no object." and it didn't take more than 5 seconds to come up with, "work with guns."

All I'm asking from the CGN community at this point is a list of known gunsmiths that I may contact and ask questions too. I'm already aware of the ones on CGN but also would like to know of others out there. I'm thinking of specializing in the M1A but that might be too cliche. I'm unaware of what the demand is like for M1A specialists.

been there , done that, (M14Doc) almost made the t-shirts.... then I got smart and retired altogether.
trying to service the M14 community with the teeth pulling difficulty that exists getting the quality upgrade parts, barrels and receivers, let alone spare Chinese parts to service norincos is a mountainous and stressfull enough reason to run away in itself.
If a guy had the skills and reputation to be brought along with the business plan and insurance of an established shop , he and that shop would do well.
I've been at the M14 game for many years and tho I have the respect of many true gunsmiths , I've never been able to convince them to dive into the idea LOL
with BIG pockets, sure, anything is possible and I sure don't want to dissuade you from your dream job.
if it were that simple, I'd be still building rifles with a 6 month to 2 year backlog depending on the parts needed for the build and how long they take to get into my hands.
there is plenty of customers..... just a lack of product to serve or service them with.
for the M1A/M14 , that is the sad reality.
someone can correct me if they think I'm wrong.

 

[45ACPKING]

My personal view is that a lot of gunsmith type skills are being lost with the older generation.

Maybe you could focus on a machining/cnc type of background and then move into firearms.

I see lots of companies now who manufacture parts for firearms on cnc machines, lathes and mills.

Just another angle to look at. Might be boring replacing broken firing pins and blueing rifles.

^^^^this is good advice
I probably would have a career in rifle smithing if along with my deep knowledge and experience building M14/M1A rifles I also had a machinist ticket (and the skills to go with it hehehe)
there are NO M14/M1A schools to go to in any country I'm aware of. There are two accepted authorities of the rifle in Canada that choose to be known, myself and Barney (tactical teacher) . there are others with similar experience and skill, but no one in this country that I'm aware of is or was a certified M14 armourer offering courses.
There are armorers courses for many popular firearms, investing in these courses and getting a machinist ticket will get your foot in the door somewhere, possibly

 

[Aries-]

I don't think you realize just how little mechanics actually make. 5 - 10 over minimum is about right for Mechanics.

Not around here unless min wage there is $20 an hour. When I was doing apprenticeship for gunsmith i was making $12.50 an hour. Head gunsmith is making about $18 an hour. But that is through a business.

 

[Aries-]

You just said "I MO they're just hacks cashing in on those too inept to know which end of a screwdriver to hold on to." Changing tires, brake pads, and changing brake lines is so easy, I could do it even if I was shot in the left side of head. I don't even understand how people need a mechanic to get it done.

I don't think you realize its the same way in the Motorcycle business. Someone brings in a piece of #### bike that will cost more than its worth to get it fix and we will try and sell him a new bike instead. Rebuild his old bike during the winter and resell it in the summer.

I don't buy that there isn't enough work. There are two gunsmiths in my near by area. Both are so booked that they can't even look at your gun for the next month or so.

There is lots of work cleaning. And doing little things like changing out parts. The problem is what to charge for it. What do you charge someone who paid $200 for a gun and needs a $3 exractor ? Sometimes that extractor can take an hour to change. Do you charge the guy $45 for an hour of work and have the customer pitch a fit. Or $15 and not make any money on it.