Want to be a gunsmith?

I am in the process of getting set up with some shop equip(compressor,blast cabinet,belt & disc sander, Grinder, buffer etc.. ) and tools/files/stones/jigs/action blocks/ etc from brownells. I am gonna specialize in pistols(action & cowboy) and Black/action(m14) rifles. I am gonna enroll in a introduction (then intermediate) to machine works in central ab. I am pretty sure a 3-in-1 machine is not the way to go.. I cant afford to pull off both machines right away, but if I could get only one (mill or lathe) which would you get.??????
 
Nybez said:
For a young guy wanting to learn. Why not the army? weapons/ammo tech. It could be a massive head start.
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Medically i am unacceptable for the army :(, i'd have loved to join the reserves or something. Unless they start lowering their standards, i'm hooped.

John442, 3-in-1's suck. There's a reason real machineshops don't generally buy them. Convenient for a "hobby machinist", but not for any place of employment. You can bore, chamber, and thread barrels with the lathe. Mill, well it depends... Will you be working with round stuff, or rectangular stuff more?

I personally prefer the mill, but a lathe i can see being used more... Sorry, i'm not a gunsmith, i don't know what kind of business they get on a daily basis.
 
What a great post. I am presently a mechanic and have been for some time. I have started working on other people's guns for small issues, I have been working on my own for over a decade and a half. It is a nice relaxing past time and since I love shooting and hunting so much it is a natural when the season isn't upon us.
 
Good thread!I've been thinking about this for a while,especially when I see posts looking for a smith.Being related to and only 20 miles away from a veteran smith can't hurt the learning curve any either...especially when he's tooled up already. ;)
Might haveta add on to the saddle shop.
 
What I really enjoy about people in an industry which they absolutely devoted is that their quality of workmanship is always apparent. They are always trying to better themselves and produce a better product for their clients and themselves. Thats why I love going to Gunshows and talking to these guys, they eat, sleep and think guns. You gotta respect that type of devotion.

All aside the comments that have been posted, people's horror stories of gunsmiths, it is no different than people's opinions about doctors for example - some are the ####s, some are great. Take these comments with a grain of salt.
 
Is it legal for a minor to be an assistant or something? I can imagine how fun it would be to stroll into school saying my job is to make guns. Plus I'd know how to make the perfect rifle.. Mmmm..
 
I've been toying with this as a retirement option. I'm still over ten years from being pensionable and I'll probably stick around for a few after that, but I wouldn't mind spending my days fixing two things that interest me; guns and bikes. Plus I would get a kick out of telling some tofu eater that I'll replace the chain on his commuter right after I install a new flash suppressor on this AR!
 
I've often said I would love to do some gun smithing in my retirement. I could really get into it. Trouble is; by my calculations I will be 206 years old by the time I have enough money to retire.
 
Good stuff! Its great there are people like you out there.
7x61 said:
In view of some controversial posts in "Off-Topic" recently, it is becoming very apparent to me that we sorely need more new gunsmiths in this country. I have trained promising apprentices only to lose them partway through to large machine shops with great benefit packages. It is disheartening, but for a young man with plans of starting a family, for instance, that is a hard option to resist, no matter how much you love guns :)

What to do? Try to encourage talented, enthusiastic people to have a go at gunsmithing (especially pistolsmithing, which is totally what I do). Is it satisfying to make something work? To watch a customer's face when he handles his new custom gun? To get the "Wow! I can't believe it!" email? Of course it is! Can you make a good living at it? Yes - maybe not for the first year, but after that, you're either going to do well at it, or realize possibly you should be selling vacuum cleaners :) Long-term, if you get into it in your twenties, the sky's the limit. If you're recently retired at 50 or so, have the machining and mechanical aptitude, and love guns, why not give it a try? You'd have, after all, probably 20 years....

What is needed? First, you gotta really be into guns, otherwise...
Second, you do need some machining and mechanical background AND aptitude. I find it easy to train someone to do good work if he (or she:) can recognize good work as opposed to mediocre stuff. If they can't really tell the difference, go sell vacuum cleaners! Third, you need either someone to take you on and train you, or a good place to do the gunsmithing and train yourself. Start with your own stuff, or your buddy's :) Nothing wrong with a good heated garage as long as you can get a business licence from your town or city as a home based business (that's needed in order to get the Fireams Licence you need to have other peoples' guns there). Fourth, you need tools and machinery. Good heavy duty USED lathes and milling machines beat the hell out of light, inappropriate new ones, especially the do-it-all 3-in-one etc. units. Yes, you can do decent work on almost anything, but a good sturdy unit is much less frustrating, especially if you're basically learning as you go.

A drill press and bench grinder need not break the bank. Upgrade as you get more money :)

For hand tools there are a few basic hammers, punches, good screwdriver sets with a LOT of bits you can grind to size and shape as needed, and then all the drill bits, a good number drill set, reamers (buy them as you need them - they're darn pricy), a good tap and die set, plus a few of the specialized taps etc. from brownells such as 6-40, 6-48, that you can't get locally.

$20,000 is a darn good start, $10,000 is doable if you scrimp a little.

What can you expect to make about a year down the road? $50 an hour for good work, I currently charge $60 and going to $70 March 1st ,but bear in mind you may in some instances work for three hours the first time you are inside a Luger, in order to make that hour's wage :)

Benefit package, RSP's, etc. ? Nope! Having a spouse with medical/dental etc. sure does help!
I'll be back at this subject, but I'll close with a piece of advice: Specialize!! Whether it's 1911's like me, or Lugers, Mauser rifles, Browning High Powers....hey, AR's are hot! work on guns you REALLY like, get to know them better than anyone else, and the world will beat a path to your door :)


Gunnar

www.armco-guns.com
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I'm currently taking the machining program offered here in Regina at Saist and the whole reason I chose it was because it was the closest program I could find to a gunsmithing course. I'm also looking a leasing a mill and lathe provided I can find a shop to rent that I can afford. I already am working at milling a custom stock out of aluminum and have several friends asking me to do work for them. I thank you for your post because it really helped reassure me that the chose I made was a viable one and boosted my confidence. Thanks.
 
not quiteq

Nybez said:
For a young guy wanting to learn. Why not the army? weapons/ammo tech. It could be a massive head start.
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Be careful, there is a large diference between weapons techs and ammo techs, ammo techs deal exclusivley with ammo, explosives, bombs and missiles etc...weapons techs deal with those things that employ the ammo.

So yes a weapons tech would be a good foundation to becoming a gun smith, an ammo tech will not....

Geoff
 
great thread. awesome advice Gunnar, thanx a tonne for posting.
I'm one of those guys that has been "gunsmithing" my own firearms for about 10 years now, and other peoples firearms for about a year...... I charge nothing...... and gain tonnes of experience. Right now i outsource my machining needs to a very reputable shop that specializes in firearms and does incredible work. Building up a fantastic customer base who all know that one day...... my work will not be free :D
1911's and M14's are my thing but am going to try and get someone to school me on the AR and the 870 shotgun as well.
I've sold many of my custom firearms to fellow cgn'ers and no complaints yet. And now it seems folks are seeking me out to have custom work done...... and i have to refuse due to not being liscenced yet.

I'm really not sure about getting a "home based" gunsmithing business going from where i live..... seems folks have better luck with this when they live in rural areas. ANY advice on applications for a home based gunsmith business would be awesome....... and hey, I can take time to apprentice...... hehehe hittin 40 this may, wife workin in the medical field....... time to live the dream :D
 
i highly recommend that anybody interested in pursuing a career in gunsmithing to attend Trinidad State Junior College in Colorado for a week or two. This is one of the top gunsmithing schoold in the USA and provides week long course during the summer at a cost of $300. Some of the courses are intro to gunsmithing, custom blueing, stock making, action blueprinting, machining and many more. It is fairly in exspensive considering you can stay in the college dorm for $100 a week. I attened a course there last year and had a great time but also learned alot in a short period of time.
 
I liked your article and have wanted for years to get into mainly pistols they are my passion. I am on disability now and have the time, the cost of the course is hard to get around.
I live in Eastern Ontario just outside of Kingston and there is a great need for a gun shop and a couple good gunsmiths. Anyone close to me that could offer what Gunner did here?
 
Great post! I have been a journeyman machinist for 17 years.I got into guns about 5 years ago and recently thought about getting into gunsmithing. You just helped me make up my mind. Thanks!
 
I have interest in becoming a gunsmith. Can anyone tell me if the online courses are worth the money and if the certificate they issue is recognized in the field of gunsmithing.
 
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