Hi everyone, I am a freshmen in high school and am starting to try and figure out what I want to do after school. I would really like to find a job that has to do with guns. I have been researching gunsmithing a little bit but it kind of sounds like a job that is pretty hard to get into. So I was wondering if becoming a bulletsmith (or what ever you call someone who makes bullets) is a good job. Maybe I could open my own business or try and find a job for a company that already makes them (sierra, nosler, ect.) What kind of education would I need for a job like this. And finally, what kind of classes could I take in high school to get me off in the right direction. Thanks for all the help.

There's a book out there called "What color is your parachute" Read it. It's about what you'd like to do with yourself. If you still want to make bullets of do something with ballistics... Start with math (and plenty of it) you really have to find your niche in the market and exploit it with enthusiasm. Next is physics, if you can't apply the math (calculus) you won't go far. Third BUSINESS CLASSES!!! You need to know how to spend all the money you earn smartly.

Good luck and keep us up to date.

Collins,
President, Defenshield Inc.
www.defenshield.com

Just so you know, I'm and Engineer with an MBA.
And luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

Collins,

WELL SAID!!

If Accademics are not your strong suit get a proper trade as a tool and die maker and start from there. Don't think the US follows the Brit system of apprenticeships, but that is where most of our gun smiths/ammo makers start.

pdawg,

I think there are 2 basic routes available to you:

1. Become an engineer (if you are academically inclined), or

2. Become a machinist (trade school rather than university).

After getting some work experience and building up some savings, you could become a bullet maker part time. If the business is successful, you could quit your day job to make bullets full time.

But keep in mind that few people in the firearms industry make a lot of money. If you want money, become a plumber.

Go to college! Companies want college degrees more and more these days. A college degree will also get you a better starting position/salary than a non graduate. Classes you should take are any math/physics/computer class you can sign up for. Advanced placement classes will also help you prepare for college. Also, learn to love reading and studying. I am currently a finance and economics major with a minor in mathematics at Texas Tech and most of my time is spent studying.

But if you are interested in gunsmithing, there are only two I have been told colleges in the US that have full blown gunsmithing programs, and one of them is right in "LawDog's" hometown of Susanville, CA. I am not sure where the other is located.

I agree with the others, get a college education no matter what you decide to do or become.
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quote:

Originally posted by ttusmg:
Go to college!...

You need the education. If you moving towards engineering then college is a must. If it is more towards trades, then you need to take some business courses. Too many fine gunsmiths can't cut it because they can't run a business!

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
pdawg,

I think there are 2 basic routes available to you:

1. Become an engineer (if you are academically inclined), or

2. Become a machinist (trade school rather than university).

After getting some work experience and building up some savings, you could become a bullet maker part time. If the business is successful, you could quit your day job to make bullets full time.

But keep in mind that few people in the firearms industry make a lot of money. If you want money, become a plumber.

I was revisiting this thread and (well, after a couple of beers) had something to add.

1: Machinists work for engineers
2: Engineers work for business majors.
3: Business majors work for the shareholders.

True success come from being a little of all four.

Collins,

Spoken like a true MBA grad

BTW, I am a little of all four, but not making enough at the latter to hunt full time...yet!

Become a machinist and marry a women with a business education.

quote:

Originally posted by Collins:

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
pdawg,

I think there are 2 basic routes available to you:

1. Become an engineer (if you are academically inclined), or

2. Become a machinist (trade school rather than university).

After getting some work experience and building up some savings, you could become a bullet maker part time. If the business is successful, you could quit your day job to make bullets full time.

But keep in mind that few people in the firearms industry make a lot of money. If you want money, become a plumber.

I was revisiting this thread and (well, after a couple of beers) had something to add.

1: Machinists work for engineers
2: Engineers work for business majors.
3: Business majors work for the shareholders.

True success come from being a little of all four.

While I have a nice and succesful job as well as nice career path, three degress and one MBA...my lesson is :

1) Degrees are OK, but not a necessary item (aslk Bil Gates a Harvard drop-off)

2) No academic degree will make you smart. You are or you are not. Take into account how many graduates (PHds included work for others on a salry basis (myself included)

3) Business ability is not something you are gonna acquire in college, is something you have and develop.

4) In short, do whatever suits you most

quote:

3) Business ability is not something you are gonna acquire in college, is something you have and develop.

I disagree. Business sense is earned, but you can learn the skills to earn those tools in BS (Business school) I did, And I have NO family or friends in business. I learned the foundations of business in school. I could not have gotten where I am without the formal education. (and I'm not done yet)

quote:

4) In short, do whatever suits you most

This I agree with... 100%

quote:

Originally posted by Craig22:
Become a machinist and marry a women with a business education.

You almost have it correct.
Become a machinist and marry a women with a lot of money.

While obtaining a college education with a good comprehension of math and business is very desireable,there are other things that may influence your ability to succede just as much.

Many young people fail in their first attempts at business because the have never been taught a good work ethic.Learn how to work before it becomes a necessity.

Cultivate frendships with successful business people.Learn to accept good advice and pray for the wisdom to recognize it when it is given.

Don't run with the wrong crowd,stay on the right side of the law.

Marrying a woman with good business acumen and money will only work if she is the right one for you.Almost nothing else will put the skids on your achievements faster than a bad marriage.

WC

As a business major (and 2-bit entrepreneur), there are a couple of observations.

First, it is much easier to teach a business person about the bullet business, than a bullet person about business.

Business majors are a dime a dozen. Good engineers and good machinists are scarcer than hen's teeth.

You can hire salespeople part-time, as needed. Paying commissions is like paying taxes. You made a bunch a money before you have to write the big check....

Good salespeople are expensive, but worth it. Bad salespeople are cheap, and too expensive.

Don't make a $75/hr machinist do the job of a $10/hr customer service rep.

If you want to start a business, get 10 years experience with 4 or five different companies, first. It's cheaper than running your first business into bankruptcy. HTH, Dutch.