What is the best gunsmithing school for machine shop and metal finishing instruction??? I just toured the Colorado School of Trades. They seem to be more about repair. I am interested in learning to build "High Art" guns such as those made by American Custom Gunmakers Guild members. I am sure much must be learned after school, but I want the best foundation possible.

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:
What is the best gunsmithing school for machine shop and metal finishing instruction??? I just toured the Colorado School of Trades. They seem to be more about repair. I am interested in learning to build "High Art" guns such as those made by American Custom Gunmakers Guild members. I am sure much must be learned after school, but I want the best foundation possible.

I looked into that about fifteen years ago and came to the same conclusion you did about Colorado. At that time there was a well established school in Georgia that was more into what you're looking for, but I have long since thrown out the literature. Maybe someone from down that way can help us out.

Matt,

Give Dave Nolan at Trinidad State a call and speak with him about their program. I think that most formal programs will give you the basics but you will have to work hard and pursue what you want to learn on your own and in apprenticeships. Maybe XL-bar will chime in and give some further insight.

TSJC

You mite look to the one in Philly, one of my buddies is a former gunsmith of Colonial Willamsburg,and he went there said , when you come out you are more of a machinest(sp), he builds only BP firearms, but its all from scratch

Matt,

Just another thought. You may want to look into taking an intro to machine shop class at one of the local community colleges before you enter into a prgram. Maybe even an advanced course as well. In my mind this would free up much of your learning curve in gunsmith school allowing you to refine skills and pursue extra curricular projects under the supervision of the instructors. I see your in northern CO and I would imagine that Ames Community college in Greely and Ft. Collins would offer such courses. Some of the best metal-smiths in the trade were professional machinists before they became gun makers. I know that Steve Heilmann was.

The Colorado School of Trades is about repair but a large number of the better custom smiths in this country are graduates of that school, Darcy Echols for one, Dan Dowling and I think Gary Fisher. The comment about learning the "art" on your own is true, but you have to have the basics first before the "artist" in you comes out.

Matt,

Any school is good if you have decent aptitude and a relentless drive to learn.

Trinidad is the only school which I have first hand experience. You will get a lot of machine training but also a good knowledge of firearms history, design, ballistics, repair of the most common firearms, and a variety of specialty classes such as engraving and knifemaking.

I encourage you to come down and check out the school if you are serious. I can give you the grand tour if I'm not in class.

Brian Bingham

Look at the school in Prescott Arizona. As already stated CST will give you a background in firearms, repair , and function. I also feel you get out of any of the schools what you are willing to put into in effort.

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Originally posted by cobra:

I looked into that about fifteen years ago and came to the same conclusion you did about Colorado. At that time there was a well established school in Georgia that was more into what you're looking for, but I have long since thrown out the literature. Maybe someone from down that way can help us out.

Do you happen to remember WHERE in GA it is?!? I would consider going down there for some "Gunsmithing Education."

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:
What is the best gunsmithing school for machine shop and metal finishing instruction??? I just toured the Colorado School of Trades. They seem to be more about repair. I am interested in learning to build "High Art" guns such as those made by American Custom Gunmakers Guild members. I am sure much must be learned after school, but I want the best foundation possible.

Matt,

You should seriously look into Montgomery Communtiy College's two year program here in NC. They have one of the few 2 year Gunsmithing programs left in the country. Ask for Wayne Bernauer he is head of the program. They teach the following but not limited to: barrel threading and chambering, custom metal smithing, stock making from a blank, etc, etc. I attended about 10 years ago and its a first rate program. If you want to make Guild quality firearms you cannot go wrong with MCC.

The advice given has been very good, I just would like to add to what has already been said. If you need the basics check out a nearby tech school about a machine shop program. Find out what they have in the course and see if you can take what you need. Good luck, Bill439