Chic's post got me thinking. Who here considers themselves a gunsmith and why?

Howard--

I consider myself an gunsmith that gravitated to being a gunmaker.......which I prefer.

BTW-- I consider "Gunsmith" and "Gunmaker" as two totally different breeds of dog with some basic knowledge common to both.

Like a bikini maker and a Gynecologist.

I'm a riflesmith. I build rifles. I don't repair other types of guns and I do very little on handguns and shotguns. I've got a very goos guy that I sub that out to.

I shudder when someone asks me if I am a gunsmith. I don't like that term. I do work on guns, but do mostly custom work.

Oh yeah, and I charge for it. does that make me one or am I a whore?

I'm a gunsmith and a gunmaker. I prefer the term Gunocologist. At one time I built traditional custom rifles of exotic woods, hand cut checkering and precision metal fit and finish, but around this area, it didn't pay squat. I had to make a full time living so with a background as a Marine Corps armorer, I turned my attention to the emerging tactical weapons market and have found a home building precision long distance staple removers...

I work on everything from shotguns to machine guns, and do a lot with handguns. From time to time I am called to examine, test and certify weapons used in homicides for the defense. After all these years I've yet to go to court. So far every weapon i've examined and certified has worked just like it's supposed to...


I guess when the dust settles one could say that I have my hands into a little bit of everything in the trade, and, for very little money, so following Jim Kobe's lead and self description, I would be a slut?


Malm

I am considered to be a gunsmith by many so I guess I am. Of course many consider me to be a jerk too and I dispute that!
Seriously, I've made a living at it for some time and even a good living at times. Doing this for a living is really a way to screw up a good hobby. If I didn't still enjoy it though you wouldn't see me here. Regards, Bill