I getting out of the Military in two months and was looking into getting into gunsmithing. Any suggestions.

quote:

Originally posted by hellsfull:
I getting out of the Military in two months and was looking into getting into gunsmithing. Any suggestions.

If you're serious look to the state schoolin Trinidad Colorado.

There's a better way IMO and thats to look to a trade school in tool and die. It's a far more useful curriculum as it suits you to an income while you build your name as a smith.

Thanks vapodog I was also looking at a place in PA
if anyones heard anything about that.I'll check out the tool and die school.

I know it doesn't directly relate, but when I went to high school we hada gunsmithing class that was taught out of the metal shop. That period was totally dedicated to gunsmithing. Yes, we would attend class with firearms in hand. It was 3rd period, so sometimes you had to take your project to the first two periods. It was a great class, a great teacher, and the last of those times.

God Bless the little redneck portion of California that still exsists here in northern part of the mountains.

Colorado School of Trades.

It's like $14,000 but it's also 1800 shop hours. Call them and see.

http://www.schooloftrades.com

Oh it's in Denver, forgot to tell you that part.

There is also one in Trinidad, CO but it and the one in Susanville, CA are real colleges and you have to take underwater basket weaving.

Ok, I called them myself. Colorado School of Trades is $18,000 for 14 months. Not including housing.

70% of all students are hired by industry people like SIG, Cabelas, Bass Pro, the rest are folks interested in working for themselves.

She is supposed to forward me a bunch of information.

D99

At Trinidad State you can choose to complete the gunsmithing degree program or the certificate program. The degree program requires you to take your English, Math, Science, etc. classes in addition to your gunsmithing classes and you will receive an Associate's Degree in Applied Sciences. All of your credits will transfer to any four year college if you ever decide to take that route.

The certificate program is just straight gunsmithing courses and you receive a certificate saying you completed the courses.

Thanks guys I appreciate the help!

I've heard if you become a California resident you can go to Lawson practially free.

I went to Trinidad and had a blast! It's an outpost type setting (Still the WILD West!)and there is lots to do (SHOOT) around there without running into a million people. I can't vouch for the teachers now because all of mine have retired now. You could check out some of the summer NRA classes available at most of the smithing schools. If you've got the time you could try a one week class at a few different schools and get a much better idea of what they have to offer you.

best of luck

gunmaker

Once again thanks for all your help guys.
Also if anyone knows anything about the school in PA I'd appreciate any info.

Lassin county community college in Susanville cal east of redding ca,alot of good smiths came out of there.Drop-Shot

Seeing as how you are from North Dakota you might also want to check out another school that is close to you, and that would be Pine Technical Institute in Pine City, Minnesota. They have a full course gunsmithing program.

Thanks for the info 22WRF but I am no longer in North Dakota I've moved back to Michigan, If anyone knows a place near lansing.

Otherwise it looks like PA.

Hellsfull:

Depending on what type of gunsmithing you want to do as to what program you should go into. The graduates of the 6 major gunsmith schools all seem to be trained as a "Jack of all trades" and not a master of any. I would say for general repair they all are about the same. Some have sub-specialties that others don't have.
If you are going to work in industry making, fitting parts and chambering I would recomend a machinest, or a tool and die program over a general gunsmithing program. You will spend more time working with industrial machines and CNC machinery. The job market is there and the money is better. Gunsmiths are artist and there are alot of starving artist out there.

I do a lot of precision barrel work and see a lot of crap done by "gunsmiths" who don't know how to machine parts correctly. This is not to say that all gunsmiths can not machine. A majority of the graduates from gunsmith school don't stay in gunsmithing but move on to machining or another trades all together.
Sadly the industry of hand fitting guns is loosing ground every day to CNC assembly line parts just stuck together.

You should look at both Montgomery Tech (Troy, NC) and Piedmont Tech (Roxboro, NC) Both of these schools offer Gunsmithing.

I am sure this post will stir some pots, it was not inended to be hurtfull or malicious. I have a machineshop/gunshop and a degree in machining among several others. I have not quit my day job with the government yet if that tells you anything.

Good luck
Rustystud

Considering where your located, you might want to visit with Bruce at Flint-&-Frizzen in Clarkston, MI (on Dixie Hwy, just north of I-75).
IIRC he is a grad of CSoT.
He's made his living by gunsmithing for at least the last 30 years (that's how long I've been dealing with him), and can probably give you some decent advise.