I would like to hear from alumni of some of the country's gunsmith schools. I have a list of schools that are on the Brownells web page and I am interested in enrolling within the next 2 years. I seek a good foundational gunsmith education with an interest in mastering metal engraving as well. Any suggestions? Thanks

BeMan

I attended Colorado School of Trades about 25 years ago. I know the program has changed much since then. It was a great experience. I had the opportunity to work with D’Arcy Echols in building my 35 Whelen. I remember his comments on the first bolt handle I welded on that 1909 action, "It looks like dog shi*." Second try turned out much better. I also have a unique barrel contour that he helped with that I love to this day.

That said, you get out of any program what you put into it. Being a kid (21) at the time, there was a lot I learned that continues to be of value; machining skills, wood working, fundamental working of actions, bluing, etc. There are so many types of gunsmithing specializations that I am not sure you can learn them all in one program. I would suggest determining what area to focus in (rifle building, 1911's, shotguns, revolvers, etc) and focus your efforts there.

While I have never made a direct living from my gunsmithing, I have supplemented my income enough to pay for a lot of the shooting stuff I do and take great joy in being able to say "I did that myself."

I think there are several good programs and you won't go wrong selecting one of them. Good luck to you in your endeavor.

Chuck

there's a school in Trinidad Colorado.....it's worth checking out

Denver has a school and so does Susanville California. From my experiences with smiths over the years I am most impressed by the Trinidad school, they have consistantly turned out top smiths over the years. They use some of the true masters of the trade as instuctors in the advanced classes. D' Arcy, Tom Burgess, and Blackburn have all taught classes at one time or the other, if your going to pay to learn, learn from the best.

I'm out of Trinidad State. I went through in the late 60's and graduated in 1971. I came into the school right after high school, and looking back at it, I was to young to fully understand and appreciate what was going on around me. Maurice Ottmar was in the class behind me and he was around 35 years old at the time, and by the looks of his work, he got more out of the school than I.

I guess I came out alright it just took a few years to come around. Since 1996 I've gone back to teach at Trinidad 7 times, at the NRA's summer grogram and it a great experiance for both the students and myself.

I know the teaching staff that is there now and they are a great group of teachers.

Another thing, I taught or have been through other gunsmithing schools and Trinidad by far has the best shops to work in.

However, the town of Trinidad isn't the end of the earth, but you can see it from there.

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However, the town of Trinidad isn't the end of the earth, but you can see it from there

Perspective Mark, there is some excellent hunting country in close proximity. I tend to agree that the town is somewhat the armpit of Colorado though, but at least its not another hairy orifice.

The hunting is much improved since I was a student. Now the area has great elk hunting. I think it's because several large ranches changed hands and the new owners stop runnig cattle on there land and encouraged the elk herd to take hold. I think the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation also got a foothold in the area.

I was an out-of-state student and couldn't afford a hunting license at the time. Now , if you're a hunter, Trinidads not a bad place to be.

Getting back to the town, I think in 1997 the school did a 50 year reunion for the gunsmithing department. I was at the end of my 2 week stay so I brought my wife into town for the event. She doesn't EVER want to go back.

I went through the program at Murray State College, here in Oklahoma. I have attended a few of the others during their summer programs, and found that what one was lacking, another made up for. In my opinion Murray State has the best machine shop of them all, it's very well tooled. They also have a very good firearm repair program. The program is two years, I think their should be one more year to it. I looked at all of them before I attended and it came down to Trinidad or MSC, at the time Trinidad was having serious personnel problems and 6 of thier students had transeferred to MSC, after talking with the students I chose MSC. MSC is located in Tishomingo Oklahoma which is right on Lake Texoma, that area of Oklahoma is very well known for its excellent hunting and fishing. THe instructors give you directions to all of the out of the way fishing holes.
I don't know if any of the colleges offer engraving as a full time class but they all have them as a summer program. My wife does all my engraving, she attends the MSC engraving class every summer. You will learn all the basics at MSC, as well as build several guns while you are there. MSC is real heavy on repair, mauser sporterizing, and 1911 build ups, but they are a little weak on stockmaking. I am primarily a stockmaker, so I had to do quite a bit of learning when I got out. No matter which school you attend, you will not be prepared when you get out, consider your first two years in the trade as your last two years of school. You will however learn all the basics to build on. You can get in touch with any of the schools to get an idea of cost. When they give you thier estimate you can pretty much double it and you'll be close. These programs are expensive, and the more you spend on your projects, the more you learn. If you do the absolute minimum projects you can come out cheap but in the long run you have cheated yourself out of the experience.

Chad

I attended Trinidad over 50 years ago and it was a fine school and had excellent instructors. I have been back once since then to a Gunsmith re-union and toured the shops. Much better equipment than we had. My choice at the time was between Trinidad and Lassen (Susanville, Ca) and on the advice of Lucien Carey of True magazine and Jack O'Conner of Outdoor Life ( I corresponded with both and they courteously responded)I selected Trinidad. As to Trinidad being so bad ,I married a girl from there and the hunting, Mule deer, Elk , black bear and Pheasant were fantastic at the time. Good people,good country,good game and good guns. What more could a man want in life.
I have never worked as a gunsmith. I went on and got a BS and Gunsmithing became a hobby. It dawned on me if you were a full time gunsmith with NO reputation you made little money and had no time to hunt cause the hunting season was the busy one. Have never had regrets over my decision. I have known some superb smiths that have come out of Denver so would believe it to be a fine school. My understanding is the course is shorter and more focused than the 2 year Jr. College courses. The advantage the Jr. Colleges have is most of the hours are transferrable to a Sr. college. At least they were when I attended.

I have attended NRA summer school programs at both Trinidad and Murray State College.

Both schools are very well tooled for machine shop and Tig welding. The faculty at both schools are very capable and really nice people. Trinidad has lost a lot talented instructors through attrition. Leonard Bull and Les Brooks are two that comes to mind.

I'm impressed with Jesse Houser who teaches the summer school engraving classes. I have read that Rachael Wells at Yavapai College is very good.

Where I live there is nothing but flat land, mesquite trees and rattle snakes so I enjoy the mountains of Trinidad.

Everyones' advise is welcomed and I am grateful that each person took the time to answer my question. I am scheduled to retire in about 19 more months and I look forward to a second career as a gunsmith. Thanks to all.

Have you checked into Montgomery Community College in Troy, NC? They are just down the road from you. I'll be finishing up my associates in gunsmithing there in one more semester. It's a great school with a fantastic staff. Email me if you have any specific questions.
Len

I am in the same boat. Having finished college, and not being really interested in my field, or finishing medical school, I have begun looking at gunsmith schools. Trinidad sounds like a good place from everything I read.

My one question is what airport do you fly into when you go there? I see there are some airports like 250 miles away, but is there anything closer with commercial service?

Nate,

Flying into DIA or CO springs are the two easiest options. Trinidad is a Three hour drive down I-25 from Denver and two hours down I-25 from the Springs.

Hamilton Bowen is also a graduate of Trinidad State. They have a great program that covers quite a bit of ground and from what I understand allows the students to take or learn more specialized areas of gunsmithing inline with the individuals interests. The Colorado School of Trades is in Lakewood, CO and has a well deserved reputation. It aslo has turned out a few super smiths such as Echols, Heilmann, and Simillion to name a few.

I believe that Pine Technical Institute in Pine City Minnesota has a gunsmithing program that may include some electives in metal engraving. However, if you want to do metal engraving you might look into going to one of the two week intensive classes at GRS, the folks that make the Gravermiester. They have a variety of engravers come in and teach one or two week classes.

I am currently attending the program at Trinidad State and can second Chad's and other's recommendations. You will do well in any of the programs around the U.S.A if you apply yourself above and beyond the requirements of the program. TSJC will allow you to branch off into your area of interest, but only after you have proven proficient with the machines and (gasp!) files. The first semester project of building an working improved version of the Remington #6 single shot action by hand with files is an eye opener for many of the younger students (and some of the older ones as well). I feel the instructors and the program as a whole has prepared me well so far. When I started working at D'Arcy Echols last summer, it was my training in the proper use files and hand polishing that allowed me to actually work on guns and not just sweep the floor and pick up D'Arcy's empty coffee cups.

Trinidad is an interesting town. I came here from a Montana ranch that was 20 miles from the nearest town of 1500 so it seems big to me, but some people have trouble adjusting. The surrounding area has some very nice country to explore, and the hunting can be very good, though much of the best elk hunting ground is leased to outfitters. I think a big draw is the NRA Whittington Center which is less than a 30 minute drive to the south.

Brian Bingham

You may want to check out Piedmont Community College in Roxboro, NC. I graduated there and I recommend the program highly. You could visit PCC and Troy on the same trip. You won't get any metal engraving though, at PCC. I would be glad to answer any questions you may have.
George

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I am in the same boat. Having finished college, and not being really interested in my field, or finishing medical school, I have begun looking at gunsmith schools.

Finish medical school.

lawndart