Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I am interested in training to become a gunsmith. I have seen ads for a few online and correspondence courses, but am looking for advice on a reputable source of training. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I wouldn't think an online or correspondence course could adequately teach something as literally hands-on as gunsmithing.

Maybe a few machinist's classes at a local community college first, if you're not already a skilled machinist?

Diomed wrote:I wouldn't think an online or correspondence course could adequately teach something as literally hands-on as gunsmithing.

Maybe a few machinist's classes at a local community college first, if you're not already a skilled machinist?

Yep I think machinist training would be a must. Then you could get the proper tools such as a 5# hammer, vise and torch. Skip that last part, I was think how Sgt Bill and myself removed a savage barrel.

It worked did it not?
LOL
Bill

Diomed wrote:I wouldn't think an online or correspondence course could adequately teach something as literally hands-on as gunsmithing.

Maybe a few machinist's classes at a local community college first, if you're not already a skilled machinist?

I suspected as much -- thanks for the advice!

There's gunsmithing and then there's gunsmithing. If one wants to be a shadetree parts exchanger, then there's no need to know how to run a mill or a lathe. A Dremel and a bottle of cold blue're all you need.

If one wants to be an old school gunsmith, someone who can take a pile of metal blocks and turn them into a working firearm, then being a trained machinist is a necessity.

Truth be know the best gunsmithing school's in the world are in Germany. When you attend the first class you are asked what type of a weapon you would like to make and let's say you said something on a AK-47 line they will tell you to pick up such and such BLOCK of steel and when you graduate that block of steel has been turned into a AK-47 with your hands.
I always wanted to go to a school like that but life and family would not let me. I am fortunate that I have attended several Armorer's schools over the years and was assinged as the Range Master and Armorer for the Police Department for over 6 years and I can also run a lathe and a Milling Machine. But I still concider myself a shade tree Armorer not a Gunsmith they go to Germany for school.
Bill

Diomed wrote:There's gunsmithing and then there's gunsmithing. If one wants to be a shadetree parts exchanger, then there's no need to know how to run a mill or a lathe. A Dremel and a bottle of cold blue're all you need.

If one wants to be an old school gunsmith, someone who can take a pile of metal blocks and turn them into a working firearm, then being a trained machinist is a necessity.

+1

There are a lot of "gunsmith" schools which are nothing more than diploma factories. One of the best gunsmith schools in the country is this: http://www.pagunsmith.com/index.php

However, it is expensive and takes something like 2 years of full time work. Not quite as advanced as what Bill said. Going a step further, copying a design is a far cry from designing one from scratch.

As far as I know, the Pennsylvania school is the only one on the east coast. There's another well-regarded one in Colorado.

Simply being a trained (if not one that's gone the full monty of apprenticeship, etc.) machinist puts you way ahead of most gunsmiths today. And that's something you can pick up in a year or two at the community college level. It won't make you a wizard with a mill but it'll make you competent. Time does the rest.

If you want to actually make stuff, learn CAD and get educated on how to run a CNC operation; that's more than a gunsmith needs to do though.

Vahunter wrote:

Diomed wrote:I wouldn't think an online or correspondence course could adequately teach something as literally hands-on as gunsmithing.

Maybe a few machinist's classes at a local community college first, if you're not already a skilled machinist?

Yep I think machinist training would be a must. Then you could get the proper tools such as a 5# hammer, vise and torch. Skip that last part, I was think how Sgt Bill and myself removed a savage barrel.

Yep, thinking back on starting my tool collection the very first thing was a hammer...then duct tape...

Thank you all for the words of wisdom. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

zephyp wrote: Yep, thinking back on starting my tool collection the very first thing was a hammer...then duct tape...

Except for gun smithing, I'm a practitioner of the classical two-tool theory. All you really need is two tools: Duct Tape and WD-40. Usage: If it moves and shouldn't, use the Duct Tape. If it won't move but should, use the WD-40.

For gun smithing, you are correct DK. One should not use WD-40 on guns - a hammer is the correct second tool.

@Charlie...us less mechanically inclined favor one tool - the hammer - for both scenarios...if it shouldnt move tap it lightly with the hammer to make sure it wont...if it moves then smack it until it doesnt...and it if should but wont then smack it hard until it does...

zephyp wrote:@Charlie...us less mechanically inclined favor one tool - the hammer - for both scenarios...if it shouldnt move tap it lightly with the hammer to make sure it wont...if it moves then smack it until it doesnt...and it if should but wont then smack it hard until it does...

VGOF gunsmithing at its finest! Rick should charge for training like that...

gunderwood wrote:

zephyp wrote:@Charlie...us less mechanically inclined favor one tool - the hammer - for both scenarios...if it shouldnt move tap it lightly with the hammer to make sure it wont...if it moves then smack it until it doesnt...and it if should but wont then smack it hard until it does...

VGOF gunsmithing at its finest! Rick should charge for training like that...

Does it come with one of them-there beautimous di plomas? and can I use the G.I. bill on it??

grumpyMSG wrote:

gunderwood wrote:

zephyp wrote:@Charlie...us less mechanically inclined favor one tool - the hammer - for both scenarios...if it shouldnt move tap it lightly with the hammer to make sure it wont...if it moves then smack it until it doesnt...and it if should but wont then smack it hard until it does...

VGOF gunsmithing at its finest! Rick should charge for training like that...

Does it come with one of them-there beautimous di plomas? and can I use the G.I. bill on it??

Diploma is free, but the mandatory VGOF display frame is only three payments of $19.95...order in the next 15mins and we will send you a second set for free!

Where do I send the payment too.
Bill I realy want that extra frame. LOL

I keep waiting for: "But, Wait if you order now we'll throw in a complete gun repair kit including a hammer not one, but two screwdrivers, a brass punch, a can of Kroil oil, a piece of sandpaper (the best 3M makes), baling wire, camouflaged duct tape"

Y'all did not include a tube of Crazy Glue and a spray can of gunmetal blue paint for scratch mark touch up's and loose parts.
LOL Bill

SgtBill wrote:Y'all did not include a tube of Crazy Glue and a spray can of gunmetal blue paint for scratch mark touch up's and loose parts.
LOL Bill

Thats what they make Sharpie's for Bill! In seriousness it would be so cool to be a trained machinest but I doubt I ever get around to it.

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