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Posted: 9/11/2010 1:25:36 AM EDT
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I graduated over a year ago, and have come to the conclusion that my degree has put me on the fast track to nowhere. Since it's not financially sensible for me to continue on to a Master's in the same major, I've decided it would be more beneficial to branch out.
I've always had an interest in firearms and would very much prefer a career that involves working with my own two hands. It had never really dawned on me until recently someone suggested I look into gunsmithing schools. Makes sense, now. I talked with a local gunsmith who strongly suggested Penn State, claiming they have a little-known gunsmithing program. I haven't found ANY mention of this online. I'm going to give them a call, but I'm afraid he was either wrong or blowing smoke up my ass. I've found a few schools, but most seem to be in community colleges or offer short-term programs which seem to be more geared toward hobbyists. I'm aiming for a good certification (or possibly a degree?) so I need a serious, dedicated, in-depth program. My longterm goal would be to combine said training with my Bachelors of Arts in Art History, either working within a firearm museum/exhibit, or rebuildling/refurbishing/recreating historical firearms, though I'm sure assembly work in the industry would be where I start out (if I'm lucky enough to ACTUALLY start out, considering the economic trends of late...). Any thoughts or advice? |
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He might have been thinking of the Pennsylvania gunsmith school. It is in Pittsburgh. 16 month program 8 hours a day 5 days a week. It is where I went and I am happy with the knowledge I received there. I with they would have covered more modern designs but the skills transfer over the knowledge of those comes from my own research
There are also trinidad and colorado school of trades |
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Here's a listing of gunsmithing schools.
The one's with the best reputation are Colorado School of Trades in Denver, and Trinidad Junior College in Trinidad Colorado. These have a long time, industry-wide reputation for turning out hard core professional gunsmiths. I hear good things about Pennsylvania also. The huge advantage of the Junior colleges is that they offer business courses. If you intend to eventually open your own shop, you better have taken some business courses, since a shop owner is a BUSINESSMAN, who happens to own a gun business. Way too many good gunsmiths go broke fast because they have no idea how to operate a business. http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/StaticPages/pdf/Gunsmith_locator/Gunsmithing_Schools.pdf |
| I've been going to PA Gunsmith School for almost 2 months, and so far it's been good. The instructors there are really knowledgeable, and have had good answers for everything I've thought to ask. The program here is definitely geared towards gunsmithing as a business, including the section about business practices. |
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Quoted:
I've been going to PA Gunsmith School for almost 2 months, and so far it's been good. The instructors there are really knowledgeable, and have had good answers for everything I've thought to ask. The program here is definitely geared towards gunsmithing as a business, including the section about business practices. LOL at how Gary pronounces Mauser. Is John Corsi still teaching stockmaking? |
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Quoted:
I've been going to PA Gunsmith School for almost 2 months, and so far it's been good. The instructors there are really knowledgeable, and have had good answers for everything I've thought to ask. The program here is definitely geared towards gunsmithing as a business, including the section about business practices. Awesome. This seems to be my closest and best option. Whats the surrounding area like? Was it difficult to find housing and/or part-time work? The real pain of going back to school is being able to get a job and work enough hours to live, especially with a program like this which is equivalent to a full time job in itself. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I've been going to PA Gunsmith School for almost 2 months, and so far it's been good. The instructors there are really knowledgeable, and have had good answers for everything I've thought to ask. The program here is definitely geared towards gunsmithing as a business, including the section about business practices. Awesome. This seems to be my closest and best option. Whats the surrounding area like? Was it difficult to find housing and/or part-time work? The real pain of going back to school is being able to get a job and work enough hours to live, especially with a program like this which is equivalent to a full time job in itself. Finding a place to live is easy, there are lots of apartments and houses for rent. There was one apartment building that was like the gunsmith dorms when I went there like 1/3 of the school lived there. it is close 5-10 minutes from downtown, the stadiums etc.The people that wanted jobs were able to find them. |
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Someone has heard that before!
Seriously though, PGS is a good school Magurgle and I went at the same time and I'd consider it an excellent education especially if you'd like to tie it in with historical restoration. As he'd mentioned, they don't really teach specific weapons systems by and large, they teach theory and technique that can be modified, carried over, added to or subtracted from at your discretion. You will learn how to properly polish metal both by hand and machine, basic machine shop operations, stock making and finishing and numerous other things like spring making and heat treatment. Lots of hand work in the end but it will make you appreciate classic fine gun work. If you’re looking for a school to teach how to program a CNC, rebuild AK47’s and match tune a M249 PGS is not necessarily your place but if you want to get a good base to build on doing low volume quality gunsmithing then I’d say PGS should be right in your wheelhouse. |
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Quoted:
Someone has heard that before! Seriously though, PGS is a good school Magurgle and I went at the same time and I'd consider it an excellent education especially if you'd like to tie it in with historical restoration. As he'd mentioned, they don't really teach specific weapons systems by and large, they teach theory and technique that can be modified, carried over, added to or subtracted from at your discretion. You will learn how to properly polish metal both by hand and machine, basic machine shop operations, stock making and finishing and numerous other things like spring making and heat treatment. Lots of hand work in the end but it will make you appreciate classic fine gun work. If you’re looking for a school to teach how to program a CNC, rebuild AK47’s and match tune a M249 PGS is not necessarily your place but if you want to get a good base to build on doing low volume quality gunsmithing then I’d say PGS should be right in your wheelhouse. Gonna have to agree with this here. I was at school with both magurgle and SchlaffTablett, and PGS is a fine school. I commuted everyday since I lived relatively close, and was able to transfer into a store in the Pittsburgh area from where I was currently working. Last I heard magurgle, Pappy was still teaching stockmaking, I work with a kid that is currently enrolled in the program, and is in stockmaking at the moment. |
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Quoted:
Someone has heard that before! Seriously though, PGS is a good school Magurgle and I went at the same time and I'd consider it an excellent education especially if you'd like to tie it in with historical restoration. As he'd mentioned, they don't really teach specific weapons systems by and large, they teach theory and technique that can be modified, carried over, added to or subtracted from at your discretion. You will learn how to properly polish metal both by hand and machine, basic machine shop operations, stock making and finishing and numerous other things like spring making and heat treatment. Lots of hand work in the end but it will make you appreciate classic fine gun work. If you’re looking for a school to teach how to program a CNC, rebuild AK47’s and match tune a M249 PGS is not necessarily your place but if you want to get a good base to build on doing low volume quality gunsmithing then I’d say PGS should be right in your wheelhouse. You use your tongue prettier 'n a $20 whore. Great description of the place though. |
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