Gunsmithing Schools

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy pards!

I've been a hobby gunsmith for almost 4 decades.  During my Army time, I spent several years doubling as a Tank Commander and the Company Armorer.  This was back when the Army was still using M1911A1 pistols, but I did do a bit with the "then" new M9 Beretta pistols.  The rifles I had were M16A1s and later, the A2 models.  I had M3A1 Grease Guns.  (I miss them!)  For our tanks I started on the M85 (POS) Cal.50, then with the M1 tanks came the wonderful M2 HB big guns, with the M219 (a serious POS) then we got the awesome M240 MGs in 7.62 NATO.  Also, I had M203 Grenade launchers and some experience with the tripod M2s , the M60 series, then lastly the M249 guns.  I've mentioned all this so you'd know that much of my training was Military oriented, but not exclusively.

I've got plenty experience with my own Colt-type SAAs, 1875 Remingtons, both Colt & Remington C&B guns, plus numerous rifles (Henry, 1866, 1873, 1892) and other CAS type shotguns.  As to civilian weapons, I've worked on the standard S&W revoplvers, Colts - both Python, Diamondback, and Trooper series, Glocks, HH&Ks and others too numerous to mention.  I consider myself a highly experienced ... hobbyist.

Well, now I'm 60 and due to health reasons from the Gulf War, my normal skills are useless, so I've done a lot of gun "tweaking" for many friends.  My wife & kids said "Why don't you get some official gunsmith training, and go beyond the help-in-exchange-for-Pepsi-or-Beer and make some money at what I really LIKE doing."


I've heard of several different courses and have gotten some literature from the folks at Penn Foster.  Money IS, of course, a factor, because I no longer have any normal VA education eligibility.  I do, however , fall into the possible category of getting VA help (because of my disabilities) with what the call "Vocational Rehab."  I have just found out about this (in the last few days, and don't even know the requirements, so I have no idea about whether I'll get monetary help or not.  This MUST be a factor in my decision.

Again, do any of you have experience with Penn Foster as well any of the other programs which are available and/or may be better?  Or am I trying to teach an old dog too many new tricks?

Any suggestions are welcome and I thank you for any replies ahead of time.  I know that many of you like Raven, Hoof Hearted, Mako, John Boy, Driftwood Johnson, Professor Marvel, Coffinmaker, Paladin UK and many more have a  lot of experience, as well as professional training and I'd like to learn what your opinions may be.

Thanks again,

Jeff  "Steel Horse Bailey"

[Coffinmaker]

Steel Horse,

I hate to be the barrer of bad news, but last I knew, the VA won't fund any Gunsmith program at any school under any program.  Been there, tried that.  Had to fund it myself.

Coffinmaker

[Steel Horse Bailey]

 

Liberalism strikes again, I suppose?

God forbid, we teach our former fighting men & women a skill that involves guns!

[Professor Marvel]

Ah My Dear Monsiuer Bailey

You are far to kind to this one, to put me up in the same sentence as the others :-) I am but a poor garage tweeker
of my own stuff (liability issues suck!), who also likes to babble a lot :-)

I only know of the Colorado gunsmithing schools, the one in Trinidad and the other in Denver. They both have excellent reputations, but they do cost a bit of dinero.

Now having said that, If you already  have hands on Arsenal experience, I am not sure exactly how much the schools can offer you; could you possibley do as well  by getting the appropriate Kunhausen books and doing hands-on study work? They do say practice makes perfect...

You might be able to make a go of "smoothing and tuning" for a fee without an enourmous startup cost, but
For full-up smithing, I will leave the hard discussion to the pro's like Raven and Hoof - ie:
- tooling & machinery costs,
-  FFL costs and issues
- insurance
- cost of parts & materials stockpile
- paperwork

It might work out rather well for you if you can make a go of it, i know "Rifle" who shows up here now and again
does a part time activity dealing (as far as I know) only in C&B stuff, thus avoiding a number of complications.
good luck to you!
yhs
prof marvel

[Steel Horse Bailey]

My good Professor Marvel;

From the course curriculum they sent me, the (roughly) $800 covers a number of things I was never involved with, for instance; stock inletting, scope mounting, machining parts with machine tools (as opposed to my drill press, files, and such) and other studies, plus insurance & licensing help and some placement help..  Problem is as I see it, I don't have a lathe or milling machine, so I guess  they provide an intro rather than detailed  study ... which of course would require the tools themselves to practice with!  I do have a limited amount of machine shop experience - I was an apprentice machinist in a program at the old Indianapolis RCA record plant machine shop for a year, but I got laid off and ended up in Uncle Sam's Travelling Fun Show and Free-For-All.  However, as the low man on the totem pole at the shop, I got LOTS of experience on the 15 ton drill press, and precious little time on the lathes, surface grinders, automatic screw machines, etc.

Coffinmaker, do you know anything about Penn Foster or related schools?  Where did you get your studies? (beyond OJT, natch.)  I had (years ago) run across an ad about a school program that included books, some materials for wood & metal working, plus a standard (their label) tool set of gunsmith tools.  I also recall it was several thousands of dollars ... and that was at least 7-10 years ago.  I'm sure prices have gone up since then.

All help and comments/words of wisdom are welcome and gratefully acknowledged.

S.H.B.

[Coffinmaker]

Steel Horse,

My formal training was at the Colorado School of Trade in Denver.  I still haven't been able to afford all the dedicated machine tools.
The VA doesn't look at Gunsmithing as a viable trade marketable anywhere the individual is/goes to.  I did get to go to school to become a Cabinet Maker and woodworker and that as a trade served me well.  I've never actually turned a profit working on guns.  At least not a profit I could feed the family on.  Also, business is getting worse.  Gunsmithing and repair is dependent on the avalability of disposable income and that is drying up.  If you don't have patrons to place orders ..............

Coffinmaker

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thanks for the replies, all.

[Crossdrawnj]

Steel Horse:

Presently, my son is attending the PA Gunsmith School in Pittsburg. With a 16 month program, the VA is paying for everything. FWIW.
Crossdraw

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Interesting!  Thanks for the info, CrossdrawnJ.

[Coffinmaker]

Crossdraw,

That's excellent news.  What a difference about 20 years makes!!  The best to your son.

Steel Horse,

Maybe all is not lost!!

Coffinmaker

[Crossdrawnj]

Thanks Coffinmaker.

He's having a blast. He just started his second semester and he picked up a Mauser action for a upcoming project. The VA financed the piece and he purchased it through the school.

Crossrdraw

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Finally ... an Uncle Sam program that works!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I just received the mail and the Mailman brought me the paperwork I requested from the V.A. for Vocational Rehabilitation.  The process begins ...

On a side note, any of you who have ever dealt with US Gub'mint paperwork will appreciate this!  I was amazed at the sheer simplicity of the required form.  (OK, I know - this is simply the #1 form, NOT I'm sure, the whole enchilada!)  It is VA Form 28-1900 (Nov 2010 revision) and is one page.  Front side only.

WoW!      

I can only imagine what will follow, but this gives me a good feeling to start.

[Coffinmaker]

Rule #1,  No military aircraft shall be cleared for flight until  the weight of the paperwork equals the weight of the aircraft!!!

Coffinmaker

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Rule #1,  No military aircraft shall be cleared for flight until  the weight of the paperwork equals the weight of the aircraft!!!

Coffinmaker

Indeed!

THAT's gub'mint paperwork I'm accustomed to!

[Raven]

Things have changed Coffinmaker! I have had several students over the last several years who have had thier schooling paid for by the VA. The military has needs for contract gunsmiths.

I teach at Lassen Gunsmithing School but would recommend most of the schools and the NRA summer courses are an exelent value.

My experience is completely the opposite if Cofinmakers.....We are busy!!!! our business supports 5 familiys. And if I could find qualified TRUST WORTHY gunsmiths I might hire one.

Gunsmithing is a dying trade so you must specialize.....Then you will be busy.

If you want to talk schools or how we made a go of it call me 254-248-0663

Raven

p.s. even in hard times people spend money on there hobbies and fun and hunters hunt.
Here in Texas even a general gunsmith can make a living as long as they market themselves If people don't know your there you don't exist.