Excited to start the venture of becoming a Certified Gunsmith this Fall 2022 at PineTech. Wanted to create this topic to help educate others in my process and to learn from other Firearm professionals nationwide.
When you graduate and start your own business let me know and I can add you to my free website at GunsmithUSA.com
I would too but I cannot afford another bill to pay!
Sounds good and appreciate it!
From research and insight from other Gunsmiths, it is crucial to find an in-person certification program located at a reputable campus. Online, self-paced programs may work, but nothing can replace in-person, direct feedback and education. Also, having access to high-quality Machinist equipment will make a huge difference. Quality is key! If you’re a veteran…there are many programs to help fund the education. If you have questions, let me know and can offer personal guidance on getting started!
Are you a veteran by chance Todd? You could try and apply for VR&E or possibly your states GI Bill?
My GI Bill expired a long time ago! VR&E is questionable. They tried to make me a mechanical drafter and that ended up a disaster.
Understandable. Well, with VR&E you have every right to choose what program you go into. If it didn’t work, you could still try for Gunsmithing. Keep us updated and reach out to your VR&E rep.
I love the technicality of drafting and the hands on approach with Gunsmithing. There are so many avenues or “specialties” as a Gunsmith too. I know a few guys that just focus solely on custom AR builds, cerakoting/bluing, Rifle or Pistol Only Technicians, Laser Etching, to completely Manufacturing their own Firearms.
I started dabbling some time ago. I made a shim for a shotgun to tighten up the barrel. I built a black powder pistol, I have finished a stock, re-blued the barrel, changed parts and now I have a custom-built Marlin Model 60. I also have fixed and/or improved several guns too. I should have done this when I was younger, and I was thinking of it!
Wanted to have a discussion on Cerakote. Personally, I can go either way with it. For me it’s a love/hate relationship, but the H-Series is now the baseline for firearms and if spending the money, might as well upgrade to the Elite Series. Bringing Cerakote H-Series to the next level with improved hardness, abrasion resistance and lubricity, all in a thinner application.
That being said, the application can hurt the resale value of firearms. Like with Bluing, which I personally wouldn’t suggest re-bluing a manufactured blued firearm, if looking to sell.
Thoughts on this?
Well, never too young to learn and build an empire. My plan is to also teach classes on a few Gunsmithing concepts as I continue to progress. Just feel like the more we teach, the bigger our American Civilian Armed Forces becomes. It’s a wonderful thing for sure and can definitely learn a thing or two from you as well!
Lots of information to process, I have to process all of this!