Welcome to our Gunsmithing & Firearm Professionals forum.
This topic was created to help educate others through our A.A.S. Gunsmithing Degree and Firearm Business process.
(Update 1/8/23) We just bought a lake home on 6+ Acres w/ a 2,000sq. ft. shop that’ll host our future Gunsmith Shop/Training Facility. Feel free to follow us at Nomadlund.com and thanks for all the continued support. 
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 help.
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. 
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. IMO
Well, never too old to learn. In the future, I plan to also provide classes on a few Gunsmithing concepts. We’ll see.
Lots of information to process, I have to process all of this!
Was able to meet and speak with Roy Hill of Brownells at a large training event this last weekend in St. Louis, MO. If you’re not connected to Roy I would highly suggest reaching out. He’s a wealth of knowledge and overall a great guy. As far as Brownells, I wouldn’t work with any other company regarding Gunsmithing Tools and Equipment.
Haven’t posted here in awhile, but will be starting the Gunsmith Associates Degree August 22nd. First year tools and equipment set me back about $3,000 alone, but got tools that’ll last me years to come. MSCDirect.com is another resource I would recommend for high-quality machinist tools and gear. Brownells.com is a great resource, but there are certain tools they don’t stock or couldn’t find. For instance, Machinist Drill Bit Sets or Lathe specific tools.
All set for class on the 22nd. Got the #1 workbench in front and ready to rock-n-roll.
Pine Tech is where I’m taking the 2 Year Associates Gunsmith Program.
Need to get myself a bigger mat though. It’s tiny! (There’s a joke in there somewhere. Lol)
Just remember, you only get out of it with what you put into it!
I hope you do well!
Happy Birthday too! 
Definitely and thank you! Always keep learning and have to love the journey. For sure!
