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. 
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When you graduate and start your own business let me know and I can add you to my free website at GunsmithUSA.com
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I would too but I cannot afford another bill to pay!
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Sounds good and appreciate it!
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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!
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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. 
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Lots of information to process, I have to process all of this!
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