M14 Forum

The Cat · October 6th, 2011, 08:10 AM

My situation: I've worked on all kinds of guns for the last 20 or so years. I've repaired guns for friends, maintained them, built many ARs, modified even more, refinished stocks and metal (mainly Duracoat and other baked-on finishes. Not set up for bluing or parking). About the most hardcore thing I've done is a barrel transplant on an AK-74.

People ask me if I'm a gunsmith, and I just can't bring myself to say 'yes', but I want to get to that point.

That's why I'm interested in how this thread turns out

M14xman · October 6th, 2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gus Fisher

If you can really handle a hand file on metal, then you can become a good gunsmith.

no true-er words were ever spoken +1 !

Draco · December 30th, 2011, 01:22 PM

I would like to see this thread reach some conclusion/consensus about training in the art of Gun Smithing.

Me? I'm 50 w/22 yr as an electrician. Too young to retire, too poor to quit

But I know 2 things.
1. I can't keep tugging wire & climbing ladders forever.
2. I have the ablity & desire to learn.

I seriously doubt I will live long enough to ever call Myself a Gun Smith even if I could take off & go to a "good" school. So where does that leave me?

It seems unbelievable that there is not an accredited Gun Smith course offered in the state of Texas but if there is I have not been able to find it.

Again where does that leave me? Anybody out there have any experience with A.G.I.?

I am considering ordering some of their "Armorer" DVD's. I just hope they are not a waste of $$$

stainless1911 · December 30th, 2011, 01:32 PM

For me, this is impossible.

Gus Fisher · December 30th, 2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draco

Again where does that leave me? Anybody out there have any experience with A.G.I.?

I am considering ordering some of their "Armorer" DVD's. I just hope they are not a waste of $$$

I would be very careful about which ones you order. I saw the one on the Garand some time ago and well to be kind, it wasn't worth the money.

Art Luppino of this forum has a video out on M14's you can learn a lot from.

Here's a longer thread you may find useful:

How does one become a gunsmith?

Draco · December 30th, 2011, 07:41 PM

Thanks for the heads up Gus.

That is in fact one of the DVD's I was looking at because in addition to my SOCOM I also have my Dad's old Grand.

BTY: Where can I find Arts' video?

swarfield1495 · December 30th, 2011, 08:38 PM

Here in Pennsylvania it's a two year school and it's 8 hours a day so it's basically like your everyday trade school. After that you can go open your own business or go work with another gunsmith where you'll be his apprentice. Kind of like those guys on Sons Of Guns. Like I said that's here in Pennsylvania. I have links with information to help you out if you or any body would like it.

misfit762 · December 30th, 2011, 08:51 PM

I am being Medically Retired from the Army. I plan on using my GI Bill to attend:
http://www.pagunsmith.edu/index.php

From what I understand this is one of the best Gunsmithing schools in the country. There is a school in Colorado that is supposed to be very good, though I am not sure of the name.

Packing a 45 · December 30th, 2011, 10:32 PM

If you now feel this might be out of reach here is something kind of sort of on the same line locksmith just saying because that is what I was thinking when I fell into somthing else twenty years ago. Good Luck
Packing

Packing a 45 · December 31st, 2011, 10:19 AM

Stanless 1911 Refuring to my post 24 I only brought this up thinking you needed something to do or move on, was not trying to bust your dreams or anything like that. there are lots of video classes and on line classe for guns out there. But I can never find something when I need it Goo Luck.
Packing

Ezekiel · January 16th, 2012, 07:27 PM

Here is what I found:

http://www.pagunsmith.edu

http://www.schooloftrades.edu/

www.nragunsmithing.com/

Reviews:

http://www.egunsmithingschools.com/

http://www.gunsmithschool.org/

Gus Fisher · January 17th, 2012, 11:17 AM

There are two Gunsmithing programs available in Colorado. The Colorado School of Trades is in Denver. Trinidad State has a gunsmithing course as well.

I have instructed courses at the Colorado School of trades a couple of times in recent years. I have not been to the Trinidad school, but I know people who have graduated from there. Both are excellent schools for basic gunsmithing. The slight difference is that the Colorado School of Trades is better known for teaching the machining aspect and Trinidad is better for stock making and checkering, HOWEVER both schools are highly regarded for basic gunsmith training.

As a lad, I wanted to be a gunsmith and researched both schools heavily. I wanted to attend the Colorado School of Trades. It didn't happen becaue I could not afford it. What's funny is that a little over 30 years later, I got to do some instructing there.

I don't know much about the PA school, even though that school is a lot closer to Virginia and I don't know anyone who graduated from there. I have heard it was a good school, but that is all the personal knowledge I have on it.