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Posted: 5/27/2026 11:26:30 AM EDT
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Let me preface by saying; I have no intention of working as a gunsmith, let alone making a career out of it. I have VA GI bill money available and plan to use it. My career path is set in stone and I just want to learn gunsmithing as a hobby, and my GI bill will pay for it. So… taking the reasons of career & money out of the equation … |
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Montgomery County Community College in Troy, NC. As much as I like the school in Trinidad Colorado, I think it's in decline, for three or four causes . I have attended both schools. I believe the school in Tishomingo Oklahoma is fine, but I haven't been able to get down there. At least housing had been fixed. |
When your post includes an insulting swipe at Boomers, nothing else you wrote is worthy of a read.
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
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Sonoran Desert Institute is a COMPLETE SCAM. I have interviewed dozens of "graduates" for gunsmith and armorer positions, and every single one of them was incredibly ill-prepared to do anything related to firearms. It is 100% online "learing"...you can (and will) learn more by simply watching YouTube videos. Not a single SDI "graduate" could properly re-assembly a S&W J-Frame, a Ruger Mark III, a Glock pistol, or an AR rifle from parts. Unless you want to enroll in a REAL gunsmithing school with a 2-year accredited college degree program, please spend your GI Bill somewhere that will truly benefit you. |
Joined:
Jan 2026
Posts:
126
EE: 100% (18)
PA, USA
Joined:
Jan 2026
Posts:
127
EE: 100% (18)
PA, USA
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Compelling argument against SDI, but what do you know about MGS? Originally Posted By AT-ST83: Sonoran Desert Institute is a COMPLETE SCAM. I have interviewed dozens of "graduates" for gunsmith and armorer positions, and every single one of them was incredibly ill-prepared to do anything related to firearms. It is 100% online "learing"...you can (and will) learn more by simply watching YouTube videos. Not a single SDI "graduate" could properly re-assembly a S&W J-Frame, a Ruger Mark III, a Glock pistol, or an AR rifle from parts. Unless you want to enroll in a REAL gunsmithing school with a 2-year accredited college degree program, please spend your GI Bill somewhere that will truly benefit you. |
Joined:
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PA, USA
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Well I’m not traveling anywhere, so… Originally Posted By AeroE: Montgomery County Community College in Troy, NC. As much as I like the school in Trinidad Colorado, I think it's in decline, for three or four causes . I have attended both schools. I believe the school in Tishomingo Oklahoma is fine, but I haven't been able to get down there. At least housing had been fixed. I forgot to mention I visited and toured the school in Tishomingo when I had some time during a business trip to Macalester Army Ammunition Plant. I knew the head of the school at the time. |
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Originally Posted By Team_Independent: Compelling argument against SDI, but what do you know about MGS? I had never heard of MGS until now...spent some time on their website, and it looks to just be a copy of SDI. I have never interviewed anyone who "graduated" from MGS, but I get the feeling that you could simply browse YT videos and learn the same information, and for FREE. Bottom line; it is nearly impossible to become a competent gunsmith without HANDS ON TRAINING from knowledgeable and experienced instructors. Let me use this analogy; if you needed a car mechanic, would you prefer a mechanic that watched an online training video, or a guy that spent the past few years actually working in a mechanic's shop and learning from other mechanics? |
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| Most gunsmiths schools basically teach the student which end the bullet comes out of. After that it’s hands on experience and the ability to learn from your mistakes. But one thing that is sadly missing, even from years of experience is how to run a successful business. Number one thing I see is taking on more work than your business can handle and not being honest with your customers about how long it will take. If the gunsmith has years of work stacked up, tell the customer, simple. And if the gunsmith doesn’t want to work on your firearm, because you the customer are an anal retentive mental case, move on. |
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Originally Posted By Shadyman: Most gunsmiths schools basically teach the student which end the bullet comes out of. After that it’s hands on experience and the ability to learn from your mistakes. But one thing that is sadly missing, even from years of experience is how to run a successful business. Number one thing I see is taking on more work than your business can handle and not being honest with your customers about how long it will take. If the gunsmith has years of work stacked up, tell the customer, simple. And if the gunsmith doesn’t want to work on your firearm, because you the customer are an anal retentive mental case, move on. Speedy Gonzales attempted to fix the business experience problem while he was at Trinidad SJC by starting the "Third Year Program". It was shut down the second he left. Probably one factor that prompted him to leave. The problem with the third year program was its selectivity, not every graduate was allowed to participate. Too bad Riter isn't around, he is much closer to all that than I am. |
When your post includes an insulting swipe at Boomers, nothing else you wrote is worthy of a read.
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
Joined:
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Posts:
131
EE: 100% (18)
PA, USA
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I don’t plan on using this for anything but my own personal use. I’m not trying to get a job out of this. Just learn some stuff is all Originally Posted By thunderopossom: Used an SDI gunsmif once. That was enough for me. OP, it won’t be fun but why not get an accounting degree or something you could personally use? |
Joined:
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Posts:
132
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PA, USA
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I can see none of you actually read my post. So to clarify the key details that are pertinent to my question: I’M NOT TRYING TO GET A JOB AS A GUNSMITH I DON’T WANT TO BE A GUNSMITH I JUST WANT TO USE MY VA MONEY ON SOMETHING FUN AND NOT SERIOUS, like GUNS…as a HOBBY FOR ME PERSONALLY ONLY, NOT IN THE WORKFORCE The VA will pay for this, so MONEY IS NOT A FACTOR Thank you for not helping at all |
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I am in the same situation and looked at the various options. I am nearly 60 y.o., love retirement and also have no interest in gunsmithing as a job. If you really want to learn about gunsmithing, you have to go to a hands on school with a machine shop and preferably, a shooting range. The downside with these places is they are in the middle of nowhere and the BAH rates are low. You will spend all your BAH on housing and will put your life/career on hold. That doesn't sound like an option for you. Every recent veteran did Computer Based Training training in the military and everyone knows it's bullshit. You fly through it as fast as you can to check the boxes and don't learn anything but... if you are starting from absolute zero and actually pay attention, I suppose you would gain some knowledge. With web-based programs like SDI and MGS, VA will give you 50% of the BAH where you live. I live in an expensive area and would be better off doing that. It would literally be free money but I want to learn something so will likely go to Montgomery Community College in Troy. If you can't (or won't) move, are just looking to take some online BS, get your BAH and not really learn much, then by all means, go the SDI/MGS route. I would be better off financially doing that but I would feel guilty wasting Uncle Sam's money and rewarding those scammers. |
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Another plus 1 for Montgomery Community College Gunsmithing Program in Troy, NC. I went through the program there in '05-'06 timeframe. A good friend I attended with is now running the program. So let me say this about that. This program is nothing like these correspondence course places. It is an accredited 2-year program with actual hands-on experience. But you also get out of it, what you put into it. Some guys were switched on and learned a lot. Others were basically just marking time. So it comes down to the individual and what he has to offer an employer. The program has changed, a lot, from my time until now. We were taught many traditional techniques, which is fine if you're into that, but many of us wanted to work on AR's and Glocks, so today's curriculum has been thoroughly up-dated to reflect that. An added bonus, there are many vets from Ft Bragg area coming into the program. So if you want to rub shoulders with old vets, this is the place. I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I'll give you a good if not funny example. At that time, we were taught traditional methods of coating, such as Parkerizing and bluing. I was into KG Gun Kote when I started school, so I would set up in the weld shop, with a Johnny home-maker oven, made form a wall cabinet and two walmart hot plates. When guys saw how much easier this was, practically everyone there wanted to learn how to do that shit. The instructors were not amused, and poo-poo'd it, but it was just too good to pass up. You could knock out all your projects while everyone else was waiting for the dip tanks! Nowadays they have a couple of dedicated industrial ovens and teach Cerakote! Funny how shit changes. So for sure, I'd definitely go over there or at least call up and talk to them about it. Ask for Len, aka "the Gunny", and tell 'em Diz sent ya. |
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Originally Posted By Team_Independent: I can see none of you actually read my post. I JUST WANT TO USE MY VA MONEY ON SOMETHING..... This what I am "reading" in your post. Unfortunately, a lot of "schools" are reading it that way too....... |
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Originally Posted By Team_Independent: I can see none of you actually read my post. So to clarify the key details that are pertinent to my question: I’M NOT TRYING TO GET A JOB AS A GUNSMITH I DON’T WANT TO BE A GUNSMITH I JUST WANT TO USE MY VA MONEY ON SOMETHING FUN AND NOT SERIOUS, like GUNS…as a HOBBY FOR ME PERSONALLY ONLY, NOT IN THE WORKFORCE The VA will pay for this, so MONEY IS NOT A FACTOR Thank you for not helping at all Then go to a machinist and welding school. Then you'll actually be able to do the hobby and not waste your time being bored with stuff you likely already know. |
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I dont know how exactly certain things qualify for the GI Bill..... but..... if I wanted to learn gunsmithing without all the extra stuff in the full time schools mentioned......... I would sign up for the classes offered by Gordy Gritters at Extreme Accuracy Institute. You will learn how to build world record setting rifles. |
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