Posted: 3/25/2007 8:11:04 PM EDT
| Hey guys,looking for some info on PCDI's gunsmithing course.They are of course one of the many gunsmithing courses you can take at home.In fact from what I read its one of the few that claims to be a nationally accredited course were you recieve a diploma or certification at the end.My ?'s are has anyone on this forum taken this course?Is it worth taking?Do you think you can effectively learn this trade through a home self study program?I'm willing to be dedicated to the program and study the material,buy tools and set-up a nice work bench in my shop.I just don't want to waste my time or money on something thats no good.Thanks in advance for your help. |
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For basic pistol fitting/assembling, at home course are ok at best for your own personal satisfaction. Although you may receive some sort of paperwork on completion, it will be worthless in regards to walking into a full blow 1911 builders shop and having him hire you on as anything more than an apprentice at best. If you check around, you should be able to find a gun smithing school/trade course that you can take instead locally. Milling, lathe'g, and even specific jig building are the pre-meat of full on 1911 building, and unless you have these tools/talent at your home and can apply them to what you learn in the home course, you will really limit yourself to just a parts changer/assembly line builder at best. |
| I took that course, and its OK. It will NOT teach you to be a full fledged gunsmith. It will teach you the basics of diagnosing a problem, fixing a cracked/broken stock, bluing, etc. As far as actually repairing/making, say, a broken firing pin, not really. I consider it to be a decent starting place, and a good idea if all you need to know is how to fix basic problems with your firearms around the house. I still wouldn't feel comfortable recrowning a barrel, or making a barrel from scratch. Just my opinion, but I wish I'd just gone and learned from a gunsmith/trade school first hand. Also, the author of the lesson recommends placing a cleaning rod in a power drill, and using this with a brass cleaning brush to clean some barrels. Just struck me as odd, although as I recall, he recommended it just for pistol barrels that were badly fouled. |
| Thanks for your input guys.Basic working knowledge of various firearms:replaceing worn parts,refinishing tuneing up actions and/or trigger jobs are the basics I'm wanting to learn more about.Doing machineing and lathe type work is not something I'm ready to pursue.Don't get me wrong I would like to learn it all but,I don't have the avalible time to put into it on that level.Although,working with a proffesional gunsmith would be great experience and hands on.But I'm thinking their pretty scarce in this area.I'll have to check further. |
| This course would be OK for you then, but still not spectacular. You could probably pick up most of that info from a $20 or $30 book from Barnes and Nobles just as easily. The only difference would be no instructor to ask if you have questions, and no quizzes or tests. Also, no cheap degree three months after you complete the course. It had some useful info in it, don't get me wrong. I just think you could find the info in other books just as easily. Its entirely up to you. I don't really regret spending the $ for the lessons, and continue to use the books as reference, as well as two or three other books I purchased later on. |
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I am a "hobby gunsmith", too. To really get good at it, you do not only need excellent instructions and hands-on training for instance as a lathe operator, I think the experience that comes with every day exposure will make the difference. You can always go to Germany, do a three year associate program at SIG Sauer while getting paid (measly, though) and, if you are very good at it can become a Master gunsmith after a few years and another test 
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| Hello, I have done the PCDI course, it will give you a basic knowledge of firearms I have also done the AGI Gunsmith course which I believe is a better source for a home study course for the money. I feel that hands on is the best way working with a Gunsmith to gain the most infomation possible. Hope this helps and Good Luck |