Posted: 12/13/2014 3:52:00 AM EDT
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I was recently injured with permanent disability.
So as a result I need to find another occupation. It was suggested to me I become a gunsmith. That would involve school and investments in tooling. So my question, in this day and age with so many shooters building their own weapons do you think there is still a need-demand for a good old fashion gunsmith.? I would include obtaining a FFL as well as part of the business. Thoughts? suggestions ? insights? |
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There's always someone that needs a broken hammer or spring replaced, an action bedded, a recrown, a muzzle that needs threading, scope rings fitted, trigger upgrade, a pistol with feed problems, a Cerakote® job, rebarrel etc.
It's not all about bolting an AR15 together |
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How do you work, while being on permanent disability? this 
And to me, gunsmithing is something you have drive and passion to do. Not a last resort. Like an artist. You are creating something beautiful. Not just piecing it together because you have to. But again, just my opinion. |
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this
And to me, gunsmithing is something you have drive and passion to do. Not a last resort. Like an artist. You are creating something beautiful. Not just piecing it together because you have to. But again, just my opinion. Quoted:
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How do you work, while being on permanent disability? this
And to me, gunsmithing is something you have drive and passion to do. Not a last resort. Like an artist. You are creating something beautiful. Not just piecing it together because you have to. But again, just my opinion. Actually you'll spend a lot of your time just repairing stuff |
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Actually you'll spend a lot of your time just repairing stuff Quoted:
Quoted:
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How do you work, while being on permanent disability? this
And to me, gunsmithing is something you have drive and passion to do. Not a last resort. Like an artist. You are creating something beautiful. Not just piecing it together because you have to. But again, just my opinion. Actually you'll spend a lot of your time just repairing stuff I dont think I am describing it right... "Do something you love for money and youll never work a day in your life" Sounds like OP is just looking for a job. Any job. |
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Gunsmithing is more of a hobby job, not a way to pay bills. I cannot agree more with this statement. As a working Smith myself I can attest to the fact that it is long hours of work for a typically small return. You have your exceptional Smiths such as Bill Laughridge, Wilson, Yost etc but keep in mind they are specialists on a particular platform and it took them years to get established. A general Smith can usually pay the bills but that is about it. The gun business is a brutal and fickle bitch. If you plan on working for yourself you need to be a businessman first who just happens to do some gunsmithing. Dealing with customers, vendors, paperwork, taxes etc eat up your time more than any gunsmithing. I did it full time for a couple of years but it didn't take long for the love of working on guns to fade, it became just work and as a result, less than enjoyable. I enjoy it much more as a hobby that puts a couple of bucks in my pocket than as a sole source of income. I run a machine shop by the day as a bill paying gig and Smith in my spare time. That being said, if you are going to go to school for it spend your money wisely. Lassen, Montgomery, Trinidad, Yavapai are all good, reputable schools. Don't waste your money on online or correspondence schools. |
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Hockeysew gave good advice.
Avoid correspondence schools and go to a brick 'n mortar. Never mind doing ARs. Learn basic skills like machine operations (lathe, mill), refinishing, repair, stockmaking, bench metal (filing, soldering, brazing, inletting, etc.), TIG welding. I went through school after my retirement. It's not cheap but it's a lot of work and fun. One thing to bear in mind that as the economy collapses, people won't have money to buy new stuff. They'll need old stuff fixed. That's where a general repair gunsmith comes in. It'll be part of your basket of skills/tools to survive the death of the dollar. Be aware that most gunsmiths are not good businessmen. Underestimate a job and you eat the difference. Your labor is money. Take on too much and you'll overwhelm yourself. Get into a speciality and develop your name there. Better yet, after school go work for someone else. No paperwork (other than filling out the form to document the work performed) and no health care/record keeping, etc. Find out if you like it by taking some NRA summer schools. Take Machine Shop I & II. Take Bench Metal. If you hate bench metal, don't even bother to get into the trade because a lot of gunsmithing requires skill with hand tools. |