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Posted: 9/15/2013 6:18:37 PM EDT
| Hey I am a 17 year old looking to go to college and then get into a career with firearms (preferably in firearms design or manufacturing). I don't know which engineering discipline to choose for general classes in college, I don't know if I can learn about weapons in a normal university or just firearms-specific universities. Suggestions? |
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I can't think of a single school that offers firearms engineering as a specialty, or even specific classes.
For starters, it's not necessary; once you understand the topics covered by the ME degree, and have mastered some of them, you are prepared to start learning how to design firearms using the fundamental principles of engineering. Firearms are not particularly special when it comes to the design of machines, they're made up mechanisms from materials needed to perform the function. They aren't even all that complicated. |
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I have a question.
Which math and science classes are you enrolled in right now? If you are in a typical high school senior physics course, pay attention and hammer the sections on statics and dynamics hard. The materials or mechanics of materials, too. You should have geometry well in hand right now, and trig is probably on your math menu right now. When you start analytical geometry, pay attention there, too. I would caution your choices of on line "engineering" web sites. There's way too much bullshit to wade through and the correct information is difficult to dig out, especially if you have no training or experience. Two good examples of absolute abysmal understanding are titanium alloys and any kind of composite assembly. Google Patents is an interesting place to pull down the ideas of various inventors over the decades. Most patents have drawings of the mechanisms that are worth studying. They might not be worth copying, not every idea or sample awarded a patent is a viable product. But mistakes are a good way to learn, and learning from other people's mistakes is efficient. |
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well our instructor left two weeks before the school year started, so we don't have the best teacher at the moment.... but from what has been done in past years, the EDD course is where groups get together and design something. we may improve an existing item, or we can straight up invent a new product... I plan on inventing either a new vertical fore grip or a new rear iron sight... the CNC class isn't going too well due to lack of the teacher's experience, but we are in the 2D design process at the moment...that class does not correspond with the metals class (however, we may use the CNC machine and/or laser-engraver for metals tech). metal tech is where we learn about welding, lathes, etc.
Those relevant classes that I thought weren't too relevant are: creative writing (already took effective writing), modern lit |
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what about mechanical engineering technology? Not recommended. This will set you up to be a draftsman or NC programmer or maybe an inspector. Although the curriculum includes some of the same core courses as an engineering curriculum, it stops short. These are two year degrees that result in an associates degree. You're doing the right things in high school. If you want to follow a dream of designing firearms, go for it, but you will have to make it happen pretty much on your own, at least the intellectual part added on top of the requirements for an engineering program. The non-technical courses you are taking are equally important, partly so you are well rounded, but mostly so you can communicate effectively. What that means is that you will learn the fundamentals in a ME program, but the parts of firearms design that are specialized require additional work; pretty much what I've already mentioned in both of your threads. Here's as good a place to start as any. What you won't learn from these videos is anything about the forces, spring rates, stresses, or accelerations, but you can understand how the mechanisms move and the various bits and pieces interact. In the end, firearms are machines, so they are designed by the designers of machines. 
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As said, Mechanical Engineering degree is a must if you want to get into firearm design...
The hardest part is going to be getting your foot in the door of the industry. The firearm industry is very tough to get into. It's one of those places where employers are very hesitant unless you have a healthy load of experience "in the field" that is already on your resume. It's hard to get that experience because you have to have it to get the job to get the experience (it's a circle that is hard to get into). Couple anecdotes: Myself: huge enthusiast. Built my first Form 1 suppressor when I was still in college getting my BS in ME. Ordnance officer for our college gun-club that had a $30k+ ammo budget every year. I applied to several firearms manf. and didn't get a single offer. My best friend: Nearly the same background, same transcripts and identical GPA, we graduated from the same college the same year. Only difference, he didn't have the Form 1 suppressor on his resume. He got hired on at KAC and now works for FN... I'm happy where I am, he's happy where he is... I'm not working for a firearms manufacturer per-se, but I am in a related field and I get my dose of firearms related design and T&E work. I have had several patentable ideas on firearms stuff but ultimately it was decided the funding needed for the patent didn't justify the expected profit gain from it. You absolutely need a good degree from a reputable college. Get experience now. My recommendation is to get some machines in your garage at home and tinker with machining and gunsmithing. There is nothing else in this world that will prepare you for mechanical engineering better than tinkering with machining and gunsmithing at home... maybe even get your FFL... all of that experience will help fatten up your resume to help you break into that circle of "experience required".... |
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The very first question to ask about an engineering school - is it ABET accredited? If not, choose a different school.
After while I'll see if I can find the curriculum for UW-Stout to give an opinion. The basics during the first two years should be identical to any other related degree, ME, AE, and so on. |
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I really like University of Wisconsin Stout. But they don't have a ME program. Would Manufacturing Engineering work just as good? No. UW Madison, UW Milwaukee, Marquette, and MSOE are the only legit engineering programs in the state. Of those, Madison is far and away the highest regarded nationally. |
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No. UW Madison, UW Milwaukee, Marquette, and MSOE are the only legit engineering programs in the state. Of those, Madison is far and away the highest regarded nationally. Quoted:
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I really like University of Wisconsin Stout. But they don't have a ME program. Would Manufacturing Engineering work just as good? No. UW Madison, UW Milwaukee, Marquette, and MSOE are the only legit engineering programs in the state. Of those, Madison is far and away the highest regarded nationally. The manufacturing engineering program at UW-Stout has ABET certification of a sort, but I don't know whether it is caveated. I like the mix of practical classes in that curriculum, but it's light on differential equations and linear algebra, light on physics and chemistry, and the sequencing of the statics class makes me suspect it does not incorporate calculus, but it's hard to know for certain. The graphics classes must include geometric dimensioning and tolerancing in order to prepare the student for modern manufacturing life, and I don't think two semesters should be included. The last two semesters are too light on engineering, manufacturing classes, or other technical classes and at least 3 more hours should be added in both semesters. That is probably a good way to get a foot in the door at a plant in manufacturing, but not in design engineering. On the other hand, once you're in the door, you have opportunity to show your talents across the board. |
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