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I'm in my late 40's and have worked construction most of my life. I'm getting too old to do this type work.My wife makes good money and I could sort of semi retire if I could find something to make some money.
I would like to learn how to do simple jobs like a good professional pillar bedding job, trigger work etc. Mostly though I would like to know how to build a hunting rifle.
I am a very meticulous person with a good work ethic. I like tinkering with guns but have never learned to build one. I also have money for some equipment and such.
Just wondering where to start looking into this as a possibility.
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Before I committed to a full time program I would check out one of the NRA's summer gunsmithing programs, they're conducted at several gunsmithing schools around the country. You can explore the topics that you're interested in and may be able to learn enough to accomplish your goals. I was in my mid 20's when I started the gunsmithing degree program at Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, CO, After graduation I sent to work in the gunsmithing department of Browning Arms Co. in St. Louis, after four years there during which I earned Journeyman Gunsmith status I opened my own gun shop. Now retired I do small jobs for friends, cleaning, scope mounting etc., my advise would be to keep your day job and get started slowly, the NRA classes are taught by nationally recognized gunsmithing experts and are an excellent value for the small amount of time and money expended.
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Thanks for the reply.I didn't plan on quitting and trying to do anything full time anytime soon. I just need some ideas for down the road. Gunsmithing was an idea I wanted to explore.
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as an outsider looking in, looks like there'd be a huge demand for folks who could work on the multitude of handguns of various persuasions that are being sold. somebody has got to keep those things maintained, seems like.
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I you know how to work a lathe (even if you don't) Gordy Gritters has 2 or 3 week long courses on accurizing, chambering, and building rifles. I took them, and can do most of what you mention. http://www.gordysgunsmithshop.com/classesschools.html
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deleted
Last edited by Cabriolet; 09/13/16.
Survivor of the 13th Original Colony, I escaped on December 17, 1968.
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I took the NRA classes and am well pleased with them. I had hot blueing at Trinidad State College and machine shop, barreling, S&W revolvers and 1911 pistols at Lassen College in Susanville, CA. Don't quit your day job. Good luck with your new career! Mel
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Go to your local technical school and learn how to use a lathe. You will be miles ahead when and if you decide on a school. Building a rifle is basically facing, boring, and threading. You will learn that in your first class. You will also learn whether or not you have the patience for "percision" work. Few people have it...and of those who do, many find that they cannot maintain the drive for it.
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Go to your local technical school and learn how to use a lathe. You will be miles ahead when and if you decide on a school. Building a rifle is basically facing, boring, and threading. You will learn that in your first class. You will also learn whether or not you have the patience for "percision" work. Few people have it...and of those who do, many find that they cannot maintain the drive for it. The right answer. A lathe? Hmm. What ya talking bout?
Survivor of the 13th Original Colony, I escaped on December 17, 1968.
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Go to your local technical school and learn how to use a lathe. You will be miles ahead when and if you decide on a school. Building a rifle is basically facing, boring, and threading. You will learn that in your first class. You will also learn whether or not you have the patience for "percision" work. Few people have it...and of those who do, many find that they cannot maintain the drive for it. A lot of community colleges have machine tool technology (MTT) classes.
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Something I've realized in all the years I've seen this question asked on various hunting websites is that the most important piece of information is almost never mentioned.
Learn how to run a small business profitably! The reason many gunsmith business's fail, and especially part time ones is the smith never learns how to run a business. It doesn't matter if you're a wizz on a lathe and mill if can't handle $. And there are plenty of metal butchers that seem to do fine, but don't be that guy.
The very basics are, don't spend money you haven't earned (you haven't earned a deposit until you've performed that work or ordered the parts the deposit was for. Don't promise something you can't deliver and don't fail to deliver what you've promised. Keep track of overhead. Don't be afraid to charge the going rate for gunsmith work. Communicate in a timely and effective manner. When a gun is a month over due and the customer finally gets you on the phone and you say it will be another week is not effective communication.
If you can't finish a job because parts are back ordered or you are back logged, that's fine. Just let the customer know before you've failed to finish the job when you committed to finishing it, not after.
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Something I've realized in all the years I've seen this question asked on various hunting websites is that the most important piece of information is almost never mentioned.
Learn how to run a small business profitably! The reason many gunsmith business's fail, and especially part time ones is the smith never learns how to run a business. It doesn't matter if you're a wizz on a lathe and mill if can't handle $. And there are plenty of metal butchers that seem to do fine, but don't be that guy.
The very basics are, don't spend money you haven't earned (you haven't earned a deposit until you've performed that work or ordered the parts the deposit was for. Don't promise something you can't deliver and don't fail to deliver what you've promised. Keep track of overhead. Don't be afraid to charge the going rate for gunsmith work. Communicate in a timely and effective manner. When a gun is a month over due and the customer finally gets you on the phone and you say it will be another week is not effective communication.
If you can't finish a job because parts are back ordered or you are back logged, that's fine. Just let the customer know before you've failed to finish the job when you committed to finishing it, not after. Another correct answer. And with today's new "laws, rules and licensing" requirements you better be up to speed on everything applying to gun work, including the new requirement for a manufacturing license. The cost for licensing is rapidly causing the old school part time back yard gunsmith to go out of business. I do not see a bright future for a young budding gunsmith.
Survivor of the 13th Original Colony, I escaped on December 17, 1968.
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Two good responses... Go to your local technical school and learn how to use a lathe. You will be miles ahead when and if you decide on a school. Building a rifle is basically facing, boring, and threading. You will learn that in your first class. You will also learn whether or not you have the patience for "precision" work. Few people have it...and of those who do, many find that they cannot maintain the drive for it. Had a friend with 30 years of mechanical and machine shop experience in a number of fields. Went to interview with a nationally know BR rifle builder. Walked away. Said the level of precision required was "insane". ... Learn how to run a small business profitably! ... This ^^^^^^ ... Sounds easy, but, it ain't ... Keep in mind that running a "profitable hobby" is totally different than running a "business that generates sufficient cash flow and profit to pay the bills"...
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Had a friend with 30 years of mechanical and machine shop experience in a number of fields. Went to interview with a nationally know BR rifle builder. Walked away. Said the level of precision required was "insane".
I always thought I was a little crazy:
Last edited by Cabriolet; 09/27/16.
Survivor of the 13th Original Colony, I escaped on December 17, 1968.
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Had a friend with 30 years of mechanical and machine shop experience in a number of fields. Went to interview with a nationally know BR rifle builder. Walked away. Said the level of precision required was "insane".
I always thought I was a little crazy: That's a nice shop. How much investment would you think you have there? I will try to email you tomorrow. I had trouble with my password and couldn't get on it last week.
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"That's a nice shop. How much investment would you think you have there?"
There is a lot more but I have been buying stuff since about 1965.
Now I am thinking about how to divest it all.
Getting old is the pits!
Guess I am crazy, likely more than a little.
Last edited by Cabriolet; 09/27/16.
Survivor of the 13th Original Colony, I escaped on December 17, 1968.
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Unless you're an expert scrounger, I'd say budgeting $20-25k for a lathe, mill, tooling and metrology will get you started but will be far from everything you'll need. And that's Asian machine tools and limited tooling.
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"Unless you're an expert scrounger, I'd say budgeting $20-25k for a lathe, mill, tooling and metrology will get you started but will be far from everything you'll need. And that's Asian machine tools and limited tooling."
Yup. Paul has it correct.
Last edited by Cabriolet; 09/28/16.
Survivor of the 13th Original Colony, I escaped on December 17, 1968.
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The Beginning:
Last edited by Cabriolet; 09/28/16.
Survivor of the 13th Original Colony, I escaped on December 17, 1968.
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I agree with the suggestions, learn how to set up and use the equipment you will need by getting machinist training. I'm a firm believer in learning more than you need, in case you should ever want to become a machinist should 'smithing not be sufficient to pay the bills.
Talent is what you're born with, skills are what you earn. - Rod Smith
Time flies, but remember, you are the pilot!
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