Education in Firearms

[25cschaefer]

Flathead Valley Community College in Northwest Montana has a Firearms Technologies certificate program. If you are interested in a career in the firearms industry, this may be the school for you.

The certificate builds on a manufacturing degree, giving machinists an in depth knowledge of firearms design and function. The program is one year long and does not, at the moment, have a multi year waiting list. Classes are in the evening so students can take other classes during the day or hold down a job. Work experience, education, or other factors may be taken into consideration in lieu of prerequisites, at the instructor's discretion.

Here is a link to the college's website:
http://www.fvcc.edu/programs/occupational-trades/firearms-technologies/

 

[HGM22]

So kind of a blend of gunsmith cert. and machinist cert. for the modern, industrial production of firearms?

 

[25cschaefer]

Kind of, the school sat down with a lot of the firearms manufacturers here in the Valley (there are 20 something manufacturers of guns and gun accessories) and they said they do not want gunsmiths. They want machinists that can identify problems with firearms before they leave the factory, that already know how things are supposed to fit, and that have an understanding of the forces at play with different ammo.

It has been referred to as gunsmithing light. The program is meant to train future employees for our growing industry, not prepare a person to start their own gunsmithing shop, though it is an excellent step in that direction.