Prospects for new gunsmiths?

[CitizenCCW]

Hello all. New guy here. Hope this is an appropriate section for this post.
I'm looking for advice on becoming a gunsmith. Basically I'm a 27 years old, third generation carpenter. I enjoy mechanical things. I'm good with my hands and I've been a gun nut all my life. What are the career prospects for new gunsmiths these days? Can a guy feed a wife, three kids, and a gundog, right out of 'smith school? Is it tough to find work these days wrenching on firearms? Any comments you have would be helpfull.

Here is the school I would attend. Ever hear of it?
http://lassencollege.edu/Programs/Programs/programsgunsmithing.html

Thanks
PMN

 

[Jim K]

I would say that the prospects for a general gunsmith today are good, at least in most areas. Now, please don't take offense at what I am about to say; it is NOT personal.

Prospects for GUNSMITHS are good, indeed excellent. Gun tinkerers and wannabe smiths should simply not bother. Those who are not willing to learn and learn right, should stick to messing up their own guns, and not start on other people's. They are dangerous; they not only ruin guns but give real gunsmiths a bad reputation.

And gunsmithing has to be run as a BUSINESS unless the "smith" has an independent fortune he can draw on to support himself while he plays with guns. He must be willing to not only learn gunsmithing but learn how to run a business, keep records, know enough bookkeeping to not mess up, get proper premises, all the business licenses (no, an FFL is NOT enough), comply with all the local, state and federal regulations and rules on safety, hazmat, taxes, zoning, employee rules, etc., etc.

Forget the basement workshop, even in areas where it is legal. There are just too many drawbacks. Have enough capital to obtain tools and equipment without borrowing money you can't repay if the business goes under. You need a lot more than a set of screwdrivers and a mill bastard file. Don't bet your whole future on a business that you may not be able to run. Become a professional, set up as a professional, and do work like a professional, and you will do OK. A lot of work, many pains in the tail (mostly customers), and your income will never rouse envy in Bill Gates, but you will do OK.

Gunsmithing and gun dealing are among the favorite "hobby" businesses. So are custom auto work, cooking, woodworking, and similar trades. As an example, many housewives receive so many compliments on their cooking that they decide to open a restaurant. They almost always fail miserably and lose their whole investment because they know cooking, not business. Nuff sed.

Jim

 

[HSMITH]

Go to school, and start part time gunsmithing with a job that will feed everyone. Work evenings and weekends until you get a following that is close to enough work to support you, basically a little backlog of work that you use for 'money in the bank'. Quit your other job and go full time, and ask your clients to spread your name to ensure enough new work comes in to pay the bills, ask every single person that comes to you or contacts you.

Best of luck to you.

 

[sjohns]

If you keep your eye on Ebay in the gunsmithing section, sometimes you will find series of texts that are an entire gunsmithing program.

Something like that would let you know what you are really in for.

 

[rmw]

I graduated from there with an AS degree in Gunsmithing in the 80's . I worked earning my living as a gunsmith for about the next ten years . Medical insurance is the hard one , especially with little ones . Do a search for Pacific International Service Company "Oregon" . The guy who owns it used to be the head instructor at LCC and the other guy that works there graduated from there . They may be able to shed some light for you on how good LCC is now .

 

[CitizenCCW]

Thanks for all the great replies everybody.