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Thread: Thinking about getting a gunsmithing degree/certificate/???

  1. #1
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    Thinking about getting a gunsmithing degree/certificate/???

    Any gunsmiths out there want to dissuade me? Seems to me I know more people who need a good gunsmith than I do who will recommend one. Obviously there are fiscal considerations but for the sake of argument lets assume i could afford the schooling.
    Is it laughable to think I could one day live in rural MN and make a modest living doing gunsmithing work?
    All comments welcome , this is a feasibility study.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    JBinMN's Avatar
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    I live in the land of sky blue waters myself & this is a really good idea.


    I am getting older & limited on physical activity. I am interested to see what folks here have to say also.

    Plus, we are far enough apart there won't be that much competition. Although I have enjoyed your part of the state when I get the chance.


    LOL

  3. #3
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    classmates ! I'm wondering how far in advance you have to enroll to Pine??

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master GhostHawk's Avatar
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    Problem as I see it is insurance cost and liability issues.

    You work on a gun, it leaves your shop. You do not know what happens to that gun, or what they put in it. But if it blows up your a business, so you are first on the list to get sued.

    So bear that in mind, talk to other gunsmiths, how do they do it?

    Don't get me wrong, I wish you the best of luck.

    World needs more guys like you.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    JBinMN's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by zymguy View Post
    classmates ! I'm wondering how far in advance you have to enroll to Pine??
    Apparently there is some reading to do to find out....


    http://www.pine.edu/programs/gunsmit...ms-technology/

  6. #6
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GhostHawk View Post
    Problem as I see it is insurance cost and liability issues.

    You work on a gun, it leaves your shop. You do not know what happens to that gun, or what they put in it. But if it blows up your a business, so you are first on the list to get sued.

    So bear that in mind, talk to other gunsmiths, how do they do it?

    Don't get me wrong, I wish you the best of luck.

    World needs more guys like you.
    I hear you loud and clear. I'm in the beer business now so I understand how those can be very real overhead costs, insurance and the like.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    Ive been through that, were you able to find a timeline? If they're only graduating ten a year they must be turning many away.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    I'm also worried about what the political climate 20 yrs down the road, but I suppose every industry has that concern.

  9. #9
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    The tooling is mucho expensive, in addition to the education you will need a small but fairly well fitted out machine shop. Lathe, mill, and not just any lathe or mill, they must be precision tools. Also I might add that the necessary tooling associated with a lathe and a mill is likely to cost more than the machines themselves when it's all said and done. TiG welder, oxy-acetylene torches, and the myriad micrometers, pin gages, reamers, and a lot of very specialized tooling for doing revolver work and building 1911s.

    It comes down to if you are really smart and good with your tools, your skills and workmanship will sell itself if enough people see it, regardless of your location.
    Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? 9mm, 10mm/40S&W, 45 ACP pistol barrel that won't "plunk" your handloads? 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh cylinder that needs the "step" reamed to 6° 30min chamfer? Click here to send me a PM You can also find me on Facebook Click Here.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
    JBinMN's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by zymguy View Post
    Ive been through that, were you able to find a timeline? If they're only graduating ten a year they must be turning many away.
    I just used this link & filled it out & they are supposed to send out something.

    https://pinetech.custhelp.com/ci/doc.../2/Requestinfo

    G'Luck!

  11. #11
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    I filled one out over a week ago, nothing yet. Its right after graduation, school staff was probably busy, ill bet it comes soon now

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by zymguy View Post
    I filled one out over a week ago, nothing yet. Its right after graduation, school staff was probably busy, ill bet it comes soon now
    Just got an email from them.
    --------------
    Dear J. B.

    Thank you for your interest in Pine Technical & Community College. PTCC has so much to offer, and we're excited you are thinking about applying and enrolling at PTCC.

    You can download your Gunsmithing and Firearms Technology program guide here.
    We'll be in touch soon to answer any specific questions you may have. In the meantime, the Pine Technical & Community College website is a great resource for future students. Please check out www.pine.edu and take a look around at the programs and services available to you.

    You can apply online at: www.pine.edu/apply. There is no application fee.
    Are you transferring from a different college? See our transfer page.
    To learn more about financial aid, please see: www.pine.edu/financial-aid/
    For more information regarding Student Services, including counseling, disability services and veterans services, please see: www.pine.edu/student-services/
    If you would like to attend a Discover Pine information and tour, or would like to schedule an individual college visit, see: www.pine.edu/visit/
    At PTCC, we believe students come first; therefore, we feel it is important you have your questions addressed. We are ready and available to help you! We'll be in touch soon, but please feel free to reply to this email if you have any immediate questions.

    Best wishes,

    PTCC Admissions Team

    Jen Rancour
    Recruitment and Admissions Specialist
    jen.rancour@pine.edu
    320.629.5189

    Max Anderson
    Recruitment and Admissions Specialist
    max.anderson@pine.edu
    320.629.4521
    --------------------
    Try again?

  13. #13
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JBinMN View Post
    Just got an email from them.
    --------------
    Dear J. B.

    Thank you for your interest in Pine Technical & Community College. PTCC has so much to offer, and we're excited you are thinking about applying and enrolling at PTCC.

    You can download your Gunsmithing and Firearms Technology program guide here.
    We'll be in touch soon to answer any specific questions you may have. In the meantime, the Pine Technical & Community College website is a great resource for future students. Please check out www.pine.edu and take a look around at the programs and services available to you.

    You can apply online at: www.pine.edu/apply. There is no application fee.
    Are you transferring from a different college? See our transfer page.
    To learn more about financial aid, please see: www.pine.edu/financial-aid/
    For more information regarding Student Services, including counseling, disability services and veterans services, please see: www.pine.edu/student-services/
    If you would like to attend a Discover Pine information and tour, or would like to schedule an individual college visit, see: www.pine.edu/visit/
    At PTCC, we believe students come first; therefore, we feel it is important you have your questions addressed. We are ready and available to help you! We'll be in touch soon, but please feel free to reply to this email if you have any immediate questions.

    Best wishes,

    PTCC Admissions Team

    Jen Rancour
    Recruitment and Admissions Specialist
    jen.rancour@pine.edu
    320.629.5189

    Max Anderson
    Recruitment and Admissions Specialist
    max.anderson@pine.edu
    320.629.4521
    --------------------
    Try again?
    ya i think those are automated. Need the envlope stuffer to catch up with the stack on their desk =)

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master



    M-Tecs's Avatar
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    A buddy went through there program about 5 years ago. He was impressed.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master

    lefty o's Avatar
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    i know a few guys who have done the pine city gunsmith course, they seem to produce capable gunsmiths.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master


    David2011's Avatar
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    I took some community college courses in gunsmithing and later became the instructor. It was far more limited than the PTCC Curriculum. We just taught basic lathe and milling machine operation, blasting, polishing and hot bluing with the goal of making a quality sporting rifle based on a Mauser 98 action. These were continuing education courses not intended to turn out working gunsmiths, nowhere nearly as comprehensive as PTCC. That looks like an excellent curriculum.
    Sometimes life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you it's a one way street. Jim Morris

  17. #17
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JBinMN View Post
    I just used this link & filled it out & they are supposed to send out something.

    https://pinetech.custhelp.com/ci/doc.../2/Requestinfo

    G'Luck!
    I still havent gotten anything, have you?

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
    JBinMN's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by zymguy View Post
    I still havent gotten anything, have you?
    Yes, I got another email asking me to come visit the campus.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    It would be a good idea to hunt for old threads with gunsmithing in the title, to see more of what people say about the practicalities of gunsmithing for a living. If you walk in a street, you see the ice-cream parlour in that street, and at the worst his ice-cream is no worse than walking a few hundred yards for someone else's. Decisions about gunsmithing work are usually taken days ahead and at home.

    A lot of gunsmithing is simple enough for any amateur with the tools - but people expect it done for less than will pay for the tools, and preferably today. Much of this is overwork-and-nothing seasonal. Other forms of gunsmithing could turn you into a prosperous, contented specialist in work unavailable elsewhere - and yet if you became that good tomorrow, it would still take years to build up the reputation that would bring in enough of it.

    I've seen it called the best job in the world, and for some I believe it. But don't confuse it with being a superior and better equipped version of the amateur, like me, you have been hitherto. It is doing it for people that causes most of the problems.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
    JBinMN's Avatar
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    It would just be a side thing for me anyway. I am semi retired from Construction work & have some med issues to deal with. I do not expect to live for more than 5 years more, if that...
    I was just looking at something to do to maybe make some extra $$ & likely something I would enjoy puttering around with. I have no intention to make it a career or anything more than having a sort of hobby. Looking at the time the institution wants someone to invest & the credits needed, I would either have to have them apply(credit) some of my real life experience of having a const. business for 30+ years, plus my other prior education from years ago /military service/etc. , or I wouldn't even take the time to visit the campus. I have no need for the entrance level required courses they apparently require at this time of my life.

    It was just something I was interested in.

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