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Gunsmithing gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

M

Manzgear

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 10, 2011
406
2
47
Roundup, MT
#1
Does anyone know what happened with the website

www.taogart.org

this is supposed to be the contact place for setting up an apprenticeship. Somehow this site has been taken over with stupid online adds that have nothing to do with trade school apprenticeships
I want to be a gunsmith and as of right now all the schools that teach are two years min waiting to start their programs. So in the meantime I dont wish to sit and do nothing. I would rather start working in the field I would like to be in than continue doing what Im doing. If anyone knows anything about this I would appreciate any help. also if anyone knows a gunsmith that is willing to do this, please let me know. thank you for taking the time to read this.
 
#3
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

You could always ask your local gunsmith if he could show you a few things, and let you be another set of hands around the shop to get you acquainted with the tools and all that. Watch and learn. Then maybe pay him to let you use some of his tools to do some work on your own equipment. That is the best you could do until you get into school for the gunsmithing trade.
 
#4
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

With the preface that I'm not a gunsmith, similar threads have been started on this topic here in the past. It seems that the concensus has always been to find a trade school close to home that offers machine tool technology or similar. I would agree with that route, especially if what you plan on doing is building rifles. They obviously aren't going to teach you about how to repair guns or how the different guns work, but they will teach you how to do the metal working part of being a gunsmith to a much further extent than a gunsmithing program has time to cover. Threading is threading, reaming is reaming, cutting dovetails is cutting dovetails, facing is facing, dialing in a barrel or action in a lathe is no different than dialing in any other widget in a lathe....If you learn to hold a tolerance in one thing you can translate what you learned into holding tolerances in your gunsmithing work. I would think that combining a machine tool technology program or the like with working part-time for a repair gunsmith would be better than going to a trade school specifically for gunsmithing or an apprenticeship. Only my opinion.
 
#5
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

I attended Trinidad State Junior college's gunsmithing program. It now has a year or two wait time now i understand but you could use that time by taking some classes on machining and metal work at a local community college etc. Trinidad's program had a lot of machine work and metal work so it may be helpful to you to spend some time learning to Tig weld and learning how to use a lathe and mill. It's a long 2 years, but it's worth it. The teachers there are pretty amazing and you end up meeting some pretty cool people in the industry.
 
#6
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bryan27</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With the preface that I'm not a gunsmith, similar threads have been started on this topic here in the past. It seems that the concensus has always been to find a trade school close to home that offers machine tool technology or similar. I would agree with that route, especially if what you plan on doing is building rifles. They obviously aren't going to teach you about how to repair guns or how the different guns work, but they will teach you how to do the metal working part of being a gunsmith to a much further extent than a gunsmithing program has time to cover. Threading is threading, reaming is reaming, cutting dovetails is cutting dovetails, facing is facing, dialing in a barrel or action in a lathe is no different than dialing in any other widget in a lathe....If you learn to hold a tolerance in one thing you can translate what you learned into holding tolerances in your gunsmithing work. I would think that combining a machine tool technology program or the like with working part-time for a repair gunsmith would be better than going to a trade school specifically for gunsmithing or an apprenticeship. Only my opinion. </div></div>

This is solid advise. Get some experience running machines first. You will be miles ahead when you transition into firearms. Some welding experience (particularly TIG) is a big plus too. Gun shops look to hire people who can "DO", not just the ones who want to learn.
 
#7
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

thank you guys, I was beginning to think no one would respond
- I am planning on taking machining classes while I wait unless I can get a full time apprenticeship. but what you guys have said makes sense.. the crazy thing is I work in medicine. i am physician assistant in an emergency room and I just am not happy with it anymore. I love guns something fierce and I do most of my repairs and fixes within reason. But now I really want to take it further. Im thinking custom 1911 and bolt rifles... but again thank you guys.
 
#8
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

You will have much better career opportunities in the medical field than you will gunsmithing and with the extra money you make you can afford much nicer guns to play with.

I included a PM
 
#9
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

If you LOVE what you do, its not work.
However, turning a hobby into a job can take the FUN out of the hobby.
That being said, one thing that is a FACT;
The firearm industry doesnt pay well.
The reason most guys are in it, is for the free schwag.
Lots off retired military and LE who can afford to work for $40,000 a year, cause they have a pension coming in.
This has been my experience anyway.
Good luck.
 
#12
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Manzgear</div><div class="ubbcode-body">who is Mr Gardner? </div></div>

I think he is the guy that takes care of my garden....
grin.gif


Might be the owner of one of the most well known shops as far as this site goes.

Pretty sure he is a gardener though.
 
#13
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Manzgear</div><div class="ubbcode-body">who is Mr Gardner? </div></div>

THE George!
 
#17
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You will have much better career opportunities in the medical field than you will gunsmithing and with the extra money you make you can afford much nicer guns to play with.

I included a PM </div></div>

As a medical student, I hope and pray you are correct. With the advent of socialized medicine, I may have to open a gun shop to finance my medicine hobby.
 
#19
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

I attended the Pennsylvania Gunsmith School back in 2006-2007 and after attending I really wish I would have just went to a local machinist school.You can either take apart a gun or you can't.But learning how to setup up a mill or lathe is a must and for me there wasn't enough machine time when I was in school.Alot of the stuff you learn in school is really out dated unless they have made some changes.I know this isn't what you were looking for but thought I would add to what some of the other guys have said.And if you are wondering no I don't work on guns I work on Helicopters.LOL
 
#20
Re: gunsmithing Apprenticeships?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ohnomrbillk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You will have much better career opportunities in the medical field than you will gunsmithing and with the extra money you make you can afford much nicer guns to play with.

I included a PM </div></div>

As a medical student, I hope and pray you are correct. With the advent of socialized medicine, I may have to open a gun shop to finance my medicine hobby. </div></div>
+1
 
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