1911.COM : Repair, Maintenance & Cleaning : Repair, Maintenance & Cleaning : Future gunsmith

Posted: Mar 15th 2010, 09:02 PM

Well, I just squeaked by yet another layoff at work. And we've already been told there will be another major cut next year, regardless of the economic situation. Seems my employer has decided they have too many older employees (approaching retirement). They've also expressed the desire to outsource to companies like India. The economy has given them the opportunity to accomplish both goals with one drop of the axe. So I'm not too sure how much longer I will be employed. The job market is dismal around here, especially in the computer field. And since I'm 56 years old with some health issues, my prospects for finding employment would not be good.

So, I've been scouting around for some potential alternatives to keep me afloat if the worst happens. I've been shooting my entire life and have always loved guns. I'm very adept at working with my hands, and have a knack for understanding things mechanical. So it occurred to me that gunsmithing might be an option. After all, with record numbers of guns being sold, its one profession that is still in demand.

Of course, the best option would be to enroll in a full time gunsmithing school, such as those operated by the NRA. In the end there is no substitute for face-to-face, hands on experience. But, unfortunately, I can't afford to quit work and go back to school. And I don't have that kind of money either. So, I have to settle for next best, a home study course. To that end, I've been doing a lot of research. It's vital that I get a program that actually teaches gunsmithing and not just go through the motions. After looking over many options I decided to enroll in the Professional Gunsmithing program at American Gunsmithing Institute. It's the priciest of the home study programs available, but according the information I've been getting from various sources, their program is worth the extra cost. You get what you pay for.

I understand the limitations of a home study program. And I'm not fooled into thinking I'll be able to jump right into a gunsmithing business the day I get certified. But its a start. And I think AGI will give me the best chance, under the circumstances. Unlike many of the other so called gunsmithing 'schools' I checked out. One school, which shall remain nameless, says they can make you a fully qualified gunsmith in 2 weeks. Uh...yeah. Another school sends you all the course material in an e-mail. I bet that's really deep. And another school made it even easier. Just send them $200 and shazam, you're a gunsmith. They send you a certificate to prove it.

Only time will tell, but I have a lot of work ahead of me. AGI's basic certification course alone is 108 hours of video instruction. They say some students have completed it in 3 months, but most take 6 months to a year or more. And according to some of their students I've spoken to, their certification tests are NOT easy. If you can pass their certification tests, you know the material. I'm actually looking forward to it.

And if the sky doesn't fall, and I retain my current job, it can always turn into a part time business, making extra money on the side....to buy guns of course.

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Feb 11th 10
MO US

Posted: Mar 15th 2010, 09:19 PM

ive been thinking about taking gunsmith classes. my local guy is WAY to expensive and the gun store guy (the cheaper of the two) quit almost 1 year ago.....hmmmmm?

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Apr 24th 09
CA US

Posted: Mar 15th 2010, 09:28 PM

It's a tough state of affairs out there. I give thanks every day that I have the job I do. I wish you the best of luck, and when you get your cert, I'm sure several of us members will help you get your business off the ground with some odd jobs we've been putting off.

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Jan 8th 09
VA US

Posted: Mar 15th 2010, 10:08 PM

You will have to let me know what you think of the course, I have thought about doing the same.

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May 18th 09
AZ US

Posted: Mar 15th 2010, 10:14 PM

RG,

I have wanted to do this also.

I am burned out in my current job and I want something that will be fun to me. I just haven't found that career path or the ability to be able to make close to what I make now by changing careers again.

I too love working with guns and reloading. I also like to hunt which precludes me from working in that industry because it's busiest times are during the hunting seasons.

I have been beating my head against the wall for a long time trying to come up with a new career that is more satisfying than the one I am in.

Keep us posted on your progress. I would love to hear of your new found success and maybe follow that path.

Meanwhile I will keep building ARs and reloading.

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Mar 12th 09
TN US

Posted: Mar 16th 2010, 12:01 PM

Geez How do I put this ???.......I really want to put a positive spin on things but I can't.

1) If you have any kind of job paying your bills and providing benefits hold on to it.......No matter how bad you think your job sucks......

All the major companies including mine has used the economy as an excuse to take liberties on their work force......In my case I'm on my 2nd year of no COLA or Merit raise, No bonus, No 401K contribution, And the Company dropped it's better Insurance plan and stuck us with a higher deductible PPO because they claim it's costing them too much - Bottom line : I'm making less than I was 2 years ago still in the same job.....Meanwhile business is booming for the Company and we picked up a whole new account due to a merger of a client - And 6 guys like me are carrying the workload of 8-9 people with no company plans on hiring more guys.......Only thing that sucks worse is not having a job.

2) I've always dreamed of having a Gun or 'Smith Shop....And I've talked to dealers often about it.

There just isn't alot of money in guns I'm told.....And to legally do Gunsmith work you need the same licensing requirements as an FFL to bring in and store guns your working on 'And' under some circumstances you may need additions to your FFLor extra licensing that allows you to be in the 'Manufacturing' side of things.....By all accounts it's just not as easy as hanging a sheep skin on the wall........It's the licensing and overhead(Like shop rent) that's a killer in the business, Then there's Insurance - One dealer told me his insurance runs about 5K a year for his small shop: That's to cover all kinds of liability from people slipping and falling to accidental discharge.....He doesn't do 'Smith work because of the cost and liability.

I've seen Gun Shops open, Do poorly, And close inside of 6 months........I've given this alot of thought......

The only way I see to do it is to own your store front or shop 1st.....Then you've got a chance of controlling overhead and costs......Then start out small and test the waters - I'd go the Pawn Shop route and build up capital while catering to the gun crowd and see how it goes.....It's amazing how the Pawn business stays profitable in even the worst of times.....I seen gun businesses start this way, And before long your a Gun Business doing very little pawning(On Junk) unless it's guns or high end items.

Just my 2 cents.......Wish my outlook was more positive.......But then there's reality.

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May 31st 09
FL US

Posted: Mar 16th 2010, 12:44 PM

Good points MM. But I think that you believe my expectations are higher than they are.

First of all, I'm in no way even considering walking away from my job. That would be insane. Anyone with a job these days should hang on to what they got. And in my case, I have too much seniority and other benefits to give it up voluntarily. But I'm trying to deal with the real threat that my job may walk away from me.

I'm not fooled into thinking that I'll complete this training and the next day open a gunsmith shop and start raking in a six figure income. I don't have any plans to open a shop at all. First of all, opening any kind of formal store front business is risky. Any business. Not just guns. Opening a formal business requires a substantial investment in time and money. Frequently requiring you to assume substantial debt, unless you have barrels of cash just laying around. If you do that and it fails, you are in a world of hurt. According to the small business admin more than 70% of new small business fail within the first year, and their owners end up in bankruptcy.

My plan is to start small, out of my home. Doing side jobs. And not as a full scale machine shop business. Just the routine fix broken guns, minor enhancements, trigger jobs, stuff like that. Minimal expenses. I've checked, and basic liability insurance would run me about $100 a month. I'm talking about insurance to cover what happens if I fix a gun wrong and some guy blows his fingers off. I fully expect that it'll be a year before I'd actually earn dollar one, if then. But if I do those side jobs, and do them well, I will gain the most important thing in any business...reputation. Get that, and the business will start to come. If and when that happens, I'll take it to the next level. Only time will tell.

What I'm planning for here is the worst case scenario. I hope. I pray, that I don't lose my job. I'll do everything in my power to hold onto it. But a lady who I work with on a regular basis got a layoff notice a few weeks back. She's been there 27 years and is less than a year from retirement. I can't just wait and see if that happens to me. That will be too late. I have to do SOMETHING. This is just one of several options I'm exploring. If nothing else, it might just bring in a few bucks here and there, enough to keep me on minimum life support until I find other work. If it doesn't work out, I'll be no worse off.

As you say 'then there's reality'. Reality is what I'm dealing with here. Reality dictates that if the worst happens, as has happened to so many other's these days, then you have two courses of action. You can give up and go under. Or you can pull out all the stops, turn over all the stones, explore all options, and do the best you can with what you have. I may be making a mistake. But the only plan of action with a 100% guaranteed failure rate is to do nothing.

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MO US

Posted: Mar 16th 2010, 02:03 PM

I'm Behined you 100%......Didn't mean if I came off the wrong way - Doing something 'IS' better than nothing......I'm almost in the same boat as you : They could decide my job could be done with 5 Guys instead of 6 when they really need 8(LOL).........

I've dabbled in this area.......If you can buy a table at your Gun Shows without an FFL you can try some ideas......I've sold ammo and Non-FFL items, It's a hobby at first, and you can buy same as anybody(Just Can't Sell).......A small Picnic sized table was $50 bucks for a weekend show - it was fun, Some weekends I scored, Some barely made gas or lunch money

Maybe offer light 'Smith work and parts on a table at shows ????

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May 31st 09
FL US

Posted: Mar 16th 2010, 02:12 PM

Go for it Palladin(RG). I hope you do well. We have a few gunsmiths around here. One I know for sure has so much business, he picks and chooses what he wants to do and tells the rest to go elsewhere. There is another guy who goes to one gunshow and all he does is trigger jobs on revolvers. That guy keeps busy on that too.

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May 9th 08
OH US

Posted: Mar 16th 2010, 02:28 PM

Thanks MM and TB. Yeah, that's what I'm looking at, chip away at the edges at first. Light stuff. Nothing fancy. And I've been advised that specializing can help. Like the guy who does nothing but revolver trigger jobs. Get really good at one thing rather than trying to be a jack of all trades.

And I'll have an FFL. There's a particular category of FFL for gunsmiths. Same benefits as a standard FFL, just different qualifications for getting it. The main requirement is certification from a recognized school. And AGI is that. They say its actually easier to get than a regular FFL, once you're certified. Pretty much have to have it. Allows you to get parts directly from the manufacturers at wholesale. And there are some parts, receivers for example, that you can only get with an FFL.

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Feb 11th 10
MO US

Posted: Mar 16th 2010, 02:38 PM

RG, Like Max I'm 100% behind you. If you can remove/Install permanent muzzle devices I know alot of people who would send business your way. Near me in PA. and NY. nobody want's to touch it. Sent mine to CA. of all places.

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NY US

Posted: Mar 16th 2010, 02:41 PM

If the course was reasonable, I would do it just to have the privileges of the FFL and being able to better work on my guns and my friends guns

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Mar 12th 09
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