Are you the kind of person who is interested in guns and wants to make a career out of them, then this article will provide vital information on some of the things you need to know about becoming a gunsmith and a list of the best gunsmithing schools that offer online and offline programs.
There are about 400 million firearms in the United States of America. This the more than the total number of people living in the U.S. which is about 331.9 million. With this in mind, you can tell that there will always be a need for individuals who are gunsmiths.
We have discussed some of the things you need to know about this career path including the salary outlook, how long you are likely to spend studying this program, a list of the gunsmithing schools online and offline and other things you need to know.
You take advantage of the information in this article as a foundation to begin your journey in the field of gunsmithing.
What you Need to Know About Gunsmithing
Gunsmithing is a profession where firearms are designed, modified, manufactured and repaired. This includes routine inspections, modifications and maintenance of firearms. It’s about identifying worn gun parts and replacing them with new ones.
People in the gunsmith field have many wonderful career opportunities. Since most countries do not support the use of firearms by citizens, this does not prevent you from pursuing a career as a gunsmith.
Who is a Gunsmith?
A gunsmith is a person who specializes in the design, assembly, repair, upgrade and maintenance of firearms. They may specialize in certain types of firearms such as pistols, rifles, etc. or they may specialize in specific manufacturers such as Glock, Colt, Winchester, Berreta, etc.
Is Gunsmithing a Good Career?
If you are thinking if becoming a gunsmith is a good career, then the answer is yes. A career as a gunsmith offers exciting opportunities to do different types of work with guns. During your job, you can create, repair, customize and design different weapons. A career as a gunsmith can be rewarding and exciting.
List of the Best Gunsmithing Schools Online and Offline
- Montgomery Community College
- Ashworth College
- Flathead Valley Community College
- Sonoran Desert Institute
- American Gunsmithing Institute
- Penn Foster College
- Penn Foster Career School
- Colorado School of Trade
- Pennsylvania Gunsmithing School
- Pine Technical and Community College
- Modern Gun School
- Piedmont Technical College
We have come to the focus point of this article – which is to list the best gunsmithing schools online and offline. These schools were selected from other institutions based on the complexity of the gunsmith program, financial support, nature of the gunsmith program, skills, and whether the school is accredited.
Montgomery Community College
The school received its accreditation from the State Board of Education Department and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This is a gunsmithing school that has been approved by the National Rifles Association.
Some of the programs offered by this institution include:
- Gunsmithing Refining Certificate
- Gunsmithing Diploma
- Gunsmithing Technology Certificate
- Gunsmithing Design and Repair Certificate, and others.
If you are interested in this school you will need to visit the official website for more information and also bear in mind that the programs offered by this school can take up to 2 years to complete.
Ashworth College
Ashworth College one of the schools for gunsmithing on this list is a private institution. The School is located in Norcross, Georgia. they offer a gunsmith diploma with an emphasis on shotguns and rifles.
Through Ashworth’s 19 comprehensive lessons, scholars learn operation the process of gun assembling and disassembling, gun inspection, cleaning and maintenance. Ashworth College has a 100% acceptance rate.
Ashworth also offers affordable monthly payment plans starting at $49 per month. You can also receive family tuition discounts and student referral bonuses. If you are interested In taking an online firearms course, then you will pay a tuition of $754.
Flathead Valley Community College
Northwestern Commission on Colleges and Universities is the accreditation body that has duly accredited the Flathead Valley Community College. The university offers a firearms program called Firearms Technology. It is designed to expand your knowledge of the design and features of modern firearms. It expands your knowledge of gunsmithing, metalworking and rough machining techniques.
Sonoran Desert Institute
The Sonoran Desert Institute is a private, for-profit institution headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Sonoran Desert Institute offers quality firearms courses and programs such as the Advanced Gunsmithing Certificate, Advanced Armorer Courses, Associate of Science in Firearms Technology and Ballistics and Reloading Certificate.
You can access these programs online and will only have to study for about 6 weeks if you are taking the associate degree and the certificate programs will take less than 6 weeks to complete. You can decide to go for the certificate programs before studying for the associate degree.
American Gunsmithing Institute
The American Gunsmithing Institute best school for Gunsmithing in the United States – courses can be accessed online. It offers several online courses for amateur and professional gunsmiths. If you are looking for a certification program in gunsmithing then this school is right for you.
The AGI offers over 108 hours of online gunsmithing training where students can learn how to design and repair, revolvers rifles and, pistols, shotguns. The courses offered by this institution can be accessed online in a video format. These courses are taught by reputable gunsmiths.
Penn Foster College
Bear in mind that Penn Foster College is different from Penn Foster Career School. Penn Foster College has been in existence for over a hundred years. They are fully accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission and regionally accredited by the Arizona Commission on Private Postsecondary Education.
When you take on the diploma program, you will learn all the fundamentals you need to know about in becoming a gunsmith. You will also learn all you need to know about the safety, operation, maintenance and design of firearms.
This is only a 3-month program and like many others on this list, you can study online. Tuition will not exceed $1,000.
Penn Foster Career School
Penn Foster Career School is a private distance education school in the United States. Penn Foster offers an online gunsmith degree. During the course, the student learns about firearm safety, the assembly and disassembly of a weapon, and the restoration of antique weapons.
Students also learn how to adjust a gun stock for a specific purpose, including mounting sights, sniper rifle competition, basic metalworking, manual loading, metalworking, machine tools, and the history of pistols and rifles.
Colorado School of Trade
Colorado Business School offers an Associate of Occupational Studies degree in gunsmithing – it is one of the best gunsmithing schools on this list. The institution also offers several degrees in machining-related fields.
The four main courses you will study over 14 months are basic gunsmith courses, design and function and Making stocks. This first part will introduce you to the basics of gunsmithing and gun maintenance.
You will then learn the basics of a machine shop, such as how to use lathes, CNC machines and other common tools, just the dremels and grinders.
Pennsylvania Gunsmithing School
The gunsmithing school is located in Avalon, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The institution was established to retrain veterans of the Great Patriotic War who wanted to start a career as a gunsmith.
The school as you would expect is a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA), and has duly received its accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Pine Technical and Community College
Pine Technical and Community College is also one of the top accredited gunsmithing schools in the United States as it has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Gunsmithing programs offered by this institution is top-notch and can be completed in 2 years.
The first year’s training covers, among other things, the basic functions, disassembly, assembly, maintenance and repair of various models and accessories of firearms.
The second year includes things like drawing and rearranging rifle barrels, making 1- and 2-piece gunstocks, improving shotgun performance, and studying finishing processes.
Modern Gun School
Modern Gun School offers a very flexible program for those interested in gunsmithing, either as a hobby or as a full-time career. They have permanent open enrollment, so you can start a basic or advanced gunsmith course at any time of the year.
This is one of the gunsmithing schools on this list that offer courses online that you can participate in on your own terms. Staff and gunsmiths have even customized them to suit the needs and interests of individual students.
Piedmont Technical College
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College have accredited the Piedmont Technical complete, therefore any course taken in this school is recognised and will start your career in the Gunsmithing field.
The gunsmith training offered by the school will teach you all the skills you need to succeed in your gunsmithing career. The Gunsmith program gives you complete knowledge of gunsmithing. It goes from beginner to advanced.
You will be introduced to all the basics and theoretical aspects of gunsmithing on a practical level. By the end of the course, you will have acquired the necessary skills needed to start your own professional firearms company or work for a firearms company.
They convey the best of gunsmithing by combining traditional and modern gunsmithing techniques. The student learns to design, modify, adjust, repair and polish firearms, use drill presses, lathes, etc. and weld or install rifle barrels.
How long does it take to complete a gunsmith course in the US?
The duration of the Gunsmiths program varies by the school in the United States. Many schools offer gunsmithing programs online and offline that can be completed in six months.
Some schools offer a broader associate degree that can be completed in 1-2 years.
If you want to learn the skill as an apprentice, the time it takes to complete the training is entirely dependent on the skill, speed and experience of the gunsmith and how quickly you can learn it.
What is the average salary for a gunsmith?
Different gunsmiths are paid according to their level of experience. Junior gunsmiths earn between $2,000 and $45,000. But top executives earn up to $58,000 a year. On average, a gunsmith with top-level knowledge can earn $4,833 per month.
Conclusion
If you have an interest in firearms and how they work, now is the perfect time to turn your passion into a career and make money from it. Firearms never go out of style and the industry continues to thrive.
Have you been looking for the best schools to get precise and in-depth knowledge of gunsmithing online or offline? Then you have the opportunity to pursue the career of your dreams.
We have tried to use this article as an agency to provide information on everything you need to know about the best-accredited schools that offer programs in gunsmith. Some courses are offered online, providing a flexible hands-on learning experience.
The price of the programs is not fixed, it depends on the school. There is also a discount for in-state students, so tuition is different for international students, overseas students and in-state students.
References
- https://kiiky.com/gunsmithing-schools-in-the-usa/
- https://kamerpower.com/8-best-online-gunsmithing-schools-programs-2022/
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