Gunsmithing Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

[earthquake]

Sold some of my old uniform stuff to a former Marine who is currently in gunsmith school. We got to talking of course about shooting etc. I told him about a rifle I'm in the process of wanting to build (6.5CM) and that I have all the parts (Bartlein barrel, McRees stock, Rem700 action) and he said that he needs to do a "final" project or something for the course and offered to build my rifle which would be no cost to me.

He said they have the master gunsmiths always there, looking over their shoulders so they don't mess up. He also said if he did, he'd replace anything.

Is this a good idea? It would save me ~$900 which was the quote I got from my regular smith. I don't know this guy from Adam, but he was a Marine, and if he's under supervision from master gunsmiths, how bad could he screw it up?

Just looking for any advice from real gunsmiths out there that may know the nuances or details of how schools are run.

Thanks in advance.

 

[LRI]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

Caveat Emptor.

 

[my human host]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

I'm self taught. Don't know jack about 'smithing schools, nor am I a professional.

At a minimum, I would ask to see/shoot a rifle he's built.

 

[1000yard]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

I went to school in Colorado, they teach you general stuff, machining, stockmaking, bluing, repair, design and function. But it the basics, to get you started, so you can effectively continue to learn and evolve. You leave with enough knowledge to be dangerous, if you're not careful. When I attended you built 3 rifles, a 1911, and repaired and/or refinished a couple dozen more. Some guys/girls, just scraped by and wanted to play around, some took it more seriously. I was hired right out of school to work in a busy shop across the country(I'm from CO, and was local)So I was able to continue working and learning. Alot of the students, just went back home and either did nothing, or had work already lined up. We had students from around the world. I still work in the firearms industry, but don't gunsmith fulltime, just general, minor stuff for friends. The school had a couple fulltime, accomplished smiths on staff, and several well trained instructors teaching the machining and other stuff. That was in 1990. I can't say for sure now.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

Let him build it.

Looking back on my school... the program taught us some damn good shit. Im very glad I went and wouldn't change anything about the program now. Nor do I think I'd be as well off had I not gone.

Im very thankful to the guys who let me build them rifles while in school.

 

[earthquake]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

This is the place: Colorado School of Trades

I'm thinking of going over there to ask a bunch of questions...but not quite sure what to ask....anything I should be concerned with, for having someone chamber and thread a blank barrel, and match/blueprint it up to a Rem700 SA receiver?

I guess since I don't know jack about gunsmithing or chambering/building rifles, I don't know what or how the job can be screwed up, what problems could arise in doing this kind of work. Thanks for all the advice so far!

 

[Carolina Shooter]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

I'm currently a student at a well respected gunsmithing school, so I'm in a similar position to this guy - doing various projects for the first time under an instructor's supervision.

He can probably build your rifle. He could also screw it up. His instructors won't be standing over his shoulder every second while he builds your rifle. He can make mistakes they don't see.

I know the guy said he'd replace anything he messes up, but that still leaves a lot of room for interpretation. What if he builds you a safe and functional rifle that doesn't come close to meeting your accuracy standards? Does he owe you money or not? Are you sure you want to trust that to someone you don't even know?

 

[Rhys]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

I went through that program back in 2001, and I can tell you if he follows the chambering method they were teaching at that time you have about a 50% chance of having a good accurate rifle. Precision rifle building is not the forte of that school. The do make it possible for someone to become a good general smith though. After going to my own shop I ended up going to some completely different chambering methods, and all of them produced substantially better repeatable results than what was being tought at the school.

 

[Beef_Supreme]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

The much eluded to 'Master Gunsmith' I love it.
To graduate from CST, each student has to complete a 'Final project' which means they have to decide on a build or oproject, write it up, get it approved and it is graded and once it is done with their final written test- BAM! They are pronounced gunsmith and sent forth to conquer.
It was at CST that they taught that there was no such thing as a 'Master' Gunsmith. Master Pistolsmith, Master Custom Gunmaker of course is possible via the guilds.... but 'Master' gunsmith is..

 

[1000yard]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

That's where I went, CST. like I said not sure what it's like now, just 20 years ago. I left knowing the basics, and could hold my own. I had been helping another very good local gunsmith, and learned ALOT from a barrel maker in WI, who will probably forget more about cut rifled barrels, than most of the people he taught will ever know. So, I had a head start, and was eager to learn. But I would not have offered to build a precision rifle with someone elses high dollar parts, while in school with the equipment available to me at the time.
Like Chad Dixon said "Caveat Emptor"

 

[earthquake]

Re: Q to the gunsmiths about gunsmith school

I really appreciate all this advice. The intention of this build, and for using a 6.5mm cartridge, is to have a damn fine precision rifle to win comps with. No compromise. I've already got a lot of money in it, and have decided to have my regular smith build it. He built me a damn good shootin' .308 already. Thanks again!