Gunsmithing Penn Foster or similar gunsmith courses

[Spin_Drift]

Does anyone have any thoughts on these corspondence type gunsmith courses? Has anyone taken them or know someone who has taken them? I was wondering if they were a viable way to learn basic gunsmithing or a complete waste of money. Thank you for any input.

Respectfully

Greg

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: Penn Foster or similar gunsmith courses

In my feeble opinion, save your money, buy LOTS of manuals, read them, study them, live them. Buy a lathe, make all the mistakes known to mankind on your own rifles, learn from them.......Just my .02

 

[Cheech]

Re: Penn Foster or similar gunsmith courses

pm nmntz on here.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Penn Foster or similar gunsmith courses

i did the online classes at the expense of the USMC and it was definitely not worth it. You can learn everything that you would there, by reading around on here. Basically the same and this is free. The exams are a joke and there is not really any feedback. They cant teach any sort of machining work via an online class, but you can get that here. Id say spend some time here ask some of the gunsmiths on the board here if you have a specific question and you wouldnt have to pay jack for it. Just my opinion

 

[AWGunS]

Re: Penn Foster or similar gunsmith courses

I am starting out from scratch. Well, I have a pretty decent machining background, so I am ahead of the curve in that aspect. I have purchased a couple different manuals, have read anything I can get my hands on concerning gunsmithing, more specifically rifle work. I am to the point of putting tool to steel.

Like key said, I would put that money into manuals, videos, etc that you feel would help guide you. That course might get you to a point, but in the end its actually doing, not reading.

Practice, practice, practice. Plumb some of your guns, multiple times, rebarrel anything you can get your hands on. Learn how to file, measure, polish, coat, grind, mill, turn until you are completely confident and competent before you start charging money for service. The last thing you want to do is to figure out how to do something on a customers rifle (unless he is a understanding buddy).

I am sure some of the smiths will be along to give input as well. I'll be tagging to see what they say, as I am curious.

 

[Spin_Drift]

Re: Penn Foster or similar gunsmith courses

just wanted to thank everyone for their input.

 

[Powder_Burns]

Re: Penn Foster or similar gunsmith courses

Penn Foster course outline doesn't mention anything about recrowning, setting a barrel back, or headspacing---key gunsmithing skills in my opinion. I think it runs like $700-$800, to teach how to identify what type of gun you are looking at, how to checker a stock, how to apply for a FFL, how to mount a scope, and maybe how to bed a stock..comes with a few handbooks and a brownells brass punch set.

I'm glad I requested the course information before jumping in headfirst, now I just wish I never requested it because those jerks don't stop emailing or calling me asking when I'm gonna give them my money.

I think gunsmithing is still one of those hands-on, apprenticeship type trades you can't really learn at home. It is also a specialist trade, in that you can focus on one aspect of 'smithing and have a successful business...some people work on stockmaking, or specialize in 1911's, barrel work, etc. It would do good to research your local gunsmithing industry/markets and find out what type of gunsmith is needed in your area..(you might have an abundance of smiths that do barrel work, and nobody that does stock work, or a bunch of talented pistolsmiths but no serious riflesmiths or vice versa, etc)

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Penn Foster or similar gunsmith courses

To be sucessful you need to have a "niche" meaning you specialize in one certain area like Powder said. If you are looking for a little side money, then not so important. But for a full on business you must decide your niche market before you figure out your next step.