Gunsmiths repair and modify weapons as requested by customers.
Gunsmiths provide an important specialized service for gun owners. They modify and repair guns as needed by customers. They also clean guns using specialized equipment designed specifically to grind and polish guns. According to PayScale, Inc., the average yearly earnings for gunsmiths nationwide was between $25,052 and $48,706, as of January 2011. Becoming a gunsmith is fairly simple to do through home study. You need to obtain the proper licensing to repair, refinish, customize and engrave firearms, according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Instructions
1. Research online gunsmith training programs. Things to consider when choosing a program include cost, length of the program, method of delivery (online, DVD, etc.) and accreditation. Schools offering at-home training programs include Penn Foster Career School, Ashworth College and the Foley-Belsaw Institute. These schools will typically send you an information packet upon request so that you can decide if their program is right for you.
2. Enroll in the class of your choosing and pay your tuition. Each school or training program has different requirements for enrollment, but you will not typically have to go through an admissions process like you would for traditional colleges and universities. For instance, Penn Foster Career School will allow you to enroll online by providing your personal information, agreeing to the terms and conditions of a tuition agreement, selecting your mode of payment and reviewing and submitting your application.
3. Complete your coursework and lessons as prescribed by your study manual or instructions provided by your career school. The beauty of a home-study program is that you can finish it as quickly as you want or take your time and fit your studies in around your busy schedule. Determine the time frame in which you want to complete your coursework and divide up the number of lessons you have to complete to meet those time constraints. Create a schedule and stick to it. For instance, if you wanted to finish the program at Ashworth College in five months or less, you could do so by completing one lesson per week and finishing in 19 weeks. Areas of study include courses in routine maintenance, bolt action rifles, triggers and repairing and refinishing stocks.
4. Obtain a training manual and complete additional self-study at home. A gunsmith needs to have a comprehensive knowledge of her trade. At-home gunsmith courses can only provide you with an overview of the industry and not all of the advanced knowledge of each type of gun that may be required to provide services and repairs. Purchase a training manual at a local retail bookstore to provide you with additional knowledge needed to work in this field.
Tags: Ashworth College, Foster Career, Foster Career School, Penn Foster, Penn Foster Career
