For those of you passionate about exercising your second amendment right to “keep and bear arms,” you may be interested in accredited gunsmithing schools to help turn that passion into a full blown career. Gunsmithing involves repairs, modifications, designs, and the development of firearms. Gunsmithing schools give certifications that equip the bearer with the necessary gunsmithing tools to enter the trade professionally.
If you look into a gunsmithing school with the intent of starting a career in the field you need to know what you are getting into. Besides honing your knowledge of firearm basics you will also be fed a deeper comprehension of what gun repair and custom gun design really entails. And no matter what weapon type piques your interest the wide range of weaponry at your disposal will give you a plethora of possible routes in the gunsmithing trade.
Some of the possible trajectories for a gunsmithing career vary based on the individual’s interests. This is a well paying profession and gunsmith’s can find employment at sporting good retail stores, firearm manufacturers, or privately owned custom gun shops. And with the proper certifications opening up your own gunsmithing shop is also an option. By working in a field that you are passionate about, not only will you get to perform unique projects but you will also be able to interact and network with others that share in your enthusiasm.
Like any secondary education option, the one thing that can stand between a prospective student and continuing their education is time. Thankfully there are accredited gunsmithing schools online to compliment the traditional brick and mortar institutions. Below are the top 5 online gunsmithing schools for 2015 as listed on the Gunsmithu.net website.
Top 5 Accredited Gunsmithing Schools
Gunsmith U breaks down the very best Gunsmithing schools in the country in this new guide!
This school boasts one of the oldest and most respected gunsmithing programs. Established in 1946 Modern Gun School’s goal is to advance the art of gunsmithing through each generation. They have successfully educated over 60,000 students over their nearly 70-year history. Dedicating itself to remaining contemporary, the school has embraced today’s technology and offers their Advanced Master Gunsmithing and Basic Gun Repair courses online. Courses are adequate for beginners, advanced gunsmiths, and gun repair workshops.
More suitable for beginners in the field of gunsmithing, Penn Foster offers a gunsmithing career diploma in as little as 3 months. Penn Foster has been training gunsmiths for over 30 years and offers payment plans with 0% interest. Their online program includes over 50 short how-to videos for you to study at your convenience and they implement certified guides from NRA courses so you know that you are getting a reputable education. They also offer bureaucratic information such as applying for federal firearms permits.
Founded by a World War I field artillery officer the school has transformed into one of the nation’s best accredited gunsmithing schools. Their 32 semester credit-hour certificate program is delivered online to accommodate students personal schedule and is one of the most complete training programs of its kind. And if you are looking to advance your education past gunsmithing this program’s credits can be rolled into the school’s Science in Firearms Technology Degree program. For anyone interested in gunsmithing as a hobby they also offer a comprehensive non-credit gunsmithing certificate.
With 27 years of online college degrees Ashworth is a leader in flexible and affordable career education. They offer a diploma in gunsmithing in as few as 4 months. All of their content is delivered via online lessons and textbook, plus you can get academic support by email, online, or phone. Ashworth strives in teaching in a manner that the student can work at his or her own pace. As an added incentive the course includes a 1 year Silver Membership in the widely respected Gun Club of America, a national organization for firearm enthusiasts.
5) The American Gunsmithing Institute
All courses are delivered on DVD by the nation’s finest master gunsmiths allowing students to study in the comfort of their own home at a pace that suits each individual. The DVD based course allows everyone to replay any section of the training at his or her convenience. This goes for the Professional Gunsmith Level 1 & 2, and the Master Gunsmith Course Level 3. And if you become dissatisfied with the course for any reason you can return it for a full refund for up to one full year or until you pass your first test and get your certificate. The American Gunsmithing Institute boasts a close-knit alumni community so graduation from this establishment could lead to compelling career opportunities.
If you prefer a traditional classroom setting there are many accredited gunsmithing schools located throughout the country. Check out the list of states with gunsmithing schools at the bottom of the Gunsmithu.net webpage here. There are also NRA courses offered for short-term gunsmithing schools. The following schools are affiliated with the NRA and offer short-term courses at their respective locations:
Montgomery Community College in Troy, North Carolina
Murray State College in Tishomino, Oklahoma
Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colorado
Lassen Community College in Susanville, California
Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana
These courses are held during the spring and summer months and range from a few days to a few weeks in length. Prices vary according to each school and course. These programs fill quickly so if interested enroll as soon as possible.
Gunsmiths must possess a wide variety of skills, which is why all of the accredited gunsmithing schools listed above (and of course others not in this article) are a must when thinking of pursuing this trade. Along with making sure that you are knowledgeable on safe gun functions, one must also be familiar with shop mathematics, ballistics, and engineering as well as federal, state, and local laws. This career is not merely fixing and repairing guns, although that is a main responsibility. A degree in gunsmithing means that you took an amateur interest in firearms and applied yourself to become a professional artisan.
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