career in firearms

C

callmemoose

Inactive
I am new to this forum, and I am here to ask about possible careers dealing with firearms. I am 17 I have been around guns and the outdoors my whole life. I am very good with anything mechanical, this includes guns. I have reloaded shotgun shells since I was 14 years old, and love it. Anyway I am now thinking about my future after high school.

I am pretty certain engineering would be perfect for me, I love designing things, building things, and just inventing stuff. The thing is engineering is huge from designing buildings, to surveying property. The reason is I was sitting around one day and the idea for a double barrel pump action shotgun just popped into my head. I drew it down to the finest detail inside and out.

I was wondering if there is some kind of gunsmithing where I can work for a larger company like remington, benelli, or even a small one like red jacket designing and working on guns. It seems regular gunsmiths make only an average ammount of money. Is there a gun engineering field? There has to be, firearms cant just come from nowhere. How much can I expect to make, and what schooling would I need?

Maybe there is a better option of engineering as far as money goes? I do not want more than 4 years of college. 2 years school and 2 years intern like an electrician would be the best.

Also if anyone wants I can post the pictures of the drawing.
 
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Here is a list somebody once gave me. After I graduate from KU (Rock Chalk Jayhawk) I am considering going to the one in Colorado, assuming it has not burnt to the ground by then...

Colorado School of Trades
1575 Hoyt Street
Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: 800-234-4594

Lassen Community College
P.O. Box 3000
Susanville, CA 96130
Phone: 530-257-4211

Modern Gun School
80 North Main Street, P.O. Box 846
St. Albans, VT 05478
Phone: 800-493-4114

Montgomery Community College
1011 Page Street
P.O. Box 787
Troy, NC 27371
Phone: 800-839-6222

Murray State College
One Murray Campus
Tishomingo, OK 73460
Phone: 580-371-2371

Pennsylvania Gunsmith School
812 Ohio River Blvd.
Avalon
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Phone: 412-766-1812

Piedmont Community College
1715 College Drive
P.O. Box 1197
Roxboro, NC 27573
Phone: 336-599-1181

Pine Technical Institute
900 4th Street
Pine City, MN 55063
Phone: 800-521-7463

Trinidad State Jr. College
600 Prospect
Trinidad, CO 81082
Phone: 800-621-8752

Yavapai College
1100 East Sheldon Street
Prescott, AZ 86301
Phone: 520-776-2150
 
A gunsmith works on guns to repair and customize. He may also design and build guns. It is a title more than a recognized profession. Many are self taught although there are some courses to be had. A very good gunsmith can be in high demand.

An industrial engineer or industrial designer may build design and build guns. Normally he would do this as part of a team with gunsmiths or other designers and engineers. This would require an engineering degree and possibly several advanced degrees.

You have to understand that the latter is a very small field that works inside of tight constraints. The gun community is very conservative and does not like change. Most of the designs in common use are more than 50 years old. Even Glocks are 30 years old.

The Glock is a good example of a new firearm design that was derided for many years. Eventually many features of it's design were adopted by competitors.
 
If I were you I would pursue an engineering degree most likely in mechanical engineering. I am not sure where you are located, so take a look at the various colleges/universities that might be an option and see what programs they offer. If there are any firearms manufacturers in your area you might contact them for advice or internships.
 
The best way I know of to make a living as a gunsmith( regular paycheck, benifits, paid vacations, retirements ) would be as armourer/range master for law enforcemant agency. This could be city, county, state, or federal, as well as the military. Engineering degree might help but, check with as many depts as you can to see what the requirements would be. Inquire online with a lot of them to save time. Tis great way to earn a living if you like to work on weapons, regular hours, most holidays and weekends off, etc. But, be prepared to have your patience tested with the creative ways people abuse weapons. Teaching people how to safely handle and use weapons will check anyones sanity...:cool:
 
Mechanical engineering. You'd better know your math cold and don't finish school with the minimum. A gunsmithing school is not the same thing by the way, no...
 
I'd advise looking into a Mech Degree at New Mexico Tech @ Socorro which has the advantage of being affiliated with EMRTC. Long story short, such graduates are held in very high regard in the defense/energetics industry.
 
Just so you know - there's quite a queue waiting for entry into the program in Trinidad. It's a great program (ergo - there's a waiting list).
 
Thanks for the replies. I don't think I would be accepted into a school with a waiting list, my GPA is below 3.0. I have recently been looking into engineering, but inspecting elevators, boilers, etc.
 
Why Call? Why can't you aim higher!? U already demonstrate a positive attitude and keen interest. Are you dumber than the average person? Being here suggests not. If you can't chase what you want here, now, realize you never will. America is a rare place and disappearing slowly.

Yeah, you'll have to focus and be dedicated. Work hard. So what? Or you can settle for cigarette and beer money as well as nationalized healthcare.

What were our Founding Fathers doing this week in 1776?
 
A gunsmith is a tradesman, a gun designer is an engineer. Mechanical engineering and metallurgy are the entry points. Working in a machine shop or gunsmith shop is good experience.

If you don't try to reach your dream, you will live in regret all your life. Decide what you want to do and then do it.

I hated math in high school, then I got one good teacher in college and loved it. Work with numbers for the last 40 years, never looked back.

Indifferent teachers and texts have a way of ruining a perfectly good student.
 
An elevator inspector wouldn't be that bad, I've heard they make up to $80,000 a year. I would much rather be a mechanical engineer though. Metallurgy? Well I do scrap metal for money.:D Maybe I can still get a scholarship for sports, being 6'6" and 270 pounds I would imagine I attract attention. Like my dad says "get your foot in the door" I'll take any job at first, and once I have some experience, then I can get the good jobs. At least thats the hope.
 
Hello Moose,,,

I would write a letter to the HR department,,,
Of every firearm manufacturer you can identify.

Ask them specifically what the entry level requirements are,,,
For employment at all levels of work in their company.

Find out the degree(s) they look for when recruiting new hires.

Get your information directly from the primary source,,,
Not secondary sources like internet forums. ;)

We're a fairly savvy group here,,,
But first-hand information is much better.

Aarond

.
 
Call, to be honest, I need to tell you that what you are alluding to on one hand is a professional career vs. a job on the other. They are not the same thing. Without a college degree for certain things, forget the knowledge and skills associated with it, doors will simply never open for you. Period. You need to understand that.

You should explore the opportunites now that give you the option to choose, later, before it is too late. Maybe speak to your guidance counselor in school, and be honest -- a year after you graduate you probably won't even remember each-other's names! There'll be enough people in your life pushing you in assorted directions no matter what as it is.

Just some fatherly advice...
 
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