Colorado School of Trades

You are like me

I had a BS in Business from a private university, US Army Commission (ORD Branch) and then I attended CST. Yes, this is hard business to make money at. It is a labor of love. Think business first. Keep your start-up costs very low and your operating cost very low. Consider working for two years for someone else before you hang out a shingle. Buy good quality - used equipment when ever you can. Focus on what is in demand for your market area. Find a "nitch or two in your market". Spend time with the shooting / hunting community and find out what is "in demand". Follow the money. Learn to say NO, in a very polite way. Focus on what your are competant at. Live in a market area that can support you. Sorry, I could not open your PM.
 
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I only have one thing to add.

The local Gander Mountain was hiring gunsmiths for their new store where I lived. After it opened and the dust settled, I had a chat with him about getting hired and he said they only pay $11/hr, and he's completely certified. Said he was lucky to find *that* job.
 
We had a fellow who graduated from CST gunsmithing course and set up a shop in my town. He knew nothing about gun repair. He might have been able to put a barreled action in a pre-inlet stock and screw it in place, or mount a scope but that was about it. As far as making or repairing parts, his knowledge was zero. He didn't last long enough to make the first payment on his big expensive milling machine. I believe the best, maybe only, way to become a gunsmith is apprenticeship. Hands on doing it.
 
Graduated from PA Gunsmith School in 2009, I have been gainfully employed by a shop local to my hometown since graduation. I now have near 60 guns backlogged at any given time, the work is there and I will tell you I work on a lot of junk, but I suppose it is all a part of 'paying my dues' the quality of the guns I am getting in is steadily on the rise and there is rarely a 'bad day' at work. At the end that is all that matters, if it weren't for having to pay bills I would do it for free ;) Gary, Jim, and Eric are great teachers, and the guys your really should talk to if PA Gunsmith School is on your list


Thanks
Karl
 
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