no gunsmith in my town

P

Poppie

Inactive
I live in the northeast kingdom of vermont about 5miles from the canadian border. The closest gunsmith to me is well over 2hrs away. I have been thinking of getting to the trade I have been around and used guns all my life. I do all minor repairs and such but don't have all the know how. I think for the love of firearms I have and the need for a gunsmith in the area it would be a good opportunity for me to get some schooling on the trade during the hunting sesons there is a big need for a gunsmith. Would like some thoughts from others on this. Thanks
 
How are your general metal working skills? Can you operate a lathe and a mill with the precision necessary to do basic gunsmith work? For a hunting oriented gun smith your customers probably would expect you to be able to rebarrel a rifle, cut a crown, drill and tap for scope and bed a stock, in addition to the "minor repairs".
Then there's the question of start-up capital, you're probably looking at $15k in tools, money to rent a shop, money to live off for a year and a boatload of money for insurance.
 
I have 50k for start up money metal working is good worked in a machine shop for the past 13yr have a 20 x40 shop of my own just need the schooling I think
 
Just a hint,

Go to Brownells web site and order the whole set of "Gun Smith Kinks". Those are about the best books for General Gun Repair. Hints and ho too's from other gun smiths.
 
I live in the northeast kingdom of vermont about 5miles from the canadian border. The closest gunsmith to me is well over 2hrs away. I have been thinking of getting to the trade I have been around and used guns all my life. I do all minor repairs and such but don't have all the know how. I think for the love of firearms I have and the need for a gunsmith in the area it would be a good opportunity for me to get some schooling on the trade during the hunting sesons there is a big need for a gunsmith. Would like some thoughts from others on this. Thanks
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You already have machining skills, that's a big plus and puts you a step ahead of many of the others wanting to learn the trade.

If you are planning on running a one man shop and wish to get in 40 hours a week at the bench working on guns be prepared to put in 80 hours a week in the shop.

Taking some business courses is also a plus, especially if you plan on doing your own book keeping.

You say you already have a shop building, if it's on the same property your dwelling is on that can be good and bad.
The good thing is you can walk to work and keep a little better watch over your business property.
The bad thing is even though you established business hours there's still those that will drop by at all hours of the evening and weekends, some figure you should be on call 24/7.

Be honest and fair in what you do and your business will most likely be a success.
I would not plan on getting rich, but one sure can make a honest living gunsmithing.

I wish you the best in your endeavors.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
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