Opening a small business??

W

wicat3

New member
Hey guys im currently out of work and so damned lost that im not sure what to do with myself but i have an idea and im looking for some help. I was cleaning my muzzleloader and my father-in-laws muzzleloader for a trip coming up and i got an idea of what if i put out an ad and started cleaning guns for people and maybe some minor gunsmithing? My questions are is this a smart move or would i be looking for more trouble then it is worth? Are there huge liabiltys with it? I am very good mechanically and I have owned quite a few guns from long rifles,shotguns and handguns. I was also wondering would i need a special lic to hold another persons gun at my house while i cleaned it if i were to pursue this?
 
You have 100% encouragement from me, my friend. Get some gun-smithing courses behind you, . . . get your FFL, . . . and I can tell you for sure that I know one area that no one seems to be doing today (at least around central Ohio) and that is bluing and refinishing.

I don't think any guns look as good as an older Browning High Power, . . . an old Colt 1911, . . . or a blued Python. Putting that type of finish on an older weapon is priceless as far as I'm concerned.

Whatever you do, . . . best wishes.:):):)

May God bless,
Dwight
 
If you hold other's guns in your "business", you will need an FFL and insurance, and business licenses, and permits, etc., etc., etc.......
 
Lastly, there is assuredly a liability attached to working on other people's guns. Let's face it -- guns do occasionally malfunction, and even blow up. People get injured by guns, due to accidental discharge, negligent discharge, and kaboom.

The Yoo Ess of Ay being what it is, nobody wants to be responsible if they do something dumb and injure themselves or someone else, so they'll seek to lay the blame anywhere they can. If you worked on the gun, you will be in the crosshairs.

If you read any of Jerry Kuhnhausen's books, he makes the point very strongly that you ALWAYS return a gun with a shop ticket that explains exactly what you did, and also note any potential issues. He also cautions that if a gun is brought in that's not in safe condition, you return it with a ticket that says "UNSAFE TO FIRE" and you don't work on it.
 
I had a very similar idea, but just to clean the guns. Everyone and their mother around here goes dove and deer huntin so figured it would be a good idea. I know how to disassemble/assemble shotguns and rifles so was just gonna print out fliers and post em around school prior to the season starting for some extra cash.

Guess Im glad I didnt because I dont think I would of gone through all the trouble of tryin to get insurance and a license.
 
Thanks guys Im going to start looking into some classes and the price it would cost to pay for the start up/ lic stuff versus the possible income and see if this is still really worth it.
 
I had the same idea and the responses were pretty spot on in the advice area.

I contacted the ATF and they sent me a package with all the requirements. For me, it was not worth the effort.
 
If you are going to run a small business, you need more than gun classes - you need small business classes - finance, taxes, blah, blah.

How much capital to start up? Can you get a loan (tough today)?
 
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