Staff Member
Gold Lifetime
- Messages
- 21,773
- Reactions
- 62,965
So recent events has gotten me back into "planning mode", which I've found is always fruitful. An idea that I have kicked around on and off was, after retirement from my occupation, training to be a gunsmith and working as such. Knowing myself, there is no way I am going to just sit around in the retirement days, so a new venture would be in order. If present plans workout, the retirement work will likely be more in the agricultural field, but this is on my mind too.
We have retirement planning, more or less, nailed down. And I am so glad we started that when we did (early 20s). So the driving factor on this sort of thing is not income potential. On the other side, if it keeps me busy, so much the better to provide extra income for the family.
Anyway, I know there are gunsmiths on board, as wells advanced hobbyists, so would value any insight into entering the field. I am mechanically inclined and do a good deal of work on our own firearms, but for major projects I've normally left to a gunsmith.
What I can do now:
We have retirement planning, more or less, nailed down. And I am so glad we started that when we did (early 20s). So the driving factor on this sort of thing is not income potential. On the other side, if it keeps me busy, so much the better to provide extra income for the family.
Anyway, I know there are gunsmiths on board, as wells advanced hobbyists, so would value any insight into entering the field. I am mechanically inclined and do a good deal of work on our own firearms, but for major projects I've normally left to a gunsmith.
What I can do now:
- Read everything on the topic.
- Get setup from the legal and regulatory side. (This is done and, as far as I can see, an 01FFL would cover most gunsmithing activity. Though if there are other hoops to jump through, I will.)
- Experiment with small projects.
- Maybe take relevant course work (e.g., metal working, wood working, engraving, etc.) at local school, though with my present schedule this may be difficult.
- Acquire tools as I learn new things.
- Start an education fund (e.g., 529) for formal training.
- Attend a formal school.
- Apprentice.
- How did you enter said profession?
- If you attended a formal school, which one was it, and do you recommend it?
- Did you ever work along side a gunsmith as an apprentice and did you find it helpful?
- Any books, etc., I should read now?
- What not strictly firearm-related training has also helped?
- Have you found the regulatory burden manageable?
- Is there any specific niche you have found interesting, lucrative, under-served, or otherwise worth taking a closer look at?
- Any other tips and tricks you'd like to share?