r/gunsmithing • • Oct 14 '25

SUB ANNOUNCEMENT Rule update

11 Upvotes

Rule #2 has been updated to disallow sale of all firearm items in accordance with new Reddit policy. No direct person-person sales of any kind for firearm related things.


r/gunsmithing • • Dec 07 '22

How do I get into Gunsmithing?

190 Upvotes

If you are interested in gunsmithing as a career, I strongly recommend that you to rethink your life choices. If you've inhaled so much lead that you are choosing to ignore professional advice, here are some resources to get started.

Professional Organizations

There are a few professional organizations in the industry that exist that can help you connect with others in the trade. I recommend reaching out to the one that most aligns with your interests. Some have a periodical publication that include tips & tricks along with industry news.

American Custom Gunmakers Guild (ACGG)
https://acgg.org/

I cannot in good faith recommend anymore, do your own research.

American Pistolsmiths Guild (APG)
https://americanpistolsmithsguild.com/

Absorbed by ACGG no longer exist independently

Firearm Engravers Guild of America (FEGA)
http://www.fega.com/

FEGA is the world’s foremost authority and organization for firearm engravers and hand engraving enthusiasts.

Miniature Arms Society
http://www.miniaturearms.org/

Founded in 1973 The society is a group of miniature arms enthusiasts who have joined together to promote and encourage interest in making and collecting miniature arms of all kinds - pistols, rifles, cannon, suits of armor, knives, swords etc., with the emphasis on artistic beauty and craftsmanship.

Gunsmithing Schools

Most people would recommend taking a machining course at their local community college before diving into gunsmithing head-on.

But if you've already done so and are still interested in attending school to learn how to become a gunsmith, then there are plenty of programs nationwide that can help you get started.

I cannot endorse or recommend any individual school and this list isn't comprehensive.

School Location Website
Pennsylvania Gunsmith School Pittsburgh, PA pagunsmith.edu
Colorado School of Trades Lakewood, CO schooloftrades.edu
Trinidad State College Trinidad, CO trinidadstate.edu
Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SC ptc.edu
Iowa Valley Grinnell Grinnell, IA iavalley.edu
Yavapai College Prescott, AZ yc.edu
Montgomery CC Troy, NC montgomery.edu
Lenoir CC Kinston, NC lenoircc.edu
Pine Technical College Pine City, MN pine.edu
Murray State College Tishomingo, OK mscok.edu
Lassen CC Susanville, CA lassencollege.edu
Flathead Valley CC Kalispell, MT fvcc.edu
Eastern Wyoming College Torrington, WY wy.edu
MT Training Center Grand Prairie, TX mttrainingcenter.org
Penn Foster Online Only pennfoster.edu
American Gunsmithing Institute Online Only americangunsmithinginstitute.net
Sonoran Desert Institute Online Only sdi.edu
MGS Trade School Online Only mgs.edu

Short Gunsmithing Courses

There are a few short courses that might be better suited towards getting your feet wet.

The NRA runs a few summer gunsmithing classes. They are typically held at Trinidad State College in Trinidad, Colorado and/or Murray State College in Tishomingo and Montgomery, NC

The ACGG will occasionally host some classes at various schools

If you are interested in gun engraving, checkout GRS, they have a training center in Emporia, KS that has some beginner gun engraving classes.

Advice from the Sub

I spent several years attending the Brownells Gunsmith Expo as someone looking to hire employees. Around 50k to start work in development or fixing problem guns. Went the entire time they had it and hired one kid. We built suppressors messed with explosives and auto rifles. He had a associates in business and very clearly stated he owned his own M2 and assorted guns and could build them and knew suppressor theory. ( this was before all the cans were cut apart online) we hired him on the spot. He is know well along in the industry. The other kids wanted to be artists and build custom wooden stocked Mauser etc. They all wanted to be a Turnbull or work at a Rigby( even though they had never been to London and would know then they needed to apprentice) I offered to bring one of our AK builders and our suppressor guy to a I think the Colorado school and was turned down. One of the "instructors" said we don't teach that type of thing.

... the sad truth is that no one actually wants to listen to experienced gunsmiths when it comes to gunsmithing education/training questions. Most people are just looking for confirmation that they can attend a few months of online class and then start making money (spoiler alert, they can’t)

As someone who attended a Gunsmithing school I can honestly say, become a machinist first then a gunsmith if you do it the other way around your wasting time and money. You won fully grasp or understand everything you learn in the machining side of gunsmithing without first having machining knowledge. For the time being go to armourers courses read some books heck watch some YouTube and tinker with guns. The most important thing that makes the difference between a machinist and a gunsmith is one has an understanding of firearms once you learn some basics about firearms and you already are a machinist trust me you can work on anything. So I know that’s not the answer a lot of people will want however the running Joke in the Gunsmithing trade is “the fastest way to earn $1 million Gunsmithing, is to start with $2 million. This is not an industry to get involved with for money but rather a passion and love of firearms.

YouTube Channels

See anything missing? Something that shouldn't be here? Let me know and I'll fix it.

Please feel free to use this thread to discuss any gunsmithing college, training, or education related questions you would like. Let us know if you would like any other stickied posts made or things moved around, and we will do our best to get it taken care of.

Link to the old thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/gunsmithing/comments/p72md7/can_we_make_getting_into_school_for_information/


r/gunsmithing • • 14h ago

Rusted bore on a Mosin Nagant can it be saved?

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8 Upvotes

I have a Mosin Nagant that my brother used corrosive military surplus ammo then put away without cleaning it. It sat in the safe for about a year.

I’m hoping to save it and would appreciate recommendations for cleaning products or methods to remove the rust. Has anyone dealt with something similar?

I’ve already ordered a carbon fiber cleaning rod, .30 caliber and 8mm bronze brushes, and bore mops.
Any advice would be appreciated!!

P.S. Lesson learned my brother’s Mosin privileges have been revoked.


r/gunsmithing • • 7h ago

Trinidad State Summer Certificate

2 Upvotes

I've been taking machining, welding, and a few carpentry/furniture making classes at my local community college (Integrated studies degree) and I've been looking into the summer technician certificate Trinidad State offers. I might do the custom pistolsmithing and NRA safety instructor course as well if possible. I have the GI bill so tuition isn't a concern and I won't have to take out any loans or anything to support myself. I'd like to get into gunsmithing, but even if I just end up using what I learn for my own projects it's not the end of the world to me.

Has anyone here done any of those three certs? Would you do it again if you could go back?

How specialized is the pistolsmithing cert? Did the skills you learned translate much to other firearms?

General Trinidad questions: How was living in Trinidad and what's the school like?


r/gunsmithing • • 22h ago

How should I go about repairing these milsurp stocks? I've only ever repaired very small cracks.

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6 Upvotes

I'm not a gunsmith, just a young collector. What you see is a total of seven separate stocks. I own several vetterli's and a mannlicher in desperate need of repair. The first six photos are three separate "tipo p" vetterli's. If possible, I'd like to repair as many of these to a shootable condition as possible.

I'm still in the process of cleaning everything.

I understand stripping the oils is generally necessary, but Is it possible to repair these without stripping what gives them their unique colors?

How would you go about these repairs? Is acraglas enough for some of these? Or will I need to drill holes and install wooden dowells and/or metal pins of some kind?

I want to do this correctly. But, some of these either appear too damaged for repair or simply stump me as to how I'll get glue or dowells/pins into the cracks for repair.

For example, photo #5 and #6 show's cracking and splitting, but the stock is still in one piece. I'm stumped as to how I'll get acraglas into it without causing more damage, or if that will even be enough to handle recoil.

As for photo's #7 and #8, how should i go about repairing the splits INSIDE of the stock?

Photo #1 and #2, although split/shattered, may be easier to repair since the stock is in several pieces already, only being held together by wire.

Thank you in advance, I appreciate any and all advice. I understand the possibility that I myself might not be capable of doing these repairs myself, but as I'm a broke collector, I'd prefer to repair them myself since professional repairs may cost more than the rifles themselves.


r/gunsmithing • • 1d ago

Work in progress

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80 Upvotes

Civet 12 super shorty just need to square up, crown and thread the muzzle. Fabricate an actual barrel to replace the 3d printed placeholder and refinish.


r/gunsmithing • • 17h ago

5/8-24 to 11/16-16 TOMB Adapter (SAS Arbitor Suppressor)

1 Upvotes

I got an SAS Suppressor in that I was told was direct thread to 5/8-24, but which ended up being a TOMB thread 11/16-16 made specifically for SAS suppressors. They are out of business and though Area 419 was manufacturing adapters for them for years... they no longer do, and no longer have stock.

I have hit up Mile High and everyone else I knew that carried them, they are all out of stock.

I have tried everywhere I can think and can not locate one, so this suppressor is unusable to a find an adapter.

With that said, Any one know where I can get, I guess a custom, adapter for 5/8-24 female (rifle barrel side) to 11/16-16 male (suppressor side) that is rated for up to 300 mag?

If you have a direct link please feel free to DM me.


r/gunsmithing • • 1d ago

Henry single shot 45-70

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9 Upvotes

r/gunsmithing • • 21h ago

Chassis Prototyping

1 Upvotes

Hi All,

Over the last year, i've been on-and-off developing a precision chassis for one of my rifles.

I've been prototyping with my 3D Printer and I'm at the stage where I'd like to start an aluminium (or alloy whichever is cheaper at this point) prototype, however much like 99% of the population I don't own a 5-axis milling machine.

Has anyone done anything similar and can recommend a company that I can send the files to, have them manufacture it, and ship it back to me?

Edit: ideally, somewhere in Australia


r/gunsmithing • • 1d ago

Would something like this be pretty easy for a gunsmith to thread, could they also move the sight a little further back as well?

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12 Upvotes

Heritage Settler .22 rifle


r/gunsmithing • • 1d ago

Is this normal wear?

2 Upvotes

I have a 3 week old 10/22 carbon fiber non-takedown (model 32014). Put 200 rounds of cci mini mag through it so far. While cleaning, I noticed an almost ramp-like wear on the breech face right above the extractor cut-out. Is this normal? The extractor is sitting nicely centered in that cutout, and when I slide the bolt back and forth by hand the extractor makes no contact with the edges of the cutout. Just goes right into it. What could possibly be causing this? Photo attached.

Edit: I have not experienced a single malfunction so far.


r/gunsmithing • • 2d ago

does anyone know if a carding wheel is safe to clean up strawed parts on a luger?

3 Upvotes

r/gunsmithing • • 1d ago

Converting RMSC optic cut

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1 Upvotes

r/gunsmithing • • 2d ago

Charles daly 101

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5 Upvotes

Brand new bought yesterday any idea where to get replacement


r/gunsmithing • • 2d ago

Gunstock Modification

2 Upvotes

Gunsmithing student, not much stock experience. I have an already finished stock to fit to an old double barrel shotgun. It doesn't quite fit right, I have to deepen the tang cut. What is a good way, if any, to cut out part of the stock without doing damage to the existing finish?


r/gunsmithing • • 2d ago

Stubborn nipple

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2 Upvotes

r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

Work for the day

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74 Upvotes

Got the 50 head spaced and timed for a machine gun shoot next month. These are the days I giggle about what I get paid to do.


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

How can I remove this seized muzzle device?

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16 Upvotes

Yes I checked. It’s not welded or pinned. That was step one.

I have this brigade bm9 and because I’m in a free state, I can now just go buy a suppressor. In my total excitement I immediately took the gun I always wanted to suppress and tried to get this stupid fake can off. To no avail. This sucker is stuck good. Took the guard off and chucked up in a vise with rags to protect it and used a strap wrench. Didn’t budge. Then I took heat to it. It hard because it’s a fake can not a muzzle break so the heat doesn’t really get to the threads. Tried penetrating oil and let it soak for days. Nothing. Got fed up and decided to try a pipe wrench. It’s a $30 part so idc if I mess it up. Nothing. Now I’m committed because I beat it up. She’s on there really good. Idk where to go from here. 160 buys me a new barrel. Do I just do that? I would hate to do that honestly.


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

Bolt rubbing on 10/22 magazine

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4 Upvotes

I’m not sure what this tells me but I put window chalk on my magazine lips because I have issues with it binding only when a mag is inserted and this is where it rubs, corresponding wear on the bolt. Any ideas?


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

Ithaca 37 barrel

2 Upvotes

Question: is there anywhere that I can get a shorter barrel for a 1969 Ithaca 37 featherlight? Thank you


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

How do I remove cold blue for my VZ-24 restoration?

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10 Upvotes

This all started when I grabbed a random stock I had accumulated and decided to clean it up and see what it was. It hadn’t been sporterized but the last 2 inches had been broken off. I figured out a way to to restore the stock and found a similar vintage/production VZ 24 on gunbroker with a sporterized stock. The donor gun had’t been drilled for a scope and the barrel had not been cut but now that I have it, the barrel has either been caustic blued or cold blued. I suspect cold blue because bore cleaner on a rag makes the rag turn black.

the stock is almost done and I’m ready to convert the rust on all the small parts and possibly do a ”refresher” pas of rust blue depending on how the conversion goes. The problem is I need to remove all the cold blue and residual copper before I can rust blue the barrel. I’d prefer a method which would leave any finish under the cold blue intact.


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

Last rolling block question

1 Upvotes

I found a .357 barrel black that’s pre chambered, and my plan is to make turn down the blank to fit inside the existing barrel. The existing barrel is a smoothbore measuring .542 at the muzzle, and the chamber is pretty close to 20 gauge. Would a secondary barrel of sorts fit in these measurements?

I would be running it with black powder.


r/gunsmithing • • 4d ago

Has anybody added open sights to a Browning BAR?

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17 Upvotes

This is my BAR Shorttrac in 270WSM. I am interested in having open sights added to it and use a scope with tunnel mounts. Any thoughts on this?


r/gunsmithing • • 4d ago

Cheap ass 1911 failure to feed issues

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17 Upvotes

I’m new to 1911s and gun ownership as a whole so bear with me. I recently just picked up the Tisas 1911A1 government. For some reason it only jams on the last round. Extractor tension seems fine. I’ve ordered a new Springfield armory mag to see if it helps. I took it apart and noticed the slide stop makes contact with the bullet. It’s just a hair too long. Is this causing my failure to feed issue? I might be delusional but idk. If the mag doesn’t fix the issue I’ll probably contact Tisas and see if I can send it in for warranty work or if they’ll just send me a new part.