If you want to become a gunsmith, it is important to know the costs involved.
The costs include tuition, equipment, licensing fees, and other costs.
Gunsmiths have both mechanical and technical skills.
The skills, education, and experience that gunsmiths have can affect their salary.
Gunsmiths in the U.S. have an average salary of $50,944.
Another thing that affects the salary of gunsmiths is their location.
Gunsmiths who work in Washington earn an average of $57,699.
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What Are the Duties of a Gunsmith?
Some common duties of gunsmiths include:
- Meeting with customers or clients to determine their needs
- Inspecting guns to identify any problems
- Cleaning guns
- Maintaining an inventory of guns and gun accessories
- Gunsmiths usually have other duties that may include:
- Assembling and disassembling guns for cleaning or repair
- Repairing guns
- Selling guns
- Modifying or customizing guns to an individual client’s specifications
How Much Does it Cost to Complete a Gunsmith Education Program?
The cost of completing a gunsmith program depends on the program, the school, the tuition, and the fees.
Trade School
MGS Trade School
MGS Trade School offers three gunsmithing programs.
Students learn at their own pace and choose a program that meets their career goals and budget.
The Basic Gun Repair program helps students build a foundation to work in the gunsmithing industry.
Students complete 31 lessons at home, along with hands-on projects.
Students learn about gun safety.
They learn to assemble and disassemble firearms, and to repair and modify guns.
They also learn about gun laws.
Students choose whether to pay tuition in one payment of $1,759 or to enter into a payment plan.
The Advanced Gunsmithing program prepares students to work in the firearms industry.
Students complete 65 lessons and hands-on projects at home.
The program focuses on the knowledge and skills that are required to work in the firearms industry or for students to start their own gunsmithing business.
The one-time tuition payment is $2,192.
Students in the Advanced Gunsmithing II program complete seven hands-on projects.
They complete 65 lessons and a final build of their choice. Students learn how to build a custom workbench, how to customize firearms, and the fundamentals of opening a business.
The program’s cost is $4,794.
Community College
Several community colleges offer gunsmithing certificate or degree programs.
Marshalltown Community College
The Marshalltown Community College Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmith Technology program focuses on training students for careers in the firearms manufacturing and distribution industries, or to work for police departments or the U.S. Military.
Students engage in hands-on learning in a specialized gunsmithing lab.
The tuition for Iowa residents is $203 per credit hour.
Lassen Community College
Lassen Community College offers a 30-unit Certificate of Achievement: Gunsmith Machinist and Metal Finishing program and a 59-unit Certificate of Achievement: Firearms Repair program.
The school also offers an Associate of Science: Firearms Repair program.
The tuition for California residents is $46 per unit. Non-residents pay $385 per unit tuition.
State College
Murray State College
Murray State College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing program and a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Gunsmithing program.
The school indicates that it offers the only Bachelor of Applied Technology in Gunsmithing program in the U.S.
Both programs prepare students for careers as professional gunsmiths.
Students in the bachelor’s degree program receive a minimum of three job offers before they graduate.
The tuition for on-campus students is $172 per credit hour.
The online tuition is $207 per credit hour.
Licensing Costs
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) requires anyone who engages in the business of firearms to be licensed by the agency. Check the site for current costs.
Students need to check with the state where they want to work to learn the state requirements.
One example is that the Illinois Firearm Dealer Licensing Certification Act requires that Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers have their license certified by the Illinois State Police.
Is Becoming a Gunsmith a Good Investment?
Completing a gunsmith program gives students the knowledge and skills that they need to work in the industry and to pursue their career goals.
It is a personal decision to complete a trade school program, a two-year or a four-year program.
Students will likely find that choosing a program that meets their education and career goals is a good investment for their future.
Key Takeaways
- Gunsmiths have specialized skills that require completing a comprehensive education and training program.
- Completing a degree program will likely lead to more career opportunities and a higher salary, compared to a certificate program.
- Gunsmiths need to know federal laws and obtain the license that is required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
- It is important to know the state regulations for gunsmiths.
- Becoming a gunsmith is a good investment for people who choose this career.
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