Become A Gunsmith With Online Training

In this course, you’ll develop the necessary skills to ensure your success in the program. You’ll learn how you can improve your study skills, so you’re able to use a number of tools that will help you to be successful.

 

This course will also provide you with a sense of direction. You’ll learn about core, intermediate, and advanced gunsmith skills that will increase your knowledge about all major aspects of the firearms industry. Then you’ll study how firearm manufacturers, distributors, and retailers fit into the picture. This course also contains a major section dedicated to safety, which is first and always the most important issue when handling firearms. Other important topics include acquiring and using proper tools and proper firearms-cleaning procedures. The course ends by covering an important core skill, preservative packaging.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

 

• Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner
• Describe how the firearms trade functions
• Define what a gunsmith is
• Identify career opportunities for the gunsmith
• Recognize the importance of safety when handling firearms
• Identify nomenclature related to firearms disassembly and assembly
• Identify gunsmithing tools and their uses
• Explain firearm care and cleaning procedures
• Explain how to preserve package a firearm for off-season storage

Customers will seek out gunsmiths to examine firearms for a variety of reasons. For example, the gunsmith may be asked to report on the history, construction, and value of a firearm. If you’re a gunsmith who is adept at such tasks, people will soon recognize you as a resident expert, and they’ll seek your services. The ability to identify various firearms and determine their value is an advanced gunsmithing skill that can be a substantial moneymaker. For instance, you may offer an identification and valuation service to make your overall business (retailing, gunsmithing, etc.) more attractive. You may perform appraisals for insurance purposes or assist local law enforcement agencies and other authorities in matters involving firearms identification. You can provide similar services to private attorneys. You can also earn extra profits through buying and selling used guns. If you’re primarily interested in assembling an outstanding personal collection, you’ll find identification and evaluation skills to be crucial to your success. Finally, when you’re troubleshooting and repairing firearms, you must be able to identify a gun’s exact make, model, and period of manufacture in order to select the correct parts needed to make repairs or modifications. With few exceptions, when it comes to parts, each gun is a law unto itself. Over the years, internal pieces are sometimes changed even though the gun’s name or model are not.

From selecting a quality blank to applying the final finish, you’ll learn the process of building a custom gun stock.

 

After your study of the stock-making process, you’ll learn about stock enhancement and embellishment. The first skill that will be covered is glass bedding a stock to increase firearm accuracy. This core skill can prove financially rewarding to the gun pro, as firearm owners insist on pinpoint accuracy. Following glass bedding, this course will consider several ornate (and functional) stock embellishments. The course will cover sling swivels and their installation, as well as pistol grip caps, buttplates, and recoil pads. The text also presents instructions for designing and inletting decorative inlays, and for stippling and carving stocks.

 

The activities in the final lesson of your course will help you learn how to locate sources of information and perform business research that will improve your probability of becoming a successful gunsmith.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

 

• List and explain procedures for identifying firearms
• Classify rifles, shotguns, and handguns by action type
• List the procedures used to evaluate a firearm’s worth
• Describe how to perform a chamber cast
• Explain how to slug a bore
• Categorize cartridges by case type
• Evaluate the worth of custom rifles
• Evaluate the safety of a used firearm
• Perform safety checks on various types of firearms
• Perform and prepare a firearm appraisal
• Identify various gun stock designs and styles
• Recognize quality in a wood blank selected for a custom gun stock
• Develop a design plan for building a custom gun stock
• Explain stock bedding techniques
• Summarize the process of inletting a barreled action into a gun stock
• Explain how to finish or refinish a gun stock
• Explain how to glass bed a gun stock
• Recognize the various types of sling swivels, mounts, and bases and explain how to install them
• Identify pistol grip caps, buttplates, and recoil pads and explain how to install them
• Describe how to draw inlay templates, cut decorative inlays, and explain how to install them
• Explain how to perform stippling on a gun stock
• Differentiate between incise and relief carving and describe how to accomplish them

This course addresses the complete rifle, emphasizing design, function, repair, and modification of different type actions. Following a brief history of rifle development, the first lesson considers the rifle barrel, thoroughly discussing barrel types, steels, and their applications. The barrel section also covers barrel attachments and their purposes. The purpose of the section on trigger mechanisms is to alert you to the dangers of working on triggers and sears, and to open your eyes to possible legal complications. The final function and troubleshooting sections address lever, pump, bolt, semiautomatic, double-barrel, and single-shot action rifles.
Of all the United States military arms known to modern shooters, the Browning BAR, the 1911, or the M1 Garand, none have experienced the acceptance or the popularity of the current issue: the Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR). The MSR has volumes of books and videos devoted to it, and many believe it’s still in its infancy as far as capabilities are concerned. Though the term MSR encompasses all of the variants being produced, by and large the most popular is still the 5.56 NATO or the civilian .223 Remington, perhaps due to the popularity of the cartridge due to its adoption as the U.S. military standard round. Entrepreneur firearm enthusiasts have created entire businesses not just with the rifle but with the accessories that fit, enhance, or alter the rifle. The black rifle, as the MSR is also known, is a multibillion-dollar industry.

 

This course will also explain the design, function, and installation of metallic and optical gun sights. Following a brief history of gun sights, it will address metallic rifle sights, shotgun beads, and pistol sights. The third lesson of this course will present gun sight installation procedures and identify the tools the job requires. Next, you’ll learn about the development of and uses for optical sights (scopes) for rifles, slug shotguns, and pistols. Then, just as for metallics, the third lesson will detail installation procedures. The final sections of the third lesson will address bore and final sighting, drill and tap procedures, bolt alterations, and safety replacement.

 

 

The activities at the end of this course will guide you in locating and assessing sources of information and expertise that could help you accomplish your mission as a gun pro. Your mission is to professionally complete various gunsmithing tasks, make your customer happy, and make a profit.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

 

• Explain the history and development of rifles
• Identify the different types of rifle barrels in relation to their applications
• Identify the different barrel steels
• Describe methods of barrel manufacture and methods for rifling during the manufacturing process
• Explain how to fit a barrel blank to an action
• Summarize the purposes for and installation of barrel attachments
• Recognize the liability associated with trigger work
• Identify the eight major functions of various rifle actions
• Troubleshoot the various rifle actions and identify tools used for rifle repair
• Discuss the history of the modern sporting rifle
• Identify the different models of modern sporting rifles
• Describe the role of the modern sporting rifle
• Field-strip the modern sporting rifle
• Assemble and disassemble the modern sporting rifle
• Troubleshoot the modern sporting rifle
• Summarize the history of gun sights, identifying hallmark developments in their evolution
• Explain the design, function, and installation of metallic and optical sights
• Explain how to bore-sight
• Explain how to sight-in rifles and pistols
• Identify correct drill and tap procedures
• Describe the process of bolt alteration
• Describe how replacing safeties often facilitates scope mounting

This course concentrates on shotguns. First, it will be present a brief history of shotguns, which highlights important developments in the evolution of shotguns. Next, the course will discuss design and repair analyses for various shotgun types. Then, it will explain choke and choke performance. The last section of the first lesson covers the purposes for and installation of different shotgun ribs, as well as rib repair.

 

The second lesson of this course is dedicated to muzzleloaders. These old “sootburners” represent tradition. Although muzzleloaders are technically inferior to today’s modern firearms, millions who take the time to understand them and learn to use them well, cherish them. This lesson will provide you with an in-depth understanding of muzzleloaders and their characteristics. From the discovery of blackpowder to the earliest muzzleloaders, to the discrediting of blackpowder myths, you’ll learn all you need to know to approach these primitive works of art from the gunsmith’s point of view.

 

 

The activities in your last lesson aren’t required for graduation, but they’ll significantly help you in your future in the gun business. Activity 1 requires you to design a blueing shop setup. To complete this activity, you must do some research—on the Internet, at the library, and with owners of gun shops. Activity 2 walks you through the process of buying a military surplus rifle to sporterize. Although these activities are optional, it’s recommended that you complete them on your own as carefully as you would if you were receiving a grade for them.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Present a brief history of shotguns
• Explain the design and function of various types of shotguns
• Describe troubleshooting techniques for shotguns
• Explain the purposes for and installation of shotgun chokes and ribs
• Describe basic repair procedures for shotgun ribs
• Summarize the history of muzzleloaders, identifying important hallmarks in their evolution
• Differentiate between blackpowder and smokeless powder
• Explain loading and firing procedures for various types of muzzleloaders
• Identify the contents of the blackpowder shooting bag
• Identify blackpowder accoutrements
• Describe troubleshooting and repair methods for muzzleloaders

In this course about handguns, you’ll learn to identify various types of handguns and to classify them according to projected use. Then, you’ll study different types of ammunition and their uses. Next, you’ll learn about handgun operating systems and firing and safety systems. Finally, the first lesson will conclude with a discussion on the Government Model Colt .45 automatic pistol and the Smith & Wesson revolver.

The second lesson of this course has two main parts. The first covers cartridge nomenclature, design, and reloading procedures for metallic cartridges. The second covers similar aspects of shotshell reloading. The second lesson also contains much relevant historical information, as well as instruction for anyone interested in purchasing reloading equipment, figuring optimum powder loads, and/or casting bullets.

 

Now that you’re approaching the end of your gunsmith program, you probably understand that you’re just beginning your professional education. The firearms industry is a dynamic one, and it’s constantly changing. The successful gunsmith knows that he or she can’t afford to stop learning. Your knowledge of new products, trends, and styles will affect your sales and services and, therefore, your business. In the exercises that conclude this course, you’ll find a few methods that can help you enhance your professional knowledge and keep one step ahead of the competition.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Recognize the various types of handguns
• Classify handguns according to their projected use
• Identify ammunition types and projected use
• Recognize various competition handguns
• Identify different handgun firing systems
• Describe some attributes that make a handgun a collector item
• Explain how to disassemble/assemble a Government Model Colt .45 automatic pistol
• Explain how to disassemble/assemble a Smith & Wesson revolver
• Recognize ammunition and component nomenclature and design
• Identify reloading tools and explain their purposes
• List reloading procedures for metallics and shotshells
• Explain bullet casting procedures
• List important safety and health precautions when working with ammunition
• Discuss the importance of basic ballistics in determining optimum loads

In this course, you’ll learn how various metalworking tools serve the gunsmith. Some tools are simply prerequisite to gainful employment in the field, and you should purchase them immediately. A quality drill press for drill and tap scope work is just one example. An assortment of hand tools, a grinder, and a good solid vise are others. Fortunately, most of these basic tools are relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, some tools, like a lathe, milling machine, and welding equipment, are quite expensive. These too, however, soon become a necessity for those pursuing specialty gunsmithing. The first lesson of this course is approached from a task-oriented perspective. It stresses that those purchasing more advanced metalworking tools should be sensible enough to obtain proper training in their use. The lesson covers practical application and safety rather than basic startup procedures. Those coming to this course with an eye to identifying metalworking tools and how they can generate profit will find themselves well-served.

 

The second lesson of this course will address the purpose for metal finishing. A brief historical account of metal finishing precedes discussion on the issue of refinishing versus restoration. The course addresses the effect of refinishing on a firearm’s value. Then, several commonly encountered types of metal-finishing procedures will be presented. Lastly, the section “Offering Refinishing Services” contains many useful tips for making your refinishing operation a success.

 

The final lesson of this course introduces you to starting your own successful gun shop. The opportunity to use the technical skills and experience you’ve developed can be within your grasp if you start your business correctly. This lesson deals with important aspects of the firearms business you must consider from the start—what succeeds and what doesn’t. Most important of all, the lesson will discuss the realities of the gun business. It explodes the myths, shoots down the false assumptions, and zeroes in on the real potential for a satisfying and profitable career.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

 

• Recognize various metalworking tools and identify their uses
• Demonstrate how to fit a gun barrel to an action
• Explain how to open a bolt face in a lathe
• Discuss how to alter military and other bolt handles for scope mounting
• Perform precision sear facing with mini-tool post grinders
• Summarize drill and tap and scope mounting procedures
• Diagnose and correct cartridge feeding problems
• Jewel a bolt
• Build your own glass bead blasting cabinet
• Build your own belt sander
• Present a brief history of metal finishing
• Differentiate between refinishing and restoration
• Recognize the various types of metal finishes
• Identify the equipment necessary for metal finishing
• List safety procedures relevant to metal finishing
• Describe proper methods of metal preparation for metal finishing
• Explain procedures for accomplishing several types of metal finishing
• List ways to market your metal-finishing services
• List several reasons why small businesses fail and how to avoid them
• Prepare a written business plan for your gunsmithing business
• Identify the three types of business ownership
• Describe how to determine your particular target market
• Compile a list of the potential services you can offer your customers
• Select the appropriate professional services you’ll need
• Calculate the return on investment for retail sales and services
• Determine the best location to establish your business
• Organize your shop and sales area to best utilize the space
• Choose distributors that will serve your business needs best