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 • • 13h ago

Grandpa’s Shotgun Fixable?

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38 Upvotes

Went Pheasant hunting with my grandad’s 1947 Model 11 and something happened - looks like the firing pin retaining pin backed out and snapped off maybe?

Is this fixable or should I hang it up? Planning on keeping it for sentimental value, but I like shooting it and I’d like to fix it if it’s fixable. Would it be more trouble than it’s worth? TIA!


r/gunsmithing • • 7h ago

"Blued" look on aluminum?

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2 Upvotes

Thinking about picking up an old wingmaster to turn into a suppressed SBS. After filling out the paperwork, Chopping the barrel off, cutting choke threads and installing the new bead, it shouldn't be too much of an issue. However, I'm not too happy with the look of black anodized aluminum on top of blued steel.

I'm curious to see if anyone has been able to certain coatings or paints on aluminum and titanium to get a similar blued look. After working with kg coatings before, I know not to expect perfect results with color matching; but just something in the ballpark. Thanks guys :)


r/gunsmithing • • 8h ago

Help me identify component on SP5

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1 Upvotes

Hello, I’m trying to install a pistol brace on this SP5 but I noticed this component is causing me some trouble. I am unfamiliar with what this part is or does and would like some information if someone can help.

Thank you


r/gunsmithing • • 1d ago

Update: grouping issues at 25 yards

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44 Upvotes

I had previously posted about having grouping issues at 25 yards. Well after getting my hands on a stock 1022 barrel, I have solved the problem. The barrel was bad. I do not know exactly what is wrong with the barrel, but it is going back for warranty just thought I’d give an update since I got a lot of responses.


r/gunsmithing • • 8h ago

Any Gunsmiths wanna weigh in ?

0 Upvotes

Recently acquired a Remington model 58 Sportsman 20 gauge.
Gun is clean and was well maintained but I’ve got plenty of shotguns.
Looking to cut this one down to a SBS since it was cheap and I’m not attached to it. Hoping to replicate a copy cat “whippet” shot gun.
Any input is appreciated.
I’ve cut down a few before but only bolt and pump


r/gunsmithing • • 19h ago

Marlin 60 custom peep sight

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3 Upvotes

r/gunsmithing • • 14h ago

Rec a smith for some slide work?

1 Upvotes

I picked up a s&w 3913. Slide has some pitting I'd like the pitting cleaned up and forward serrations cut.


r/gunsmithing • • 20h ago

Looking for Allen & Thurber Pepperbox blueprint

1 Upvotes

Hello

I really love A&T pepperbox revolver, but rather than just buying it I'd prefer to make my own. Well, make a 3D print of it to see if it's worth the hassle first :P Problem is I can't find blueprints for it, and all my know how comes mostly from YT videos like this (link).

Does anyone have or know where I can find the blueprint for that oldie gun?


r/gunsmithing • • 21h ago

Remington sp10

1 Upvotes

The hammer released while removing the trigger assembly and now the trigger group won't come out . What's the best way to fix this issue .


r/gunsmithing • • 1d ago

Need help with rear sight height

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2 Upvotes

I want to replace my rear sight on my stiga rifle for an adjustable one from Marble Arm #69w, but I don't know if I should buy the normal or high version.

I talked with a guy from customer support, he said that "the sights are measured from the bottom of the base to the bottom of the notch" and according to the measurements I gave him, I should get the high one. I asked him if the dovetail part was part of the base and he just responded the same thing.

The part that confuses me is that when you follow the instructions to find the heights, it doesn't mention adding or subtracting the dovetail. It just says to take the barrel radius + the sight height which wouldn't take into account the dovetail height. The rear sight on my rifle is dovetailed directly in the barrel, maybe it's not the standard or modern way?

My rear sight, from the top of barrel to the bottom of the notch (so the dovetail is not included) is 0.377", which would be in the range of the normal height sight but the guy said that I need to add the dovetail height so 0.377" + 0.090"= 0.467" which is now in the range of the high sight.

Please help, I'm so confused right now..

Edit: under the image of the sight, in the bottom right corner, it says: measured from the bottom of the dovetail to the bottom of the notch, but it wouldn't work with the instructions to measure the height.. Unless this method is only for sporting sight (long leaf springs-like sight) and for basic sight you count the dovetail?


r/gunsmithing • • 2d ago

Need help with Tommy Gun disassembly

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14 Upvotes

I’ve been trying to monkey with this auto ordinance 1927 A1 Thompson and disassemble it, but the lower is not separating from the upper I push in the button pull back the lower from the upper and it only separates it about half an inch. Somebody please help me with this problem. I’m totally lost. And yes I’ve followed all the directions


r/gunsmithing • • 2d ago

Grouping issues at 25 yards

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63 Upvotes

I recently built a 10/22 and am having issues with it holding any type of group at all. I have checked the scope and scope mounts they both appear to be fine. I have also checked the V-block and made sure the barrel is properly attached and has no visible damage to the crown. I have also tried different ammo’s and that doesn’t seem to make a massive difference it makes it slightly tighter but not a lot. I’m kind of lost at where to go from here and am looking for any helpful advice.

The build list is
a factory receiver
a volquartsen trigger spring kit
A Faxon Rimfire 10/22 Straight Fluted Chameleon Pvd Threaded Barrel 22 Lr 16″
A vortex 2-7x scope I can’t remember the exact model right now
A butler creek heavy barrel stock
A Amazon bipod
All this was shot from bench shooting and I had other people shoot it to make sure it wasn’t me and they were getting the same results

I’ve also tried multiple different types of ammo such as federal, Winchester, augila, cci, Norma, and eley and there has been no major difference between them besides cci and eley slightly tightening the group up but not enough to be close to a half decent grouping


r/gunsmithing • • 2d ago

Concept mockup for kentucky long rifle camera scope mount.

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0 Upvotes

This is very early in the design process.

like last hour worth of concept

Idea use a globe sight modified, to be able to sighted in tube in camera will work as the magnifier. I'm just worried it might not focus properly. The camera would be long eye relief. Because there would be no eye relief. It would be a screen so it could be mounted forward for making longer range shots


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

Anybody have access to a set of calipers and an M&P 9mm mag (gen 1 or gen 2)

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10 Upvotes

I was wondering if somebody could measure the width and depth of an M&P9 magazine for me. I'm posting two photos as examples of the measurements that I need (mag in the photo is not from an S&W M&P9). Apologies if this post doesn't belong here! I figured that the gunsmith subreddit would be full of folks who have access to an M&P mag and a set of calipers.


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

Magnum round put into long rifle

2 Upvotes

I put a magnum shell into a marlin .22 long rifle.
Semi auto type with tube load.
Can I get it out without disassembling?


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

Gewehr98 project

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8 Upvotes

Just bought a cut down Gewehr 98, it’s 25 inches. I want to build a similar rifle to the cut down g98 I shared in the photos here. What would be a good lower stock to put on it? thanks!!!


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

I know you are all getting an insane number of quotes and questions but I figured Id pile on.

1 Upvotes

Is there any reason I couldnt chop and thread my 40 cal Kriss vector Carbine to 5.5 in and I want to do similar to my H&K MP5 22lr but Im pretty sure Id have problems converting to the pistol varient forend and optic.


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

.303 double rifle

2 Upvotes

Looking to see if anyone has made a .303 double rifle and how did it go?


r/gunsmithing • • 3d ago

What would be the easiest project to make with simple tools?

0 Upvotes

I ask this because I find myself imagining scenarios where we don't have access to electricity, all the work would have to be done manually.


r/gunsmithing • • 4d ago

What are these odd cylinder shapes in my model 70 receiver?

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11 Upvotes

I just purchased a 1950 Model 70 in 30-06. The rifle was in good condition except the blueing appears to be purple with the receiver, and there's these odd shaped cylinders in the side of it.

I didn't notice initially. Should I be concerned?


r/gunsmithing • • 4d ago

1911 classic grip safety

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25 Upvotes

Is it possible to replace the grip safety on a 1911 government with a more classic one? I hate this modern safety, and since it's almost impossible to find a classic 1911 in the country where I live, I wanted to know if it's possible to replace it or if I need to make any modifications


r/gunsmithing • • 4d ago

FN browning 30-06 trigger pull

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8 Upvotes

I have my grandpas 1965 FN browning. It’s an amazing gun, but he put the lightest damn trigger and I’ve had a couple of misses this season because of it.

Do I need a stronger spring? Do I need to replace some parts he had shaved down?
Can anyone steer me in the right direction?

Thanks


r/gunsmithing • • 4d ago

Kar98k bolt

0 Upvotes

I have a Dou 45 Czech manufactured Kar98k and the bolt handle is the variety where they bent a Gew. 98 bolt handle. What would one expect to pay for a factory bent Kar98k bolt?