Are Sonoran Desert Institute or Modern Gunsmith School legit?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 08:29:39 -0500

I'm seeing more and more ads for SDI or MGS and they do appeal to me. My question is, are these legit schools that can train you to be a gun smith or armorer or are they just trying to sucker in vets for the GI Bill benefits? I am trying to do my own research but figured I'd ask all you kind folk as well. Thanks in advance.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 11 at 2021 1:31 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 13:31:15 -0500

I don't know much about either school. If you are looking to get out and go to school to learn a trade, there is community college in Oregon that teaches gunsmithing. Another approach may be to volunteer your time with a gunsmith to learn the trade. If it is online only, there is going to be draw backs. How does someone tell you about your stock checkering skills, how do you run a lathe or mill? How do I rebarrel an old Mauser? There is a lot to this field, going to a CC allows you to also pick additional classes that you will need: Book keeping, inventory management, computer skills. It isn't all about the gun itself. I dabble in stuff, and learn as I go, but without the tools and skills to master bigger tasks, I send it out. And that stuff costs money, often a lot of money.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 11 at 2021 3:19 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:19:46 -0500

PM TSgt David L. He was in AZ for a Gun Smithing School a few years ago.

Response by TSgt David L. made Mar 11 at 2021 4:12 PM

TSgt David L. — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 16:12:39 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member - As CW3 Kevin Storm has mention, there are a lot of drawbacks to an on line course. I went to a 2 year (they offered a 3rd year as well) gunsmithing course in Arizona and after looking at what the on line courses offered am glad I went to an actual school. The machining aspect is probably the biggest aspect you would miss out on. I can't build a custom rifle without a lathe and need a mill to put reflex sites on a pistol.
Do yourself a favor and use your GI Bill if you have it and attend an in person course.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2021 5:17 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 05:17:55 -0400

I personally have no experience with SDI, but a very good friend of mine just recently finished his degree or course with SDI. He raves about how amazing it is, they sent him a lot of the tools he needed, and to my understanding at either no cost or minimal cost. They backed the cost of parts for his builds, as they were to be submitted as projects, that he kept. He swears by it, and I’ve been by his shop a few times and it’s very impressive. I would recommend reaching out to them and ask any questions you have. I know from my own research that SDI does accept the GI Bill, and military tuition assistance. Keep in mind this is all 2nd hand information, I could be wrong on some parts.