Why is there a persistent lack of gunsmiths?

SPC David S. — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 12:42:48 -0500

One of my semi-auto pistols was acting up. I broke it down, even the firing pin assembly. Did a thorough cleaning and inspection and then put it back together. However something I always do with any weapon that I feel presents a safety issue is have it looked over by a licensed gunsmith. One in my area is the go to guy for a very large area in the Chicagoland area. As such he has plenty of business. That means for me a simple inspection and test fire - 14 weeks lead time. A simple google query and its clear there is a lack of gun smiths for what I would consider a healthy gun market. Is this a regional problem or is there truly a lack of licensed gunsmiths in America.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/618993-real-gunsmiths-disappearing.html

https://makerslegacy.com/gunsmithing/gunsmith-schools/

Real Gunsmiths Disappearing

I've been fortunate to be friends with an accomplished gunsmith that I've known 35+ yrs. He's wound down as our ages progress, but he' s available when I need him. Esp since I recently had my stroke.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 14 at 2022 12:46 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 12:46:11 -0500

Those that were really go at their job, are retiring, and no one wants to step up to fill their shoes brother SPC David S.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jan 14 at 2022 1:01 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 13:01:44 -0500

I worked a few years with one of the best gunsmiths in the Pacific Northwest. CSM James Brock, Retired US Army. I ran his retail department, but was able to glean a lot of knowledge from him about firearms. He was a cantankerous old cuss, but sure knew his business. He opened his business in 1973 and closed it 4 years ago. He passed last year. RIP, Jim.

As to the OP question, I believe the main reason the trade has decreased is far too many people do not want to spend the money for quality work. We live in a "throw-away" society and gun owners are no exception.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2022 2:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 14:56:23 -0500

Because way back when, the ATF decided gunsmiths had to keep records (just like an FFL dealer) of the weapons they worked on, not a 4473 but if you they keep the weapon overnight they are required to maintain an acquisition and disposal record. These records are can be inspected at any time and must be turned over to the ATF when you decide to go out of business or retire. I, for one, refused to be part of their registry program.

Response by CWO4 Terrence Clark made Jan 14 at 2022 3:36 PM

CWO4 Terrence Clark — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 15:36:00 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member gave a response that fits with a lot of campfire talk. That and just a general aversion folks have these days to any work that doesn't involve a flat screen.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2022 5:16 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:16:55 -0500

Kids have avoided trades for years, even fewer journeymen or masters. Game designers and coders name their price. STEM not so attractive either with the coins, relative to others.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Jan 14 at 2022 9:36 PM

SGT Steve McFarland — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 21:36:14 -0500

There are some gunsmiths around, but they are very busy. The gunsmith at Addison's is chronically overloaded, and is only doing things like mounting scopes and sighting in rifles and scopes that were bought there.

Response by Maj Wayne Crist made Jan 17 at 2022 11:18 AM

Maj Wayne Crist — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 11:18:17 -0500

Skilled trades in general are hurting. Few are welling to do the work to learn a profession. They estimate we are nearly a half a million shy mechanics. Tool and die makers, die sinkers can work as long as they able. My father at 76 was still getting job offers. Before retiring for health reasons GM hired a guy to move the dies and get his tools just to keep him on the job.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2022 10:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 22:20:37 -0500

In my experience it's a very difficult trade to get started in. You'll often have to open up your own shop in order to make a living and get experience. Several of the gunsmiths I've known aren't prone to taking on apprentices either. I was told by one that my online certificate I got in addition to military training during 91F AIT isn't good enough to take me on as an apprentice and was essentially worthless training.

Response by PV2 Troy Lindstrand made Mar 25 at 2022 5:35 PM

PV2 Troy Lindstrand — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 17:35:35 -0400

Could be your area is extremely unfriendly politically to lawful gun owners. Same goes with electricians and plumbers. Todays society shows more respect to pieces of paper or celebrity than to the working stiff.

Response by Sgt Michelle Matwiejow made Mar 31 at 2022 3:51 PM

Sgt Michelle Matwiejow — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 15:51:05 -0400

I spent 4 years in the Smalls Arms shop at LeJeune, many moons ago. I looked into the training required for civilian weapons and the expense of the materials was atrocious, let alone the expansive paperwork involved to become a registered gunsmith.

Response by PFC Rickey Cook made Jun 1 at 2023 5:08 PM

PFC Rickey Cook — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 17:08:57 -0400

Sorry brother but there's only a few places to get gunsmith education and certification..wait times averages 2-3yrs

Response by PV2 Chase Holt made Sep 17 at 2023 4:51 PM

PV2 Chase Holt — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 16:51:06 -0400

The work is expensive. I mean customer work on a rifle stock is a lot of and can take a long time. It can be too expensive for most people to want to pay for it.

Stuff like Glock/mp ect. Can have the parts replaced at home without any experience. The records and safety required are also crazy.

As far as trades go you have to work your butt off to make almost no many in many places and in many trades you are worked to death before you are old enough to retire.

I took a few classes from one of the top gunsmithing programs and quite frankly it wasn't beginner friendly and was very difficult for me .without advanced tools to pass the tests

A lot of people can also do the work at home. You won't have a lot of the custom hunting rifles etc.

Lastly, I went to school in NC there are few accredited gun smithing programs in the US. So the training and requirements are all over the place.