Gunsmithing is a time-honored profession that trains a person to design, build, and repair firearms. The average salary varies depending on where the gunsmith works, whether it’s for a major gun manufacturer or a local gun shop. Gunsmiths can expect to make a starting salary of around $40,000, and it goes way up from there if a person works for a big brand like Rugar or Sig Sauer.
If you are interested in becoming a gunsmith, there are some schools around the United States that are considered top-notch. Here are 5 gunsmithing schools that have programs geared towards making you an expert in this important industry.
Pennsylvania Gunsmith School
This school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It’s a private school with a small student body. The average graduating class is around 40 people. So if you want some intense study for gunsmithing, this is probably the college to go to. You’ll be exclusively around people who are interested in the gun industry as a profession. ThePennsylvania Gunsmith School has been around since 1949, and they have a long history of turning out experts in the field.
Sonoran Desert Institute
The Sonoran Desert institute is an online university that offers a gunsmithing program. This is not only a school that would be beneficial for someone who wants to be a gunsmith as a profession, but it’s also a good program for a person who wants to know the inner workings of guns to be able to repair and modify them. They offer two different programs; an Associates of Science in Firearms Technology, and a Certificate in Firearms Technology. The first one is a 60 credits degree, while the other is only 32 credits.
Modern Gun School
The Modern Gun School offers two programs, basic and advanced gunsmithing. This school is located in Wilmington, Delaware with both online and in-person classes. It has an open enrollment format so you can really get into the school anytime of year to start learning all about gunsmithing. They have been open since 1945, are fully accredited, and welcome former military members.
Colorado School of Trades
The Colorado School of Trades is located in Lakewood, Colorado. It’s a small school with a gunsmithing program that will teach you everything you need to know to work for a major brand. They have about 100 students graduate each year at this school, which has been around since 1947. They only offer gunsmithing at this school — no other trades.
Yavapai College
Located in Prescott, Arizona, this school offers two different gunsmithing programs. They have other programs available so it’s not solely a gunsmithing school. About 30 people graduate with gunsmithing degrees each year at Yavapai College. This school is very good about taking transfer students, so if you have credits from others school they will probably be valid at Yavapai College.
Absolutely shocked at this selection. Trinidad College in CO and Classen in CA are absolutely the two best. Murphy State in OK is also excellent.
I Graduated from Murray State in OK and their program was fantastic.