squirrelhunter Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 Simple question but one i couldnt find the answer too on the net so; How do you become a gunsmith? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 At a guess, take an aprenticeship Not very helpfull sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brain dead Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 I suppose you could contact a local gs if you have one or any really, don't suppose it matters, and ask them about it.Sure they'd help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 Difficult to get into unless a member of your family is one, or at least heavily involved in the trade with good contacts. To be a true gunsmith, you need to get into an apprenticeship. There are plenty of "gunsmiths" who are good at basic repairs / woodwork etc, but couldn't make a gun from scratch, or at least don't have the equipment to do so. There are also a few dubious "gunsmiths" who I wouldn't trust with a spud gun. There's a book out called "home gunsmithing" or something similar which is supposed to be pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrelhunter Posted November 14, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2003 so are there any legal requirements to be able to make your own shot gun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted November 14, 2003 Report Share Posted November 14, 2003 Yes - everything must pass proof before it can legally be used or sold. Proof also includes visual checking as well as measuring and firing a proof load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil Posted November 15, 2003 Report Share Posted November 15, 2003 And also when the lumps of wood and metal start to become a gun it must be enterd on to your cert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palombier Posted December 14, 2003 Report Share Posted December 14, 2003 Before starting to make a gun you must apply to become a registered firearm dealer. Otherwise you commit an offence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinxy72 Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 being honest unless your young and can afford to work for peanuts then you have to teach yourself in the uk … if you are young and don't mind working for next to nothing then find a decent gunsmith and ask if they would be willing to take on an apprentice … would be worth it in the end (5 years or so is nothing to wait until can work for yourself) .. could also contact the big london gunmakers direct but i have no idea on their recruitment process …. must be worth a phone call though right ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stalker2 Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Simple question but one i couldnt find the answer too on the net so; How do you become a gunsmith? your simplest way is to do an apprenticship in the aircraft industry as a toolmaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Carrot Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Another way If you have the finances, get yourself a USA student visa and go to the Colorado School of Trades for their 18 month gunsmith course. Linky This course is quite highly regarded over there, plus you'll have the advantage of being ' exotic' to American girls....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonathanL Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 so are there any legal requirements to be able to make your own shot gun? None at all - other than being able to be lawfully in possession of it. You should enter it onto your SGC as soon as it actually becomes a firearm, ie: as soon as it's capeable of discharging a projectile or could be made to do so very easily. J. Yes - everything must pass proof before it can legally be used or sold. Only needs to pass proof if you intend to sell or export it. You can use an unprooved gun quite lawfully. J. Before starting to make a gun you must apply to become a registered firearm dealer. Otherwise you commit an offence. Nope. As long as you are lawfully entitled to possess the gun you can make it your self. You only need to be an RFD if you dispose of firearms and ammunition by way of trade. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Good advice chaps. However seeing how old this thread is, 2003, I suspect the OP has qualified and retired by now !!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowblind66 Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Why bump a thread that's 9 years old??? :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Well at least someone uses the search facility, to become a gunmaker it's a 5 year apprenticeship IIRC some of London makers still take apprentices but I think you probably need and engineering background these days most guns are CNC machined the posh ones still hand finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy198712 Posted May 29, 2012 Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 How do you put it on your own cert?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted May 29, 2012 Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 Interesting one I guess perhaps FLD do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted May 30, 2012 Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 Even though this is an old thread - another option that has not been mentioned is the HM forces route - RAF Armourer as an example - learn the basics of the trade and leave with the skills to go forward and work for oneself. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted May 30, 2012 Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 Even though this is an old thread - another option that has not been mentioned is the HM forces route - RAF Armourer as an example - learn the basics of the trade and leave with the skills to go forward and work for oneself. Mike A route taken into the trade by many of the Older generation of gunsmiths, of limited similarities in tasks these days in relation to the civilian gun trade unfortunatly with the changes in both equipment and procurement. A worthwhile career choice none the less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 30, 2012 Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 Even though this is an old thread - another option that has not been mentioned is the HM forces route - RAF Armourer as an example - learn the basics of the trade and leave with the skills to go forward and work for oneself. Mike As an early 60s 'Brat', I would have agreed (yep, I know you'd have got a 'smith's apprenticeship then; I'm talking about skill levels in the RAF) but no longer. Many of the skills that I learnt I never used and they haven't been taught for decades. I was a rigger, but it will be the same for the plumbers (armourers). Besides, the chances of actually getting a job in the small arms bay after training is miniscule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted May 30, 2012 Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 I was a rigger, Sopwith Camel or SE5? You're showing your age now :D :D Seriously though, I think that a lot of skills have vanished forever as the old timers have gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 30, 2012 Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 Sopwith Camel or SE5? You're showing your age now :D :D Seriously though, I think that a lot of skills have vanished forever as the old timers have gone. He he Close; one of these 'skills' was knots and splices and another, coppersmithing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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