Q&A 13: Why we're running out of gunsmiths

I just applied for my 07. Had my interview last week. I have been building firearms since 2008, but was active duty. I retired in 2013 and have been kicking around since then. I have slowly built up my shop, got a Bridgeport, a South Bend Lathe and have been building AK's, 1911's M14's I have the luxury of a retirement and disability check, so I can wade into this at my own pace.

I worked in Small Arms repair after my stint in the Army and got up to Foreman. I was told on more than one occasion by peers and subordinates that I was different from other people that they'd worked with in that I shared my knowledge freely, telling and showing them how to perform particular repairs or inspections, and even how to do MY job. I always stressed continuity not only of operations but of knowledge. It made me sad to think how hard it was for them before we met, having to learn the hardest way possible. To me it made sense from a "rising tide" perspective to share as much as possible. I guess most people are afraid if they give away too much they'll lose their job to the ones they trained, but I thought that was the point.

To be honest, never could get my foot in the door anywhere in to be taught. When I joined the military I asked about be coming an "Armorer", I was told that is "some kind of maintenance billet, and you have to be picked for it". Didnt happen.

Glad to have you

Hello Sir, new to the channel and Gunsmith. Began my journey 4 years ago and I’m still being challenged as I’m sure I will continue to learn in the future. Proud to call my self an apprentice

Taking the time to share what is "good, had and ugly" takes time. Along with the fact that five years of experience takes five years. everyone needs to keep making things better, because the alternative is not an option.

Feel free to share it with your friends as you see fit. I have no clue as to when i'll put it up elsewhere

Those two had no idea we were rolling tape. They work like Citadel cadets.......

10/10 from both angles. Boomers don't cooperate, universities don't educate and corporations don't train.

how does one REALLY know if a sharps rifle didn't belong to Jesus himself? that sounds like a lot of research, and where does one even start?

Wanted: 16-year-old with 20 years experience to work "entry-level" position for minimum wage. wE cAnT fInD aNyOnE

moosemaimer

Mark. you nailed it. Those Boeings are also where a small liquor bottle was found. A bit of positive (in my. mind and in this Colorado area). The Colorado School of trades (gunsmithing school) has an active enrollment and the student work they did for me was well done. Also, the gunsmithing school in Trinidad, seems to be training an educated and able group of students in the ART of gunsmithing.

My most cherished mentor told me, "You can only keep that which you give away." Thanks for continuing the legacy, Mark!

Driving the point home nicely with the two guys in the background. Many people are just talking, it's great to see Mark actively passing on knowledge.

fieldgauge

I'm in North Texas and have run in to a gunsmith shortage. I wanted some work done to my modern Winchester 1886 and a 2-3 week quoted time ended up taking 5 months. That gunsmith is now out of business. Other gunsmiths in the area have a reputation of being hack jobs. One destroyed an FN FNP-40 I sold to a friend by baking it to cure a Cerakote finish. I went in to the trades as an industrial air compressor technician a couple of years ago. It is difficult to find people who are interested and have an aptitude for the work.

Chris Ibey

Very true, I hire for my team based on how much they want to learn, not how much they already know

Alex Newman

I was fortunate to grow up in an area where old ways were still in fashion. My father had grown up on a tobacco farm in Kentucky and when it was time to go to the military he served as a Military Engineer. He later went on to become an Automotive Engineer. We also had free rein to learn how to fix our bicycles. My brother and I had a childhood of experiments and finding answers to everyday problems.

I can't wait until this goes public so I can share it elsewhere.

Milsurp Mike

A couple of year's back I thought it might be nice to get some training in lathe work. I spent a couple of weeks looking at trade schools, Technical Institutes, Adult Education (I think you would call it night school) etc and the best I could come up with was a 6 month full time course attached to a University degree in a city almost 900 miles away. Wood working/cabinetry was almost the same. Since then I've started by teaching myself how to sharpen Planes/chisels ( still aspiring to stupidly sharp but I'll get there) and how to use things like spoke shaves etc. Where I live the hardest teaching positions to fill are hard tech, soft tech, Chemistry and Physics.

Tehfoo

It's a plug and play world now and not the world we grew up in. Brooklyn Technical High School, 1972

ViejoLobo

Largely a result of prioritizing 'education' over learning.

Martin Morehouse

Amen brother. Amen

Wayne Dygert

Sometime long about 25 to 30 years ago the schools in this country (in all 1st world country's???) stopped teaching students how to think in favor of teaching them what to think! Additionally, about the same time, schools started shutting out industry contributions and parents along with their ambulance-chaser's began filling suit every time little Jonny came home with as much as a bruised ego! So, Industrial Arts class... Gone with the west wind! Besides, everything worth doing can now be done sitting at a computer keyboard and all else gets cleaned up by someone that speaks English as a 2nd language.

Mustafa's Fleas

It is kind of strange that the problems of the trades seem to be very similar in western societies. Almost the same here in Germany, everyone is pumped into the universities and the trades are looking into a deficit of 150K in apprenticeships.

We have an entire generation that can’t fix anything. Lawnmower stops working, they buy a new one. There was a meme going around that said “Twenty years ago a car owner’s manual told you how to adjust the valves, now it warns you not to drink the contents of the battery “. I used to think it was funny, now it’s just sad.

Amen! I've been reaching out to as many gunsmiths as possible this year and have found many open their arms and let me come to their shop. I was frequently told take as many pictures as you can! Unfortunately this doesn't happen everywhere...

Kurtis Martonik

As an appraiser, I certainly understand what we call the "grey'ing of the profession". I'm a young guy getting into an old mans game for job security and to TEACH!! Thank you Mr. Novak for the information you share, your wisdom and a lot of your wit too.

Andrew Whitehead

It's somewhat like learning to play an instrument You don't just read the book and say "oh, ok, I got it" and start playing.

Alden Skinner

A friggin men!

Tell it brother. There is no critical thinking. Not only is it not taught - it is discouraged

Red Marley

Too true; the basics are not being taught.

So true

this is completely right, and yet still hurts my soul

Sean Smith

Yes.