Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: MANollette on August 29, 2011, 11:05:17 PM

Title: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: MANollette on August 29, 2011, 11:05:17 PM: Figured I'd ask here-I can't find any information on the subject, and the closest school with a full fledged program that I can find is in California. I worked with weapons a good deal during my time in the military (though I wasn't an armorer) and I'd like to follow up on that quite a bit. Anyone have any idea?
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: addicted on August 29, 2011, 11:15:56 PM: I'm interested in what you come up with. :tup:
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: Swannytheswan on August 29, 2011, 11:19:04 PM: I don't know but I would try to get on at a good Gun shop that does that sort of thing and get some experience there also most of it is machining so a machining program would help you gain some of the skills you need.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: MANollette on August 29, 2011, 11:20:26 PM: I'll keep that in mind if nothing else does come up, thanks. And I was looking into an apprenticeship or some form of work at a gun shop or sporting goods store, but I'd like to be a good deal more knowledgeable before I make my attempt at that.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: Swannytheswan on August 29, 2011, 11:23:29 PM: I know renton has a good machining program
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: bobcat on August 29, 2011, 11:24:47 PM: Maybe check with Olympic Arms in Olympia. :dunno:
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: 6x6in6 on August 29, 2011, 11:31:23 PM: I think the nearest in classroom smith school is Lassen C.C. which I think is in Susanville, CA.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: MANollette on August 29, 2011, 11:33:37 PM: :yeah: Yep-Lassen's the closest one that I could find too, which is why I was asking. Figured I'd make my attempt at it-hehe, not exactly driving distance. And what were you referring to with Olympic Arms, bobcat?
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: bobcat on August 29, 2011, 11:36:08 PM: Olympic Arms: http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=27 (http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=27)
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: MANollette on August 29, 2011, 11:37:33 PM: Oh I know the place-I meant what about them. Seems like the kind of place that would require a deal of experience to become involved with.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: bobcat on August 29, 2011, 11:41:25 PM: I don't know- just thought you might check with them for on the job training. They build a lot of guns, must employ quite a few people.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: MANollette on August 29, 2011, 11:43:07 PM: A fair point-couldn't hurt to get in touch with em about it either way. I'll call down there tomorrow, thanks :tup:
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: Swannytheswan on August 29, 2011, 11:46:11 PM: Olympic has about 30 employees but I would say you would need some machining experience as they machine all there own stuff its a cool shop though they do hand fit all their guns so that would help a bit.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: MANollette on August 29, 2011, 11:51:39 PM: Always with the required prior experience :bash: makes a guy wonder where the heck you get the experience in the first place if you have to have it to start. Still, I've got a direction to go in now at least.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: Swannytheswan on August 29, 2011, 11:57:38 PM: Maybe try to get a job at Wade's in bellevue I know they do some Gunsmithing there. Is this just a wild hair or is this what you want to do.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: MANollette on August 30, 2011, 12:02:15 AM: Something I'm very interested in. Between the military, taking care of my Dad's guns when I was younger, and taking damn fine care of my M9, I'd say I'm pretty sure of it. I'll check out Wade's too though.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: Huntbear on August 30, 2011, 07:36:42 AM: Colorado has two of the best gunsmithing schools. None in washington that I know of.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: swampman on August 30, 2011, 06:43:41 PM: I looked into this years ago and basically was told that it is illeagle to have a gun on school property in Washington state. Schools are no gun zones. Even private schools get some kind of Gov. funding so its a no no.
Lake Washington Technical Collage has the best machinist program around. You can learn metal working there. Gunsmithing is not all that great a job though or so I have been told. Good luck with you interests!
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: addicted on August 30, 2011, 07:51:41 PM: if texas had the climate and terrain of WA, I'd move there. I'm getting sick of my own state.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: Swannytheswan on August 30, 2011, 11:04:59 PM: I go to Lake Washington :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: and it is a really good program!
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: high country on August 31, 2011, 08:59:00 AM: ask r bros, jim cloward and those who have been mentioned for advise. what you need to decide is what is it you want to do. few smiths are excellent at everything. you would not take a classic shotgun to a tactical pistol smith, nor would you have that pistol smith screw together a bench gun. take a look at the guild and decide what your passion is. I myself am nearly tooled up to produce some fine hunting class rifles, but I want to move more into wood than tac style guns. there is a lot of cash wrapped up in tooling and it takes a while to get a name, but if you are good, you will have more work than time. the hard part is not doing stuff for free. I can't count how many triggers and bedding jobs I have done for free for friends....you have to remember you are a business. once you have wrapped up a grand in the jigs and mandrels to true one action and somebody drops it.......you realize why you have to charge a price for your work.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: rbros on August 31, 2011, 10:02:41 AM: Highcountry is spot on. You have to decide what you want to do. There are 2 side of the "gunsmithing" world. One side is fixing everything under the sun, mainly small stuff like trigger jobs, installing triggers, minor repairs, etc.... The other side of the coin is full custom builds. On the full custom build side, you become a manufacturer by ATF rules. If you supply the parts, and change the firearm as a normal course of business, then you are a manufacturer. If you occasionally rebarrel a rifle, but your normal course of business is small repairs or replacing small parts, then you are a gunsmith. You basically have to decide what you want to specialize in. A good machining program will get you along ways. If you don't know how to run a lathe and mill correctly, then you will be hard pressed to install muzzle brakes or barrels. Blueprinting receivers is a entirely new ball game. Machining specs are in tenths of thousands, not thousands. I don't do any repairs, and only do bedding and muzzle brake installs if I have downtime. My main business is full builds with either my receivers, remingtons and clones, or custom actions. To much time to make tooling for every action out there. For the first year, I did everything I could from repairs to full builds. As my full builds increased, I had to make the decision to not do any repairs unless I had downtime. Anyone that is successful in the "gunsmithing" business has had to do this. You pretty much just have to say, I'm either going to do repairs with the occasional rebarrel, or just do full builds only.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: runamuk on August 31, 2011, 10:25:45 AM: Quote from: swampman on August 30, 2011, 06:43:41 PM
I looked into this years ago and basically was told that it is illeagle to have a gun on school property in Washington state. Schools are no gun zones. Even private schools get some kind of Gov. funding so its a no no.
Lake Washington Technical Collage has the best machinist program around. You can learn metal working there. Gunsmithing is not all that great a job though or so I have been told. Good luck with you interests!
public k-12 are no gun zones per rcw....colleges, universities and private schools often have rules related to guns on campus or school property that are not technically laws but are similar to a private property owners right to exclude guns. I being a college student with a CPL looked into this and every school has its policy the schools also vary on enforcement...open carry you will get asked to leave... concealed I was told at my school if no one knows then no one knows and I am not breaking any laws seeing as I am licensed to carry. The University I am about to attend is much more specific about being a no gun zone and it is addressed in RCW's so not gonna be able to be armed or even have my guns at home for a while....it sucks but it is what it is :dunno:
and there could be gunsmithing offered its just not...high schools had rifle competitions until guns grew out of favor with the general public. :dunno:
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: high country on August 31, 2011, 10:50:15 AM: there was a gun show at priest river school last week. I have gone to them in eagle river too. god bless idaho and alaska.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: Special T on August 31, 2011, 01:46:44 PM: I would imagine a book such as this from cabellas
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hobbies/Books-Calendars/Shooting-Self-Defense%7C/pc/104799780/c/104707980/sc/105549480/Pistolsmithing-Book/1248482.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2F_%2FN-1102555%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BRCcat104792580&WTz_l=SBC%3BRCcat104792580%3Bcat105549480 (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hobbies/Books-Calendars/Shooting-Self-Defense%7C/pc/104799780/c/104707980/sc/105549480/Pistolsmithing-Book/1248482.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2F_%2FN-1102555%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BRCcat104792580&WTz_l=SBC%3BRCcat104792580%3Bcat105549480)

And course in machining will likely get you moving in the right direction..

Or maybe this book from Midway USA.. :twocents:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=213961 (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=213961)
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: 6x6in6 on August 31, 2011, 03:50:10 PM: Quote from: runamuk on August 31, 2011, 10:25:45 AM
The University I am about to attend is much more specific about being a no gun zone and it is addressed in RCW's so not gonna be able to be armed or even have my guns at home for a while....it sucks but it is what it is :dunno:
[/quote]

Minor thread jack incoming.....

I'm confused with this Run?
The RCW as it pertains to your future schooling does not allow you to keep your guns at home?
What's up with that?
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: runamuk on August 31, 2011, 04:00:22 PM: Quote from: 6x6in6 on August 31, 2011, 03:50:10 PM
Quote from: runamuk on August 31, 2011, 10:25:45 AM
The University I am about to attend is much more specific about being a no gun zone and it is addressed in RCW's so not gonna be able to be armed or even have my guns at home for a while....it sucks but it is what it is :dunno:

Minor thread jack incoming.....

I'm confused with this Run?
The RCW as it pertains to your future schooling does not allow you to keep your guns at home?
What's up with that?
[/quote]
I am moving into a university apt this weekend and as such they have rules stating NO Firearms on the premises. Its their prerogative and if I could afford a different scenario I wouldnt for the moment this is what I have to do.
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: 6x6in6 on August 31, 2011, 04:02:54 PM: Quote from: runamuk on August 31, 2011, 04:00:22 PM
Quote from: 6x6in6 on August 31, 2011, 03:50:10 PM
Quote from: runamuk on August 31, 2011, 10:25:45 AM
The University I am about to attend is much more specific about being a no gun zone and it is addressed in RCW's so not gonna be able to be armed or even have my guns at home for a while....it sucks but it is what it is :dunno:

Minor thread jack incoming.....

I'm confused with this Run?
The RCW as it pertains to your future schooling does not allow you to keep your guns at home?
What's up with that?
I am moving into a university apt this weekend and as such they have rules stating NO Firearms on the premises. Its their prerogative and if I could afford a different scenario I wouldnt for the moment this is what I have to do.
[/quote]
Ah, got it. :)
Title: Re: Any schools with a gunsmithing program in Western Washington?
Post by: runamuk on August 31, 2011, 04:05:26 PM: Quote from: 6x6in6 on August 31, 2011, 04:02:54 PM
Quote from: runamuk on August 31, 2011, 04:00:22 PM
Quote from: 6x6in6 on August 31, 2011, 03:50:10 PM
Quote from: runamuk on August 31, 2011, 10:25:45 AM
The University I am about to attend is much more specific about being a no gun zone and it is addressed in RCW's so not gonna be able to be armed or even have my guns at home for a while....it sucks but it is what it is :dunno:

Minor thread jack incoming.....

I'm confused with this Run?
The RCW as it pertains to your future schooling does not allow you to keep your guns at home?
What's up with that?
I am moving into a university apt this weekend and as such they have rules stating NO Firearms on the premises. Its their prerogative and if I could afford a different scenario I wouldnt for the moment this is what I have to do.
Ah, got it. :)
[/quote]
yeah....
however on the off chance I am able to buy any tags or hunting licenses its gonna blow because I wont be able to just go hunt which is one more reason I am thinking hunting this year is out :bash: :bash: :bash: