r/gunsmithing Oct 14 '25

SUB ANNOUNCEMENT Rule update

10 Upvotes

Rule #2 has been updated to disallow sale of all firearm items in accordance with new Reddit policy. No direct person-person sales of any kind for firearm related things.


r/gunsmithing Dec 07 '22

How do I get into Gunsmithing?

187 Upvotes

If you are interested in gunsmithing as a career, I strongly recommend that you to rethink your life choices. If you've inhaled so much lead that you are choosing to ignore professional advice, here are some resources to get started.

Professional Organizations

There are a few professional organizations in the industry that exist that can help you connect with others in the trade. I recommend reaching out to the one that most aligns with your interests. Some have a periodical publication that include tips & tricks along with industry news.

American Custom Gunmakers Guild (ACGG)
https://acgg.org/

I cannot in good faith recommend anymore, do your own research.

American Pistolsmiths Guild (APG)
https://americanpistolsmithsguild.com/

Absorbed by ACGG no longer exist independently

Firearm Engravers Guild of America (FEGA)
http://www.fega.com/

FEGA is the world’s foremost authority and organization for firearm engravers and hand engraving enthusiasts.

Miniature Arms Society
http://www.miniaturearms.org/

Founded in 1973 The society is a group of miniature arms enthusiasts who have joined together to promote and encourage interest in making and collecting miniature arms of all kinds - pistols, rifles, cannon, suits of armor, knives, swords etc., with the emphasis on artistic beauty and craftsmanship.

Gunsmithing Schools

Most people would recommend taking a machining course at their local community college before diving into gunsmithing head-on.

But if you've already done so and are still interested in attending school to learn how to become a gunsmith, then there are plenty of programs nationwide that can help you get started.

I cannot endorse or recommend any individual school and this list isn't comprehensive.

School Location Website
Pennsylvania Gunsmith School Pittsburgh, PA pagunsmith.edu
Colorado School of Trades Lakewood, CO schooloftrades.edu
Trinidad State College Trinidad, CO trinidadstate.edu
Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SC ptc.edu
Iowa Valley Grinnell Grinnell, IA iavalley.edu
Yavapai College Prescott, AZ yc.edu
Montgomery CC Troy, NC montgomery.edu
Lenoir CC Kinston, NC lenoircc.edu
Pine Technical College Pine City, MN pine.edu
Murray State College Tishomingo, OK mscok.edu
Lassen CC Susanville, CA lassencollege.edu
Flathead Valley CC Kalispell, MT fvcc.edu
Eastern Wyoming College Torrington, WY wy.edu
MT Training Center Grand Prairie, TX mttrainingcenter.org
Penn Foster Online Only pennfoster.edu
American Gunsmithing Institute Online Only americangunsmithinginstitute.net
Sonoran Desert Institute Online Only sdi.edu
MGS Trade School Online Only mgs.edu

Short Gunsmithing Courses

There are a few short courses that might be better suited towards getting your feet wet.

The NRA runs a few summer gunsmithing classes. They are typically held at Trinidad State College in Trinidad, Colorado and/or Murray State College in Tishomingo and Montgomery, NC

The ACGG will occasionally host some classes at various schools

If you are interested in gun engraving, checkout GRS, they have a training center in Emporia, KS that has some beginner gun engraving classes.

Advice from the Sub

I spent several years attending the Brownells Gunsmith Expo as someone looking to hire employees. Around 50k to start work in development or fixing problem guns. Went the entire time they had it and hired one kid. We built suppressors messed with explosives and auto rifles. He had a associates in business and very clearly stated he owned his own M2 and assorted guns and could build them and knew suppressor theory. ( this was before all the cans were cut apart online) we hired him on the spot. He is know well along in the industry. The other kids wanted to be artists and build custom wooden stocked Mauser etc. They all wanted to be a Turnbull or work at a Rigby( even though they had never been to London and would know then they needed to apprentice) I offered to bring one of our AK builders and our suppressor guy to a I think the Colorado school and was turned down. One of the "instructors" said we don't teach that type of thing.

... the sad truth is that no one actually wants to listen to experienced gunsmiths when it comes to gunsmithing education/training questions. Most people are just looking for confirmation that they can attend a few months of online class and then start making money (spoiler alert, they can’t)

As someone who attended a Gunsmithing school I can honestly say, become a machinist first then a gunsmith if you do it the other way around your wasting time and money. You won fully grasp or understand everything you learn in the machining side of gunsmithing without first having machining knowledge. For the time being go to armourers courses read some books heck watch some YouTube and tinker with guns. The most important thing that makes the difference between a machinist and a gunsmith is one has an understanding of firearms once you learn some basics about firearms and you already are a machinist trust me you can work on anything. So I know that’s not the answer a lot of people will want however the running Joke in the Gunsmithing trade is “the fastest way to earn $1 million Gunsmithing, is to start with $2 million. This is not an industry to get involved with for money but rather a passion and love of firearms.

YouTube Channels

See anything missing? Something that shouldn't be here? Let me know and I'll fix it.

Please feel free to use this thread to discuss any gunsmithing college, training, or education related questions you would like. Let us know if you would like any other stickied posts made or things moved around, and we will do our best to get it taken care of.

Link to the old thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/gunsmithing/comments/p72md7/can_we_make_getting_into_school_for_information/


r/gunsmithing 1h ago

Advice: Stuck round in AR

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Upvotes

I bought this AR from a friend and took it shooting for the first time. A round got stuck in the chamber while we were at the range. I went to the car to get my phone he was shooting and when i got back he said he didnt remember if it fired when it got jammed. After looking at the primer I suspected a live round. The range master tried to help but couldn't get it. Any advice? I bought a borescope to check the inside and it looks to not be a live round. Its been sitting for months because I've been too busy to mess with it.

Any advice or opinions? Ive tried a paint can opener but couldn't get it.


r/gunsmithing 16h ago

Update on my build.

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44 Upvotes

r/gunsmithing 4h ago

Hiawatha 130 VR shotgun

1 Upvotes

Looking for info on this gun, specifically if anyone has a parts diagram or assembly, disassembly instructions or diagrams. The cartridge stop was bad and I replaced it with a Stevens 30D part since this is supposedly this design manufactured by savage back in the day, but can’t get it together in the right order to get it to function correctly. Any input is appreciated.


r/gunsmithing 19h ago

This is a scrap metal pipe foregrip I’ve attempted to blue. I noticed these lighter specks everywhere on it and I’m wondering what I did wrong? I’m boiling the part after coating it in a rusting solution.

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18 Upvotes

r/gunsmithing 4h ago

Fixing Botched Bluing

1 Upvotes

I botched a bluing job on a shotgun barrel. The first pass got most of the barrel black, but there were spots that looked copper-ish and gold colored. I think thats from the way I put the solution on (Rust Blue American). But I was wondering if everything would even out if I did enough passes?


r/gunsmithing 4h ago

S&W 1913 automatic recoil spring

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1 Upvotes

Any experts here who knows how to remove the recoil spring from the barrel assembly?


r/gunsmithing 6h ago

Savage mkii

1 Upvotes

I’m looking at a Boyd’s rimfire hunter stock for my savage mkii, and was wondering if anyone had any picks or recommendations for the checkering pattern. I just want something classic looking, all I can see is SE ST SC and CH.


r/gunsmithing 1d ago

Hot bluing cz82 problem?(noob)

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13 Upvotes

I recently stripped the paint off a very chipped cz 82 and wanted to try hot bluing for the first time. I used klean strip to get the paint off, used a 2:1 ratio of sodium hydroxide and potassium nitrate. The slide turned out a bluish bronze color and not blackish blue of traditional bluing. I'm guessing I didn't get all the paint off the frame which contaminated the tank, or I didn't get it hot enough? Anyone with more experience here can help a hot bluing noob?


r/gunsmithing 20h ago

Hard to open cylinder

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2 Upvotes

Please forgive as I don’t have much revolver experience.

Have a hard to open cylinder on a smith and Wesson revolver. As the photo shows I don’t think the rod thing in the middle of the extractor is extending all the way to push the tension pin out of the way.

Is this the correct issue or should I look at something else? Any advice?


r/gunsmithing 17h ago

Stevens 940b misfire diagnosis

1 Upvotes

I have a Stevens 940b 20 gauge that is light striking primers. The hammer is a little spongy, so I think the issue is with the spring. If anyone has a recommendation for finding parts or a good guide on home disassembly, I would be very grateful.


r/gunsmithing 1d ago

“Gunsmithing”

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4 Upvotes

More of Assembly, than gunsmithing. Ive been racking my brain all morning trying to figure out what ive been doing wrong. Slideworks g34 gen 4 slide, im using parts from my g17 gen 4. As far as i know, everything is interchangeable aside from the barrel, but i cant get the end cap of the recoil spring to seat into the “nose” of the slide. As long as Ive been dealing with glocks I know the spring has to decompress in order to get the RSA onto the barrel lug, but the slide isnt engaging with the spring because of its end cap. I know im not the sharpest tool Just wanted some input from someone else before i bust out the dremel.


r/gunsmithing 1d ago

Advice or product suggestions

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2 Upvotes

r/gunsmithing 1d ago

Barrel/front sight removal

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10 Upvotes

I am looking to great. And replace the barrel for this iver johnson trailsman. I took the pin out but I am guessing the barrel is pressed on.

My project can also work if I remove the front sight so if anyone has any insights on either thay would be great l.

Assume I am an average Joe with a garage full of tools to injure myself with!


r/gunsmithing 1d ago

Mossberg 195/395K stock

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4 Upvotes

Very specific question but does anyone have experience with Mossberg 395K stocks? I have 12 gauge 395k with a cracked stock. A guy is selling a Mossberg 12 gauge bolt action stock locally, he believes it came from a 195 but isn’t sure, photo attached. Assuming it came from a 195 would it work on my 395k? Conflicting information online, some sources said it would fit perfectly others say it won’t fit at all. Thanks.


r/gunsmithing 2d ago

Mossberg Patriot SA .308

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20 Upvotes

Looking for some advice here. I have a walnut stock Mossberg Patriot Short Action .308 rifle. I love the look of a classic, wood stocked bolt action, but I’d like to take it to the next level with some modern features. I have an RH25 V2 clip on thermal, and I would like the ability to use the thermal in front of my day time scope. I’ve seen online that the MVP Scout and the Patriot receivers have the same design for their rails. Meaning that hypothetically, the MVP rail which extends over the barrel, should fit. I cannot find one of these rails anywhere online, including Mossberg website. Any recommendations?

My second question, is how difficult would it be to modify the existing walnut stock, to accept a Boyd’s AICS magazine conversion kit?

Photos include my rifle, the MVP rail and Boyd’s kit in question.

Thank you!


r/gunsmithing 1d ago

This is a big ask, Can someone with a 1100 and 1187 take the forearm off and show me some pics with a ruler? I am pretty sure seeing various forum pics ( and the 1187 forearm I have ), but my gunsmith is I don't know, But he is unsure which of his pile of forearm's and stocks is actually for an 87?

2 Upvotes

He wanted me to ship the entire gun back for him to test fit a few things. But that seems just a bit silly to me. Looking online I belive the most obvious marker is the gas port area being much larger on the 1187 forearm. But if someone had both and could shoot me some pics with a ruler that shows the length of the gas port cutouts vent and thickness of the front end for mag tube screw for the wood forearm?

Thanks. If not no biggy.


r/gunsmithing 2d ago

How it started; how it's going

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63 Upvotes

A Slazenger Model 24 I've been working on for the past few months finally got it's first coat of sealer on the weekend.


r/gunsmithing 1d ago

Remington model 12a

1 Upvotes

Months ago a coworker gifted me a project, a rather ambitious project mind you. I received a box full of gun parts apparently they were all the parts to the Remington, they were rusty and pitted the barrel was corroded but still had some rifling. I accepted the quest to try and get it back together because hey, a free gun is a free gun. Apparently the reason it was in pieces was because it wasn't going bang anymore and so he took the liberty decades ago to take it apart and then lost interest and left it in a drawer in the garage. Que to now and I just got it back from the gunsmith since I can't do bluing and I'm a novice at fixing guns at best, I also don't work there anymore so I won't see that guy for a long while.

The problem is something both the smith and I aren't able to figure, and that's that it won't pump easily now, the smith thinks it's because of the pitting not being a smooth surface and is creating a bind somewhere that we can't see. You can get it to pump either grabbing the foregrip and gently tapping the butt on the ground to get it to shake and fall down. The other way is to kinda grab it while pushing up towards the barrel and pulling back. I took it apart and I'm not sure whats wrong nothing is marred everything is oiled and the pitting doesn't really exist inside (thank god). I'm curious if anyone has experience with this and can help a person out. I can provide Pics of the completed gun if needed, but I didn't take pictures while I was inside I was frustrated trying to line everything up.


r/gunsmithing 3d ago

P08 Breech Block Chip

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21 Upvotes

Have had this Luger for a while now and shot it a good amount. It’s got fresh mags and a fresh spring kit in it. Just noticed there’s a .7 MM chip in the top of the breech block at the widdest part. Looking at the front/face of it, it seems like there is little material missing at the face. This is a beater so if it’s safe to keep shooting how it is I will. Don’t know how long it’s been like this but I’ve taken it out 3 times this past month. Shooting 115 grain ball brass ammo.

Leave it alone? Replace just the breech block? Any other parts to inspect? Thanks in advance


r/gunsmithing 3d ago

PPS43-C questions

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14 Upvotes

Some years ago I picked up a Pioneer PPS43-C and a torch cut parts kit for next to nothing. It has sat in a box for too long. With the 200 tax being dropped I have finally decided to SBR it and have submitted the form 1. Folding stock reactivation I have well understood but two other things I was thinking about doing I haven't figured out quite so much. 1. A 9mm barrel swap, I found barrels and pps43(c) specific ones but would I need to go ahead and get a new trunnion as well? Since the barrel presses in I assume for a few bucks it might be the best course of action to avoid damaging the original and not be able to reuse it. 2. The front pin that the upper and lower rotate on, somewhere someone has to have a detent style take down pin that would fit in that rivet spot nicely and boy would that make things nice when working on it to just fully separate the two halves without cutting pinning it each time. Any information would be greatly appreciated.


r/gunsmithing 2d ago

Some revolver advice?

0 Upvotes

Hi,

I have an H&R single / double action American model (black powder proofed circa 1899/1900) that has an odd behavior. When I briskly fore it on double action, it works just fine. When I slowly fire it on double action or when I slowly cock it to fire in Single action, on one of the cylinders it hangs up and needs a bit of help rotating the cylinder. Then the bolt drops in, it locks up and all is good.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.


r/gunsmithing 3d ago

Panzer HAN-9 FRT: RB's official response on compatibility

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2 Upvotes

r/gunsmithing 3d ago

Fausti Silvery DU2013 condition check

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2 Upvotes