[willshoum]

There's an old saying, If you love your job, you will never work a day in your life.......Go for it......

[zaitsev44]

Thanks you all! This is some great information. I'm doing to satisfy my love for history and firearms, I'm not concerned about fortune and fame. I'm sure my dad can teach me about machinery cause that's what he's been doing for 20 years. I'm decent with wood, even though my school doesn't offer shop. There are a few gunsmiths in my area, surely they'll take in an apprentice. Again thanks all

[zaitsev44]

Also, I'm planning to be in the Army, is there any way I can pick up a few things in the army about general gunsmithing, besides your issue weapons? Can I take an apprenticeship in the army with the gunsmith?

[axxe55]

Zaitsev44, good luck in your journey. hopefully you will find a gunsmith to take you under his wing and teach you. if one is close enough, offer to do his cleaning of the shop and any other jobs for free, just to get some learning. some old timers are hesitent on taking in a young person to work for them, and having to teach as well as pay them to learn. it's like any other skilled trade, that you have to start at the bottom and work your way up.

i started in the mechanic trade over 35 years ago working in my uncles shop and for my father on the farm. i swept floors, took out the trash, ran errands and picked up parts, cleaned parts starting out. then moved into the most menial of mechanic jobs, until i learned more. it took years to learn my trade, and over 35 years later, i am still learning new things. point is, it takes years to master any trade, so also learn patience and learn to listen.

[zaitsev44]

Thanks axxe55, sounds good to me.

[axxe55]

Originally Posted by zaitsev44

Also, I'm planning to be in the Army, is there any way I can pick up a few things in the army about general gunsmithing, besides your issue weapons? Can I take an apprenticeship in the army with the gunsmith?

most of the branches of the military do have armorers that work on small arms. hopefully some former or current military members can provide some insight into this. might check with a recruiter and ask them some questions about it. but just think, with all the small arms in all the branches of the military, someone has to work on them!

[nitestalker]

Check into places like Crane Naval Weapons Center. During the late war in SE Asia all the USMC and Navy Small arms were Refurbed here. It is to this day a very big small arms center.

http://www.navsea.navy.mil/nswc/crane/default.aspx

[zaitsev44]

Does Crane sell guns? Or do they offer smithing classes?

[c3shooter]

Neither. They are a Naval installation that works on firearms for the military.

[zaitsev44]

Ok, thanks