Online Gunsmith School

[RetArmySgt]

Due to my medical conditions getting worse I had to stop going to school so the VA recommended me to take an online class. They recommended the Penn Foster Gunsmith course (after I said I was interested in firearms) and are paying for it. I figured while im taking this course I can post reviews on it in here.

 

[Rum Runner]

Sorry about your medical conditions getting worse, but I would be very interested in any information you share. I have looked at several online courses with the idea of adding that as an income producing hobby. Good luck.

 

[zembonez]

Sorry to hear about the medical condition and I hope that gets better... I'll watch for your reviews for sure.

 

[shortround]

Get better soon!

I hope it works for you.

Please let us know how the training goes.

Be well.

 

[RetArmySgt]

So far other than the reading its not too bad of a course. They have everything written out so that anyone with no knowledge of firearms can follow and understand it, which is making the reading very unenjoyable for me. Kind of like in the Military everything had to be written at an 8th grade level, it makes it pretty hard to keep reading. So far ive done the lessons on 1) Getting started in the Firearms Industry, 2) Identifying and Evaluating Firearms, 3) Gun Stocks (care, maintenance, and intro to crafting).

And some good news is that a gun shop that just opened up less than a 1/4 mile from my house wants me to do work for his customers. Im going to start off only doing small things like cleaning, ID'ing, changing out sights and other minor parts and then as i work my way up I'll offer other services.

 

[RetArmySgt]

In lesson one they go over:
1) Basic firearm safety
2) Shop safety
3) Different components of the Firearm industry
a)Retailers (small shop, large chain, special order only shops, and home based shops)
b)Distributors
c)Manufacturers (firearms and ammunition)
d)Smiths
4) Licensing and Insurance
5) The different levels of gun smithing skills
And
6) How to disassemble and clean firearms

 

[RetArmySgt]

The other lessons are a little more complex and i will have to type an outline later to post in here.

 

[brocknchrist]

Do you think the $800 price tag is worth it... I have looked into Penn foster several times just never crossed the line... Working a 50+ hr a week job, doesn't leave me.night schooling as an option, I liked there 'do it at your own pace' concept...

 

[TexasR.N.]

Thanks for the update, please continue to keep us posted.

 

[RetArmySgt]

Do you think the $800 price tag is worth it... I have looked into Penn foster several times just never crossed the line... Working a 50+ hr a week job, doesn't leave me.night schooling as an option, I liked there 'do it at your own pace' concept...

If you can afford the $600 one time payment it saves you some money but so far i have found no major problems that would make me mad about spending money on it

 

[RetArmySgt]

Lesson Two

IDENTIFYING FIREARMS: BROAD IDENTIFICATION
Purchasing Used Firearms
Investment Collecting
Appraisals
Firearm Identification Services
Identification for Repair Purposes
Identification for Proper Chambering
IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA
Identifying Firearms by Category
Identifying Firearms by Manufacturer
Identifying Firearms by Model Name and Number
IDENTIFYING FIREARMS: TAKING A CLOSER LOOK
Marks and Other Characteristics
Serial Numbers
Proof Marks
Assembly Numbers
Property Stamps
Barrel Length
Finish
Special or Optional Features
Cartridge and Caliber
Identifying Ammunition
Identification Stamped on the Gun
DETERMINING EXACT CHAMBER AND
BORE DIMENSIONS
Making a Chamber Cast
Slugging the Bore
Wildcat Cartridges
Finding the Correct Ammunition
Forming Cases
Proprietary Items
EVALUATING FIREARMS
To Shoot or to Collect Firearms
Relics or Functional Collectors’ Items
The Version
Condition
Quality
Determining Originality
Restoration
Miscellaneous Factors That Affect Value
EVALUATING CUSTOM RIFLES
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation Specifics
EVALUATING THE SAFETY OF A USED GUN
General Gun Inspection
Examining Fired Cartridge Cases
Headspacing
Steps for a General Safety Check
Steps for Checking Specific Firearm Types
RESEARCH MATERIALS
The Internet
Collector Associations
Gun Shows
Gun Catalogs
Dictionaries
Specialty Reference Texts
Blue Books
Gun Magazines and Newspapers
Dealer Price Lists
Comparison Firearms
Manufacturers
Gun Museums
Experts
APPRAISALS
What Is an Appraisal?
Getting Started
The Basics of Performing an Appraisal
Assigning Values
Keeping Records of Appraisals
Typing the Appraisal

 

[Rum Runner]

Thanks for the updates. I know they are "teaching" you a lot that you already know, but do you find there is enough "meat"? Grats on the hookup w/ local gunshop BTW.

 

[Randy45]

this is great I have been wondering if taking the Penn Foster courses would be of any help or not....didn't wanna blow 800.00 bucks on something that won't help me out....I am very greatful you are posting your experiences with it.......might have to break down and sign up myself now....

 

[RetArmySgt]

this is great I have been wondering if taking the Penn Foster courses would be of any help or not....didn't wanna blow 800.00 bucks on something that won't help me out....I am very greatful you are posting your experiences with it.......might have to break down and sign up myself now....

There is no hands-on portion unless you do it on your own just for practice. Put it breaks it down so that its easy to follow.

If you decide to, let me know and ill send you the referal, it will save us both $50.

 

[RetArmySgt]

Lesson 3- Stocks

STOCK DESIGN AND STOCK STYLE​

Types of Gun Stocks
Stock Styles
Designing a Custom Stock​

GUN STOCK WOODS AND SYNTHETICS​

Wood Grain
Walnut Woods
English Walnut
Claro Walnut
Other Woods
Exotic Woods
The Laminated Stock
Synthetics
Stock Bedding​

MAKING A GUN STOCK FROM A PLANK​

Primary Tools
Other Tools
The Particulars of Stock Making​

INLETTING THE BARRELED ACTION​

Using Inletting Black
Cutting the Mortise
Assembling the Rifle
Fitting Attachments to the Blank
Stock Shaping
Recoil Pad
Staining
Stock Finishing​

ADDITIONAL STOCK WORK​

The Semi-inletted Stock
Stock Refinishing
Removing Old Finish​

Making Repairs

 

[Mic]

Thanks for the updates. I'm assuming the further you go, you'll see less stuff for somebody "new to firearms" as they will have caught them up.

 

[ranchhand]

This is a great thread, like the others I've been hesitant to start, and have been going back and forth for a while. I have recieved phone calls and pamplets from a few different online gunsmith schools, and have had trouble trying to descide which one to go with. I wound if someone who has taken an online course from a different school could put in some input to compare to, but so far it seems like Penn Foster is more than just good enough.

 

[RetArmySgt]

Sorry i havent updated lately, the lessons are getting more and more specific and complex it makes it harder to give outlines without having to type out entire sections of the lessions.

 

[ranchhand]

Thats understandable. Now that they are more complex, is it starting to gain interest, and want you to keep moving forward? I am fixing to start a new job and have every other two days off, so I'll have time to start the course myself, and will deffinetly use you as a referal. On a side note, hope your medical condition is improving.

 

[brocknchrist]

How do you "finish" a section... Online test? Or verbal questions over the phone... How long until the next section shows up... The way I understood it working was they sent you one section at a time... So I just wonder what the delay is between sections...

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