Need a career change but unsure what to do. Gunsmiths please respond or anyone!

[Bowman26]

First of all I am not expecting anyone to have the correct answer to my query just looking for thoughts and maybe personal experiences to throw into the mix as I ponder the what if's. This subject has probably already been discussed and I searched but it was all fairly old threads with little info I don't already have.

Basically I am about to be 42 y/o. I am recently kid free as my daughter graduated college and is on her own. I'm also wife free as she too graduated to divorced status. Basically I am foot loose and fancy free once again and I am beginning to dread my current job.

I have always had a deep interest in firearms and shooting in general. This has led me recently to thinking about potentially changing careers mid-stream to a job that will actually give me some personal satisfaction. Currently I work in the Pharmaceutical Industry and I get absolutely no satisfaction in the job.

All that being said I have investigated the gunsmithing schools that seem to be the most well respected and have begun to consider going to one of them. The main problem I have with going to a school or community college is that I already have a degree in Industrial Engineering with a Specialization in CAD/CAM, Machining and Materials etc. From all I can gather from the course catalogs and listings for the smith programs at least 1/2 of it would be a waste of my time as I am already beyond those levels of education with regards to those subjects. IE Basic Machining, Reading Measurement Tools, Math, English and all the other rubbish classes etc. That being what it is I hate to waste my time and money being bored as someone teaches me what I already know along those lines.

However, I feel like I could benefit from the actual Smith related classes and classes that are more closely focused on the art of gunsmithing. I am going to contact a few of these schools to see if I can just take the main curriculum gunsmith classes and shorten my amount of time and money spent or perhaps spend the time but get more advanced smithing instruction instead of all the filler classes.

Has anyone here ever gone to these schools and what is your opinion of them? From what I have found it seems like most of the people that attend go to work for someone established for several years in an apprentice type roll and that would be what I would hope for as well.

So I guess my main question is at this age should I even bother with the hassle and expense to try and make the switch or should I just stay put where I am? I already know I won't be making near the money I do now anytime soon after going to smith work much less have the benefits but damn life is to short to be so unsatisfied with things daily besides your paycheck.

I feel as though I could just go right into an apprenticeship type position at this very moment and learn the smithing as I go on the job as I am very hands on when learning and pick things up quickly. In some ways I am way over educated and in others I lack enough background to hit the ground full speed.

Has anyone ever heard of a master smith taking someone on as their mentor that hasn't been to traditional smith school but has been to college for what amounts to the same things in many aspects?

How much might an apprentice hope to make when starting out?

Just looking for pros and cons to the thoughts I am having. Hard to think about walking away from a job making around 70K with 5 weeks vacation and awesome benefits. But like I said life is to short to wonder if there isn't more out there to apply myself to learning.


Thanks,

Bo

 

[vmaxpro]

I'm kinda/sorta in the same boat as you. Ive been a machinist and designer my whole life and Im extremely bored with it. I looked into the gunsmithing world as well and it just didnt seem worth it, to me that is. Ive always done my own gunsmithing, but Id never get hired as a gunsmith with no papers. If however I were in your shoes, I would stay at my job and maybe considered slowly putting together your own little mini machine shop and do personal stuff to keep your mind busy! The future of this country is goin down the shitter quickly, so I would hate to see you loose such a good position. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[spclark]

I have a reply in mind but will have to get to a full keyboard to write it. Be a few hours for that....

Once I've vented it'll go direct to you first. Seems only fair given the nature of your request.

 

[fredhorace77]

A good friend of mine whom is also a writer for percision shooting mag. told me once that "if he would have known he would have been so busy in the gun business he would have started long time ago". He ONLY works on centerfire bolt action rifles only and has way more work than he can keep up with. His advice to me was to open a business in a town that has a local gun range...thats where 95% of your work will initialy come from and where your best advertisment is going to be...he told me to get a good lathe and dremel tool...he personaly said forget the mill machine...he has one and never uses it. he also recomm. starting out as part time and let the business grow first...and for sure never open a store front business....work out of your garage or a shop building on your property if you really want to profit...hope this helps

 

[BigDMT]

It would be a huge pay cut to start. The only way a gunsmith makes much money is to have his own business...Then he has to be successful to make good money...but not much vacation when you are a successful business owner...and definitely not any affordable benefits.

Whenever a person makes that drastic of a field change, they will have to start at the bottom and work up. Which means make crap for money to start and hope to get good enough to make a decent living eventually.

I love working with guns myself. Sort of obsessed with it in a moderate way. But I am an electrician by trade and work on drilling rigs in the oil field. Unbelievable benefits and way more money than my family needs to play and survive. Also allows me to be the sole provider so my wife can give my son a solid upbringing while Dad is out busting his butt to bring home the bacon.
To make the move to a firearms profession would be detrimental to our financial well being as it stands right now.

70K per year is a very respectable salary that won't come to you again anytime soon in the firearms industry. I'd recommend just dabbling and taking classes when you can and try to get a smithy to show you some things here and there on your days off if you are serious about it. A busy smith could always use help with rudimentary tasks around the shop. Then you can pick up all the tricks as you hang around and help where needed.

If you really are passionate about it and don't have any strings attached that will be harmed by a smaller salary, I say it might be worth a try. I think happiness is what's important at this point in your life. If you hate your current job and are financially secure, maybe making a move is what you need.

Just my thoughts though...don't blame me for any possible good or bad career moves. lol!

 

[Bowman26]

Thanks for the insights from all of you. I know the idea is just some romantic passing but damn it sure would be nice to do something else I actually enjoyed.

It would appear that if I became a smith in the near term for some time I wouldn't even be able to afford to shoot much as I do now. Plus the benefits and all the hassles of hustling to try and make it in a new career from scratch.

I am thinking the idea of getting some home shop equipment setup and slowly added to is probably my best course of action. Then just mess with my own stuff and learn what I can where I can. Maybe someday have more time and experience to be able to make a little side money doing basic work. I'd like to specialize in rifles myself. The house I bought on some land was with the thought towards a nice metal building shop one day and a 100m rifle range I shoot on now

Besides I can also make overtime money if I wanted to actually be able to afford the tooling and equipment if I stay where I am now As it would seem you are going to be better off having all the equipment before becoming a lowly newbie smith that is just trying to scratch by.

Should have gone for it back 20 years ago I guess. But then there are a lot of things I should and SHOULD NOT have done 20 years ago :


Bo

 

[itchyTF]

Another option, which I'm sure you have already considered, is to find another "regular" job that would be more interesting using your experience and do the smithing on the side or as a hobby. That combination seems like it would fill your bill.
The economy might make that job search a challenge though.

 

[fdshuster]

Keep in mind if you become a professional gunsmith, work for pay, you will need the proper BATF licensing. And if a customers firearm is left with you overnight, you are required to enter the description (incl. serial#) of that firearm in a bound record book.

When the BATF agent comes a knockin to do an audit, you better have every T crossed and every "i" dotted, or you will be subjected to the possible loss of that license. And with it could also follow your income.

Regarding the record book: Audits include the photographing, by the agent, of each and every page in that record book, so for those who left a firearm with the gunsmith overnight, and believe there is no record "on the books" of you and that firearm, you are wrong. They all become "registered".

 

[M14AMU]

Well...if I were you...I'd head on out to Wyoming or Montana; find a nice spread with lots of cattle and pretty country and go tell the owner/foreman you don't know a damn thing about cows or broncs but you'd like to be a cowboy! You might get a job...provided you can 'cut it'!! ;D

 

[Bowman26]

Who the hell said anything about wanting to be a damn cowboy? I guess you are implying that if I don't go to some 2 year smith school that I don't know a damn thing. If that is what you think it is you that doesn't know a damn thing. With a 4 year degree in Industrial Engineering, I think I can figure out what I don't currently know in short order. But I guess you were placed on this earth already knowing everything about everything. You must get around a lot since I see you at all the ranges I go to or maybe it is just your equally all knowing twin.

Not so much concerned about the paperwork and book details for audits etc. I already work in Pharma and we are one of the most highly regulated industries around. I actually think it would probably be less regulation than I deal with now globally with each country having its own regs to boot.

Yeah another job locally has crossed my mind but sometimes it is better to stay with the Devil you know over the one you don't and unless I am making big changes no point IMO to try the grass in the next field over. All jobs are work I was just thinking about one I might enjoy doing. At this time I don't see me enjoying much of anything working for some giant Corporation.

Anyway thanks again for the insights and the not so insightful comment I guess

Bo

 

[M14AMU]

Hey Bowman

Ya might need to go take this course:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Carnegie

Ole 'Dale' might can teach you how to recognize a comical post intended to put a smile on your face....but I kind of doubt it! Oh...those rifle matches you don't see me at?? I kinda grew tired of 'em because I was winning rifle matches when you were on the peripheral of an outer galaxy!

Oh...you best stick to pushing pills because most of the true professional riflesmiths are humble and polite! You won't fit in!!

 

[Bob3700]

Rick,

Gunsmiths - humble and polite? The polite part I will agree with but the humble is debatable. Many of the really good smiths are very opinionated and don't hesitate to share those opinions with you.

Just read some of the forums where several very well known gunsmiths post. You can certainly get an ear full.

I am not trashing the smiths in general, just saying that the best gunsmith is usually the one that is standing right in front of you at the moment.

Just my .02.

Bob

 

[NateHaler]

Basically I am about to be 42 y/o. I am recently kid free as my daughter graduated college and is on her own. I'm also wife free as she too graduated to divorced status. Basically I am foot loose and fancy free once again and I am beginning to dread my current job.

Hi Bo,

Congrats on your daughter's graduation, and the beginning of the next chapter in your life story. There's a lot to be said for paying the bills. Too many 'dream' jobs turn out to be hobbies, i.e. defined by the IRS as a pursuit that doesn't generate income. So, much as you want to try something else, I URGE you to bear in mind the financial realities.

Maybe it's time for you to go independent. Hire yourself out, in your field of expertise, as a solo act, 6 months at a crack. However, before you do that, be sure your current job situation is relatively secure, and make the transition gradually, until such time as you have money in the bank and can take some risks. If you already have such money, then maybe make the jump now.

You're probably in the classic 'mid life' crisis state of mind. Lots of us share your issues. My mid-life crisis is ongoing.

 

[Bowman26]

RMulhern- Maybe you need a class in actually making something humorous when you write as you missed the mark. Sorry if I didn't see the humor in your post totally devoid of any humor, I would say its my mistake, but it't not. Oh and you assume I push pills, wrong. As for you shooting exploits I don't know you and you don't know me.

I am thinking I will just do my own thing and maybe try to spend some time with some good smiths I know to pick up a few tricks. This was just a passing thought and I see it more passing with the reality of things in todays world.

Besides what is the point of going to a shooting related job if it doesn't even pay me enough to shoot anymore? Maybe I will play and learn and try to get where I might be able to make some side money when I retire. Plus save a lot of money not paying smiths!

 

[jonbearman]

I would take classes on line and go from there.

 

[Lesloan]

If you want a career that gives you personal satisfaction, then maybe gunsmithing is for you. But if you want a job that pays well, has top benefits, is secure and gives you a guaranteed pension; one that leaves you with plenty of time off to enjoy your hobby and other satisfying free-time pursuits, go to work for the government. The average federal employee makes, with benefits, over $122,00 per year. This compares to the average private-sector employee's $61,000. Even among the few private sector employees lucky enough to have a pension, (most don't) they seldom have a COLA. All federal retirees get a guaranteed pension, WITH a COLA.

Wish I'd known this many years ago.

 

[hepburn45110]

Ever thought about teaching. With your credentials you might be able to teach what you know at a community or technical school and then develop a "smithy shop" for a hobby. Five weeks vacation, No...... Two and a half to three month. Insurance, Retirement? yup.

 

[Jim See]

I did it 6 years ago at age 36, Jumped in with both feet. I'm very happy with the outcome.
www.centershotrifles.com

Last year Ryan Pierce spent 10 weeks working in my shop for a successful crash course in all things smithing and business related.

He now has his shop up and running part time.

I don't know if I would give up a 70k with benefits job to do it again unless I really hated that job.

 

[acloco]

Couple of things.

1 - if you make your hobby, your job.....then, in most cases, the hobby and job are not fun anymore.

2 - Buy some equipment for home use, and go from there.

3 - After you build yourself several rifles, AND shoot them, AT distance (as in 1K yards), then see if you want to keep doing this. Why? Because your customers will expect that same accuracy.

4 - Are you a "people person"....if not...dealing with the public is not what you want to do. Be honest with yourself about this.

5 - Any accredited college or university should accept your previous classes without issue.

 

[BigDMT]

If you want a career that gives you personal satisfaction, then maybe gunsmithing is for you. But if you want a job that pays well, has top benefits, is secure and gives you a guaranteed pension; one that leaves you with plenty of time off to enjoy your hobby and other satisfying free-time pursuits, go to work for the government. The average federal employee makes, with benefits, over $122,00 per year. This compares to the average private-sector employee's $61,000. Even among the few private sector employees lucky enough to have a pension, (most don't) they seldom have a COLA. All federal retirees get a guaranteed pension, WITH a COLA.

Wish I'd known this many years ago.

What a waste of valuable tax dollars.....