Work done by TSJC/Brownell's third-year gunsmiths

[dbstallman]

This new program has not been up and running for barely a year ... but has anyone had good/bad/ ? experience with gunsmith work done there?
I had a double-set trigger job to place into my custom Mauser sporter and after ten months, I find out that they don't want to that bit of gunsmithing. I know it's not a Jewell trigger on a benchrest rifle ... but shouldn't the students be exposed to double- set triggers ?
Maybe other customers have had better a better experience there ?

 

[dbstallman]

Dear Craig,
Yes, I agree and that is why I cannot understand why the TSJC Third-Year gunsmith students ( or maybe just their instructor) said that the double-set trigger work was " too complicated, too open for liability" ... and declined to do the gunsmithing which they earlier agreed to do over 10 months ago. It just doesn't make any sense. ??? - Don

 

[shortgrass]

"Too much liability" should explain it all. Lots of gunsmith tasks that were done on a regular basis in the past are no longer preformed by those who pay insurance premiums,,, only done now by 'hobbiests'. You really haven't a clue 'till you've dealt with a "gunsmithing" insurance carrier, yourself. It's definitively not like goin' and getting insurance on your car, or,,,,,,, for most other businesses.

 

[butchlambert]

Received an email from Speedy. TSJC discontinued their 3rd year program before the year was over. Speedy was terminated. Newspaper article said TSJC hope to do this class again at a later date. Don't know any details other than some unhappy students.

 

[Rustystud]

Third Year program is shut down for now. No one is happy about it. Students, Speedy, customers or Brownells (corporate sponsor). The press release said it was closed due to low attendence. Speedy told me they had 12 students in the program and that was the max. The news article also made refrence to Speedy's dismissal and not being able to discuss the particulars due to personnel laws. I think there is more to it. Whether we ever know the real truth may be another matter. It is a sad day for all concerned.
Nat Lambeth

 

[clowdis]

That just plain stinks. Wonder what Speedy will do? Be nice to see him at Montgomery Tech. wouldn't it?

 

[Rustystud]

Speedy told me he was headed back to Texas. The town choice was up to his wife. Amarillo or Dallas/Fortwort are most likely. Speedy is pretty bummed out about the whole matter.
Nat Lambeth

 

[mikecockcroft]

Maybe he will come hang out at my place for a few weeks and give me some pointers

 

[jscandale]

I can't imagine how any multiple year gunsmith program can sustain itself on a college level. Today, the public perception of even owning guns is pretty low on the totem pole which is a real shame thanks to a bunch of politicians who have little grasp of how the majority of citizens live their lives.
If a college age person went into debt on college tuition for gun smithing, how much could that student expect to make in return over his or her career as a gunsmith?

JS

 

[shortgrass]

I can't imagine how any multiple year gunsmith program can sustain itself on a college level. Today, the public perception of even owning guns is pretty low on the totem pole which is a real shame thanks to a bunch of politicians who have little grasp of how the majority of citizens live their lives.
If a college age person went into debt on college tuition for gun smithing, how much could that student expect to make in return over his or her career as a gunsmith?

JS

Many, if not most of the schools, have a 'waiting list' for their gunsmithing programs. 20 years ago, some were worried there wouldn't be sufficient enrollment for their program to continue. When I went, several didin't graduate because they hadn't completed the required work, or, didn't feel like working hard enough to complete the required work. If you were trying, the instructors went out of their way to help you. There's a whole new world and a whole new work ethic today. Just by the 'chatter' on the forums, many consider gunsmithing an 'easy' profession. Depends on the person, their natural ability, and their dedication to the craft. A couple 'dropped out' while I was in school because it was "more than they wanted". Most of the schools teach in a manner to direct their student in the direction of the "gunsmithing guild". Today, most just want to become the next "long range guru". There's a real need for repair gunsmiths, but, no money in it. Traditional/professional metal finishing is another that's not practiced by many. Metal finishing is work! And, depending where you're located, the EPA/DEQ can put the 'kabash' on that. Some will only do what is required to graduate, some will do twice as much as is required. "Third Year" would/could give students a 'real world' experience, because,,,,, many have unrealistic expectations while in school. I'd have trouble paying for 'real world' as I can get plenty of that on my own.

 

[jscandale]

"There's a real need for repair gunsmiths, but, no money in it."

I agree, but it sounds contradictory to me. If no one is willing to pay for the work, there really isn't a need since prices are mainly driven by demand. This supports my question of who would be willing to go into debt with tuition in order to pursue a career in it? I have built several rifles over the years so far and have gotten pretty streamlined in the process, but even if I was back logged for a year like some smiths, I still couldn't buy that 50' yacht with the profit.

JS

 

[Cigarcop]

I still couldn't buy that 50' yacht with the profit.

JS

You greedy %*&%$@, I guess your 40' isn't good enough anymore

 

[jscandale]

I still couldn't buy that 50' yacht with the profit.

JS

You greedy %*&%$@, I guess your 40' isn't good enough anymore

42' but close enough.

JS

 

[Minesweeper3433]

One of the reasons programs like this are nice is for people like me. I have wanted to get a formal education in gunsmith work for civilian weapons since I started doing my own gunsmith work after doing it at work in the military. I quickly learned that they have very little in common. I have saved up enough money to be able to attend the school and at that time I will have 8 years of experience in the field plus their school and several other schools. I don't want to own my own shop but I am more than willing to make myself valuable in this field of expertise, as much as I can afford anyhow. So if there is a school out there that is harder or more difficult than other schools then all the better.
The problem is people thinking they have to go into debt to go to school. I got in an argument about this with my cousin today actually. People who do not posses the mental discipline to go to school and work your way through it without incurring debt don't need to be there at all. My cousin in law works 50 hour weeks with a family and taking 6 classes a semester right now. I worked 70 hours and did 4 classes a semester no problem. It is all in what you can take on and complete without loosing your mind.
How many less underpaid college grads would there be if people who couldn't make it through college without incurring debt stayed out? I read the other day on a news article there is almost a trillion dollars in debt just from federal student loans! And best of all you can't get rid of that debt by going bankrupt in our society. How many students are going to be sucked dry by those loans. I am a firm believer in getting rid of federal student loans all together.

Earn it or leave it to those willing too.