Which Schools Offer Gunsmith Courses Online?
Your career as a gunsmith may have you restoring antique guns or keeping the most state-of-the-art firearms in shape for hunting or competitive shooting. Gunsmiths can find work at custom gun shops, sporting goods stores, firearms manufacturers or machine shops. Most gunsmith courses are taught in person. Keep reading for information on a few of the rarely offered online gunsmith training programs.
Schools with Online Gunsmith Programs
Online gunsmith courses are hard to locate, but you can find some certificate, diploma and associate's degree programs in gunsmithing at private, for-profit career colleges and schools. Three schools with online gunsmith options are the Sonoran Desert Institute, Penn Foster Career School and Ashworth College.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisAreaOfStudy">Important Facts About This Area of Study</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Programs </td><td> School of Firearms Technology</td></tr>
<tr><td> Prerequisites </td><td> High-speed internet, up-to-date operating system software</td></tr>
<tr><td> Online Availability </td><td> Hybrid programs are available</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Gun repair shop owner</td></tr>
<tr><td> Average Salary (2019)* </td><td> $39,579 (<i>for gunsmith</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: PayScale.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---SonoranDesertInstitute">Sonoran Desert Institute</h3><p>Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) offers home-study gunsmith training programs leading to a certificate or an associate's degree. SDI allows you to take its 31-credit certificate and 60-credit degree programs at your own pace. With enrollment in one of these programs, you receive a gun cleaning kit, a training manual and various tools, including a screwdriver set, brass hammer and needle file.
</p><p>Both advanced and general gunsmithing certificate programs are offered at SDI. The certificate gunsmithing programs cover several topics of study that teach the technical skills such as repairing firearms, reloading ammunition and polishing metal. You also receive a background in gunsmithing business management through lessons in computer bookkeeping skills, entrepreneurship and ancillary business opportunities, such as gun sales and appraisals. Regulations governing firearm importing, trading and selling are also covered.
</p><p>The associate's degree program in firearms technology covers similar materials, but includes training on customizing firearms, making improvements to gun stocks and installing sights. A senior project is included in this program.
</p><h3 id="section---PennFosterCareerSchool">Penn Foster Career School</h3><p>Penn Foster Career School offers a home-study gunsmithing diploma program designed to train you in the customization, restoration and repair of various firearms, including rifles, muzzleloaders and handguns. The course is broken into six instructional chapters. You'll receive new instructional materials once you successfully complete the previous chapter. All study materials, textbooks and lessons are included with your enrollment.
</p><p>Each lesson includes a practical component for the hands-on application of concepts. Lessons include supplemental learning materials, like cartridge wall charts and supply catalogs. You'll also have access to online videos covering subjects like clearing firearms, metal finishing and firearm assembly. The program includes comprehensive instruction on attaining your federal firearms license and starting a gunsmithing business. As an online student, you also have access to student services online or by phone.
</p><h3 id="section---AshworthCollege">Ashworth College</h3><p>Ashworth College has an online gunsmith training diploma program which allows you to study at home on your own schedule. The course features 16 lessons and comes with study guides, exams and exercises. All textbooks and other course materials are included with enrollment. The gunsmithing course is designed to take as little as four months to complete and results in a career diploma. Ashworth College provides online student assistance, and tutorial support is available.
</p><p>In this program, you'll learn how to perform firearm maintenance, install scopes and conduct self-check procedures. You'll get training on refinishing gun stocks, fixing accuracy issues and testing trigger assemblies. The curriculum also includes training on marketing and pricing strategies for gunsmiths. Each lesson culminates in an open-book exam that can be taken online. The program also comes with a 12-month membership to the Gun Club of America.</p>