Q: What are the days/times I will be in school?
A: Curriculum time is 7AM-3PM, Monday through Thursday (30 hours per week). Fridays are reserved for students who require remedial instruction time or need extra help. Ask about our “Free Friday card” option that allows for students to utilizes the facilities equipment to gain extra experience to work on their own, non-graded projects.
Q: Do students typically work while they’re in school?
A: In many cases yes, they do. While we encourage our students to use their time to the best of their ability, we absolutely support our student body working while they’re in school. In our close Denver Metro area, we’ve made great relationships with local outfits that hire our students part time. On your first day, we can get you a list on contacts to help you find part time work.
Q: Does CST have breaks?
A: Unlike a typical college or University, we don’t take full weeks off at a time. CST observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Holidays that fall on a Saturday will not be observed.
Q: I’m concerned that I will miss some time due to an unforeseeable circumstance, how does the school deal with absences?
A: Since we are a time-based trade school, we value your experience and hope to have you here as much as you can. In the event that you can’t make it to school, we have both excused and unexcused absence hours for you to utilize. In addition, if there are any emergencies you can’t foresee, we can extend a 2-week and up to 2-month leave of absence (LOA). This does not affect your grade, but will push your graduation date the length of the LOA.
Q: Does CST have on campus housing?
A: No, we do not have on campus housing or dining, but we have very close relationships with the local property managers that work with our students regularly that can accommodate a 14-month specific lease. Ask our admissions department about the housing list and they can send that over directly.
Q: Will I get to shoot my project rifle I build?
A: Yes! Not only will we safely test fire the rifle here in the building, but you and your cohort will be able to validate your rifle’s accuracy out to 600-yards on the range later on in the program. We’ll be at the range with you, helping you zero and validate your rifle so you’re confident for hunting season or your next shooting session.
Q: What happens after I graduate?
A: Our accreditors require us to place a high level of graduates of our program. Our placement coordinators work with you both during and after our program to find the right job for you. During our business theory class, we will assist you in developing a resume & cover letter, as well as complete a mock interview so you are better prepared to begin your career. CST has built an immense network within the industry and has invaluable contacts to assist with the arrangement of interviews.
Q: Can I work on my own firearms?
A: Yes, you can during later portions of the program in Design & Function & Specializations. So long as the firearm is not an NFA item, and the work is safe, legal, gun related, & approved by an instructor, we allow our students to customize, repair and service their own firearms.
Q: Are we able to work on 80% firearms?
A: No. We do not allow 80% firearms, NFA items or illegal firearms into the building. This includes suppressors, short barreled rifles/shotguns, AOW’s & machine guns.
Q: Do you offer certified Armorer’s courses?
A: Yes, we do! Typically, we see Sig Sauer, Glock, Beretta & Smith & Wesson come through once or twice a year. If you want to sign up for these classes, please consult with our staff once you’ve been admitted into the program. These classes are offered outside of the paid curriculum and available only to CST students & graduates. *Please note that these are available at a separate cost paid directly to the manufacturer, CST only hosts the courses.
Q: What sets you apart from the other schools?
A:
- We are the only school in the nation that currently services customer firearms. This gives our student body the ability to service Grandpa’s old .22 LR all the way to real, Waffen marked Lugers, double guns like high end Berettas & even Holland & Holland rifles. We’ve even had students recently service Gewehr 43’s, FAL’s, Colt SP1’s and even antique revolvers. This experience is second to none and gives you the opportunity to Gunsmith without fiscal risk.
- Our presence dating back to 1947 has yielded top notch Gunsmiths from Alaska to Eastern Europe. Our roughly 3,000 graduates have gone on to service high end rifles at Blaser, Mauser, Remington, & Dakota. Others have gone on to join major manufacturing plants like Glock, Daniel Defense, Vulcan Machine Werks or even Manners Composite Stocks. Others have gone on to start their own businesses regardless of their specialties! Given this pedigree, nearly all industry outfits see our school as the nation’s first-rate Gunsmithing institution.
- In addition to having our students repair customer firearms, we also have them experience specializations. This is where students utilize their skills to set themselves apart from their cohort. In specializations, we’ve seen case hardened 1873’s fully stocked into functional rifles, Nagant revolvers turned into revolving carbines & even water-cooling systems designed and built for AR-15’s. Many students will use the full access to our Cerakote booth, laser engraver, machinery and all other needed equipment during their time in specializations. In fact, the incredibly famous Halo Shotgun (featured by Ian McCollum on Forgotten Weapons) was created by one of our students here!
- As compared to your typical college, university or community college, our staff are degree Gunsmiths that are hired to teach you versus research. While they do commit time to industry research and further education, the staff are available 7.5 hours per day and cross trained. For example, if a student is struggling in Machine Shop, a cross-trained gunsmith will come to their lathe and be fully invested in the student’s success. No more fighting for office hours!
Q: I have a hunting trip planned, what can I do about that?
A: CST Students are allowed to take up to five (5) days of hunting leave during the course of their training, providing they’re making, “satisfactory progress”.
Q: Are you able to accept the GI Bill?
A: Yes. CST is approved for Veterans’ Assistance Programs including the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
Q: What options are there for funding school?
A: With our title 4 holding, we are able to accept federal & private lending, private scholarships and grants.
Q: What kind of firearm do I build for the project rifle?
A: We issue our students Defiance Classic actions or a Howa 1500 barreled action. Students will thread, fit & chamber a rifle to their choice of approved cartridges with a Shilen #3 or #4 contour barrel. They choose the barrel length and crown. Following the machine work, students will inlet and bed their barreled actions into synthetic, Bell & Carlson stocks. After that, they will inlet, bed and shape a black walnut semi-inlet wood stock and learn how to fit a custom rifle for a customer with a 1-inch recoil pad, ebony forend & grip cap. They’ll learn how we calculate length of pull, pitch angle, drop at heel & comb and combine that with the golden ratio. Students then get to choose their finishing agent and turn the rifle stocks in for grades.
Q: Do I need a Colorado ID to enroll?
A: We don’t, but in many cases, it makes things much easier for you and the school. For those that don’t want to forfeit residency, we have the ability to stay compliant by having you provide a second form of ID. We can walk you through that as a current student.
Q: Can I have firearms transferred to the school for myself?
A: Yes, get with our administrative staff and they will help you with the transfer.
Q: Do students get any discounts with manufacturers?
A: Absolutely! Our industry friends at companies like Zeiss, Springfield Armory, Brownell’s, McMIllan, Proof Research, Aero Precision & Garmin all offer our students major discounts.
Q: What is there to do in the area?
A: Being at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, you have access to world class skiing/snowboarding, hunting, fly fishing, hiking and all around exploring. Colorado also has deep Mesozoic Era history and premium westward expansion historical sites. Visit Doc Holliday’s gravestone, see the Professional Bull Riding Hall of Fame, or indulge yourself into the conspiracy that is the Denver International Airport! Colorado is also home to the National Western Stock Show, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Molly Brown House, Cave of the Winds, and a multitude of craft microbreweries.
Q: What kind of guns do I get to work on and what kind of work will I do?
A: As a student, you will receive any firearm that’s checked in and has a work order from a customer. These work orders will entail projects like: polish & blues, stock refinishes/repairs, threading for a muzzle device, Cerakote application, safety & functions checks, rebarreling/rechambering and diagnosing mechanics. Each student will ensure all mechanical safeties are present when they receive the firearm and the firearm will be returned will fully functional safeties.
Q: Is the school accredited?
A: Yes, CST is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and also approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board (DPOS).
Q: Do you offer tours?
A: Yes, our admissions staff offers daily tours. We ask that you call us to arrange a tour and wear close toed shoes and pants for the visit.
Q: How old do I need to be to attend CST?
A: 18 years old.
Q: Do I need to be a US citizen to attend?
A: We accept United States citizens and Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. So long as you are able to purchase & possess a firearm, you are eligible to apply.
Q: Can I bring my own tools?
A: Yes, you absolutely can. We understand that the cost of school, living and tools has inflated so we highly encourage people to bring their own tools. There are a few items we require our students to purchase from us, reach out to the admissions department and they can provide that tool list upon request.
Q: I’m interested in becoming a student, how do I find out more information?
A: The best way to find out more information is to inquire for information on our website or contact our admissions staff directly at (720) 376-6665 or [email protected] and they can provide you with the information you need. Alternatively, our site Is filled with extra info and can be found at www.schooloftrades.edu
