As a trained and qualified gunsmith graduate of the Colorado School of Trades (CST), you can pursue top career opportunities. Learning to make repairs, produce weapons for competition, and improve firearm accuracy prepares you for challenging and rewarding jobs. Our instructors are experienced gunsmiths who can provide the knowledge that you need to succeed. Our state-of-the-art lab provides 18,000 square feet of space and will prepare you for careers like these:
- Performing Repairs
Job duties include coordinating the building and rebuilding of weapons to improve accuracy, develop product improvements and devise accurate ammunition loads. Making sure that weapons are ready for duty before issuance is an essential task, identifying faults and providing repairs. Gunsmith duties require a successful applicant to perform field maintenance on a variety of weapons that rifles, handguns, shotguns. Performing basic modifications to an inventory of weapons may include work on laser and light systems and vehicle mounting systems as well as the ability to attach night sights and scopes. - Â Filling Machinist Duties
A lathe machinist may need to use G-codes for programming and set ups. Familiarity with Fanuc controls is desirable but not necessary. Experience with all methods of turning is essential. A successful applicant can machine parts, maintain or repair existing dies and assemble new dies. The gunsmith has responsibility for managing the department and for making sure that all firearms in the department are safe. - Repairing Small Arms
Qualification requires an understanding of internal and external ballistics as well as machine tools and mechanical equipment. The ability to build custom rifles and pistols in addition to working without supervision is essential. The ability to work with weapons systems independently allows a successful applicant to demonstrate adaptability. The position requires a gunsmith to design and fabricate small arms based on blueprints or drawings that a customer may provide. A gunsmith repairman may need to consult with government officials regarding all aspects of the weapons department. Specific duties relate to ammunition and fundamentals of ballistics, weapon mounts, optic systems and prototype development. - Designing Custom Rifles
Satisfying customer requirements for making enhancements to semi-auto, full auto or manual bolt rifles is essential for a successful gunsmith in our design shop. The job requires the testing of custom rifles for feed as well as function to ensure customer satisfaction. Understanding the importance of maintaining our high level of customer service is essential in order to satisfy the demands of our civilian shooters, law enforcement officers and hunters. Working with a customer’s rifle, a gunsmith may need to bolt the lugs and the lug seats, bolt the face as well as the nose and square or true the factory receiver. Providing assistance to customers with the selection of the cartridge, action, barrel and stock for specific uses requires the skill and knowledge of a trained gunsmith.Our gunsmithing shop is the largest in the United States, and it gives you a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in gun repair. Our advanced technological equipment includes Mastercam software as well as ProtoTrak and Haas lathes that enhance your learning experience. CST offers the highest quality of trade education that can lead you to a rewarding career in gunsmithing. Large firms as well as small gun shops offer challenging and financially rewarding careers for you as a trained gunsmith.
