TexasCHLforum.com

Hey everyone!

I'm a newbie here. I just recently got my CHL and have become an FFF (female firearms fanatic ). I really appreciate the info I have found on this forum so far. I was hoping some of you might have an idea of where to begin looking into gunsmithing school. My husband is really interested in getting his license. I see that the NRA endorses 4 different colleges across the nation, with the closest one being in Oklahoma. There must be places somewhere in Texas to take accredited classes to get your license. I heard that the online classes are crap (which I can believe since you aren't really getting hands-on training. I would think that would be extremely important.)

Does anyone know of any good places to get licensed anywhere in North Texas?

Thanks in advance!

The only good ones I know of are the 4 the NRA endorses. They do break some of the classes down into 2 week classes at the one in Oklahoma.

There's no gunsmithing schools that I know of in Texas, and the one in OK is definitely the closest.

There's several paths to becoming a gunsmith, a formal gunsmithing school is one of them. Most folks say that you're better off finding a local college that teaches machining skills, as the skills you gain there translate into gunsmithing. In the end, it depends on what you expect to do. Helping people install new sights on a pistol is a loooong distance away from rifling a barrel or helping throat one for somebody's new wildcat cartridge (not to mention needing some non-cheap machinery).

One other option is doing apprentice work for a local gunsmith. This is a little more tricky, as most gunsmiths aren't too keen on having somebody under their wing that they're constantly teaching the basics to.

You may have to bite the bullet (no pun intended..ok, maybe a little ) and take the classes in OK.

BTW: Here's a fun blog to read from a guy who sold everything to go to gunsmithing school. A great blog to read if you're curious about learning gunsmithing: http://www.nerdgun.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lots of the custom builders hold classes

OK, in the meanwhile does anyone know of a good school that teaches machining skills in the Houston area? HCC supposedly has an Industrial Technology or a Machine Shop assistant program but I can't find adequate detail when I go to their web site. What goes? Any one know?

B3XD wrote:OK, in the meanwhile does anyone know of a good school that teaches machining skills in the Houston area? HCC supposedly has an Industrial Technology or a Machine Shop assistant program but I can't find adequate detail when I go to their web site. What goes? Any one know?

Oddly, you'll find better luck starting with a series of CAD/CAM courses, which lead to CNC-style machining. There might be some other, better ways, but I am not very wise in these things. You've sucked all the advice I can give out of my tiny noggin already

B3XD wrote:HCC supposedly has an Industrial Technology or a Machine Shop assistant program but I can't find adequate detail when I go to their web site. What goes? Any one know?

What sort of details do you want? classes? degree programs and certificates?
It seems like Basic Machine Shop could be a good starting point for someone.

Even better, to quote their website: "For more information, call 713-718-6805 or e-mail jimmy.vu@hccs.edu."

packinmama wrote:Does anyone know of any good places to get licensed anywhere in North Texas?

Thanks in advance!

I thought all you had to do to get the license was fill out forms and pay the fees.

tbrown wrote:

packinmama wrote:Does anyone know of any good places to get licensed anywhere in North Texas?

Thanks in advance!

I thought all you had to do to get the license was fill out forms and pay the fees.

Ha! FFL does _not_ equal "gunsmith", although you can (and should) indicate you do gunsmithing (unless, of course, you NEVER intend to). Again, there's a difference between being an "armorer" and a "gunsmith." Many FFLs have some experience level as armorers.

Having said that: It is certainly the case that a gunsmith MUST be an FFL if the customer cannot (or will not) remain with the gun while the work is being done.

So: Not all FFLs are gunsmiths, but all gunsmiths are FFLs.

There's many different training and experience that may be desirable, depending on the firearm and the work done, but I don't know any that's required to get licensed in Texas. Am I wrong?

tbrown wrote:There's many different training and experience that may be desirable, depending on the firearm and the work done, but I don't know any that's required to get licensed in Texas. Am I wrong?

Texas does not regulate gunsmithing. Any FFL can hang a shingle under his door that says, "Gunsmith". Ironically, if you said "Weapons Engineer" without professional engineering licensing, THEN you would be in hot water in Texas.