Future of gun trades?

[eveled]

Would you encourage or discourage a teenager to join the firearms trades?

Is it dying or growing?

Gunsmithing is a broad field.

What about a more specific part, like engraving?

I like the idea of engraving, because it requires a smaller shop and might be a better part time gig? It’s also not limited exclusively to firearms.

Before anyone mentions building trades I am more than familiar with them. The teenager in question is a physical kid, but has a mobility issue. Being on his feet all day I think will become an issue. I think working in an office setting would not suit him either.

So I’m thinking about how to help him find his niche.

I’m also considering watch repair and pin striping cars.

 

[thinckley]

Unfortunately, engraving has been taken over by the lasers. Not much call for hand engraving anymore, lasers are faster and more precise. Gunsmithing is a broad field, but most gunsmiths anymore are just black gun assemblers. They don't do real gunsmithing, often times they cannot even diagnose an issue with a gun they "built".

There are still lots of guns out there that need real gunsmithing, my guy has 3 full time employees and still have a 2-3 month backlog of guns. Everything from threading for a suppressor to full restoration. They still build custom black guns, but most of their work is honest repairs.

 

[s4s4u]

It is a big jump from gunsmith to gun builder, but with the retirements and deaths of the great ones there will be some shoes to fill.

 

[Kevin]

Computer science? Or are you thinking just trade-craft?

I would think pin stripping cars would be a lot of work standing up.

Watch repair? If he is good I can see that being very lucrative.

I have a Victorinox watch that needed a new battery. I found a place close by. He changed the battery but for work he only fixed Rolex watches.

Which begs the question are there that many broken Rolex watches?

But his shop was very nice. It was n office in an high rise office building. I’m sure lots of security.

$50 for a new battery…maybe 10 minutes of work.

As far as the engraving. Is he artistic? That would be so cool.

Good luck!

 

[JMD101]

At least these days "work from home" for someone else is quite normal, now what his interests and strengths are, are unique to him.

 

[JMD101]

It's tough to make a living in the gun business period