Gunsmiths are necessary to design, engineer, and create guns.
These firearm professionals either build guns or repair and modify them.
Given the number of Americans who own guns, this profession is a requirement to ensure proper functionality and safety.
This profession demands precision, the ability to utilize machinery, attention to detail, and dedication to the craft.
If this sounds like a career you are interested in pursuing, it’s important to understand all the pros and cons before jumping in.
Keep reading to learn more!
Pros of Being a Gunsmith
The advantages of being a gunsmith include:
One: Be a Member of a Historic Trade
Firearm creation is a craft that has been around since gunpowder was invented.
Historically, gunsmiths spent hundreds of hours creating the best-quality firearms to provide customers with excellent results.
While technology has improved, production has expanded, gunsmiths continue to add tremendous value to the industry by crafting, repairing, and modifying weapons.
Two: Excellent Job Security
The number of gun owners in the U.S. continues to expand.
As a result, gunsmiths will continue to be needed for many years to come.
Also, those who own firearms will need them to be repaired or want them modified to specific specifications, so gunsmiths can help these clients create their dream firearm or repair it at the end of the hunting season.
Since gunsmiths wear many hats, there are multiple opportunities to help clients meet their vision.
Three: Extensive Creativity
One excellent benefit that gunsmiths enjoy is the ability to express themselves and their creativity through their work.
If you have artistic talent, then you can design firearms while making money.
When designing guns, you can incorporate your vision while still meeting the client’s demands.
This can be an incredibly fun aspect of the profession, and you have the opportunity to engineer a unique weapon.
Four: Fantastic Flexibility
If you have a day job that you love, gunsmithing is a profession that’s available part-time.
You can build a home-based workshop to create, repair, or modify weapons for private clients, work for a manufacturer, or work for a gunsmithing operation, all part-time.
If you prefer to work full-time, you can follow any of these same paths and even create a business around this type of work.
Five: Few Educational Requirements
One of the greatest aspects of becoming a gunsmith is that you need to commit little time to education to become a master of your craft.
The minimum education is a high school diploma, so you can start earning money faster and not go into debt with student loans.
However, you can enroll in a gunsmith program to further refine your skills and learn new techniques, which will help expand your experience, but it is not required.
Six: High Earning Potential
Working with guns and heavy equipment can be dangerous, with accidents occasionally occurring.
Given the potential danger, being a gunsmith can have high earning potential.
While it’s important to note that the pay isn’t great when you begin your career, with the median pay around $32,000 per year, the salary will increase with time and experience.
At the beginning of your career, you will work as an apprentice in a machine shop or with a qualified individual who manufactures firearms, then advance into a more senior position.
Seven: Improve Safety
Before operating as a gunsmith, your training will include instructing clients on how to use and care for firearms, which increases their safety.
This results in a more educated user and a safer community.
Knowing that you are helping save others from injury or even saving lives provides gunsmiths with a strong sense of satisfaction since they are doing what’s right.
Eight: Opportunity to Work as a Restoration Specialist
Gunsmiths who develop their skills and gain experience in their craft don’t need to create only weapons.
Many gunsmiths have the knowledge to work in the conservation and restoration industry.
These professionals take old, antique weapons and work to restore them to flawless conditions, and can even make them functional.
While this is an incredibly niche line of work, it allows you to utilize your skills as a gunsmith in a different manner and can carve a new career path.
Nine: Work With Various Weapons
The most engaging aspect of this profession is that you get to work with a variety of firearms.
Therefore, if you’re passionate about weapons and firearms, then this is the career for you.
In addition to building weapons, you work with various types of models to modify their design or repair them.
For example, a client may want improved ergonomics, like an elevated foregrip, so the rifle doesn’t pour into your shoulder.
Cons of Being a Gunsmith
Like with all professions, there are disadvantages to being a gunsmith, which include:
One: Deal With Difficult Customers
Like with any customer-facing position, you will encounter impatient or difficult customers.
Those who want a customized gun or need repairs often don’t understand the field and how long it takes to complete their request.
For instance, an inexperienced deer hunter may bring their rifle for repair several days before the start of the season and expect it to be ready quickly.
Once they realize that the turnaround time is not quick and it won’t be ready for opening day, they can become challenging.
Two: Exposure to Firearm Residue
One of the greatest cons of this career is being exposed to weapon residue, which can be harmful to your health.
When conducting gun repairs, you will come into contact with lead dust, which can be a potential hazard when exposed for lengthy periods.
This could also put your friends and family at risk if you spend time with them immediately following work.
Luckily, you can take the proper precautions by wearing a mask, gloves, and other protective gear.
Three: Injury Risk from Equipment
Gunsmithing requires you to create firearms using specific heavy equipment, which can lead to serious injury if an accident occurs or the machinery isn’t used properly.
Grinders and milling machines are those with the highest potential risk, so it’s crucial to understand how to use them and follow all rules.
Enrolling in a gunsmith program or working as an apprentice will cover safety training in detail so that you are trained in how to use specific equipment, the safety aspects of the machines, and related procedures.
Four: Injury Risk from Weapons
In addition to the potential for injuries from the equipment, you can also be injured when repairing or modifying a gun.
This is a tremendous risk that you must be aware of, and follow the proper training to ensure all parties are safe.
Also, following proper procedures, like ensuring the gun is not loaded when repairing or modifying it, is of the utmost importance.
Five: Physically Demanding
Since you are working with your hands, many tasks as a gunsmith can be physically demanding.
For instance, lifting and holding firearms can be incredibly heavy.
You must also be prepared to stand for long periods without a break.
Additionally, the tasks are typically repetitive and can take a toll on your hands, wrists, forearms, and shoulders.
Six: Potential for Financial Strain
If your career path is leading you to start a gunsmithing company, the cost of parts, materials, and equipment can be a hefty upfront investment, especially for customization projects.
This will greatly impact your bottom line, so it’s essential to ensure the rate you are charging also covers equipment costs, not just labor.
Also, if you are working with customers outside of your area, you must factor shipping costs into the rate so it doesn’t impact your profitability.
Seven: Working With Dangerous Customers
While most individuals looking to repair or purchase firearms are responsible citizens, guns attract a more unsavory crowd than other skilled fields.
Unfortunately, you may be creating a weapon for a criminal or to be misused against society.
Therefore, it’s important to understand that not all guns you engineer, modify, or repair are being used for casual shooting at a range or self-defense.
Pros and Cons of Being a Gunsmith – Summary Table
| Pros of Being a Gunsmith | Cons of Being a Gunsmith |
|---|---|
| One: Be a Member of a Historic Trade | One: Deal With Difficult Customers |
| Two: Excellent Job Security | Two: Exposure to Firearm Residue |
| Three: Extensive Creativity | Three: Injury Risk from Equipment |
| Four: Fantastic Flexibility | Four: Injury Risk from Weapons |
| Five: Few Educational Requirements | Five: Physically Demanding |
| Six: High Earning Potential | Six: Potential for Financial Strain |
| Seven: Improve Safety | Seven: Working With Dangerous Customers |
| Eight: Opportunity to Work as a Restoration Specialist | |
| Nine: Work With Various Weapons |
Should You Become a Gunsmith?
Being a gunsmith can be a highly rewarding career for those with an engineering mind who are passionate about working with their hands and with firearms and want to utilize their creativity to offer a unique product.
Furthermore, you are helping to continue a historic trade, ensure safety, and have excellent flexibility.
However, it’s important to also consider the downsides of exposure to hazardous materials, physical challenges, safety risks, dealing with difficult and dangerous customers, and financial considerations.
Determining whether becoming a gunsmith is worth it depends on the career path you want to take.
It certainly isn’t a 9-5 desk job sitting in an office all day, which may appeal to many.
It’s essential to consider these pros and cons to help you make an informed decision before starting your career as a gunsmith.
Sources
- https://blog.princelaw.com/2019/12/02/being-a-gunsmith-pros-and-cons-of-this-popular-profession/
- https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/pros-and-cons-of-being-a-gunsmith/
- https://legalcareerpath.com/pros-and-cons-of-being-a-gunsmith/
