To Gunsmiths and Gunshop Owners:

[DMWyatt]

At what point in your life did you decide that you had had enough of grinding day to day for someone else, doing something you hated? How much did it take you to get up and running, and where did you learn your trade?

I'm at a point in my life where I have a 1 yr old son, another kid on the way, and a wife I'm trying to take care of all on a Wal-Mart income. My wife is in a constant state of disrepair and unable to work which compounds things. LOL I guess I needed to vent a little.

I've been doing minor repairs and refinishing guns since I was 12, and I'm good with working with my hands, but I can't seem to find the right opportunities at all, and I'm looking for some direction on where to start.

[rupert]

I wish the best of luck to you.

[Old School]

Most Smiths today work alone as the money is just enough for one. That said, if you can get into a good school and hook up with a manufacturer, that would be the best path, IMHO.

Stay away from retail, as the counter jobs are $10 an hour and the work is redundant.

OS

PS: Have you looked in to some classes at a local college? Perhaps you can get a job that pays better than what you ever thought possible. Hard workers are hard to come by.

[robinsre]

I feel I should chime in for a moment.

This summer I did some work for a small, starting gun shop here in Reno, NV. I did alot of their tech work, they traded me ammunition, money, and an AR-15 I'm currently waiting on the completion of.

During this time I befriended both of the principal investors and owners in the business. While one of them had been long into the gun business and knew what to expect, the other was brand new. We spoke quite a bit, he offered up some knowledge.

Eventually he left the business towards the end of the summer, due to several major complications. He was very upset, and I felt bad for him. He was just a nice guy that was trying to live his dream, and some bad people manipulated him.

This isn't first hand...but this is directly from his mouth :

First, don't expect to make money your first few years. It takes a LOT of capital to start a gun business, and a long time of serving your customers before you build a repertoire. According to him you should consider yourself lucky if you can break even your first few years in the business.

Second, ALWAYS, ALWAYS CYOA (Cover Your Own Ass). This is what bit him. ATF are not pleasant folks to deal with, and they LOOOOVE to make things hard on good guys. Make SURE you know exactly what your doing when you do it...stay above the level at all times.

Third, expect people to try to screw you. It happens in EVERY retail business, guns are no exception. People will find every and any excuse to try and take YOUR hard earned money. Watch your back....always.

[Reeek]

Originally Posted by robinsre

Third, expect people to try to screw you. It happens in EVERY retail business, guns are no exception. People will find every and any excuse to try and take YOUR hard earned money. Watch your back....always.

And I would imagine this is not as easy to do as it sounds while still making your prospective customers feel at home until they are sold on your service and skill

[robinsre]

Originally Posted by Reeek

And I would imagine this is not as easy to do as it sounds while still making your prospective customers feel at home until they are sold on your service and skill

I would imagine you'd be correct. The only retail I ever worked in was corporate owned. We couldn't negotiate price, and there was a very strict set of rules on what we could and couldn't do when it came to customers. Also profit and loss was not directly tied to my pocketbook.

I can't imagine what it would have to be like to have to wade through customers and pick the scum from the decent folks who just want a good deal.

[Corey G]

In Business school they used to say if you want to open a business have all your start up as well as expensies for one year in hand before even thinking about starting. Don't expect to be in the black for 3 years. The internet has changed that some, but its also made compition real hard on the start up and the small guy. Good Luck

[enfurno]

Originally Posted by DMWyatt

At what point in your life did you decide that you had had enough of grinding day to day for someone else, doing something you hated? How much did it take you to get up and running, and where did you learn your trade?

I'm at a point in my life where I have a 1 yr old son, another kid on the way, and a wife I'm trying to take care of all on a Wal-Mart income. My wife is in a constant state of disrepair and unable to work which compounds things. LOL I guess I needed to vent a little.

I've been doing minor repairs and refinishing guns since I was 12, and I'm good with working with my hands, but I can't seem to find the right opportunities at all, and I'm looking for some direction on where to start.

Well DM, don't feel like you are the only one out there who is in a rut or having a hard time staying afloat. I'll be honest with you, 7 years ago I was in a dead end job, making less that $10 an hour and I decided enough is enough. I quite that very day and pursued other things, it wasn't easy, and it never is when you are "iffy" about the future. But, I just kept searching and searching and now I make really good money every year, but you know what. I still think to myself, isn't there more? Am I not succeeding to my full potential. Etc.. etc.. It is a never ending cycle, and what I am basically trying to get at is that no matter how much you have, you'll always still be alive and kicking. If anything make sure that you can enjoy your life and your family. After all, when you are lying in a pine box somewhere no one will remember how much money you made, but they sure as hell will remember what kind of a person you were.

That was my feel good speech.

As for a job, check your local paper often. I'd also check you local county and state for openings, they will give you a good idea of what the requirements are for certain types of jobs. Keep your eye open, if you see something that you like then jump on it and give it your best. An impression is worth alot more than a piece of paper, if you can wow someone then you'll be well off.

Good luck to you and your future, and don't stress. If anything is going to kill you it will certainly be stress, it also effects those around you pretty badly as well.

[bigun]

Originally Posted by DMWyatt

At what point in your life did you decide that you had had enough of grinding day to day for someone else, doing something you hated? How much did it take you to get up and running, and where did you learn your trade?

I'm at a point in my life where I have a 1 yr old son, another kid on the way, and a wife I'm trying to take care of all on a Wal-Mart income. My wife is in a constant state of disrepair and unable to work which compounds things. LOL I guess I needed to vent a little.

I've been doing minor repairs and refinishing guns since I was 12, and I'm good with working with my hands, but I can't seem to find the right opportunities at all, and I'm looking for some direction on where to start.

Find a gunsmith in the area and see about apprenticing to him, there will usually be a good custom builder that is swamped and doesnt have the time to do the small things, that is where you can get experience. As a bonus you could probably do it part time so you can keep your main income untill you can open your own shop. Machinist courses at the local tech school wont hurt either.

[Paul]

Go to school.

Self-employment is very difficult and you need the proper "personality traits".