Do I need an FFL, a Federal Firearms License to be a gunsmith?

I would recommend that you have a Federal Firearms License if you're going to be taking in work, keeping it overnight or charging for the gunsmithing work you do, then you definitely should have an FFL. Now, it's not that hard to get a Federal Firearms License. And AGI provides you with a complete information package on how to get your FFL step by step when you enroll in our professional gunsmithing courses.

How complicated of a process is getting an FFL and do I need to have a Federal Firearms License to take AGI's courses?

So as long as your record is clean, you can get a Federal Firearms License, even working from your home. What you need to have is local license, a local business license then you apply for your Federal Firearms License. And they're not expensive and they only take about 90 days to get.

What category of Federal Firearms License do most gunsmiths apply for?

If you just want to do gunsmithing and you're not going to be manufacturing firearms, then a regular Type 1 license worked just fine. In fact, I would say that's what most people end up with. Now a Type 1 license is just a regular dealer's license. There is no special category just for gunsmiths.

Can I get a Federal Firearms License working from my home? And if I do, do I give up my rights?

In most cases, you can get a Federal Firearms License working from home, especially gunsmithing, because you're not going to have lots of traffic coming by and it's not a full on gun store. So as long as you can get a legal business license at your working out of your home, you can get a Federal Firearms License working out of your home.

What tools do I need to start gunsmithing? And don't I need a lot of expensive equipment to be a gunsmith, like a full machine shop with a big mill and a lathe?

The answer is no, you don't. You really can start gunsmithing with just some basic tools and one specific power tool.

As someone who does not have a great deal of experience with gun repair, at what point during my gunsmithing studies would I start attempting hands-on applications of the course material?

When you study the American Gunsmithing Institute's, professional gunsmithing course, you're going to be understanding how firearm systems work. And you'll be able to start applying this almost immediately. So when you're studying design, function, repair of handguns, you can work on handguns.

Is there a way that I can make some easy money while I'm just getting started gunsmithing?

Yes. A wonderful way for you to provide a real service to the community, to your customers, and to help you get your hands-on a lot more guns to on and to make some money is to offer professional gun cleaning services.

What type of business entity should I set up for my gunsmithing business?

You can run your gunsmithing business as a sole proprietorship, or you can set up a limited liability corporation, or an S corporation or a C corporation.

What separates a real gunsmith from a part-swapper?

When you understand those systems and how the system is intended to work, you'll be able to look at it, determine what is not working properly and then make the appropriate repair. So a part swapper is just someone that doesn't really understand that, or maybe thinks they do, but they're not sure.

What are the benefits of owning a gunsmithing business?

If you want to work at gunsmithing part-time, full-time or as a retirement income, your choice. You still have these benefits available to you. Some of those things are the ability to buy items at wholesale, therefore saving money on things you'd already be purchasing, the ability to deduct from your expenses as expenses from your taxes, things such as the internet, your truck, or car, gun range membership, tools, many of these different things that you would like to go spend money on anyway, suddenly become potential deductions, write offs.

Do I need gunsmithing insurance and do I get it?

Yes, I do recommend you get gunsmithing insurance.

How do I find customers and grow my gunsmithing business?

As an AGI professional gunsmithing student, if you take the master level course, we include a complete business success package.

What about the threat of gun control, won't that eliminate the need for gunsmiths?

Thankfully in the United States, we have a second amendment that protects our firearms ownership. However, even if there were more regulations placed upon individuals, making it harder for them to be able to buy firearms, that would mean they have all the greater need for a gunsmith.

What does the average gunsmith charge?

The average gunsmith charges on a piece work basis. That’s actually the best way for you to go because, the faster you get at solving a problem, doing a particular type of customer work, or repair or a cleaning, the more you get paid, but as far as what to charge per hour, that depends on your area of the country.

I live in a rural area, how can I find enough gunsmithing work?

One thing that's great about gunsmithing is you don't have to only do work for people that walk in your front door. You literally can have guns shipped to you from all over the country to do the work.

If I'm doing good gunsmithing and I need parts, where would I find them?

As an American Gunsmithing Institute student we're going to provide you sources that we have for gun parts from various different locations around the country, specific to the models of firearms you're working on.

How long has the American Gunsmithing Institute been teaching gunsmithing and doesn't the information get outdated?

The American Gunsmithing Institute has been teaching gunsmithing since 1993. The material does not become dated.

Do I need to be able to weld and machine to be a gunsmith?

If you want to optimize your capabilities and be able to work on a wide variety of fire arms, and customizing, and solving problems and so on, yes, you really should learn welding and machining.

How long does it take to become a AGI certified gunsmith?

The answer to that is really up to you. The program was designed for you to be able to study at your own pace because everybody's life is different.

When I'm just getting started, how do I find guns to work on?

If you do not have your own, get a broken gun from a pawn shop or borrow one from a family member or friend.

Does the American Gunsmithing Institute offer any hands-on training?

The American Gunsmithing Institute was designed to allow you to fully understand design, function, repair, and then many aspects of customizing, machining, welding, et cetera, all from the comfort of your home you can study.

I'd like to enroll in the entire professional gun spinning course, but I'm not sure I can afford it all at once. What are my options?

You have several different options of how you can invest in the professional level course. One of the ways is through our Multi-Pay option. Another great way to do it is to line up a bunch of gunsmithing work that'll rapidly pay for it.

I'm afraid to work on customer's guns. What if I get in trouble and I'm stuck?

You don't have to worry about being stuck because not only do you have the videos to support you step by step on working that customer's firearms. You also have live support where you can contact AGI's instructors and they'll help you walk through a problem. And worst case scenario, you get yourself in a real bind, you can send that firearm to one of our gunsmiths. They'll repair it, they'll charge you for it, but they'll tell you what you did wrong and how to go about it correctly next time.

What are the different types of courses that AGI has available?

AGI has created a number of different courses to answer the needs different people have. So for example, we have armorer's level courses for people to maintain and understand their own firearms. And even to be able to potentially do some basic repairs. Remember an armorer is someone that's only qualified to do maintenance and swap out parts. A gunsmith can do all of that, but they also do repairs and repair parts, make parts and much more.

Do I need to be an apprentice working for another gunsmith before I take a gunsmithing course?

No, you don't have to work for another gunsmith as an apprentice before you take the gunsmithing course. In fact, I think you'd be well served to go through the American Gunsmithing Institute's training first.

Why do you think the American Gunsmithing Institute's teaching method is better than other gunsmithing schools?

The reason I think AGI's method is a better approach is from my own personal experience. You see, I went through gunsmithing school, spent two and a half years at gunsmithing school, and I learned from the disputed best and that was master gunsmith, Bob Dunlap. Well, the problem with that is most people can't just stop their life and go two and a half years at a gunsmithing school where you don't make any income. And you're spending money, both for living expenses and the cost of school and everything else.

Why do you think the American Gunsmithing Institute's teaching method is better than other gunsmithing schools?

These are people that are masters at their craft and have so much that they've contributed to the industry. You're going to be able to learn directly from them via video. And on top of all of that, we have an ongoing relationship with our students through the Gunsmithing Club of America. And this is a membership where you get continued access to the instructors, to other members, to other gunsmiths, a lot of additional videos, a lot of different support information.

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Why Choose the American Gunsmithing Institute:

We are the leader in self-paced gunsmithing education & training.
All courses delivered on Video by the USA’s finest master gunsmiths.
Study in the comfort of your own home at a pace that suits your lifestyle, without having to give up your current income, or having to meet scheduled exam deadlines.
Video based courses allows you to replay any section of the training at your leisure.
Gunsmithing is a skill that’s in demand and one that affords you financial independence, security and a hedge against an uncertain economy.

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What level of gunsmithing education are you seeking?

I am a Hobbyist and only want to work with my own guns.

I want to be a Professional Certified Gunsmith Part-Time / Full Time.

I want a retirement income within 3-5 years.

I am an FFL dealer / Gunsmithing is a potential add-on business opportunity.

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Student Testimonials

“I would consider A.G.I.’s professional Gunsmithing course to be the most informative class I have ever taken. Bob Dunlap is a very good instructor and shares many techniques and secrets you can only learn from years of experience.”

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If you become dissatisfied with the American Gunsmithing Institute’s Professional Gunsmithing Course for any reason, you can return it for a full refund for up to one FULL YEAR! Or until you pass your first test and get your certificate. With no hard feelings…and we’ll even let you keep “The Money Makers” Bonus Video Course, easily worth hundreds of dollars.

Important Information

It is not a requirement in the state of California to obtain a Gunsmithing Certificate to practice gunsmithing. However, possessing a Gunsmithing Certificate will demonstrate a proven level of competence. A Federal Firearms License and State licenses are required to operate a gunsmithing business.

The American Gunsmithing Institute’s approval to operate as a private postsecondary institution in the state of California is based on provisions of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act (CPPEA) of 2009 (California Education Code, Title 3, Division 10, Part 59, Chapter 8), which was effective January 1, 2010. The Bureau can be reached at 1747 Market Blvd. Suite 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, www.bppe.ca.gov, toll-free telephone number (888) 370-7589 or by fax (916) 263-1897.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW BPPE 2020 AGI School Performance Fact Sheets

Click here to view AGI 2017 Annual Report

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AGI 2023 School Catalog

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AGI Course Satisfaction Responses

Professional Gunsmithing Courses not available to Oklahoma residents at this time.