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AGI’s Teaching Philosophy:
Design, Function, & Repair

Teaching Professional Gunsmithing for Over 30+ years – Established 1993 – Thousands of Graduates

WHAT IS DESIGN, FUNCTION, & REPAIR?

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Senior Instructor Robert “Bob” Dunlap’s exclusive D, F, & R teaching method and philosophy.

Grand Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlap developed a teaching method that taught Gunsmithing Students Firearms Design, Function, and Repair (D, F, &R) by utilizing cutaway firearms to teach the various systems under which most firearms operate. His intent was to develop critical thinking skills within his students so that they can analyze any firearm, even one they have never previously seen before, understand the systems that it uses, determine where the failure or breakdown occurred, and then be able to make the appropriate repair. Bob referred to “Gunsmiths” who did not have this level of comprehension as “Just Parts Swappers.”

Bob’s intent was to preserve and pass on this exclusive set of skills and methods of analysis to the next generation of Gunsmiths.

HOW AGI TEACHES DESIGN, FUNCTION, & REPAIR

The American Gunsmithing Institute was established in 1993, by Gunsmiths, to preserve the Gunsmithing Arts and to teach the Design, Function, and Repair philosophy and critical thinking skills required that enable an individual to become a real Gunsmith and safely repair, maintain, and customize firearms.

We have created a training system that is superior to a campus based Gunsmithing School, because we are able to teach Firearms Design, Function, Repair (D,F,&R) and advanced Customizing, more clearly and quickly. Using a systematic video course of instruction with close ups and cutaway firearms to make the instruction seamless and crystal clear. Anyone who does not understand D, F, &R is simply a “parts swapper,” not a Gunsmith. American Gunsmithing Institute Graduates do understand D, F, & R and are Certified Gunsmiths.

AGI is also able to train our students in a greater number of skills and disciplines, in a shorter period of time, at a significantly lower cost, all without the student having to leave their home, or quit their job and move to attend a campus-based school. A clear career advantage.

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All AGI Courses ARE taught by MAster GUNSMITHS

AGI Instructors are all professional gunsmiths & experts in their fields with over 500 years of combined experience in gunsmithing.
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Dr. Elizabeth Bieter

Director of Admissions | General Manager
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Dr. Kenneth Finley

Director of Education
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William “Bill” Woolman

Master Locksmith | Locksmithing Instructor
Mr. Woolman is an expert in all aspects of the locksmithing trade. He is considered a subject matter expert and “go-to” individual with regards to learning about rare and collectible locks and safes.
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Robert Rizzetto

Master Welder | Welding Instructor
Robert Rizzetto is truly a Master at the Art of Welding an is in demand as a precision welder and instructor. He instructs AGI’s welding course.
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Robert “Bob” Dunlap

Master Gunsmith | Senior Gunsmithing Instructor Emeritus
Bob Dunlap, Master Gunsmith & Senior Instructor Emeritus, taught for over 30 years at Lassen College Gunsmithing School & also simultaneously ran a full-service shop. He is credited with creating the Design, Function, and Repair system of Gunsmithing training.
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Jack Landis

Gunsmith | Instructor & Technical Advisor Emeritus
Jack Landis, Gunsmith and Firearms Technical Advisor Emeritus, was a lifelong shooter and Gunsmith and worked with AGI & GCA for almost 2 decades.
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Gene Shuey

Master Gunsmith | Gunsmithing Instructor
Gene Shuey is a Master Gunsmith and builds beautiful custom pistols that are truly “Functional Art.” He instructs the AGI Certified 1911 Pistolsmith and Glocksmith Courses as well as multiple other courses.
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Darrel Holland

Master Gunsmith | Gunsmithing and Machining Instructor
Darrell Holland is a Master Gunsmith and renowned rifle builder for long range shooting & hunting. He teaches the complete Machine Shop course as well as many AGI rifle building courses and more.
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John Bush

Master Armorer | Gunsmithing Instructor
John Bush is a Master Armorer and renowned expert on U.S. and Foreign Military firearms. He has taught multiple AGI courses using his vast knowledge.
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Fred Zeglin

Master Gunsmith | Reloading Instructor
Fred Zeglin, Master Gunsmith and cartridge developer, has written multiple books on Gunsmithing and teaches AGI reloading and cartridge design courses.

What Our Students Have To Say

I would highly recommend anyone interested in becoming a professional gunsmith or starting a home based business or just a hobbyist to enroll in one of these AGI programs. You will learn so much on design, function, repair, and customization from many of the best master gunsmiths in the business. Importantly, you will be able to do it all at your own pace. Now, because of AGI, I was able to start my own shop with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to be a successful master gunsmith. It can change your life. Thanks, AGI!

Jason Graham
Simpsonville, SC

The content is great and being able to go through the program at my pace is very valuable to me.

George Elliott
Knoxville, IA

It was a very good decision to take courses through AGI. I have retired from a career of 30 years, and now I have a small at home gunsmithing shop. Just enough to keep me busy and working on firearms. I got my FFL and also sell and transfer. I could not have accomplished anything like this, if it was not for AGI.

Jay Strine
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Couldn’t be more thankful to be associated with a top notch organization like AGI!

Byron Youngblood
Lavon, TX

This is the most thorough and complete gunsmithing course I have found.

Jerald Barnett
Salina, KS

I checked into several Gunsmithing schools before deciding on AGI. I am really pleased that I selected AGI as I love the D, F, & R instructional videos by Bob Dunlap and Ken Brooks. They are informational and walk through many of the specific details and include model specific information necessary to be a quality Gunsmith.

Calvin Blanchard
Moore Haven, FL

A very good course of training especially for someone starting out. The instruction was comprehensive and at times intense. I’m sure that’s part of the learning process. The course surprised me as to the repairing of firearms I learned a lot about how to make a part versus just buying one. It was a challenge. I would like to say the staff were all great. If I needed help, had a question or just didn’t understand the process. They were there.

John Politano Jr
Boerne, TX

I would give these guys 6 stars if I could. If you are serious about wanting to be a professional gunsmith then these courses are a valuable addition to all the other things you need to know. Bob Dunlap has seen more firearm issues that you can shake a stick at and if one listens carefully to everything he has to say on these videos you can be better than the competition. I supplemented these courses by attending a technical college to learn precision machining and another technical college run by the University of South Carolina that has a gunsmithing school. Because of these courses I was better prepared to absorb the vast amount of knowledge thrown at me. Thanks AGI ….. and still, after many years I have to whip out these DVDs to get some good tech info about a particular firearm or operation. Of course that was a much younger Bob Dunlap 🙂

Del Murray
Brooksville, FL

It’s a great opportunity to learn and develop problem solving skills. You can also study and test at your own pace.

James Harrell
Sharpsburg, NC

I really enjoyed the online course. I Learned a lot and thought the course is well organized and thought out well. I enjoyed listening and learning from Bob Dunlap and the good down to earth and good humor in communication.

Doug De Haan
Wayland, MI
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