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Bob’s intent was to preserve and pass on this exclusive set of skills and methods of analysis to the next generation of Gunsmiths.
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.
After doing some research on schools I contacted AGI and enrolled. I have to say after six months, I am already living the dream. I haven’t finished school yet and already have a thriving business. I followed the advice on starting my business, getting an FFL and building the business. In more than one class segment they warn you about not getting so busy you don’t have time to get the education done. Well, I got my FFL and established my business in October 2025. It is now January 2026, and I am slammed with work. I recently semi retired as a first responder after 36 years and wanted to find something I could do at my own pace and on my own schedule. I love firearms and am now living my dream of becoming a gun smith. At AGI you will learn design, function and repair. Using this basic philosophy I have been able to fix guns I have never seem before. If you are passionate about firearms and want to make a living fixing them, I recommend AGI. The staff at AGI are amazing!
Your program is very good, thorough and informative. Instructors, especially Bob, really know the subject and explain it well. I am a contractor and was very busy but now things have slowed down a little for winter and I am back to studying the material. So a little behind but going at my own pace, seems to work well for me. Thank you.
I’m enrolled in and well on the way to becoming an AGI Master Gunsmith. I’ve constructed a new shop. It’s a 30 x 36 Real Steel building. I’ve got a lathe, an air compressor, a welder and a small mill. I’ve learned so much it is hard to believe. Added about $30,000 in tools. Not really required but its important to me to be able to perform the various types of repairs and processes that todays customers expect. AGI has exceeded all my expectations. The instructors are Master Gunsmiths with years of experience. I’m still in training but many customers have already came by and have trusted me with their firearms. I can’t say enough about the training and support that the AGI staff provide. AGI is worthwhile. They are pure professionals. It is my opinion that it is the right choice for me to go with AGI to become a certified gunsmith. I highly recommend them. If you are interested in becoming a Gunsmith you won’t regret going with AGI!
On October 27th I signed up for the pro level 1 course on your advice (best advice I ever took) to go with the monthly plan to get things going , once I received the FFL package from you guys, I filed for my LLC (Cowboy Action Customs LLC), got approval 11/19/25 and state approval for d/b/a (Cowboy Action Customs), mailed my FFL application Wed before Thanksgiving, FFL licensing center started my application 12/3/25, had my in person interview and inspection today, everything went through great and I’ll get my license in the mail soon she says. The company I work for is shutting down and will be paying for my additional training. So I will be able to bump up to level 2 Gunsmithing Course soon. Shutdown for the company is still scheduled for April 10, so glad I did this! You guys are awesome thanks so much for your help, time, and ,advice, Unbelievably I have somehow managed to open a retail gun shop and gunsmithing services seemingly overnight, I feel like I am literally in an AGI promotional video, excuse the language but this is F@#*king crazy, you can forward this to whoever you want, Gary thanks so much. Talk to you soon! If I hadn’t taken your advice to get this going I would be months behind of where I am ! Thanks! John Clement
Love the self paced program. It allows me to work around my work schedule and home life, which has been extremely beneficial.
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!
The content is great and being able to go through the program at my pace is very valuable to me.
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.
Couldn’t be more thankful to be associated with a top notch organization like AGI!
This is the most thorough and complete gunsmithing course I have found.
