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Course Benefits |
American Gunsmithing Institute |
Campus Based Schools |
Other Online Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instruction on Handguns, Shotguns, Rifles, and Rimfires | |||
| Courses Taught by Master Gunsmiths | |||
| Firearms Design, Function, and Repair (D,F,&R) Gunsmithing Training | |||
| Professional Gunsmithing Certification Upon Completion | |||
| Study From Home | |||
| Detailed Video Instruction - Minimal Reading Required | |||
| No Essays or Writing Assignments Required | |||
| Uses dozens of cutaway firearms to show internal Design, Function, and Operation | |||
| Self-paced, Flexible, Programs - Study at a pace that works for you | |||
| Post-Secondary Approved School | |||
| FFL Kit and Instructions on Getting your FFL Included | |||
| Advanced Customizing Techniques for Handguns and Rifles | |||
| VA Chapter 31 Approved School | |||
| Gunsmithing Business Success Training | |||
| Gunsmithing Club of America - Student Forums, Monthly Continuing Education, and more |
The American Gunsmithing Institute was established to preserve the Gunsmithing Arts and train a new generation of AGI Certified Professional Gunsmiths, providing them with detailed instruction in firearms Design, Function, Repair and Customizing, on video, so that an individual can study and learn even from home. AGI is Preserving Freedom, one gun at a time….Since 1993
Equipping people with trade skills that change their lives.
Bob Dunlap, Master Gunsmith and Senior Instructor Emeritus, spent over thirty years teaching Gunsmithing at Lassen College Gunsmithing School while concurrently operating a full service Gunsmithing Shop with up to 6 full time Gunsmiths working for him. His Gunsmithing business was a warranty station for many of the largest firearms manufacturers including; Colt, Browning, Remington and more than a dozen others. Bob is credited with creating the Design, Function and Repair system of Gunsmithing training.
Ken Brooks is a Master Gunsmith, a graduate of Lassen College Gunsmithing School were he was mentored by Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlap, an then later worked with him as a fellow instructor. Ken also worked in Bob’s Gunsmithing Shop for over 20 years where he eventually took over the business known as Pacific International Service Company. Ken has instructed numerous courses including Armorer’s Courses, and other Gunsmithing courses such as AGI’s Advanced Course on Extractors and Ejectors.
Gene Kelly, Founder and President of the American Gunsmithing Institute, studied under and worked directly for Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlap and is a graduate of Lassen College Gunsmithing School. Gene has been Gunsmithing for over forty years, is a recognized and often quoted expert on firearms and is a licensed Class 2 Manufacturer. In addition, Mr. Kelly is an international consultant on security related issues and coaches Gunsmiths and FFL dealers on how to maximize their income.
Darrell Holland is a Master Gunsmith and renowned rifle builder for long range shooting and hunting. In addition to teaching the complete Machine Shop course, Darrell has taught many of AGI’s rifle building and accuracy enhancement courses. Darrell has traveled the world as a hunter and shooting instructor and has created a shooting school in Montana specifically designed for training individuals on how to make the perfect shot when hunting for that once in a lifetime trophy. Darrell has also designed dozens of products for hunting and Gunsmithing and holds numerous patents.
Mark Foster, is a Master Gunsmith and Law Enforcement Armorer with over 30 years of service in the law enforcement community where he was a Deputy Sheriff, and Senior Armorer, as well as holding many other positions within his agency before finally transferring and retiring as Chief Investigator for the District Attorney’s office. He also studied under and worked for Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlap and is a contemporary of Gene Kelly and Darrell Holland as they were roommates at Lassen College Gunsmithing School and are lifelong friends and collaborators. Mr. Foster has instructed several AGI Armorer Courses, the AR-15 Riflesmith course, and has produced a number of segments on the use and construction of Gunsmithing tools for the Gunsmithing Club of America (GCA).
Gene Shuey is a Master Gunsmith who not only studied under storied Masters including Armon Swensen, but was an original member of the “Thunder Slap” and “Practical Shooting Federation” the predecessor to IPSC. Jeff Cooper was a lifelong friend and associate of Mr. Shuey. Mr. Shuey builds beautiful custom 1911 pistols and Glocks that are truly “Functional Art.” He is also a Master of old school finishes and firearm restoration. He instructs the AGI Certified 1911 Pistolsmith and AGI Certified Glocksmith Courses as well as multiple other courses. In his younger days Gene Shuey won the Mr. America body building contest and served as a U.S. Marine.
John Bush is a Master Armorer and renowned expert on U.S. and Foreign Military firearms. His vast knowledge is an incredible resource and he has taught AGI courses on Building AKS rifles from a parts kits, rebuilding the M1 Garand, along with Armorer Courses and a Gunsmithing Club of America favorite video segment “In the War Room”. He is one of the few people we know of who can have a box of miscellaneous firearm parts dumped in front of him and he can identify what the part is, what firearm it is from, and what country or factory made them!
Fred Zeglin, Master Gunsmith and cartridge developer, graduated from Lassen College Gunsmithing School and worked in a number of custom rifle building companies. He founded 4D Reamer Rentals, which supplies Gunsmiths with precision tools that they can rent rather than purchase. Fred taught Gunsmithing and has written a number of books on the subject of Gunsmithing. He also authored an approved biography of P.O. Ackley, a Gunsmith of iconic fame. Mr. Zeglin has taught AGI courses on reloading and cartridge design & development.
Robert Rizzetto is truly a Master at the Art of Welding and even in his 80’s is Mr. Rizzetto instructs AGI’s welding course including; Gas, Arc, MIG and TIG welding, with Gas and Plasma cutting, all position welding, shop set-up and more gleaned from his more than five decades of welding experience and instruction.
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. He has worked in the Locksmithing trade and has owned his own locksmithing company for more than 30 years.
Jack Landis, Gunsmith and Firearms Technical Advisor Emeritus, worked for almost two decades with AGI developing the GCA connection and GunTech video magazine. A multi-tour Vietnam Veteran, he was a lifelong shooter and Gunsmith. He instructed AGI’s customizing course on the classic Ruger® 10/22® as well as Gunsmithing firearms for Cowboy Action Shooting.
Liz is responsible for establishing, reevaluating, promoting, and executing the admissions process for the American Gunsmithing Institute and also serves as the organization’s General Manager. Liz’s love of learning is shown in her academic achievements with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy, MAM In Management, Masters in Psychology, PhD in organization development.
Ken is responsible for advancing the American Gunsmithing Institute’s educational mission through strategic planning, program/curriculum review and enhancing the learning experience. Ken’s academic achievements include an Associate’s degree in Electronics, a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, Dual Masters of Science in Computers and Cognitive Psychology, and an EdD in Educational Leadership with a minor in Organizational Psychology. He has taught classes at every grade level K-12 and college as well as in the workplace. Ken teaches Technician, General, and Extra class amateur radio classes and is NRA certified RSO and rifle/shotgun/pistol and Archery instructor. He is a published author on a variety of subjects, including gunsmithing.
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.
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.
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.
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 🙂
It’s a great opportunity to learn and develop problem solving skills. You can also study and test at your own pace.
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.
I have learned so much about firearms through the programs. The DVD’s and videos are broken down by topic so anyone can understand – it’s a great way to learn gunsmithing!
AGI is by far the best online Gunsmithing program. I did check out two other online schools and was not impressed. AGI actually goes into detail about each gun system and sub-systems. It goes over the rules and practices for several guns, then you apply those skills you learned to other guns with similar systems. They also offer hands on classes in Oregon. They are far for us East Coast guys but definitely worth the trip. I have taken 3 with Colt revolvers being the most recent (last week). All 3 classes were great hands on experience. Ken Brooks is an awesome instructor and very down to earth. Highly recommend AGI, it has given me the knowledge I need to open a shop and I’m doing great with it. I like the fact that I can review the course material anytime I need to. That in itself is priceless.
I give the American Gunsmithing Institute five stars due to its positive impact on my learning. The course material is excellent, the instructors are great, and the student support is outstanding. After retiring, I enrolled in the course, but unfortunately, I lost all the course material in a flood. When I reached out to the American Gunsmithing Institute to replace the material, I encountered some difficulties due to a miscommunication with a new employee. However, once Gene Kelly, the president, was informed, he promptly addressed the issue. I was truly impressed with the exceptional customer service provided by Gene Kelly. He was friendly, helpful, and went above and beyond to ensure my satisfaction. I wholeheartedly recommend the American Gunsmithing Institute for its dedication to customer satisfaction and its commitment to resolving issues efficiently.
