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.

Meet Your Instructors - American Gunsmithing Institute

Meet Master Gunsmith Instructor - Robert 'Bob' Dunlap

Bob’s forgotten more about Gunsmithing than most people will ever know!

bob dunlap

AGI Senior Instructor, Master Gunsmith Robert “Bob” Dunlap is recognized nationally as the top instructor in his field. Before he retired, Bob often lectured at other gunsmithing schools and is an expert witness in firearms court cases.

Throughout his career as professional gunsmithing instructor, Bob also ran a fully staffed gunsmithing shop which has done warranty work for Colt, Smith & Wesson, Charter Arms, Hi-Standard, Remington, Browning, Winchester and numerous other well-known manufacturers. He’s been a state accredited college gunsmithing instructor for over 35 years. Believe it or not, Bob has been personally responsible for the repair of over 250,000 guns!

Learning from Bob is like being taught by the “Yoda” character on Star Wars … When it comes to guns, he is wise and all knowing.

At AGI we’ve been able to compress Bob’s entire college-level Design, Function and Repair course into 108 hours of instruction, without leaving out any details.

Bob’s Teaching Style: Making Complex Concepts Easy to Understand

Bob’s teaching method is unique. It is Bob’s belief that you can’t fix a firearm properly unless you really understand how it is designed to work. That is why our course is a Complete Design, Function and Repair course. The way he shows and describes how the firearms mechanisms work, totally illuminates the subject and the fog and mystery is removed. You will possess the “How and Why” of firearm design and function and THEN you are able to understand how to make the appropriate repair. No other Gunsmithing Course provides this teaching method and with AGI’s Professional Gunsmithing Course on DVD it is available for you to watch again and again, whenever you want.

Learn Gunsmithing in Less Time

This unique teaching style Greatly Compresses the Time it takes to become a Professional Gunsmith. Bob’s Teaching System uses one section to build on the next. For example in the Pistolsmithing Section, we spend 27 plus hours teaching you how all the various models and systems work. You begin by learning in comprehensive detail about “locked breech single action automatic pistols that use a Link System” (Like the 1911 .45 Auto).

Once you fully understand how those type of mechanisms work, we then focus on teaching you the differences between that and the cam lock system (Browning Hi-Power) and so on. Thus providing new information on each model or major variation of firearm, building on a foundation and saving you time by not repeating every detail where they are the same. Therefore we are able to cover many times the number of guns and systems than any other course ever offered.

Specialized “Cutaway Guns” – See the Firearm from the Inside

Bob has helped to design cutaway guns to use as teaching aids for many of the models we cover. This provides you with a unique look inside the firearm, to clearly understand how everything works together. This same Building Block teaching method is continued throughout the Shotgun, .22 Rimfire and Centerfire Rifles Sections of the course. You will also learn many important elements of Gunsmithing including:

How to properly head space a firearm and why
Firing Pin shape and design
Sear, Hammer & Trigger systems
Balancing & Adjusting Springs
Accuracizing, Barrel Replacement & Alignment
Frame Repairs and Straightening
Timing
Feed Systems
And much more…

You Can’t Fix It Unless You Understand How It Works

Bob has helped thousands of aspiring gunsmiths get the skills, knowledge and expertise it takes to become competent in this rewarding field. Bob’s unique, systematic teaching style gives you the tools, know-how and confidence to fix and maintain any type of firearm.

Request Info

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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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Disabled Veteran / Vocational Rehabilitation

Please only check this box if you are a Veteran with a Disability Rating or you will you be working with Vocational Rehabilitation or Workers Compensation to enroll in our program.

Request Mini-Lessons by Email
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More AGI Instructors

Darrell Holland

Mr. Holland is well known as a custom rifle builder, writer and lecturer. He builds some of the tightest shooting rifles in existence. Darrell is always inventing new performance shooting products and is constantly pushing the envelope with regards to integrating the latest technology and ideas into his rifle designs to increase accuracy and improve reliability.

Mr. Holland has instructed many courses for AGI that take advantage of his unique knowledge and expertise. His simple, direct instructional style makes learning any subject easy and his attention to detail is legendary. He enjoys teaching and has taught gunsmithing and marksmanship courses internationally. Even the most experienced shooters and gunsmiths learn from his courses.

Gene Shuey

Gene Shuey is a world class custom pistol smith, former world class competitive shooter and current trainer. A Master Gunsmith specializing in 1911 and glock pistols, IPSC limited and open class guns, and high end custom rifles, Mr. Shuey has contributed extensively to AGI’s instructional gunsmithing courses. Gene is featured throughout the Professional Course.

T.R. Graham

T.R. Graham is a known authority, author, and gunsmith specializing in Glocks and other handguns. An NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, T.R. has worked in all facets of the civilian firearms industry including research and development, public relations, manufacturing, instruction, and gunsmithing. His personal training includes instruction and certification from several manufacturers on their weapons.

Robert Rizzetto

Robert Rizzetto has over 37 years of experience in the welding trade and is a Credentialed Welding Instructor. Because of his thorough training and experience he understands exactly what is happening when you are welding and how to explain it to the student in a detailed and easy to understand style. He enjoys teaching and introducing students to the amazing, demanding world of welding.

Ken Brooks

A graduate of and former instructor at the renowned gunsmithing program at Lassen College, Ken works full time with Bob Dunlap at their shop in Coquille Oregon. Ken also hosts online bi-weekly webcast technical classes for our gunsmithing students. When Bob retires from gunsmithing, he plans on turning his entire operation over to Ken because he has developed into such a great design, function and repair gunsmith.

Gene Kelly, President, AGI

Gene graduated from the renowned Gunsmithing program at Lassen College, where Bob Dunlap was his instructor. Gene worked as a professional gunsmith and saw a need for gunsmithing DVD courses to preserve this vital information. He contacted Mr. Dunlap who was retiring from Lassen College and the American Gunsmithing Institute was born. Tens of thousands of gun owners and professional gunsmiths have benefited from this effort.

John Bush

Mr. John Bush is a Master Armorer and has a long and colorful connection with firearms. He is constantly traveling as a consultant to manufacturers and importers of military firearms and is certified as an expert witness in firearm cases.

Mark Foster

Mark graduated from the Lassen College Gunsmithing program where he studied with Gene Kelly and Darrell Holland under Bob Dunlap. Sgt. Foster has over 30 years of gunsmithing experience and is a 20 year veteran of a California county Sheriff ’s Dept. where he is the Chief Armorer and Training Officer.

Jack Landis

Has been building, repairing, and modifying guns for over 50 years. A graduate of 20 consecutive summers at the NRA Summer Gunsmithing Programs at Lassen and Yavapai Colleges, he saved up so many projects to do there each year that Lassen created a new course called “Special Projects”.

After 30 years in the security industry, he went to work for the American Gunsmithing Institute in 2005 where his broad knowledge and logical problem solving abilities resulted in his becoming the Tech Services Manager and “Go To” person for student and customer technical questions on the courses, content, and test questions. He has watched every minute of all of AGI’s videos and does the final proof on all new material. He does instructional videos, firearm and product evaluations, and answers Gunsmithing questions from our AGI students and Gun Club of America on our monthly webcasts.

William “Bill” Woolman

Mr. Woolman is an expert in all aspects of locksmithing and is considered the go-to-guy with regards to learning about rare and collectible locks and safes. He has worked in the locksmithing trade and has owned his own company for more than 30 years.Mr. Woolman is currently a postsecondary instructor and licensed and certified professional locksmith.