A gunsmith is a professional who focuses on the design, manufacture, maintenance, and repair of firearms. Gunsmiths, unlike armorers, who are primarily responsible for maintaining weapons and performing minor repairs, have a wide range of skills, including the ability to fabricate custom parts and modify weapons to meet the needs of their users. Gunsmithing training is available at some trade and technical schools, as well as through apprenticeship with an experienced gunsmith willing to take on trainees.
Because firearms are tightly regulated in many parts of the world, the field of gunsmithing is also governed by a set of rules. To ensure that their work is legal, gunsmiths must take a number of precautions, such as verifying the identity of gun buyers and enforcing holding periods. Many are highly trained in gun safety and follow stringent safety procedures in their workshops and with clients, and some even offer community gun safety classes.
Gunsmiths are employed by munitions and firearms companies to design new products, modify existing ones, and supervise the manufacturing line and quality control procedures. Quality inspections are critical before weapons are released for sale because even seemingly minor errors during the manufacturing process can render a weapon unreliable or dangerous. Gunsmiths can work for the military or in private shops that handle a variety of jobs for a variety of clients.
Guns come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and it’s not uncommon for a gunsmith to specialize in one type of weapon or work with a specific clientele. Some gunsmiths, for example, may prefer to specialize in restoring antique weapons, working with law enforcement officers, or only dealing with pistols. A high level of specialization ensures a high level of quality, and a gunsmith may collaborate with several other regional gunsmiths to refer clients to the best artisan for working on their weapons or designing new ones.
A gunsmith’s shop is stocked with a wide range of tools for the job. Gunsmiths must be skilled artisans as well as engineers, and their services can range from customizing weapon stocks to cleaning and restoring vintage firearms. Some gunsmiths may also teach classes in gunsmithing schools or invite students into their shops to gain real-world experience and see the types of projects that a professional works on.