We in the Phoenix area are very lucky to have an outstanding gunsmith available here. I highly recommend my good friend Nelson Ford, DBA "The Gunsmith" on north 32nd street.

Nelson specializes in S&W revolvers and Colt .45 autos. He's done wondrous work for me for many years. He's a real character - eccentric and opinionated, but extremely competent and a gas to talk with. In my opinion,he's one of the finest Smith revolver gunsmiths in the entire country.

Tell him John sent you if you want to call him at 602-992-0050.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

One of my good shooting friends is a retired Master Plumber. His skill set is well above the average for that trade. He would be highly insulted to be compared to a "modern gunsmith".

I do agree with the general sentiment of your post, however.

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protocalldesign.com

How many watch or clock makers are around today? Back in the day a watch maker had to actually make a perfect watch as in every gear and tiny part in them! Amazing craftsmanship.

As with Gunsmiths the trend towards striker fire semi auto handguns there is little to no need for a GunSmith. Heck in some cases it's cheaper to buy a new polymer gun. Unless on spends BIG mony for precision bolt rifles, even those the factory just swaps out parts,

Same as everything today, it's cheaper to get a new one and dispose of the old. Kitchen appliances The last a year or two then something electronic fails and a service call and parts is half the price of a new one.


We bought a new Cuisinart toaster/Air fry oven. Cuisinart is a little better than most but still China junk. Well the inside light went out. Still worked but no inside light. There is no way to replace the damn light. Called the company and they sent a new one and return shipment for the old one.
Somehow that is more cost effective than making a changeable led light "bulb"?? Crazy!

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Still Running Against the Wind

Well, with so many fragile snowflakes around these days offending someone is unavoidable.

It's actually harder to be a plumber than a gunsmith. The plumber has to actually go to the job site, carry all his tools all kinds of weather and put up with a lot of you know what. A gunsmith sits in air conditioned comfort and people come to him.

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Still Running Against the Wind

aspects:
1. parts buying vs. parts making, As the internet came along many shops
just buy a new part. its easier, less costly, and fixes the problem faster.

2. Armorer vs Full gunsmith: Most people do indeed just need new sights installed, scopes mounted and leveled, parts replacement, and a good cleaning. I believe that's the steady cash flow.

3. Age and gun trends: Working in a large gun shop and shooting range has taught me a major customer base lesson. There are lots of younger shooters getting into the shooting sports or for defensive reasons but they buy what is currently available. Current gun trends have put out some really great, affordable, and easily modded fire arms. The module designs of these fire arms is "Simpler" and more easily repaired or taken apart. The ar15 platform and GLOCKs are a perfect example of simple and effective fire arms.

4. Older firearms are simply beginning to disappear, thus the reflection is the typical armorer/ smith just doesn't get to get perform actions or repairs on them and the knowledge base on these old fire arms dries up.

5. It takes years, not just a degree, to gather the experience and exposure to various exotic or old fire arms and we just don't see as many of them come into the shops. It takes clients to justify buying a .500 cylinder reamer/forcing cone/throat reamer set and when you do, chances are you won't see another .500 come into the shop,,,then the set just sits on the shelf.

6. Combine these factors as well: Gunsmiths only get experience on what is brought into them, if 100 people brought in GLOCKs, and 1 person brought in an exotic Weatherby custom rifle...well you see the point.

7. I'm still in the aspiring category, and only over the last 3 years since retirement from the military, have I really tried to up my game but I'm really only in the "armorer and repairs" quality. It takes a ton of time to gain the experience unless you are fortunate enough to get an apprenticeship under a great smith or shop.

8. This one was a biggie for me. Grumpy Old Timers, I've dealt with "gunsmiths" who were the biggest, grumpiest, ego minded individuals. These individuals would not give you the benefit of the doubt on anything and make a perceived assumption about anyone walking into the door. This IMO is not good for future customer relations and fertilizing the want for future and aspiring gunsmiths. I have found that GLOCK and AR-15 people are really excited about mods, upgrades repairs, and the same goes for the people working on them, this sparks conversation and enthusiasm and most importantly...interest in the fire arms community.

Bourbon uses a 10 year model to project there output and quality,
Good bourbon take alot of time and effort to get right, right now, there is alot of new distillers putting out some "swill" but that's because they are new to the game and hopefully we will see some more GREAT quality stuff put out, but it takes time to learn the process, get the recipe right, and have a market for their product.
A GREAT example is Sam Adams brewing, they are helping Aspiring brewers tremendously by programs such as The Samuel Adams Brewing & Business Experienceship, they have even given other brewers portions of their prized Barley. They like to brew beer so much that they want to see others BREW BEER too.

Whats the fix?
- More fire arms manufacturing apprenticeships
- More Gunsmiths open minded about apprenticeships
- NRA and other shooting organization grants and for Goodness sakes, open
up the S/W revolver armorers course to more people.
- Stop bashing the online degree programs and give some credit to
a new and aspiring smith' who has to start somewhere.

One last comment and I'll stop with the typing...We have to embrace the new and young shooters, we have accept inexperienced shooters and stop with the judging, we have to accept the fact that our experience and knowledge came from YEARS of development..and don't forget, when we were young bucks, we were just as inexperienced and naive as they are.
Next time your at the range, comment on their new "wonder gun" , Welcome them in and start a conversation, otherwise, this community is doomed.

Should I win the lottery, and have millions, Ill start a national organization to bring back this dying skill. Wish me luck.