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Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Gunsmithing

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Our Gunsmithing courses are designed to teach the necessary skills which will enable the reasonably diligent student to enter the profession of Gunsmithing as an entry level general Gunsmith. Students in these gunsmithing courses will learn the skills necessary to specialize in one (or several) of the specialties within the profession (e.g., general repair, custom gun work, pistolsmithing, accurizing firearms for match competition, production of competition rifles, shotguns, etc.). Upon completion of the program the graduate will receive an Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Gunsmithing.

Our students learn Gunsmithing through the repair of customer firearms in the largest Gunsmithing shop in the U.S. In our gunsmithing courses we use hands-on teaching methods refined over nearly 70 years.

Basic Course (250 Hours)

Course Objective: This course is designed to teach the student basic use of tools, safety, math, purpose of specific equipment, and familiarize the student with the concepts of stock refinishing and metal preparation, along with the bluing process and recoil pad fitting. At the conclusion of the Basic section, students will complete "Cycle of Operations". During this activity students will receive each of the eight major types of firearms for the purpose of tear down. As you are tearing down each firearm you are required to write down the action cycle of each of the firearms in sequence. The hand guns include a revolver and a short recoil semi automatic pistol. The long guns include a pump action, break open, lever action, bolt action, gas operated semi automatic, and a blowback semi automatic.

Machine Course (400 Hours)

Course Objective: This course is designed to teach specific and practical uses of particular pieces of equipment, along with the conceptual use of each. Students will be taught oxy-acetylene welding, and heat treatment of steel (students have the opportunity to learn TIG welding during specialization in the last section of the program). Upon completion of this course students will have threaded and chambered a barrel for a bolt action rifle (approved caliber of their choice) and test fired it in our test firing booth.

Stockmaking Course (350 Hours)

Course Objective: This course teaches the concepts, techniques and skills which will enable the student to build custom firearms. The course also covers aspects of different stockmaking materials, metal preparation, sights, ballistics, and hand loading (theory only). Upon completion of this course students will have built a custom bolt action rifle, which includes a walnut and synthetic stock.

Design & Function Course (Minimum 800 hours)

Course Objective: This course is the crux of the program comprising 44 % of the total program hours. Design and Function refers to diagnostics and repair of customer firearms. The classroom segment includes conversions of military to civilian firearms, specialty tool development, and trigger assemblies. During this course students learn the practical application of Gunsmithing skills. Students are required to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair per customer order 35 firearms from the gun shop (students can bring up to 10 of their own guns in to count toward the 35). Students are also required to do a specialization project of a minimum of 100 hours. This is an opportunity for students to specialize in their particular area of interest.

Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Gunsmithing
The AOS Degree is not designed for credits to transfer to another college. It is up to an individual college what credits they will accept.

ED Gainful Employment Program Disclosure – Colorado School of Trades

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