Gunsmithing School

Learn more about our Gunsmithing School

The first gunsmithing courses were designed and offered at TSJC in 1947 by P.O. Ackley. Since that time the program has developed into a two year Gunsmithing Degree Program that is designed to train individuals with the basic concepts and skills needed by the professional gunsmith. Course work at the basic and advanced level includes: bench metal, machining operations, gun repair and stockmaking. A wide variety of specialized courses such as checkering, revolversmithing, competitive rifles, shotgunsmithing and pistolsmithing are also offered. All persons enrolled in the Gunsmthing Program must be able to legally own firearms.

Brownells – Trinidad American Firearms Technology Institute

Learn more about the Brownells Institute

In January 2010 the Brownells – Trinidad American Firearms Technology Institute opened its doors to students wishing to learn how to operate a gunsmithing shop utilizing skills learned from a first and second year gunsmithing program. Students are able to study from an expert instructor in a state of-the-art facility, made possible by the partnership between Trinidad State Junior College and Brownells. Brownells is the largest supplier of firearms accessories and gunsmithing tools servicing customers for over 70 years.

NRA Short Term Summer Classes

Learn more about our Summer NRA Program

On behalf of the Trinidad State Junior College Gunsmithing Dept. and the NRA, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to walk in the footsteps of our founder the legendary P.O. Ackley and participate in the 2012 NRA Short Term Summer Classes offered by the oldest Gunsmithing school in the United States. If you have ever wanted to learn a skill from the masters or challenge yourself to go beyond what you thought you were capable of, or have that first kindling thought of Gunsmithing and working with firearms, here is your chance. Our one to two week courses offer all of the above from introductions to Gunsmithing and machine tool classes to advanced tool making and machining practices and advanced shooting and competition technologies and strategies. Our instructor list reads like a who’s who of industry specialist to world class firearms makers and world class shooters.