Gunsmithing Degree
The first Gunsmithing courses were designed and offered at Trinidad State 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. Coursework 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 Gunsmithing Program
must be able to legally own firearms.
- Application deadline for Fall semester is May 15th! (August start)
- Application deadline for Spring semester is the last Friday in September! (January start)
- Don't wait, space is limited and demand is high!
Trinidad State College
Gunsmithing Department
600 Prospect Street
Campus Box 331
Trinidad, CO 81082
800-621-8752
- Ryan Newport
Gunsmithing Faculty
Ryan.Newport@trinidadstate.edu - Logan Schmit, Gunsmithing Faculty
Logan.Schmit@trinidadstate.edu - Bob Campbell, Gunsmithing Faculty
Robert.Campbell@trinidadstate.edu
IMPORTANT:
Acceptance into the Gunsmithing School is determined on a point system criterion.
If there are more applicants than space available, the applicants with the highest
scores will be admitted first. If a space becomes available due to a student declining
admission, the applicant with the next highest score will be contacted. Unsuccessful
applicants will be notified and can reapply the next semester. Students who have been
accepted but decline admissions must reapply if they would like to attend at a later
date.
- Degree/Certificates:
- AAS - Gunsmithing
- Brownell's Am Firearms Tech Instructor
- Custom Pistolsmithing (1911) Certificate
- Gunsmithing Fine Arts
- Gunsmithing Technician
- NRA Firearms Safety Instructor
- Small Arms Level I Certificate
- Gunsmithing School Application Form
- Pathways
Required Courses - AAS, Gunsmithing
- Pathways
Required Courses - Gunsmithing Certificate
- Pathways
Required Courses - Gunsmithing Technician Certificate
- Pathways
Required Courses - Custom Pistolsmithing Certificate
- Pathways
Required Courses - NRA Firearms Safety Instructor Certificate
- Pathways
Required Courses - Small Arms Level I Certificate
- Required Background Check
- Transfer Information
Gunsmithing AAS Degree
73 credit hours
Required General Education Courses
MAT 107 or above - 3
English 115, or 121 - 3
Nine credit hours from the following: Science, Social and
Behavior Science, Business, Accounting or Speech
TOTAL general education requirements - 15
Required Gunsmithing Elective Courses
Approved GUS elective courses to be selected from those courses marked * on Gunsmithing
Program Course Catalog Descriptions (listed below).
TOTAL Gunsmithing Elective Requirements - 3
FIRST SEMESTER | ||
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
GUS 100 | Orientation & Firearms Safety | .5 |
GUS 102 | Introduction to Firearms | 2 |
GUS 110 | Firearms Bench Metal | 5 |
GUS 112 | Firearms Machine Shop I | 5 |
WEL 135 | TIG Welding for Gunsmiths | 2 |
General Education | 3 | |
Semester Credits | 17.5 |
SECOND SEMESTER | ||
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
GUS 135 | Firearms Conversion | 5 |
GUS 136 | Firearms Metal Finishing | 2 |
GUS 139 | Stock Duplication | 2 |
GUS 127 | Firearms Machine Shop II | 4 |
BUS 121 | Basic Workplace Skills | 1 |
General Education | 6 | |
Semester Credits | 20 |
THIRD SEMESTER | ||
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
GUS 119 | Stockmaking I | 5 |
GUS 205 | Firearms Machine Shop III | 4 |
GUS 147 | Firearms Repair I | 5 |
General Education | 3 | |
Semester Credits | 17 |
FOURTH SEMESTER | ||
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
GUS 245 | Stockmaking II | 5 |
GUS 247 | Firearms Repair II | 7 |
GUS 265 | Comprehensive Skills Evaluation | .5 |
General Education | 3 | |
Semester Credits | 15.5 |
REQUIRED ELECTIVE COURSES
To be taken as appropriate to student’s course work |
3 | |
TOTAL Degree Credits | 73 |
Gunsmithing Certificate
53 credit hours
Required Gunsmithing Elective Courses
Approved GUS elective courses to be selected from those courses marked * on Gunsmithing
Program
Catalog Descriptions (listed below).
TOTAL Gunsmithing Elective Requirements - 3
FIRST SEMESTER | ||
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
GUS 100 | Orientation & Firearms Safety | .5 |
GUS 102 | Introduction to Firearms | 2 |
GUS 110 | Firearms Bench Metal | 5 |
GUS 112 | Firearms Machine Shop I | 5 |
WEL 135 | TIG Welding for Gunsmiths | 2 |
Semester Credits | 14.5 |
SECOND SEMESTER | ||
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
GUS 135 | Firearms Conversion | 5 |
GUS 136 | Firearms Metal Finishing | 2 |
GUS 139 | Stock Duplication | 2 |
GUS 127 | Firearms Machine Shop II | 4 |
BUS 121 | Basic Workplace Skills | 1 |
Semester Credits | 14 |
THIRD SEMESTER | ||
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
GUS 119 | Stockmaking I | 5 |
GUS 205 | Firearms Machine Shop III | 4 |
GUS 147 | Firearms Repair I | 5 |
Semester Credits | 14 |
FOURTH SEMESTER | ||
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
GUS 245 | Stockmaking II | 5 |
GUS 247 | Firearms Repair II | 7 |
GUS 265 | Comprehensive Skills Evaluation | .5 |
Semester Credits | 12.5 |
REQUIRED ELECTIVE COURSES
To be taken as appropriate to student’s course work |
3 | |
TOTAL Degree Credits | 58 |
NRA Summer School’s Gunsmithing Technician Certificate - 16 credit hours
Tuition and Fees
- Trinidad State College Tuition and Fees
- Gunsmithing Course Fees
- Approximately $750 for the Associate Degree program
Room and Board
- Single Room with 19 meal plan
Approximately $3964 per semester - Double Room with 19 meal plan
$3450 per semester
Approximate Tool Cost
This is the approximate cost of tools needed for class for minimum quality tools purchased through the bookstore.
- First semester $2,800
- Second semester $1,500
- Third semester $1,500
- Fourth semester $500
(These figures are estimates only and are subject to change.)
Required tools and materials for Gunsmithing AAS or Certificate programs
The list of required tools and supplies can be found at here. This list indicates prices and part numbers in effect at the Trinidad State College Bookstore. These prices are subject to change. These tools are available from many sources, in addition to Bookstore.
-
Recommended Tool Suppliers
- Bookstore
Trinidad State College
(719) 846-5610 - Brownells, Inc.
200 South Front St.
Montezuma, Iowa 50171
(515) 623-5401 - Jantz Supply
309 West Main St.
PO Box 584
Davis, Oklahoma 73030-0584
1-800-351-8900 - J&L Industrial Supply
31800 Industrial Rd
Livonia, Michigan 48151-1820
1-800-521-9520 - MSC Industrial Supply Co
http://www.mscdirect.com
1-800-645-7270
- Bookstore
Gunsmithing Course Catalog Descriptions
GUS 100
Orientation & Firearms Safety
.5 Credit
The first part of this course is an orientation into the gunsmithing program. The
second part of the course will introduce the student to the basic principles of firearms
safety. Completing students will receive an NRA home firearm safety certificate of
completion.
GUS 102
Introduction to Firearms
2 Credits
Explores the history of firearms and ammunition, firearms design and the function
of modern firearms.
CO/PREREQUISITE: GUS 100
GUS 110
Firearms Bench Metal
5 Credits
This course emphasizes shop safety and hand work, including: the proper use of measuring
and hand tools, layout, drilling, sawing, filing, soldering, silver soldering, forging,
heat treatment and hand polishing.
PREREQUISITE: GUS 100
GUS 112
Firearms Machine Shop I
5 Credits
Introduces theory and practice of shop safety, metalworking lathe, and milling machine
operations. Students will demonstrate proper use of machine tools while making specialized
gunsmithing tools.
CO/PREREQUISITE: GUS 100
GUS 119
Stockmaking I
5 Credits
Introduces stockmaking techniques for a bolt action rifle from semi-inletted blanks.
The course will cover inletting the barrel and trigger guard, glass bedding, installing
grip cap, recoil pad, fore-end tip, swivels, shaping, sanding and finishing.
PREREQUISITE: GUS 127, GUS 135, GUS 139
GUS 127
Firearms Machine Shop II
4 Credits
Continues the theory and practice of shop safety, metalworking lathe, and milling
machine operations. Students will demonstrate proper use of machine tools while making
specialized gunsmithing tools and fitting, chambering, and contouring a barrel for
a bolt action rifle.
PREREQUISITE: GUS 112
GUS 135
Firearms Conversion
5 Credits
Examines various techniques for conversion of military rifle actions into customized
sporter rifle actions. Bolt handles, safeties, iron sights, scope mounts, adjustable
triggers, and trigger guard contouring and other custom conversions and accessories
will be included.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 100, GUS 102, GUS 110, AND GUS 112
GUS 136
Firearms Metal Finishing
2 Credits
Focuses on the skills necessary to perform firearms bluing and parkerizing techniques.
Topics include necessary equipment, chemical mixing procedures, and safety as they
apply to hot caustic bluing, rust bluing, parkerizing and metal preparation.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 100 AND GUS 110
GUS 139
Stock Duplication
2 Credits
Introduces gunstock woods, stock layout, and basic stock duplicating machine operations.
Students will sharpen chisels, design and cut a semi-inletted gunstock.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 100 AND GUS 110
GUS 147
Firearms Repair I
5 Credits
Explores firearms repair theory and practice. Topics include necessary tools, design,
function, takedown, troubleshooting, assembly and repair of selected handguns, shotguns,
and rifles.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 100, GUS 102, GUS 110 AND GUS 112
GUS 153
Ballistics and Handloading*
2 Credits
Course includes the discussion of interior ballistics, exterior ballistics, components
and their manufacture, reloading equipment, rifle, handgun, and shot shell loading,
bullet casting, and safety.
GUS 162
Gunstock Checkering*
2 Credits
Construction and use of checkering cradles, layout templates and tools. Layout and
operation of hand and electric checkering tools.
GUS 201
Tools & Fixtures
2 Credits
Study and manufacture of tools: Milling Cutters, Taps, Dies and Reamers. Study and
measurement of screw threads. Projects will include milling cutters, reamers, taps,
and dies.
PREREQUISITE: GUS 112
GUS 205
Firearms Machine Shop III
4 Credits
Continues the study of machine tool operation with special emphasis on gunsmithing
procedures. Course work includes safety, milling, lathe, and advanced barrel fitting
and chambering.
PREREQUISITE: GUS 127
GUS 240
Shotgunsmithing*
2 Credits
This course is designed to give the advanced gunsmithing student the theories and
principles of the post popular shotgun modifications. Emphasis will be placed on back
boring, choke tubes, forcing cones, shotgun beads, and dent removal.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 110, GUS 112
GUS 245
Stockmaking II
5 Credits
Explores advanced stockmaking techniques for one and two piece gunstocks of both wood
and synthetic materials. Techniques in glass bedding, gun fitting, installation of
custom hardware and finishing techniques will also be studied.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 140
GUS 247
Firearms Repair II
8 Credits
Provides an advanced gunsmithing course in firearms repair theory and practice. Topics
include design, function, takedown, troubleshooting, assembly and repair of selected
shotguns, rifles, and handguns. Also included is the use of specialized tools and
fixtures.
PREREQUISITE: GUS 147
GUS 250
Competitive Rifles*
2 Credits
This course will include the study of necessary modifications to convert the standard
issue AR-15, into a match grade firearm.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 100, GUS 112
GUS 251
Bolt Rifle Accuracy/Blueprinting*
2 Credits
This course will include the study of necessary modifications to convert the standard
bolt action rifle into a varmint, bench rest, or match grade firearm.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 100, GUS 112
GUS 265
Comprehensive Skills Evaluation
.5 Credit
Provides a comprehensive evaluation of skills and knowledge attained after students
have completed the Gunsmithing Program curriculum.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of all required GUS Classes
GUS 268
Custom Pistolsmithing*
3 Credits
This course is designed to teach the advanced gunsmithing student the principles necessary
to modify a Colt, Government Model .45 auto (or its copies) into a competition firearm,
as used in various shooting sports. Emphasis is on safety, reliability, accuracy and
the fabrication and use of specialized tools, jigs, and fixtures.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 100, GUS 110, AND GUS 105
GUS 269
Custom Revolversmithing*
3 Credits
This course is designed to teach the advanced gunsmithing student the principles necessary
to modify a revolver into a competition firearm. Emphasis is on safety, reliability,
accuracy, and use of specialized tools, jigs and fixtures.
PREREQUISITES: GUS 100, GUS 110, GUS 105
Notes:
Random drug testing of Gunsmithing students may be required as permitted by college
policy. Colorado law forbids any person under the age of 18 to possess a handgun. Students
must be 18 years or older before the Gunsmithing courses they are enrolled in begin.
Our Mission:
To prepare our students for employment as a gunsmith, providing them with a broad-based
educational experience, which includes a balanced curriculum and practical hands-on
education in the use of gunsmithing hand tools, gunsmithing machine tools, firearms
repair, stockmaking, and customizing firearms.

Dan Wilson
Gunsmithing
Email