How to Become Gunsmith In South Africa

A gunsmith is a person who repairs, modifies, designs, or builds guns. The occupation differs from an armorer, who usually replaces only worn parts in standard firearms.

What Does A Gunsmith Do?

Gunsmiths build and design guns. They also repair guns. When they’re designing a gun they may have several meetings with clients to determine their needs and desires, and work on design plans and revise them until the client is satisfied. Some of the repairs they may perform include adding sights, repairing scopes and modifying the weapon to improve accuracy.

What is a gunsmith job?

A gunsmith builds, repairs, and maintains various types of guns. As a gunsmith, your responsibilities and duties include assembling and calibrating firearms, maintaining and repairing them, and following safety protocols. You may also customize a client’s pieces by engraving or modifying the weapon.

Can a gunsmith make guns?

In order to make guns, gunsmiths are necessary. Gunsmiths are people who either build guns by themselves or modify and repair them. It’s a must, considering the number of people who own guns.

Why is it called a gunsmith?

A gunsmith is someone who makes and or designs guns. The origin of the word gunsmith dates back to the 1580s.

Below are career requirement to Become Gunsmith In South Africa

Training RequiredApprenticeship or postsecondary courses, diploma or associate’s degree
Education Field of StudyGunsmithing
Key ResponsibilitiesInspect, repair and clean weapons; provide training on firearm use; maintain inventory of weapons and accessories
LicensureFederal firearms license is required to build or sell firearms
Job Growth (2018-2028)-1% to 1% (for all precision instrument and equipment repairers)*
Median Salary (2019)$39,799 (for all gunsmiths)**

Below are steps to Become Gunsmith In South Africa

Step One: Take Courses to Learn Gunsmithing Skills

You may want to acquire skills in general machining and using hand tools such as grinding, polishing, sanding, chiseling and filing before entering an apprenticeship or a formal training program.

You may also consider taking courses in machine tool processes, ballistics, metallurgy, report writing, drafting, algebra and woodworking. You may find these courses in high school or through attending a technical school.

Step Two: Gain Experience

You may work with a gunsmith as a helper or assistant. Even part-time work will help you gain useful skills. Alternatively, you may find a gunsmith who will let you observe his or her work. You may pick up on the basic skills, such as being detail-oriented, having patience and having steady hands, which gunsmiths need.

Step Three: Complete Formal Training or an Apprenticeship

Many aspiring gunsmiths enroll in formal training programs offered by community colleges or trade schools. These formal programs typically lead to a diploma or an associate’s degree in gunsmithing. The NRA (National Rifle Association) offers short-term, non-credit courses for individuals interested in becoming gunsmiths.

Step Four: Check Licensure Requirements

Depending on what activities you plan to engage in as a gunsmith, you may need to hold a government-issued license. According to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), gunsmiths who either sell or build firearms must obtain a federal firearms license (FFL) as dealers or manufacturers, respectively (www.atf.gov).

Step Five: Apply for Jobs

After you have received the necessary training and licensure, you will be ready to get a job as a licensed gunsmith. Licensed gunsmiths find work at gun shops, armories or firearms distributors and manufacturers.

Can a gunsmith make gun In South Africa?

In order to make guns, gunsmiths are necessary. Gunsmiths are people who either build guns by themselves or modify and repair them. It’s a must, considering the number of people who own guns.

Are gunsmiths in demand?

Job Outlook

The demand for qualified gunsmiths is projected to be steady in the coming years, according to DegreeDirectory.com. The Department of Labor states that maintenance and repair jobs, including gunsmith positions, are projected to gradually increase

What is the difference between a gunsmith and armorer?

A gunsmith is a person who repairs, modifies, designs, or builds guns. The occupation differs from an armorer, who usually replaces only worn parts in standard firearms. Gunsmiths perform factory-level repairs and renovations to restore a well-used or deteriorated firearms to new condition.

Do blacksmiths make guns In South Africa?

Blacksmiths produce objects such as gates, grilles, railings, light fixtures, furniture, sculpture, tools, agricultural implements, decorative and religious items, cooking utensils, and weapons.

How much does a beginner gunsmith make In South Africa?

If you are in training and can work an apprenticeship, naturally your salary will be less than when you are running your own shop. Expected salary figures vary depending on information source. For example, on the lower end, the average pay for gunsmiths is reported at R 256.92.13 an hour, according to PayScale.

Is gun smithing a good career?

Gunsmithing careers give you exciting opportunities to work with firearms in different ways. In the course of your work, you may find yourself creating, repairing, customizing and designing a variety of guns. Careers in gunsmithing can prove rewarding and fascinating.

Is gun smithing a dying professionIn South Africa?

Classical fine gunsmithing is a dying art and there is demand for it, but I believe there is a huge field of modern gunsmithing work to be taught. Fiberglass stocks, aluminum chassis, CNC slide cuts etc. are a huge part of the modern gunsmithing market but were very much a rarity (or altogether absent) in school.

How much does a gunsmith make per hour In South Africa?

Hourly Wage for Gunsmith Salary

PercentileHourly Pay RateLocation
10th Percentile Gunsmith SalaryR 241.81SA
25th Percentile Gunsmith SalaryR 272.04 SA
50th Percentile Gunsmith SalaryR 317.38 SA
75th Percentile Gunsmith SalaryR 317.38 SA

How long did it take a blacksmith to make a sword?

A cheap sword could take a day or two to make, while a master worked Pattern Welded sword could take a week or more to make. In addition to just the blade itself, a true work of art weapon would have expensive pommel made with a work of art scabbard which combine could take a month or even longer at times.

What machines do you need for gun smithing?

Most of the tools you might need for gunsmithing are your typical machinist equipment; brass punches, machinist’s hammer, benchtop sander/grinder, etc. There are other more specialist instruments, but in general gunsmithing relies on relatively common machine-shop supplies. That brings us to lathes.