Becoming an Air Gun Smith

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Saltlake58

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Apr 9, 2015
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Utah, United States
OK, so I'll be retiring in the next decade. I see a huge market in repairing airguns coming up. Like anything else, they need maintenance and repairs and the number of airguns being sold has to be in the thousands per month from all of the manufacturers. Thinking ahead, maybe being an gun smith specializing in airguns could be a way to spend a few hours a day doing something productive.

Training / learning is the problem. Does anyone know best ways to obtain training? Where one can even find training?

I know places like AOA have smiths that are certified by manufacturers, but what about all the guns not sold through places like AOA? Where can someone get general training?

Anyway, just a general thought. Any ideas?



 
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Randy Bimrose (SP?) may still have classes , I cant find his contact but surf around.

These days most airguns are pretty simple, no longer nearly as many "special" tools needed, .... . Now if talking a Giss system or Whiscombe or Sportsmatch GC2 if talking per-charged you WOULD need instruction ( ost would anyway ) but they really are simple to repair.

A small mill ( $400 chinese if you know how to set it up & tweek it ) and a drill press + all hand tools and your set for most repair, except for, Parts. THAT can be a bummer! I know a couple of tunners that certainly could work on ANY airgun but parts can be an issue - much more so than you would think. Even companies that will sell you a parts may NOT sell to a known dealer. If a tuner uses aftermarket parts ( maybe a spring kit) the tuner cant really warranty those parts,... ,..., ... .

That's mostly for repair tho. Now "tuning" can get MUCH more involved and if a customer wants the same MOA groups Everyone seems to get well you better have a clear understanding with them regarding just how much money and time that could take.

If your just talking OEM parts replacement ( and you can obtain the parts) to me it seems one either has the mechanical aptitude or not.


The first time I sat down for lunch at a table with a totally stripped Whiscombe I started learning a bit about those with one of 2 people John trained himself in the U.S. , no charge for the lunch time learning, same for most all pre-charged rifles.

If you go to a match SOMEONE ( nearly everyone depending ) will know how to repair & tune most any airgun. It is well worth the drive.

Get to a match and ask around, someone will teach you everything they know.



John
 
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See if there are any air gun stores near you walk in and ask for a job doing anything, after they get to know you and hopefully like you see if you can get involved in setting up new guns getting trade ins ready for resale. If they already have a smith see if you can be a helper. You better have high mechanical aptitude without one it would be difficult to succeed . 
 
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I would love to see some brick and mortor airgun shops. There are plenty of airsoft, and paintball shops. Where I live there are only box stores, it would be nice to go to an Air gun store, I always end up ordering every thing, and I would go to a shop to have my guns smithed or repaired. I know I can ship it out, have it worked and shipped back. Its just the gun could become damanged in shipping to and back.
 
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Lots of good suggestions, here. I'd like to have an airgun store close, but the only airgun store I know of in the area is Air Gun Depot. They don't service, so not much chance there. Wouldn't mind working for them though after I retire, but that's a few years away.

​I really would like a store front brick and mortar store as well. Someplace to handle the guns, and talk to knowledgeable people. Central place to setup matches and meets, and generally support the sport. Oh, the wish!

​I'll keep looking around for opportunities, and training. Right that most airguns are simpler these days, but some people don't like to repair, just shoot. There is a market, and the ability to bring an unwanted gun back to life might bring a bit of fun into the equation as well. How many of these guns are just sitting most of the time and may become unwanted and just rot in a closet. I'd like to fix a bit of that problem as well.

Got 7 to 10 years, but it might be an opportunity . . . . .
 
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"Locker50"John, since you mentioned the Maximus, does the bolt handle on that rifle simply unscrew to replace it?
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Just looked at the parts diagram-yes it unscrews just like the Discovery's does. You can remove and replace the handle easily, but removing the bolt itself requires lifting the breech off the air tube. Take a look at your parts diagram if you have one, if not, you can get from Crosman's website.
 
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