Gunsmith Training at Trinidad (CO)– Six Decades of Excellence
Colorado’s Trinidad State Junior College first launched a gunsmithing school in 1947. That makes Trinidad’s gunsmithing program the oldest active gunsmith school in the nation, and the first of its kind ever offered by an American college. The gunsmithing program immediately attracted capacity enrollment, dominated by veterans of World War II. In its 63 years of existence, the school has earned the respect and support of many leading companies in the shooting industry, including Brownells and Sinclair International.
The NRA Blog recently interviewed Trinidad Professor of Gunsmithing Dave Nolan to learn more about the program. Nolan explained that: “Each student chooses whether to pursue an Associate’s degree of Applied Science or a Certificate of Gunsmithing”. Students come from all across the nation, according to Nolan, shown above with colleague Keith Gipson. Most students enrol in a two-year program, but Trinidad recently added a new Advanced Third Year Gunsmithing Program, which launched in January 2010.
CLICK HERE for more info on Trinidad’s Advanced THIRD-Year Gunsmithing Program
While the courses, ranging from Firearms Safety to Custom Pistolsmithing, make up the bulk of the two-year program, there is also a hands-on experience called the “Gunsmithing Cooperative Program”. Much like a short-term apprenticeship, the Cooperative Program places students in a real working environment. This requires that students learn about business management and financial planning as well as just smithing techniques. “It’s the real deal,” Nolan said. Each student must enroll in the 13-week program in order to graduate.
Conveniently, the campus houses its own full-scale gunsmithing shop, complete with storefront and real customers. If you’re interested in gunsmithing but don’t have the two years necessary to complete the Certificate course, consider one of the Trinidad Gunsmithing Seminars. These are one or two weeks long and attract a variety of pupils — both college age students and older workers looking to learn a new trade.
Article by Danielle Sturgis, courtesy NRABlog.com.
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Wow! This has to be perfect timing, I can hardly believe this. I just turned 21, I have a 4.0 gpa in my precision machining program and I am looking for a school of gunsmithing to transfer to after I graduate and before I transfer to a four year college.
I cannot say thank you enough, you have helped me tremendously. I would have missed this entry in the NRA Blog if it were not for this site!
Dave Nolan is the fellow on the Left. Keith Gipson is on the Right. Speedy Gonzales is the other prof that runs the 3rd year of the program.
TSJC Gunsmithing is a real asset to the shooting community.
I have a grandson, aged 19 in Tucson, Arizona He would like to be involved in a hands on gunsmith school.
Need to have an idea of what you offer, tuition and tool costs, and place to stay.
mike stewart
(520)975-8784