Pistolsmithing Schools

[CO1911Carry]

I hope this thread is placed in the correct forum. Is anyone aware of dedicated 1911 pistolsmithing schools?

[1911Tuner]

A community college in Trinidad Colorado offers a very good gunsmithing course. I-25 about halfway between Pueblo and Starkville.

[garrettwc]

Cylinder & Slide and Larry Vickers both teach a one week 1911 class as well.

[Hill]

I think Cylinder & slide might have changed to one week with two more days dedicated to barrel installations, but yeah, if you're in Colorado, see the 1911Tuner command above.

[DANNO45]

Here's a link to the school in Trinidad, CO:

http://www.trinidadstate.edu/nra/info.html



Hmmm. Wonder if they let old geezers like me go there? :D

[CO1911Carry]

I am middle-aged too and I wanted to learn as much as possible about the 1911 with an eye toward using the information at least at a hobby level or possibly for a career change. I am sick and tired of being under-employed and I'm tired of my trade too after 28 yrs. Heck, I'd sweep the floors and restock parts bins at a pistol palace if they'd let me, just to get started. Then maybe my wife will stop accusing me of looking at my "porn" every time she walks by my computer and sees a 1911 manufacturer's or Brownell's and Midway's 1911 parts website on the screen! :lm:

[Hill]

Maybe a look at the 'employment' links in places like Brownell's and Cabelas would interest you.

I know I've seen listings for openings in either sales or repair sections in each of those. While Cabellas could mean working in many places, Brownell's would condemn you to Iowa.

I sold a lathe to a kid who works at Luepold in Portland, OR. He's a sales/tech rep and the last time I heaard from him he was about to leave on a company hunting expedition to Africa, all expenses paid, on the clock as it were.

[Greyswindir]

Yavapi is very popular. Brownells has made mentioned of Yavapi (spelling?) many times. Check with Brownells, some of their 1911 jigs and fixtures were designed at this pistolsmithing school.

[DANNO45]

Yavapi (spelling?)
Close. :D It's Yavapai. Sounds like a good program.

http://www.gunsmithing.org/programs.htm

Speaking of Brownells, they have a list of schools: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/Company/links.aspx?catid=8

[Greyswindir]

Hi Danno45,

Is Yavapai an Indian Reservation or the name of an Indian (Native American) tribe? I think the school is located where, New Mexico, or maybe Arizona? I wonder how much they charge...it sounds more like a College set-up then a fly by night operation, meaning they seem to be well established compared to other "Gunsmithing" schools. If I were looking for a place to learn pistolsmithing I would probably go with Yavapai.

Better yet, I would get to know a skilled 1911 pistolsmith and see if I could apprentice under him/her.

Thanks for the spelling help Danno45! I appreciate it.

[DANNO45]

Hey, I didn't know how to spell it either. :D I looked it up. Here's some info on the Yavapai Apache tribe: http://www.yavapai-apache.org/

The school is in Prescott, AZ. (which is in Yavapai County)

Oh to be young enough to start all over again. :p

[Greyswindir]

Wow!

I didn't know they were an Apache band! I've been through the White Mountain reservation, also the other one...San Carlos, ten years back. Beautiful country and very nice people, those Apaches! I think the road I took was route 79, it takes you through some very beautiful and very high mountains. A great way to see the country.

I wish I was younger myself, once I passed thirty things started getting tougher, just waking up can be a chore some mornings!

Thank you for the information. I'm going to check out the link right now!

[Greyswindir]

Danno45,

The Yavapai reservation is pretty tiny, only 665 acres. Seems they are distinct from the eastern Apaches, and speak two different dialects of their language. One of the dialects must have been close enough to the eastern Apache and that's why they were merged into the tribe, just guessing of course! Do you live in the area?

[DANNO45]

No, I live in Colorado. I would like to live in AZ, but my wife is afraid it would be TOO HOT. And, some parts are. ;)

We seem to have gotten off topic here. Hopefully, before we did, we helped CO1911Carry find a school. :p I wish the one in Trinidad was just a bit closer.

[Greyswindir]

I think CO1911Carry will be fine!

Nice talking with you Dan! Thanks for the help.

[keys1222]

i believe the one in trinidad was started by P.O. Ackley. my father went to it but he never dealt with any 1911s. if he would of my life would be a whole lot easier with my Champion. just my luck

[cultusmountainarmory]

http://www.lassengunsmithing.com/
they have a 2 year degree or the NRA gunsmith program in the summer time. Week long classes.
I will be taking the 1911 class taught by Mark Krebs this summer...
stay in the dorms 3 meals a day for 80 bucks. Plus class fee of 25.00 bucks a unit (2 unit class)
Nate