Modern Gun School Gunsmith Training Review

If you’re looking for a career change and want to know where to get your gunsmith training, it’s really hard to go wrong with any of the top online gunsmithing schools. In this article, though, I’m going to take a closer look at the Modern Gun School’s gunsmith training program.

A Brief History of Modern Gun School’s Gunsmith Training Program

Modern Gun School has offered distance gunsmith training probably longer than any other online gunsmithing school, starting in 1946. It was founded in Marshfield, Wisconsin by Frank Bauer and Neil Nolt. Modern Gun School has always offered the highest quality gunsmith training available and, to honor this commitment to high quality education, has recently made updates and revisions to its courses. These revisions were made under the supervision of expert gunsmiths with decades of experience. A student of Modern Gun School’s gunsmith training program can be sure they are learning proven techniques and the best insider know-how.

How Does Modern Gun School Work

Modern Gun School’s gunsmith training is intensive and thorough. It’s divided into two main courses: Basic Gun Repair and Advanced Master Gunsmithing.

Basic Gunsmith Training Program

Gunsmith Training

The Basic Gun Repair course is divided into 8 different units and acts as an introduction to the firearms industry. By the end of the program, you will be able to repair, clean, and fine-tune a wide variety of firearms.

Unlike some other online gunsmithing schools, Modern Gun School will actually send you a lot of the tools and materials you need to work through their program, giving you a more hands-on experience. When you enroll in Basic Gun Repair gunsmith training, you receive:

  • 31 lessons
  • 4 hands-on bench projects
  • Exploded gun diagrams
  • A binder to organize course material
  • Firearm Industry Glossary
  • “Gunology” supplemental resource
  • Reloading DVD with bench plans
  • MGS Gunsmith Apron
  • Micrometer
  • 12-piece file set
  • Universal gun cleaning kit
  • Trigger pull gauge
  • Gunstock
  • Finishing kit
  • Round metal stock
  • Common steel
  • Emery cloth
  • Acid core solder
  • Steel Rod

The program is led by Master Gunsmith Skip Walters.

Advanced Gunsmith Training Program

Gunsmith Training Kit - Advanced

Modern Gun School’s advanced gunsmith training is their most popular program and the most intense gunsmithing education you’re likely to find. It’s a full 17 units, 65 lessons, and 7 bench projects. After you complete this thing, you’ll know just about everything you could possibly want to know.

If you enroll in advanced gunsmith training, you’ll get:

  • Exploded gun diagrams
  • Binders to organize course material
  • Firearm Industry Glossary
  • “Gunology”- a supplemental resource
  • Reloading DVD with bench plans
  • Firearms Assembly: The Official NRA Guide – Pistols and Revolvers
  • Firearms Assembly: The Official NRA Guide – Rifles and Shotguns
  • MGS Gunsmith Apron
  • Micrometer
  • 10-piece file set
  • Universal gun cleaning kit
  • Trigger pull gauge
  • Gunstock
  • Finishing kit
  • Round metal stock
  • Common steel
  • Emery cloth
  • Acid core solder
  • Steel Rod
  • Flat metal stock
  • India stone
  • Rifle barrel piece
  • Metal pipe
  • Digital caliper
  • Assorted Shim stocks
  • Bore-light
  • The Mainspring Vice

Like the basic gunsmith training program, this one is also taught by Master Gunsmith Skip Walters.

Modern Gun School’s Gunsmith Training Costs

Modern Gun School is an excellent program. You’re probably sold on it, but price is still a pretty big deal. Obviously getting a high quality education in a skilled trade like gunsmithing is much more affordable than going to a major university for four years, but it’s still important to get a good deal on your gunsmith training.

Modern Gun School’s course quality plus the material you receive definitely justifies its costs, but it is a little more expensive than others like Penn Foster or the American Gunsmithing Institute.

They offer three payment plans for both Basic and Advanced gunsmith training. Plan A is a pay-up-front plan. You’ll save the most money on Plan A. Plan B and Plan C are paid monthly, with B being a slightly higher price than C.

For Basic gunsmith training, the program paid up front costs $1142. Plan B costs $79/month for 15 months and Plan C costs $59/month for 21 months.

The cost difference is so small, I recommend going with their Advanced gunsmith training program. Up front it costs $1442, just around $300 more than the Basic cost. But there’s so much more material and it’s a nearly definitive course. Plan B costs $79/month for 18 months and Plan C costs $59/month for 27 months.

Is Modern Gun School’s Gunsmith Training Right for You?

Like I said, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the major players in online gunsmithing education. Where Modern Gun School excels above the others in its hands-on approach. You don’t have to worry about finding a local gunsmith to apprentice under right away. You get all the materials you need to have a full understanding of your work as a gunsmith.

And as far as gunsmith training goes, no other online gunsmithing schools sound like they have the depth of Modern Gun School’s advanced gunsmith training. It’s definitive and comprehensive.

If you’re not bothered by paying a little more for the absolute highest quality program, then Modern Gun School’s gunsmith training could be for you!