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Opportunities for the
Gunsmith/Firearms
Expert
Have you ever stopped to consider the num-
ber of sporting firearms currently in use in
North America? In the world? Add to these
millions the obsolete firearms in museums
and collections and the total figure will be as-
Figure 11: There are many opportunities for gunsmiths
tonishing! But wait a minute. How about the
to make a good income working for themselves or for one
military and law enforcement agencies? These
of the many firearms companies.
bring the total amount of firearms to an even
higher figure!
Many people throughout the world depend on regular cleanup and examination of the ma-
firearms for their livelihood. Guards and police chine, replacing any parts that are worn or that
officers depend on their firearms to help pro- show signs of giving trouble. Having this pre-
tect life and property, to assist in an arrest, or ventive maintenance can save any office or fac-
to prevent a crime. Farmers and ranchers use tory money that would be lost if the machine
their firearms to protect livestock and crops failed and production was delayed.
against predators and crop-damaging animals The same concept is true for firearms. Preventive
and birds. Of course, the use of firearms by the maintenance, or ‘PM’, is a proactive measure
armed forces needs no explanation. Many pri- taken by a gunsmith in order to keep a firearm
vate citizens also keep a firearm in the house. in good working condition. This usually involves
But the sports enthusiast or collector purchases removing rust, dirt, carbon, and other debris
the majority of firearms. away from the firearm. Another portion of the
Anything that goes wrong with a firearm is PM is to lubricate moving parts and to com-
disappointing to the owner, but in some cases, plete a function check of the firearm. This type
a malfunction could even be fatal. Therefore, of maintenance will certainly help to extend the
someone has to keep all of these firearms op- life of the firearm. Firearms kept in good work-
erating. This someone is not necessarily the ing condition can last for hundreds of years.
owner of the gun, who may not have the time, There are many museums, dealers, law enforce-
the knowledge, or the proper tools to service ment agencies, gun collectors, and others that
firearms. In a busy office, for example, a good cannot afford a full-time gunsmith to keep all
computer operator is a specialist, and although of their firearms clean and preserved. Nor do
the operator can run the computer at its peak they have any other qualified personnel to do
performance, he or she normally will not have this type of work. Such places are good pros-
the knowledge or tools needed to make repairs pects for a reliable gunsmith trained in the
or adjustments. Some offices often subscribe to repair and maintenance of firearms to offer a
a preventive maintenance service that provides
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