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January 2, 2025

Why Your Business Should Consider Gunsmithing Services Now More Than Ever


By Carolee Anita Boyles

Gunsmithing is a potential revenue stream that many firearm retailers overlook. As firearm sales stabilize, many customers are looking for maintenance and gunsmithing services, presenting a timely opportunity for businesses to add a potentially reliable revenue stream. Whether your concern is the space it takes, the cost of equipment or the lack of trained personnel, this SHOT UniversitySM seminar on adding a gunsmith to your business can help you navigate the journey.

Insights at SHOT University: Get to Know the Experts

The seminar, “What Can Adding a Credentialed Gunsmith Bring To Your Business,” will be presented by Christopher Keeler and Kevin Muramatsu. Chris is a 2008 graduate of the Pine Technical and Community College (PTCC) Gunsmithing and Firearms Technology Program, located in Pine City, Minn., After running a successful gunsmithing business in central Minnesota, he joined the PTCC Gunsmithing and Firearms Technology program in 2017 and helped develop and innovate the curriculum there.

Kevin has been employed in the firearm industry for 20 years in various roles, including gun counter retail, manufacturing, gun writing, gunsmithing and training and education. He is currently employed as a Gunsmithing and Machining Instructor at PTCC. Kevin owns a brick-and-mortar gunsmithing shop in Hugo, Minn. and also periodically revises the Assembly/Disassembly manuals for Gun Digest books.

Revenue Potential and Customer Demand

According to Chris, many gun retailers simply don’t understand how much revenue a gunsmith can bring to their businesses.

“I think some of them are afraid of having the expense without knowing what the potential revenue could be,” he said. “It can add a whole new customer base that the retailer may not even know exists.”

Just look at the number of firearm sales over the past few years, Chris said.

“There’s a large population of those people who either want to customize their guns or have guns that need repair,” he said. “There aren’t a lot of gunsmiths in the United States any more, at least those who are doing it full time or working at places that are convenient.”

Startup Costs and Equipment Essentials: Setting Up a Gunsmithing Shop

Adding gunsmithing does have a cost, Chris said, but there are ways for a retailer to enter that market without breaking the bank.

“There is going to be some capital outlay to start,” he said. “And you’re going to need some space. But that equipment can become profitable in a very short time, if you promote it and use it wisely.”

You need only a few pieces of equipment to set up a full-service gunsmithing area in your store.

“Your two biggest expenditures will be a lathe and a mill,” Chris said. “If you look around, you can find some that are tailored to gunsmithing. They’re not overly expensive; it’s less than $10,000 to get a lathe and get it up and running in your shop.” When you consider how much you already have invested in your store, $10,000 is not a big expenditure.

“Someone working on that lathe can be charging between $60 and $110 an hour,” Chris said. “It doesn’t take long to make that up.”

The Difference Between a Gunsmith and an Armorer: What Sets Them Apart

Chris said there’s a difference between a gunsmith and an armorer when it comes to the skills each can provide.

“The true gunsmith can forge and weld and do woodworking and machining,” he said. “An armorer buys replacement parts and puts them in.”

One other thing to consider is the current political climate. With us hopefully going into a more gun-friendly administration, this is a good time to add gunsmithing, Chris said.

“Hopefully, people are going to have a little more discretionary income,” he said. “That’s where either customization or fixing an old gun comes into play.”

Capitalizing on Customization Trends and Repairs

The gunsmithing service that is most in demand, Chris said, is refinishing.

“Re-bluing, Parkerizing, spray finishing, anodizing, any kind of metal finishing,” he said. “People want to make their firearms really stand out from everybody else’s. Beyond that, it’s just general maintenance.”

The income that gunsmithing can generate in a retail store, Chris said, is much more significant than many store owners realize.

“When I moved my shop to a location with both retail and a range,” he said, “some days 75 percent of the customers who came through the door were there to see me as a gunsmith. That was straight labor income for the business.”

Space Requirements and Alternative Solutions for Small Stores

Kevin said one reason stores don’t add gunsmithing is that they feel like they don’t have room for it.

“I’d say 500 square feet is the minimum,” he said. “That gives you room for the lathe, the mill, a grinder and a couple of benches. It’s amazing how you can compress the equipment into a small space.” If you really don’t have the space and can’t create it, one way around that is to look for someone who already has the equipment and can provide full-service gunsmithing from their home or current location.

Why Ranges Need Gunsmithing Services

Ranges need gunsmithing even more than retail stores, Kevin said.

“They always have people who break things,” he said, “and their own rentals need to be maintained.”

Kevin said general gun repair is in high demand.

Turning Gunsmithing into a Profit Center

“A lot of people say repairs aren’t profitable, but they are if you have a good understanding of how guns work,” he said. “That’s where most of my work comes from, although I do a custom rifle every month or so. Stock repairs are pretty common, especially with trap shooters. I’m a generalist so I do everything. I’ve had to make parts; I don’t do that frequently, but I do it enough that I’m glad I have a mill.”

At the end of the day, Kevin said, repairs can make money.

“There’s a lot of repair work to do,” he said.

Adding gunsmithing services to your business isn’t just about repairs and customizations, it’s about setting up your store for growth and profitability. With firearm sales steadying, there is a growing demand for customization and maintenance; now is the perfect time to invest in this valuable service. Whether you’re looking to expand your customer base, boost in-store traffic or provide much-needed solutions for gun owners, gunsmithing can give your business a competitive edge that pays off for years to come.

 

Will you be at the 2025 SHOT Show®?

If you’re intrigued by the potential of adding gunsmithing and armorer services to your business, don’t miss the SHOT University session, “What Can Adding a Credentialed Gunsmith Bring to Your Business?” This insightful session will dive deeper into the strategies, tools and resources you need to integrate these services effectively, whether you’re starting small with armorer work, outsourcing or launching a full-scale in-house operation. Learn from industry experts how to maximize customer satisfaction, boost profitability and establish your shop as a go-to destination for high-quality firearm services. Make plans to attend and unlock the full potential of gunsmithing for your business!

SSU-04-Gunsmithing
Learn More and Register

Enroll in this and other educational opportunities during the SHOT Show® registration process, or add sessions anytime to your registration. Seats will be limited. Enroll early to get your spot! Enrollment Fees Per Session: $40 NSSF Members | $75 Non-Members. Learn more about NSSF Membership here.

 

Learn more about Gunsmithing

Gear Up for Profits: Incorporating Gunsmithing into Your Shop

 

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