Gunsmithing

A gunsmith is a person who repairs, modifies, designs, or builds firearms to factory or customer specifications, using hand tools and machine shop tools (such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders).

Gunsmiths may be employed in:

• factories by firearms manufacturers,
• armories by military or law-enforcement agencies,
• sporting goods stores, or
• small gunsmith shops, as either the owner, or as one of a handful of employees.

To pursue the entirety of this trade, a gunsmith must possess skills as a mechanic, a metalworker, a woodworker, and an artisan; be knowledgeable in shop mathematics, ballistics, and chemistry; and be capable of working accurately and precisely. Those who are (self-)employed in small gunsmith shops must also possess skills as small business operators; work effectively with a wide variety of customers; and remain abreast of, and comply with federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and requirements.

Due to the great breadth of subject matter to be mastered, many gunsmiths specialize in only a few of the skills required of the general gunsmith (see Specializations section below). Alternatively, some gunsmiths learn many of the skills of the trade, but only apply them to a few weapon types (only pistols, or only shotguns, or only (pre-1964) Model '94 Winchester Lever-Action Rifles; for instance).

—http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunsmith