Why Pursue a Gunsmith Career?

                                         Creighton Henthorn –Former U.S. Marine  – Graduation Date: May 2016 

What initially drew you to pursue a gunsmithing career, and why did you choose our school? While on my final deployment with the Marine Corps, I began thinking seriously about life after retirement. I came across an article in Shotgun News that introduced me to PGS, and it immediately sparked my interest. I had previously taken a correspondence course, but I wanted a more hands-on education. That’s what led me to enroll. After graduating, I did gunsmithing work on the side as a hobby. I especially enjoyed the welding class, which inspired me to pursue an Associate of Science degree in welding. I also earned certifications in machining and eventually went on to teach Machining at a local college.

What was the most valuable skill or piece of knowledge you gained during the program? I’ve always had a passion for firearms, but the machining aspect of the program really stood out to me. I loved working with metal and continued to develop those skills. Today, I have a lathe and mill in my personal shop and still enjoy metalworking immensely.

Can you share a specific success story from your early days as a gunsmith? One of my proudest accomplishments was building a custom rifle for my daughter when she was 14 years old. It was designed specifically for her to use while hunting, and it meant a lot to both of us.

Have you ever encountered a problem with a project? Absolutely. While building the custom rifle for my daughter, I ran into an issue with the length of pull—it wasn’t adjustable enough to accommodate her growth. Replacing the stock wasn’t feasible at the time, so I applied techniques I learned from Gary, one of my instructors. Using leftover pieces from the original stock blank, I extended both the cheek pad and the pull length. It was a creative solution that worked beautifully, and I’ve included pictures of the finished rifle to show the result.

Are there any specific areas of gunsmithing you enjoy most? Custom rifle builds are definitely my favorite. I enjoy the precision and creativity involved in tailoring a firearm to a specific person or purpose.

What advice would you give to someone considering a gunsmithing program? Absorb everything—no matter how much you think you already know. There’s always a new technique or approach to learn. Take it in, apply it, and grow from it.

Why should prospective students choose this school over others? You can’t learn this trade from a book alone. Hands-on experience—real benchwork—is essential. That’s exactly what this school provides.