Have you been to the NMLRA Gunsmithing Seminar?

[J. Talbert]

Curtis' post about the new website for the NMLRA gunsmithing seminar got me to wondering.

Who here has been?  Just curious...

I've been twice, somewhere around 2005 & 2006.  Took Gary's carving class and Mark's engraving.

I can highly recommend it, both for an educational experience and pure enjoyment!

Jeff

[Tony N]

I've thought about it many times, but never have. From the web site it looks like a great experience.

~Tony

[flatsguide]

I took a course there this year. It was the carving class instructed by Mark Silver and assisted by Jim Kibler.
They,as I'msure you know, are great artist/craftsman. I learned a great deal and not just about carving. It was about seeing and understanding, not just looking.
Both are outstanding instructors.
I will be there next year.
Richard

[Ed Wenger]

I've attended the last few years.  If you're even remotely interested in enhancing your skill level, attend the seminar.  The instructors are fantastic, fellow students are great, wonderful environment, and a LOT of fun!  This is hands on learning and doing, not just listening to someone talk, which to me, sets it apart.

One thing I might add.  Please don't be intimidated by thinking "My skill level is not high enough for this".  There's a wide range of skill levels among the students to be sure, but this is all about learning, and I've never run across a fellow student, or instructor, who didn't feel that way.  In fact, I believe the seminar is the perfect place to start for someone just starting out because you haven't learned any "bad" habits.  Whatever your skill level, I'm sure you'll learn a ton, and have a great time doing it!


             Ed

[tallbear]

I can't speaking highly enough about these classes.They were a life changing experience for me.I went to what was going to be a one time thing to improve my engraving and ended up going for six years.They are one of the greatest experiences in my life!!!!!!!!I would still be going today if finances would allow.I went from struggling along on my own to building guns full time,that would not have happened with out these classes.The instructors and the ability to study originals is unequaled.To anyone who has a love of these firearms and wants to improve and learn all I can say is don't wait just find a way to do it......................

Mitch Yates

[bama]

I have been to may of the classes and it is money well spent. Let me see if I can remember all of the classes I have taken.

Patch Box making by Gary Brumfield
Carving by Wallace
Engraving by Mark Silver
Traditional stock finishing by Mark Silver
Learning to look by Wallace
Building an early Virginia rifle by Wallace
Building rifle No. 42 by Wallace
Engraving by Wallace
Carving by Gary
Building an Early Iron Mounted rifle and forging by Hershel
Stock Carving by Jim Kibler

All of these classes have been fun and very informative. Even though I am now a full time builder I feel I coud attend another class and learn something new. What a great opportunity and I enjoyed every minute.

[Sidelock]

Been there the last eight years.  I have had to move the celebration of my son's birthday each one of those years as it always falls in the middle of the seminar dates - that is the best testimonial I can give to whether it is worth attending!

[Darrin McDonal]

John I don't think anybody can sum it up better than THAT!!!!
 I have been attending every year since 2006, that's 10 years in a row. there is no way for us to get a 7 year apprenticeship anymore and no one offers them anyway. Thought has crossed my mind, then I changed it. If you want to decrease your "learn time, because anyone here will verify this, don't hesitate to jump in. When you factor in all the different skills you must be proficient in in order to - get it right time after time, there is nothing else out there remotely close to these classes.
Darrin

[homerifle]

I have gone the last five years and my plan was to go for only one. I can't describe how great an experience it is to be taught the proper building procedures. I only wish I could've gone when the seminars were first instigated. Don't put it off any longer if you can afford to go.

[coopersdad]

I've been the past four years, and I just sent my deposit for next year. I wish I would've started 20 years ago as well.  My wife didn't understand how big a deal the instructors are in our world.  She's into cooking, and I explained it was like going to a seminar with classes by Bobby Flay and Emeril and Wolfgang Puck and so on (only names I can recall from the shows she watches).  Maybe a bad comparison but she got it.

As Ed said, don't be intimidated by the level of the instructors or your skill level.  Dive in and you'll have a great time.