u/cea1990 · 2025-06-30 13:33:34 UTC · score 3

Just because you mentioned Pittsburgh, I looked up your community college to see if there are any CAD classes (there are), so this might be a better route than SDI for folks that have a Community College near them.

Community Colleges are usually super cheap, comparatively. Also, there’s nothing saying that you need the whole degree, just go audit a couple classes or take what you want Lastly, there are often night classes.

https://catalog.ccac.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=4&poid=805

u/K1RBY87 · 2025-06-30 13:56:44 UTC · score 7

Pennsylvania Gunsmithing School?

Them and Colorado School of Trades are the only two "legit" gunsmithing schools in the country. PGS doesn't have as good of a reputation due to some less than awesome instructors getting hired on over the years. They also didn't "keep up with the times" and ignored industry trends and kept with the "old ways' in not a good way.

If you're going to do a resident class, do the Colorado School of Trades program - but even they will tell you a good number of their students who graduate don't go into the gun industry. Frankly you're better off getting a degree in machining and CNC technology than you are doing any gunsmithing program. At least your job prospects are far better and you have more options than Pidgeon holing yourself into a niche market that will, unfortunately, limit your employability due to people's perceptions.