Becoming an American Gunsmith: Your Path to Personal Freedom & Financial Security [paperback] Gene Wayne Kelly [Jan 01, 2020]…

I've been purchasing Armorers Courses from the American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) for over two decades now. I'm on their mailing list (which is how I knew about this book), subscribed to their free mini-lessons, have often toyed with the idea of enrolling in their professional course, and came real close once to purchasing their Practical Gunsmithing Course (a.k.a. the hobby gunsmithing course). Truth be known, I'm also a graduate of the Certified Multi-Trade Technician (CMTT) program once offered by AGI's sister school, ATI. Over the years, I've gotten to "know" a little bit about this book's author, Mr. Gene Kelly; certainly not on a personal level--though he seems to be a decent, upstanding individual--but as a businessman and the face of AGI. On the one hand, I have a lot of respect for Mr. Kelly (a LOT); but on the other hand, there are times, like now, when he leaves me scratching my head feeling like he's a shyster and/or a snake oil salesman. This book is a product of "Shyster Gene", not respectable Gene.Cutting to the chase, this book is exactly what I was hoping it WOULDN'T be. It is 100% marketing for AGI, with additional plugs thrown in for the Gunsmithing Club of America (GCA, formerly the Gun Club of America). Even before you read the first page, the book arrives with an accompanying AGI product catalog, so that should be your first clue about the intent of this book. Here's the best part: He's charging you (i.e. us) to read 160 pages of marketing material. Absolutely brilliant on his part! To be fair, a 50% off coupon code is also included that can be used on the AGI website toward the purchase of an Armorers Course DVD (included, at least, during the promotional book release period, though obviously I have no idea if that will continue into the future). So *IF* you were already planning to purchase a DVD from AGI, then it's a fair trade-off; but if you weren't planning to make such a purchase and end up doing so because of the coupon code, then you've just been taken twice. Plus, that's the "hook", hoping to lure you into purchasing one of the big-buck certified professional courses after watching the discounted DVD. Marketing 101.Judging from the copyright page, this book is self-published. He did a professional job of it, so no complaints there. The book's dimensions are 9" x 6", and as I mentioned earlier, it has around 160 pages, which includes the usual non-essentials (intro, acknowledgements, author's bio, etc). In other words, it's small. The typeface is larger than normal and the paragraphs are double-spaced... a clear attempt to "bulk up" the book (though it made for an easy read).As for the content, 56 pages are devoted to student testimonials and 16 pages are student success stories. That's 45% of the book! Many of the testimonials are already available for viewing online at the AGI website. The book also contains a 20-page interview with Mr. Kelly; or at least it's in a Q&A interview format, though there is no mention of whom might actually be conducting the interview. Bottom line, in my opinion, there are only 19 pages of practical information in this book (okay, so I guess it was only 88% marketing, then): The 14-page chapter on setting up "shop" (or more accurately, a workspace) including the tools needed to get started, and a 5-page Gunsmith Resource List.In short, this book is worthless and a waste of money... unless you really want that half-off coupon code. As an alternative, I suggest looking at  "The Business of Gunsmithing: A Practical Strategic Compendium"  instead. Note: I have not read that book and can neither endorse it nor criticize it. I simply know that it exists.Disclaimer: This review is about the book "Becoming an American Gunsmith", not about AGI. As I said, I've been purchasing AGI Armorers Courses for 20 years. I wouldn't do that if I didn't feel the information was useful. Indeed, there is much to be learned from AGI-produced material, and I highly endorse it for the DIY'er.

Pretty much a 150 page ad for the author's gun school.

This book is about becoming an American Gunsmith. I read some of the other reviews and I'm wondering if maybe those people are already either working gunsmiths or have been looking at it for a long time and decided against it. I don't know. But for someone like me who is just starting out, has a lot of questions and is nervous about various things concerning this industry when I don't have a working history in gun shops or anything in the field. I'm coming in completely cold aside from personal ownership of firearms and taking them apart out of curiosity.The title of the book is "gunsmithing secrets" or "tips and tricks" or "techniques" or anything that should give anyone the idea that gunsmithing trade processes and procedures are going to be explained. If that was the reason for the poor review, then they simply purchased the wrong book and rated this based on their being upset for making a mistake. This book is what it says it is, it's about BECOMING an American Gunsmith. I think it does a great job of covering the questions someone would have when starting down the road to gunsmithing. I just recently started my own business and have join numerous forums online and found constant questioning on how to break into this industry in an area where local gunsmiths will not take on apprentices and trade schools in the area don't have gunsmithing classes. For this group of people, online is your best option and AGI offers excellent material. This book does advertise for AGI, that's not a problem though, it's geared towards those who are inquiring. If you're in the stage where you inquiring about learning gunsmithing, then this book has numerous answers for you.The cherry on top is that it is only $5. I don't know if the armorers course offer will last as long as this review, but for someone "dipping a toe" in this arena, you have a very cheap option ($5 book) to get some real answers AND might have the option to get an armorers course for discount making your total investing 30ish bucks after taxes to 1. get answers to many questions I'm sure you have and 2. actually get an armorers course and see if this truly does interest you.This book is a sincere offer from the President of AGI to give prospective future gunsmiths some real answers. If the things I said don't really describe you, "looking into gunsmithing" "don't really know how to get involved", then this probably isn't for you. If you're already a working gunsmith, chances are slim that you'll get anything out of this. But, it's still worth it for the discount.If you're looking for a "how-to" book, that's not what this is. That's not the books fault. That is more of an indication of your reading comprehension level.I think a lot of people are interested but intimidated and overwhelmed by the idea of getting into gunsmithing. And this book is designed to take those two factors out. It's supposed to lessen the intimidation and break down the overwhelming unknowns.Again, if you're curious but seriously don't know what it takes to become a gunsmith, ignore the poor reviews and give this book a shot, get an armorers course and literally try it out. Get a course on a gun you already own and see if this is for you.Heck, even if you are a gunsmith! If you aren't aware of the AGI materials and GCA community, that alone is worth way more than $5. I think this book has tremendous value. If you don't see that, then it's simply NOT FOR YOU! That doesn't mean it should be rated poorly.For the 1-2 star reviewers, it's not misleading, you just bought something you don't see value in. That doesn't mean it doesn't have value.

Basically a biography plus a few good tips with plenty of positive comments from people who have benefited from the author's gunsmithing school. One who understands a little about guns is a nice little referral book. Great price...FIVE BUCKS!