Murray State College’s Gunsmithing program mission is to prepare a diverse Gunsmithing student population for a successful and productive career in the field of Gunsmithing.

Gunsmithing is a very popular program nationwide and abroad. The Gunsmithing Program teaches all aspects of building and repairing firearms. Each student will build three firearms while attending the two-year program and students get to keep what they build. Murray State College Gunsmithing students will have the opportunity to develop special skills and  professionalism that will provide them with opportunities in many different areas of gunsmithing from basic repair to specialty custom work.

Students will have the opportunity to attend various gun shows such as Vegas Shot Show, NRA Convention and the American Custom Gunmaker’s Guild Show in Dallas, Texas just to name a few. Gunsmithing classes are hands-on and in-person. No online gunsmithing classes are offered at this time. Gunsmithing classes are held 8am-5pm Monday-Thursday every week. There are not gunsmithing classes on Friday. There are general education classes that are needed to fulfill both the AAS degree and the BAT degree, along with the gunsmithing classes. Most of the general education classes can be taken online or transferred from another accredited institution.

The entire AAS degree in Gunsmithing Technology is two, full years (4 semesters). The BAT degree is four, full years (8 semesters). Even if the classes transfer from another institution, it is still 4 - 8 full semesters to finish the GS program, because you must take and pass classes in the fall to continue with classes in the spring. If you have taken gunsmithing classes elsewhere, some may transfer and some may not. The general education classes are similar for both degrees; however, there are eight additional general education classes (26 credit hours) for the BAT degree.

Please reference the degree sheets for the general education classes that are needed. 

Areas of Study

• Stockmaking & Stock Repair
• Rebarreling
• Metal Re-finishing (various finishes)
• Repair of Firearms
• Specialty Classes
• CNC (Computer Numerical Control)
• AutoCAD (Computer Aided Design)
• Machine Shop (Lathe and Mill)
• Reloading & Ballistics
• Tig Welding
• Accurizing
• Pistolsmithing & Repair
• Riflesmithing & Repair

Associate of Applied Science

• Gunsmithing Technology
• Custom Gunmaking Technology

Bachelor of Applied Technology

• Gunsmithing

Monday - Thursday

• 8AM - 12PM
• 1PM - 5PM

Friday

• 8AM - 12PM

Apply to Murray State College

• 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED; 18 by the start of classes in late Aug, so if applicant turns 18 in July or early Aug, they can still apply!

• 2 page MAXIMUM cover letter/short biography and work history from the past 3-5 years (See candidate checklist for more instructions and turn in to GS Department) 

• Authority Release Form for background check that must be notarized. (turn in to GS Department)

• ACT/SAT/Placement Scores, Official Transcripts from all Colleges and High Schools and Immunization Records (please send these to the Registrar's office first, then request a copy be sent to GS Department)

  • ACT/SAT is not required, however a placement test must be taken if no ACT/SAT scores. If the composite ACT score is below 19, a placement test must be taken as well. Placement tests may be taken here at MSC or another designated location such as a local college. For more information regarding this, please call 580-387-7304 or email: testingcenter@mscok.edu

• Copy of DD-214 (Veterans only, must be discharged from active duty by start of fall semester and turn in to GS Department)

• Attend in person Interview (applicant will be notified with interview date after all paperwork is turned in)

• Background check *please do not complete this until notification to do so; 

• Research Assignment - BAT ONLY (See "BAT Gunsmithing Candidate Checklist" ) 

Applications are accepted year round; however, a maximum of 30 students are accepted for the AAS freshman class and 15-20 for the BAT freshman class. It is a fall only entry. Classes begin in late August. We will begin interviewing for the 2025 school year in November 2024! We will continue with interviews through the application deadline. The students will be made aware of acceptance or rejection by April/May (June if necessary) of 2025. Acceptance is not automatic; each student is chosen on their own merit.

Acceptance is not automatic, each student is chosen on their own merit. 

Applications received after May 29, 2025 will be considered for Fall 2026. 

2025 Gunsmithing (A.A.S.) Application

Candidate Checklist (A.A.S.)

Degree  Sheet (A.A.S.)

2024 Gunsmithing (B.A.T.) Application

Candidate Checklist (B.A.T.)

Degree  Sheet (B.A.T.)

International Student Checklist

International Applicants: please call the office for more information.

• If you are an international student, you may need to be accepted to the Gunsmithing Technology program first and then continue with the application process to Murray State College. 

*Applying does not guarantee acceptance.

• If you are an International student click here, please follow all policies and procedures for applying to Murray State College. 

• Please contact the Registrar's office for additional resources and help: registrar@mscok.edu or 580-387-7230.

Instructions on Background Check

Estimated Cost

Tools List

Basic Starter Tools at Bookstore

Required General Education Classes: 6 total credit hours of ENG/COM, 3 credit hours MTH, 3 credit hours BM, 3 credit hours HST, 3 credit hours GVT, and 1 credit hour COL (if needed) = 18 (OR) 19 total credit hours of general education classes

*Gunsmithing Elective Classes are Available as Schedule Allows

*Eight Week General Education Classes are Available, Except for Business Math

Required General Education Classes As Needed to Complete Degree

*Eight Week General Education Classes are Available

Required General Education Classes: 9 total credit hours of ENG/COM, 3 credit hours MTH, 8 total credit hours of Lab Science, 3 credit hours of Liberal Arts, 3 credit hours of Arts& Science, 6 total credit hours of Humanities, 3 credit hours HST, 3 credit hours GVT, 3 credit hours of CIS, and 1 credit hour COL (if needed) = 41 (OR) 42 total credit hours of general education classes

*Gunsmithing Elective Classes are Available as Schedule Allows

*Eight Week General Education Classes are Available, Except for Business Math

Required General Education Classes As Needed to Complete Degree

*Eight Week General Education Classes are Available

Required General Education Classes As Needed to Complete Degree

*Eight Week General Education Classes are Available

Required General Education Classes As Needed to Complete Degree

*Eight Week General Education Classes are Available