Gunsmithing is a Certificate Of Completion program offered by MT Training Center in DeSoto, TX. The program takes 1,540 clock hours — 44 weeks day / 62 weeks evening to complete, with a total tuition of $37,400.
Program Overview
Gunsmithing is a precision trade built on mechanical skill, firearm safety, technical discipline, responsible handling, and careful attention to detail.
MT Training Center’s Gunsmithing Training Program in DeSoto, TX helps students build foundational skills connected to firearm safety, gunsmithing essentials, machine shop work, TIG welding, stock making, firearm design and function, ballistics awareness, shop management, and employment preparation.
Many students are drawn to gunsmithing because they enjoy mechanical work, precision tools, firearms, repair, customization, and hands-on problem solving. But interest alone is not enough.
Gunsmithing requires patience, safety awareness, equipment knowledge, technical accuracy, and respect for the regulations connected to working with firearms.
MT Training Center gives students a structured training path where they can begin developing the shop skills, safety habits, and technical foundation needed for entry-level gunsmithing-related opportunities.
Program objectives. The Gunsmithing program is designed to provide the student with entry level skills and competencies necessary to perform entry-level Gunsmithing duties. Through classroom training, as well as hands-on experience, the student will be able to safely operate a manual mill, gunsmithing lathe, and other related equipment by the end of the course. Students will learn to complete necessary paperwork and adhere to all firearms safety rules and regulations required of gunsmiths. The graduate may qualify for employment as a gunsmith, machinist, lathe operator, mill operator for various manufacturing and firearms companies.
What sets this Program apart
Gunsmithing is a specialized trade that blends mechanical ability, firearm knowledge, machine work, metalwork, woodworking, repair, finishing, and safety procedures.
A strong training foundation can help students move beyond casual interest and begin learning the structured skills used in gunsmithing and related shop environments.
This program helps students learn about:
- Firearm safety and responsible handling
- Gunsmithing essentials
- Tool use and shop procedures
- Machine shop fundamentals
- Manual mill and gunsmithing lathe awareness
- TIG welding applications
- Stock making
- Firearm design and function
- Ballistics and handloading safety concepts
- Shop management
- Paperwork and compliance awareness
- Employment preparation
For students who want a hands-on technical program, gunsmithing training can provide a focused path into a specialized trade.
MT Training Center launched the state's first woman-owned, hands-on Gunsmithing and Advanced Gunsmithing programs.
Admission Requirements and Process
Program admission requirements. Applicants must meet all of the following requirements before being admitted into Gunsmithing program at MT Training Center: Possess a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalent, or be able to pass the Accuplacer Test; be able to read and write English; be at least 18 years of age or honorably discharged from the military; be physically and mentally capable of performing the projects and the classwork required for the Gunsmithing program; be able to pass a background check through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The ATF Form 4473 criteria is as follows: Must not be under indictment or information in any court for a felony, or for any other crime for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year*; Cannot have ever been convicted in any court of a felony, or any other crime for which shorter sentence includes probation*; Cannot be a fugitive from justice*; Is not an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance*; Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law whether or not it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside*; Has never been adjudicated as a mental defective OR have ever been committed to a mental institution*; Was not discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions**; Is not subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening your child or an intimate partner or child of such partner*; Has ever been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence*; Must be capable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a variety of weapons. Applicants must schedule an interview with the admissions office and submit a completed application. All students will be notified concerning their acceptance after review from the Admissions Department. Once accepted, they will be subject to the school's refund and cancellation policy. Class size is limited based upon space availability. MT Training Center is open to all candidates without regard to race, color, nationality, national origin, religion, age, sex, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, or marital status. The admission standards are in complete compliance with the Texas Workforce Career School and Colleges Regulatory Board, the Texas Veterans Commission, and the U.S. Department of Education's regulations and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Admission policy. Before an applicant can be accepted for admission to MTTC, he or she must: schedule an interview with the Admissions department, where potential students will be informed of all cost, length, equipment requirements, technical requirements and any cost associated with specific programs; complete an admission application; take a tour of the school's facility; and submit a completed enrollment agreement. Individuals may apply at any time but may only begin their program of study on specified start dates.
Admission requirements. To be eligible for admission, an applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident, be able to read and write English, and provide proof of one of the following within 30 days of enrollment: a high school diploma (this can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma and has been translated and evaluated by a credible educational credential evaluation service provider in the United States); the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a general educational development or GED certificate; a high school transcript (official or unofficial which includes a graduation date); or completion of homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law. Applicants must be beyond the age of compulsory public-school attendance.
Additional admission requirements for gunsmithing. Generally, 18 U.S.C. 922(g) prohibits the shipment, transportation, receipt, or possession in or affecting interstate commerce of a firearm by one who has been convicted of a felony, or any other crime, punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; is a fugitive from justice; is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any controlled substance; has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution; has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; is subject to certain restraining orders; or has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. A person whose conviction has been pardoned, expunged or set aside, or whose civil rights have been restored, is not prohibited where the law of the jurisdiction of conviction allows.
Fresh Start and Ability to Benefit. For students who are not seeking Federal Title IV, HEA funding, MTTC admits students on an "Ability to Benefit" (ATB) basis: an applicant must be able to read and write English, be beyond the compulsory school attendance age and obtain at minimum a score of 233 (Reading), 235 (Writing), and 230 (Arithmetic) on the Accuplacer Exam. If an applicant does not obtain a satisfactory score, the school allows the test to be retaken after 14 days of the original test date. MT Training Center enrolls eligible students without a high school diploma or its equivalent into its online GED Prep Program without cost to the student.
Credit for previous education. Credit for previous education and training may be granted based on a personal interview and an analysis of an official transcript indicating a grade of "C" or better in a subject with the same objectives, or through a successful challenge of a particular subject (a comprehensive subject examination by the second day of classes, passed with a grade of 70% or higher). Maximum allowable credit for previous education is 50% of the total credit in the program, credit will not be granted for academic courses over two years old, and once credit has been granted the program cost will be adjusted accordingly.
Enrollment. Upon receipt of all required documents and in good order, the prospective student is then eligible to enroll. When all admission criteria and requirements are met, the prospective student is given the date of the next class. The first day of class will include financial aid and academic orientation, in which the student will sign their enrollment agreement, student permit form and additional required paperwork.
General Requirements
- Citizenship or permanent residencyBe a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident who is able to read and write English.
- High school completion or AccuplacerProvide a high school diploma, GED, high school transcript with a graduation date or proof of secondary homeschooling within 30 days of enrollment, or pass the Accuplacer test…
- Admissions interviewSchedule an interview with the admissions office, where you are informed of all cost, length, equipment requirements and technical requirements of the program.
- Application, tour and enrollment agreementComplete an admission application, take a tour of the school's facility and submit a completed enrollment agreement.
- AgeBe at least 18 years of age or honorably discharged from the military.
- ATF background checkBe able to pass a background check through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives against the ATF Form 4473 criteria.
- Physical and mental capabilityBe physically and mentally capable of performing the projects and the classwork required for the Gunsmithing program.
Application Process
- 1Schedule an admissions interviewSchedule an interview with the Admissions department, where you will be informed of all cost, length, equipment requirements and technical requirements of the program.
- 2Complete the applicationComplete the Application for Admission.
- 3Tour the facilityTake a tour of the school's facility; tours may be scheduled or you may drop in.
- 4Provide your documentsProvide proof of high school completion (or pass the Accuplacer test) and the other documents your program requires.
- 5Complete the FAFSAApplications for federal aid programs are made by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); MT Training Center’s federal school code is 042264.FAFSA Code for DeSoto Main Campus: 042264FAFSA at studentaid.gov
- 6Sign the enrollment agreement and attend orientationSubmit a completed enrollment agreement; when all admission requirements are met you are given the date of the next class, and the first day includes orientation.
Program Schedule
Class schedules. Day classes are scheduled Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. Evening classes are scheduled Monday through Friday from 3:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Classes will receive various breaks throughout the day with a half hour for lunch/dinner.
Length. 44 weeks (Day Class) or 62 weeks (Evening Class); 10:1 (student/instructor) ratio; 1,540 total clock hours.
Calendar. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and regular school hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Classes will not be held on New Year's Day; Seumas' Remembrance Day (January 3); Martin Luther King Day; Spring Break (March 16-20); Good Friday; Anita's Remembrance Day (May 2); Cinco de Mayo; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Summer Break (July 27-31); Labor Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Break (Wednesday to Friday of Thanksgiving week); Christmas Break (December 21-30); and New Year's Eve.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited school means its training has been reviewed against independent standards that protect students.
This school: MT Training Center (MTTC) is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education – COE. It is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Career Schools and Colleges Section and by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and approved by the Texas Veterans Commission.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Reviewed against independent standards
- Recognized by employers and licensing boards
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
| Tuition and fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $37,400 |
| Registration | $100 |
| Total cost | $37,500 |
Financial aid. The catalog prints "Financial Aid Available" for this program, and it is on the catalog’s list of programs approved for Federal Title IV, HEA Financial Assistance (Advanced CDL Driver Training for the Entrepreneur, Advanced Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC-R), Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist, Class A Barber, Computerized Accounting: Distance Education, Gunsmithing, Advanced Gunsmithing, Advanced Electrical Lineworker, Combination Welding and Cosmetology Operator). MT Training Center’s federal school code is 042264.
Paying for school. MT Training Center accepts the following forms of payment: cash, personal checks, money orders, and credit cards. Financial assistance is also available for those who qualify. There are many different types of aid available which include grants, loans, scholarships, and Veteran Benefits. For approved programs these include the Federal Pell Grant, the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Direct Loans and PLUS Loans; applications for federal aid programs are made by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services are provided through the state's workforce system, the Texas Veterans Commission administers veterans' education benefits, and TFC Tuition Financing provides private financing plans through the Institutional Student Financial Assistance Program. MT Training Center enforces a five (5) day Financial Aid waiting period: students that receive Federal Student Aid are required to attend all classes for the first week of school in order to be awarded aid.
Cancellation and refunds. A full refund will be made to any student who cancels the enrollment contract within 72 hours (until midnight of the third day excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed or within the student's first three scheduled class days. If tuition and fees are collected in advance and the student does not enter school, not more than $100 in nonrefundable administrative fees shall be retained. After a student enters, the school may retain not more than $100 in nonrefundable administrative fees; the refund of remaining tuition and fees is ninety percent during the first week or one-tenth of the course, eighty percent within the first three weeks, seventy-five percent within the first quarter, fifty percent during the second quarter and ten percent during the third quarter, and a student may not collect a refund after completing 75 percent of the hours charged. Once books, tools or other supplies are purchased, no refund will be made for them. Refunds are made within 45 days, without requiring a request from the student.
Curriculum
The Gunsmithing program is designed to help students build technical, safety, shop, and professional skills connected to gunsmithing. Each training area supports the goal of helping students develop a stronger foundation for firearms-related shop work.
Graduation requirements. The successful student will have completed 80% of clock hours at a 2.0 G.P.A. or higher. The student must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to safely handle firearms and operate all machinery and equipment proficiently. Students are also expected to have a comprehensive understanding of gun safety and ballistics. Upon successful completion of the program and all practical examinations, the student will be issued a certificate of completion by MT Training Center.
Attendance and grades. Students must attend a minimum of 80% of the total clock hours in their program of study in order to be eligible for graduation; an absence of more than 20% of the total clock hours, without an approved Leave of Absence, may result in termination, and classes that are missed must be made up. A leave of absence shall not exceed the lesser of thirty (30) school days or sixty (60) calendar days, and a student shall be granted only one leave of absence per 12-month period. Grades are issued at the completion of each subject: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69) and F, and students are issued progress reports at the completion of each of the terms in their programs.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Lecture | Lab | Total | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
The Gunsmithing program is designed to help students build skills that may support entry-level opportunities in gunsmithing, firearms-related shop work, machining, manufacturing support, and technical repair environments.
Students may be prepared to explore paths such as:
- Gunsmithing assistant
- Firearm repair assistant
- Firearm maintenance support role
- Firearm refinishing support role
- Machine shop assistant
- Lathe operator
- Mill operator
- Manufacturing support role
- Firearms-related shop support role
- Technical repair support role
This program does not guarantee employment, licensing, or business approval. Employment opportunities may depend on employer requirements, background checks, applicable laws, experience, and any required federal, state, or local approvals.
From the catalog. The graduate may qualify for employment as a gunsmith, machinist, lathe operator, mill operator for various manufacturing and firearms companies.
Placement assistance. Student services are available to all MT Training Center students, graduates, and non-graduate completers. Instructors monitor students' progress throughout classroom training and provide feedback and career advice, and the Placement Services Department meets with each student on an individual basis to develop customized employment placement services: completing an employment application, reviewing the employment resume, mock interviews, interview preparation, employment referral and follow-up. The Texas Workforce Commission does not permit the school to guarantee employment for completers or graduates; job placement assistance is available for all student completers and graduates.
What to expect as an MT Training Center student
Gunsmithing is learned through structure, safety, repetition, observation, and practice.
Students need to understand how to work carefully, use tools responsibly, follow instructions, respect firearms safety rules, and approach technical tasks with patience.
MT Training Center’s Gunsmithing program gives students a structured shop-focused environment where they can begin building those habits and skills with guidance.
From machine shop work and TIG welding to stock making, design and function, ballistics awareness, and shop management, the program helps students move from interest to practical training.
About the school. MT Training Center opened its doors in Grand Prairie, Texas in 2001, originally offering Medical Transcription; while Medical Transcription is no longer part of the curriculum, its legacy lives on in the school's name. Two years after its founding, the school launched its first Truck Driving program; buoyed by its success, the school's offerings expanded to include Combination Welding and CNC Machining. The school became the first institution in Texas to offer a CDL program eligible for financial aid with its Advanced CDL Driver Training for the Entrepreneur, and launched the state's first woman-owned, hands-on Gunsmithing and Advanced Gunsmithing programs. Today, in its new facilities in Desoto, Texas, MT Training Center remains committed to growth and innovation, offering high-demand programs such as HVAC, and Advanced Electrical Lineworker training.
Mission. Our mission at MT Training Center is to empower individuals through high-quality vocational education and training that fosters professional growth, skills development, and lifelong learning. We are committed to providing accessible, hands-on programs that meet the evolving needs of the workforce while promoting inclusivity and diversity.
The DeSoto campus. MT Training Center is housed in a mixed-use industrial-office facility in Desoto, TX. The 46,000 square foot building is equipped with a state-of-the-art conference/lecture room, student store, Media Services Center with computers, CDL instruction area for on-sight maneuvers, Virtual CDL Driving laboratory, Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) laboratory, Combination Welding laboratory, HVAC laboratory, Gunsmithing laboratory, Simulated Utility Pole Field for Lineworker maneuvers and training, and several classrooms. MT Training Center provides a student breakroom with a full kitchen for student use, spacious restrooms, and a suite of administrative offices. On-site parking with adequate lighting is available for all students, staff and instructors. Students attending classes in the industrial programs utilize HAAS, Sharp, Miller, and Lincoln equipment. Several of the programs issue individual kits to students.
Orientation. New student orientation is held on the first day of class for all programs. The new student will be acquainted with the school's policies, rules, functions, and personnel; the School Catalog and the Student Handbook are reviewed with the student, and students are taken on a tour of the facilities and introduced to personnel and faculty. In order to provide an environment that is conducive to learning, instructor to student ratios never exceed 20:1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Programs at DeSoto Main Campus
MT Training Center in DeSoto, TX also offers these 15 programs at 100 Ezell Drive, DeSoto, TX 75115.
- Administrative AssistantCertificate Of Completion · 840 clock hours — 24 weeks day / 34 weeks evening
- Advanced CDL Driver Training for the EntrepreneurCertificate Of Completion · 640 clock hours — 19 weeks
- Advanced Electrical LineworkerCertificate Of Completion · 900 clock hours — 26 weeks day / 36 weeks evening
- Advanced GunsmithingCertificate Of Completion · 1,440 clock hours — 42 weeks day / 58 weeks evening
- Advanced Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC-R)Certificate Of Completion · 600 clock hours — 19 weeks day / 24 weeks evening
- Business Office SpecialistCertificate Of Completion · 390 clock hours — 20 weeks day / 25 weeks evening
- CDL Prep ProgramCertificate Of Completion · 80 clock hours — 2 weeks
- Class A BarberCertificate Of Completion · 1,000 clock hours — 30 weeks day / 40 weeks evening
- Class B CDL TrainingCertificate Of Completion · 240 clock hours — 6 weeks
- Combination WeldingCertificate Of Completion · 1,210 clock hours — 35 weeks day / 49 weeks evening
- Computerized Accounting: Distance EducationCertificate Of Completion · 600 clock hours — 17 weeks
- Computer Numerical Control (CNC) MachinistCertificate Of Completion · 1,070 clock hours — 31 weeks day / 43 weeks evening
- Cosmetology OperatorCertificate Of Completion · 1,000 clock hours — 30 weeks day / 40 weeks evening
- Medical Front OfficeCertificate Of Completion · 590 clock hours — 30 weeks day / 30 weeks evening
- Truck Driving (Class A CDL)Certificate Of Completion · 160 clock hours — 4 weeks