Contact a StudentAdvisor: 1 (800) 797-0867
Access GCA|Staff Login|AGI Student Portal
- Home
- About AGI
- About AGI
- AGI’s Teaching Philosophy
- Our Team
- AGI Student Outcomes
- Gunsmithing Club Of America
- Hands-On Classes
- The History of Gunsmithing
- AGI Courses
- FAQs
- Becoming A Gunsmith FAQs
- Testimonials
- Blog
- Contact AGI
- Enroll Now
- Get Info
MENU
Teaching Professional Gunsmithing for Over 30+ years – Established 1993 – Thousands of Graduates
WHAT IS DESIGN, FUNCTION, & REPAIR?
Senior Instructor Robert “Bob” Dunlap’s exclusive D, F, & R teaching method and philosophy.
Grand Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlap developed a teaching method that taught Gunsmithing Students Firearms Design, Function, and Repair (D, F, &R) by utilizing cutaway firearms to teach the various systems under which most firearms operate. His intent was to develop critical thinking skills within his students so that they can analyze any firearm, even one they have never previously seen before, understand the systems that it uses, determine where the failure or breakdown occurred, and then be able to make the appropriate repair. Bob referred to “Gunsmiths” who did not have this level of comprehension as “Just Parts Swappers.”
Bob’s intent was to preserve and pass on this exclusive set of skills and methods of analysis to the next generation of Gunsmiths.
HOW AGI TEACHES DESIGN, FUNCTION, & REPAIR
The American Gunsmithing Institute was established in 1993, by Gunsmiths, to preserve the Gunsmithing Arts and to teach the Design, Function, and Repair philosophy and critical thinking skills required that enable an individual to become a real Gunsmith and safely repair, maintain, and customize firearms.
We have created a training system that is superior to a campus based Gunsmithing School, because we are able to teach Firearms Design, Function, Repair (D,F,&R) and advanced Customizing, more clearly and quickly. Using a systematic video course of instruction with close ups and cutaway firearms to make the instruction seamless and crystal clear. Anyone who does not understand D, F, &R is simply a “parts swapper,” not a Gunsmith. American Gunsmithing Institute Graduates do understand D, F, & R and are Certified Gunsmiths.
AGI is also able to train our students in a greater number of skills and disciplines, in a shorter period of time, at a significantly lower cost, all without the student having to leave their home, or quit their job and move to attend a campus-based school. A clear career advantage.
All AGI Courses ARE taught by MAster GUNSMITHS
AGI Instructors are all professional gunsmiths & experts in their fields with over 500 years of combined experience in gunsmithing.
Dr. Elizabeth Bieter
Director of Admissions | General Manager
Dr. Kenneth Finley
Director of Education
William “Bill” Woolman
Master Locksmith | Locksmithing Instructor
Mr. Woolman is an expert in all aspects of the locksmithing trade. He is considered a subject matter expert and “go-to” individual with regards to learning about rare and collectible locks and safes.
Robert Rizzetto
Master Welder | Welding Instructor
Robert Rizzetto is truly a Master at the Art of Welding an is in demand as a precision welder and instructor. He instructs AGI’s welding course.
Robert “Bob” Dunlap
Master Gunsmith | Senior Gunsmithing Instructor Emeritus
Bob Dunlap, Master Gunsmith & Senior Instructor Emeritus, taught for over 30 years at Lassen College Gunsmithing School & also simultaneously ran a full-service shop. He is credited with creating the Design, Function, and Repair system of Gunsmithing training.
Jack Landis
Gunsmith | Instructor & Technical Advisor Emeritus
Jack Landis, Gunsmith and Firearms Technical Advisor Emeritus, was a lifelong shooter and Gunsmith and worked with AGI & GCA for almost 2 decades.
Gene Shuey
Master Gunsmith | Gunsmithing Instructor
Gene Shuey is a Master Gunsmith and builds beautiful custom pistols that are truly “Functional Art.” He instructs the AGI Certified 1911 Pistolsmith and Glocksmith Courses as well as multiple other courses.
Darrel Holland
Master Gunsmith | Gunsmithing and Machining Instructor
Darrell Holland is a Master Gunsmith and renowned rifle builder for long range shooting & hunting. He teaches the complete Machine Shop course as well as many AGI rifle building courses and more.
John Bush
Master Armorer | Gunsmithing Instructor
John Bush is a Master Armorer and renowned expert on U.S. and Foreign Military firearms. He has taught multiple AGI courses using his vast knowledge.
Fred Zeglin
Master Gunsmith | Reloading Instructor
Fred Zeglin, Master Gunsmith and cartridge developer, has written multiple books on Gunsmithing and teaches AGI reloading and cartridge design courses.
What Our Students Have To Say
I give the American Gunsmithing Institute five stars due to its positive impact on my learning. The course material is excellent, the instructors are great, and the student support is outstanding. After retiring, I enrolled in the course, but unfortunately, I lost all the course material in a flood. When I reached out to the American Gunsmithing Institute to replace the material, I encountered some difficulties due to a miscommunication with a new employee. However, once Gene Kelly, the president, was informed, he promptly addressed the issue. I was truly impressed with the exceptional customer service provided by Gene Kelly. He was friendly, helpful, and went above and beyond to ensure my satisfaction. I wholeheartedly recommend the American Gunsmithing Institute for its dedication to customer satisfaction and its commitment to resolving issues efficiently.
Jeffrey Tichenor
Lady Lake, FL
I have really enjoyed and learned a lot from the videos, and after seeing some of the examples of other internet-based schools I love the fact that you use the cutaway guns that show a lot more detail and especially the sections at the end of each chapter that go into tricks tips and different ways of repairing guns. Although due to some health problems I have been a little slow getting through the videos and taking the exams I am still very interested in becoming a gunsmith. Thank you for all your support and work that went into these lessons, it really is appreciated by those of us that have not had experience with a lot of these guns.
Tom Emery
Dallas, GA
AGI definitely prepares you to work on guns. Yes, you need to get your own guns to work on to master the teachings. The systems approach prepares you to work on almost any gun. I have three guns in my shop that were not in the course. One, a CZ720, when you take it apart it is largely a Remington fire control group mated with a Benelli gas operating system. Recognized those two systems immediately. The program works!
David Straub
Payson, AZ
AGI has been very good at working with my disabilities from the Marines. I started out cleaning weapons like they said and the benefits paid off three fold. I charge for tearing the weapon down to the last screw and q-tip clean like the Marines. Since I have to put it back together anyway I only charge for the part. I get to learn and improve my polishing techniques, I learn all the different weapons from old to new and how they function, I don’t have to buy training weapons to learn from, and people love what I do. The sonic cleaning is a real asset to those weapons you shouldn’t take apart and those stubborn places you can’t get to. I get faster at disassembly on the repeat types and can now identify common problems when people ask questions. My system gets me a few hundred a week. Auctioneers bring in guns to clean prior to auctions and they’ve been doubling their money even on the less expensive models. AGI was correct all the way, I’ve still got more to learn and had to expand!
Steven Bannick
Leslie, AR
I researched several companies and chose AGI based on everything I’ve read. I’m glad I did. I highly recommend them over any other. Customer service is top notch and they are always there if you need help. Very friendly, knowledgeable, informative, and quick to respond.
Christina Hill
Mesa, AZ
AGI provided me the the knowledge and building blocks to get hired on by a professional gunsmithing shop, and eventually work at a major manufacturer as a gunsmith. It’s been almost three years since I started, and it’s been nothing but a joy working with AGI as I have started my career!
Levi Snodgrass
Marthasville, MO
AGI is a great way to study for gunsmithing. All of the materials are provided including study notes and videos on the processes. Customer service and counselors are easy to reach.
Paul "Brian" Cole
Millbrook, AL
I grew up next to an eighty year old gunsmith. I was 60 when it clicked that I should use some of the skills I learned as a multi-craft maintenance in a plant for 37 years for my own benefit. Still I thought I wouldn’t leave one of my firearms with someone I thought was just starting to practice on. AGI seemed like a perfect fit! I have often spoke, don’t treat the symptom- fix the problem! Design, function and repair sounded like if I didn’t learn I would be a hypocrite. I really like the idea of certificates on my shop wall to show I’m not just a fly by night place. I still have much to learn and not enough time in the day but I opened two months ago and feel an excitement from learning new things when I was younger that I thought was long gone. It was more expensive but I have it all on DVD and with our poor internet service here I can review when ever I need to. Thanks for all your attained knowledge AGI instructors! Join the Gunsmithing Club of America also. Good Stuff. – GD GunWorks
Gary Davidson
Washington, PA
The information was great , every firearm I touched I was able to take it down to a pile of parts and know how to reassemble it to working order . The videos made it understandable to retain the knowledge passed to me by the master gunsmith instructors. I highly recommend this course, so if you want to work on firearms professionally, or just your own collection. It’s all here. I plan on getting the rest of the other courses next year after the holidays.
Gino Salmeri
American Canyon, CA
My name is Anthony LeFebvre and I am a certified professional gunsmith. I opened my business about a year ago. I am currently still working my full time job as a firefighter. I have about five more years left and I can retire with thirty years of service. I am working in my shop part time and let me say that I am covered up with firearms. AGI has gave me the freedom of owning my own business and being my own boss. When my customers tell me that it was their dad’s or grandfather’s gun that hasn’t worked in years and now they can enjoy with their kids it’s priceless. AGI Courses gave me the confidence to take on most any firearm and fix it. Knowing I can go back and watch the videos is great. I can’t say enough about this school. From the top down and in between I have had a great experience. I do plan to finish and become a master gunsmith. Thanks again for being a great school. Feel free to reach out anytime. Thanks , Anthony
Anthony LeFebvre
Brooklet, GA
View More Testimonials
