Training at Montgomery Community College — A National Destination for Shooters
From a small technical institute in the late 1960s to the largest college gunsmithing program in the United States, Montgomery Community College (MCC) in Troy, NC has trained generations of craftsmen, armorers, and industry pros—quietly shaping how America repairs, customizes, and builds firearms.
Origins: a college, a county, and a craft
Chartered in 1967 as Montgomery Technical Institute, MCC grew with rural North Carolina—pairing workforce training with the hands-on trades that keep communities running. In that environment, a dedicated gunsmithing curriculum took root and, over decades, earned national attention.
Becoming a national draw
Facility expansions, experienced faculty, and industry ties turned a regional program into a destination. MCC promotes its gunsmithing school as the nation’s largest at the college level and couples for-credit credentials with an unusually deep roster of short-term courses that attract students from coast to coast.
How MCC teaches the craft
The associate-degree pathway emphasizes machining, blueprinting, metal finishing, stock and barrel work, diagnostics, and complex custom tasks—skills that transfer directly to professional shops and manufacturers. Students spend the majority of their time in the labs and complete signature builds like three custom rifles and a custom 1911.
Short courses, big influence
MCC is among a very small group of NRA-affiliated schools offering short-term gunsmithing intensives—typically three days to two weeks—taught by nationally known builders and brand experts. The college also hosts USCCA-approved shooting and defensive coursework, linking armorer skills with end-user performance.
Industry ties & the talent pipeline
Partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers keep students on current-generation platforms and processes. Donations and equipment support from major brands have stocked labs, outfitted armorer classes, and modernized finishing rooms—while annual trips to the SHOT Show help graduates build networks that lead to work in custom shops, manufacturing, and service departments.
What this means for the U.S. firearms industry
- Workforce readiness: Shop-heavy instruction produces graduates who contribute immediately in repair, QC, finishing, and custom builds.
- Technology transfer: Short courses spread modern techniques—coatings, platform-specific armorer skills—across the country.
- Access & affordability: Group-purchase programs for actions and 1911 kits lower barriers to high-value builds.
- Continuity of craft: MCC has been nationally recognized for decades, sustaining a pipeline of skilled gunsmiths and shop leaders.
Today—and what’s next
MCC continues to publish robust slates of short courses each year while the credit program anchors deep, multi-semester training. Together, they form a rare pipeline that serves hobbyists, career-switchers, and working pros—helping the industry evolve without losing the craft.
Explore MCC & its partners
MCC Gunsmithing Program A.A.S. Degree Path NRA Gunsmithing Courses USCCA & Armorer Courses
Brands: NRA • USCCA • Beretta USA • Bear Creek Arsenal.
Plan your visit
Montgomery Community College • 1011 Page St, Troy, NC 27371
Open in Google Maps