All students enrolled in Firearms Technology programs are expected to have the following tools and consumables. These are essential for successful participation in coursework and hands-on projects. Each course has specific requirements; please refer to the individual course details for specifications such as sizes in relation to these general tools listed below.
It is highly recommended, where possible, to obtain sets and kits of items that have various sizes. Some items will be used throughout the duration of the program(s) and across several courses. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all tools are available, in good working condition, and suitable for use throughout the program(s).
General Required Materials for Firearms Technology Students
(These tools are the responsibility of the student to supply)
- A phone or camera with video capabilities for documenting project builds
- A phone stand or tripod for recording video
- Computer (Review the Catalog for Technology Requirements)
- Workbench or sturdy table
- Recommended Length 5’ or longer, depth 24” minimum
- Bench vise with soft jaws
- Recommended Jaw width 4” to 6”, throat 2.75” to 4”, jaw opening 4” to 6 “, swivel base
- Vise jaws: Nylon or rubber faced
- Personal protective equipment: safety glasses, apron, nitrile gloves, dust masks, etc.
- Access to a personal firearm
- Tools and equipment listed in the individual course shopping lists
Recommended Tools and Materials for Gunsmithing
(These tools are nice to have but not required)
The following tools are highly recommended as part of a gunsmith’s workbench and toolbox but are not required for the program(s):
- Shop lighting
- Recommended Swing arm LED desk lamp, 20” height min., multiple light settings, magnifier
- Shop rags
- Power strips, extension cords
- Printer (for blueprints and digests
- Three-ring binders
- Toolbox
- Machinist style, multiple front drawers
- Parts trays and storage boxes
- Magnifying visor or glass
- Extra bench blocks
- Assorted pliers, clamps, wrenches
- Additional various sizes of hammers, punches, screwdrivers
- High quality, gunsmith specific multi-bit screwdriver kits
- High quality, gunsmith specific steel and brass punches
- Dental picks and a toothbrush
CFTG Course-Specific Tools and Materials
*Notice: The tools listed are intended for use with SDI courses and recommended for most gunsmithing operations. This list reflects the materials supplied at the time of publication, and SDI reserves the right to alter the contents as needed to provide the best educational experience. The improper use of any tool can result in injury or death, for which SDI is not liable. If the user of the tool is unclear on proper operation, please seek further guidance before use.
Listed in order under each course:
- Textbooks or Manuals (supplied by SDI) – All textbooks/manuals are provided in your course either through the VitalSource Bookshelf or downloadable PDF. Students do not need to purchase the textbooks or manuals listed
- Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI) – The following tools and equipment are provided by SDI and shipped before each course.
- Course Shopping List (supplied by student, required) – The following tools and equipment are the responsibility of the student.
FTT 102: Principles of Mechanics in Firearms
1. Gun Digest: (Digital copy, supplied in course)
- Exploded Gun Drawings 4th Ed. ISBN: 9781951115173
- Automatic Pistols Assembly/Disassembly 7th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-951115-50-0
- Revolvers Assembly/Disassembly ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-1452-3
- Shotguns Assembly/Disassembly 4th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-4771-2
- Centerfire Rifles Assembly/Disassembly 4th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-946267-04-7
- Rimfire Rifles Assembly/Disassembly 4th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-946267-70-2
- Book of Tactical Weapons Assembly/Disassembly 3rd Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-3603-7
- Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly 5th Ed. ISBN: 0-87349-767-8
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- 24 PC Gun Care Kit
- Multicaliber Cleaning Kit
- Ultra Jag Set Bagged (Rifle/Pistol)
- 36″ Cleaning Rod
- Steel Roll Spring Punch Set
- Steel SHORT Roll Spring Punch Set
- Roll Pin Holder Set
- Gun Mat
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student, required)
- 8oz Ball Pein Hammer
- 1911 Bench Block
- Rasp and File set: 8” to 10” Gunsmith specific sets for wood and metal, fine through course cut, multiple shapes
- Needle File Set: 6” Gunsmith or Jeweler specific sets for metal, fine through course cut, multiple shapes
- Gun oil and solvent
FTT 103: Principles of Ammunition and Basic Ballistics
1. Textbooks – Gun Digest (Digital copy, supplied in course)
- Gun Digest Cartridges of The World Textbook 17th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-951115-59-3
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- Non-Firing Training Round (38 Special)
- Non-Firing Training Round (9mm Luger)
- Non-Firing Training Round (30-30 Winchester)
- Non-Firing Training Round (7mm Remington Magnum)
- Non-Firing Training Round (223 Remington)
- 1″ Outside Micrometer
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student, required)
- Bullet Pulling Hammer
- Digital Scale
FTT 105: Firearms Laws, Rights, and Responsibilities
1. Textbooks – N/A
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- Project Rifle Kit* with scope, scope base, and rings.
*In age restricted states, students under 21 will get a compliant project rifle.
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student, required)
- Tape Measure 12’ minimum
- Marksall Pencil Set
FTT 106: Hand and Specialty Tools in Gunsmithing
1. Textbooks – N/A
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- Master Driver Set with Torque Wrench
- 308 Headspace Gauges
- Stone File Set
- Aluminum Plate (1/2″ x 2″ x 4″)
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student, required)
- Digital Calipers: Measures to .001” min., .0001” preferred
- Hacksaw: Quality wood and metal blades
- Wood Block
- Leather Strap
- Polishing Compound: #180 through #800 grit
- 5/16″ Bent Gouge
- 9/64″ Straight Gouge
- 3/8″ Bent Chisel
- Sandpaper (progressive grits) #80 though #600 grit
- Double Sided Tape
- Sharpening Stone: Medium and fine grit
- Tru Oil
- Mineral Spirits
- File Card
- 4″ Square
- Dividers
- Scribing tool
- 6″ Steel Ruler: Reads in 100ths and fraction
- Center Punch
- Layout Dye
- Screw Pitch Gauge Set: 4 TPI – 80 TPI
FTT 131: Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Firearms
1. Gun Digest (Digital copy, supplied in course)
- Gunsmithing Rifles 9th Ed. ISBN 9781946267467
- Centerfire Rifles Assembly/Disassembly 4th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-946267-04-7
- Book of Tactical Weapons Assembly/Disassembly 3rd Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-3603-7
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- Trigger Pull Gauge
- Firing Pin Protrusion Gauge
- Action Proving Dummy Round
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student, required)
- None
MAC 110: Power Tools and Machining Principles
1. Textbooks – Precision Machining Technology 3rd Ed. (E-text, supplied in course) ISBN: 9781337795302
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- Recoil Pad Installation Fixture
- Recoil Pad Replacement
- 6-48 Fillister Head Screws
- 6-48 Tap
- 3/64″ Ground Center Drill
- #31 HSS Jobber Drill Bit
- Disc / Belt Sander
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student, required)
- 1/8″ Drill Bit Brad Point Drill Bit
- 12″ Square
- Razor Knife
- Tap Handle Wrench Tap TR-1E 0-1/4in
- Easy Out Set
- 8-40 Quality taper and bottoming tap. #28 Drill
- Scrap Brass, Aluminum, Steel
- 1/4-28 Quality taper and bottoming tap. #3 Drill
- 3-56 Quality taper and bottoming tap. #45 Drill
FTT 133: General Gunsmithing Modifications
1. Textbooks – N/A
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- Stock Inletting Guide Screws
- Stippling Panels (2 Sheets)
- Epoxy Bedding Kit
- Scope
- Scope Rings
- Boresighter
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student, required)
- Spray Paint
- Johnson’s Paste Wax
- Modeling Clay
- 2x 6″ Bar Clamp
- Craft Sticks
- Nitrile Gloves
- Denatured Alcohol
- Cleaning Patches
- 2″ x 100′ 10 Mil Pipe Wrap Tape
- Wood Burning Kit
- Rotary Tool
- Dremel Point and Polishing Wheel: Variety pack
- Pocket Level
- Blue Loctite
FTE 299: Firearms Technology Elective (Choose One)
See “Electives” section below
Electives
FTE 211: 1911 Advanced Armorer
1. Textbooks (Digital copy, supplied in course)
- Custom Gunsmithing for Self-Defense Firearms ISBN 978-1-4402-4731-6
- Gunsmithing Pistols and Revolvers 3rd Edition ISBN 978-1-4402-0389-3
- Automatic Pistols Assembly/Disassembly 7th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-951115-50-0
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- 1911 GI Standard FS 45ACP
- Arkansas Stone
- 1911 Trigger Track Stone
- Action Proving Dummies
- 45 ACP Headspace Gauges
- 1911 Smart Wrench
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student)
- None
FTE 217: Modern Sporting Rifle AR 15 Option
1. Textbooks (Digital copy, supplied in course)
- Gunsmithing the AR-15 Bench Manual, 1st Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-4660-9
- Gun Digest Cartridges of The World Textbook 17th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-951115-59-3
- Centerfire Rifles Assembly/Disassembly 4th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-946267-04-7
- Book of Tactical Weapons Assembly/Disassembly 3rd Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-3603-7
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- AR 15 Parts Kit and Lower
- AR Armorers Wrench
- Staking Punch
- Bolt Catch Pin Punch
- Front Pivot Pin Assembly Kit
- Firing Pin Height Gauge
- AR-9/AR15 Bolt Ejector Fixture
- AR 15 Lower Vise Block
- Action Proving Dummies
- 5.56 Nato Headspace Gauges
- Upper Vise Block
- AR 15 Front Sight Bench Block
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student)
- Pin Punch
- Torque Wrench (0-80 foot pounds)
FTE 217: Modern Sporting Rifle AR 9 Option
1. Textbooks (Digital copy, supplied in course)
- Gunsmithing the AR-15 Bench Manual, 1st Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-4660-9
- Gun Digest Cartridges of The World Textbook 17th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-951115-59-3
- Centerfire Rifles Assembly/Disassembly 4th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-946267-04-7
- Book of Tactical Weapons Assembly/Disassembly 3rd Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-3603-7
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- AR 9 Parts Kit and Lower
- AR Armorers Wrench
- Staking Punch
- Bolt Catch Pin Punch
- Front Pivot Pin Assembly Kit
- Firing Pin Height Gauge
- AR-9/AR15 Bolt Ejector Fixture
- C-9 Lower Receiver Vise Block
- Action Proving Dummies
- 9mm Headspace Gauges
- Upper Vise Block
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student)
- Pin Punch
- Torque Wrench (0-80 foot pounds)
FTE 217: Modern Sporting Rifle AR 10 Option
1. Textbooks (Digital copy, supplied in course)
- Gunsmithing the AR-15 Bench Manual, 1st Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-4660-9
- Gun Digest Cartridges of The World Textbook 17th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-951115-59-3
- Centerfire Rifles Assembly/Disassembly 4th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-946267-04-7
- Book of Tactical Weapons Assembly/Disassembly 3rd Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-3603-7
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- AR 10/LR308 Parts Kit and Lower
- Armorers Wrench
- Staking Punch
- Bolt Catch Pin Punch
- Front Pivot Pin Assembly Kit
- AR 10 Lower Receiver Vise Block
- AR 10 Bolt Ejector Fixture
- 1mm pin punch
- 308 Win Headspace Gauges
- Upper Vise Block
- Action Proving Dummies
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student)
- Pin Punch
- Torque Wrench (0-80 foot pounds)
FTE 218: Pump Shotgun Armorer
1. Gun Digest: Gunsmithing Shotguns (supplied by SDI)
- Gunsmithing Shotguns 1st Ed. ISBN: 0-87341-902-0
- Shotguns Assembly/Disassembly 4th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-4771-2
2. Required Tools and Equipment (supplied by SDI)
- Pump Shotgun – 12 Gauge
- Choke and Chamber Length Gauge
- Forend Nut Tool 500/870
- 12 GA Go/No Go Headspace Gauge
- Action Proving Dummy Round (12 GA)
3. Course Shopping List (supplied by student)
- None
FTE 225: Developing a Business Plan
Textbooks (E-text, supplied in course)
Anatomy of a Business Plan, 8th Ed., Independent Publishers Group ISBN: 9780944205549,