I read your question with great intrest. I graduated from Piedmont Community College
(gunsmithing) 10 years ago. Look for a school that is set up like an apprentice ship(PCC is this way). Gunsmithing make up the bulk of the core courses, not math and english. I have my own shop--I love it but you are limited to what you can physically do--also paper work, customer chit-chat, and other things that take time away from actual gunsmith work. Large companies such as Browning are unionized, pd vacation, insurance, etc.-- things you do not have in you own shop(esp. retirement)--Also age old problem of getting people to promptly pick up repaired guns. Start-up cost of a shop are awful, wife had better have a good job. I have always been in own shop due to some real particular circumstances and stay 5 to 8 wks behind. I have friend who left Browning to buy own shop in Greensboro, NC--He likes it but says leaving Browning was a big mistake. I can take vacation and hunt when ever I want but don't get paid and I lose customers when I am not in the shop. Look closely before you make a decision and remember the family.
Gunsmit