Hardmeyer - City Magazine

Young Entrepreneur
Success Story
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Cameron Coates
C.C. Gunworks
101 Hwy. 12 West, Bowman
701-523-3006
By City Magazine Staff
““Gunning for Success””
Fascinated by guns from a young age,
Cameron Coates loved getting his hands
on guns that no one thought could be
fixed. Taking a broken gun and making it
functional became a career path for this
25-year-old entrepreneur.
A four-year stint in the Marine Corps taught
him to, in his words, “Never doubt yourself.
You can do it.” On December 3, 2008, with
the help of his father, Merv, the owner of
Bowman’s Hardluck Harry’s Trading Post,
Cameron returned to his hometown and
opened C.C. Gunworks.
Tell us what your company does.
I fix guns, of course, but mostly I build
guns. I also customize guns to the owners’
needs; I inform them about the different
options available to help them and their
guns shoot better.
Cameron Coates, owner of C.C. Gunworks (left),
and his father, Merv (right).
Young Entrepreneur Success Story
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What kind of skills do you need to be a
gunsmith?
I graduated from the Colorado School of
Trades Gunsmithing School. A successful
gunsmith needs to understand machining,
lathwork and millwork. Attention to detail
and patience is also important.
Anyone thinking of being a gunsmith should
know that you need to continue learning
throughout your career. It’s just not, “I went
to school and now I know it all.” When
new guns come out, they are different than
20-year-old or 30-year-old guns.
How did you decide to be a gunsmith?
I’ve always enjoyed building and taking
things apart. After I got out of the Marine
Corps in 2006, I wanted to come home to
Bowman. My dad convinced me to start
my own business.
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