Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Gun Inspector

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly meticulous and safety-conscious Gun Inspector to join our dedicated Quality Assurance team. In this critical role, you will be the final authority on product integrity, responsible for ensuring that every component and finished firearm meets our uncompromising standards for quality, safety, and performance. You will utilize precision measurement tools, detailed technical drawings, and your expert knowledge of firearms to inspect, test, and approve products at various stages of the manufacturing process. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented professional with a passion for firearms and an unwavering commitment to excellence, playing a vital part in upholding our brand's reputation for reliability and precision.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Quality Control Technician
CNC Machinist
Gunsmith Apprentice or Graduate
Military / Law Enforcement Armorer

Advancement To:

Senior Gun Inspector / Quality Lead
Quality Assurance Supervisor or Manager
Manufacturing Engineer
R&D Technician

Lateral Moves:

Production Supervisor
Final Assembly Lead
Customer Service / Warranty Repair Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive visual and dimensional inspections on incoming raw materials, in-process components, sub-assemblies, and finished firearms to ensure strict adherence to engineering specifications.
Utilize a wide range of precision measuring instruments, including digital calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore scopes, optical comparators, and thread gauges to verify part conformity.
Conduct rigorous functional checks and live-fire testing of completed firearms in a controlled test-fire range to validate safety, reliability, and performance against established standards.
Interpret complex engineering drawings, blueprints, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) callouts to make accurate and consistent inspection decisions.
Diligently document all inspection results, test data, and non-conformances using the company's Quality Management System (QMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.
Initiate, investigate, and process Non-Conforming Material Reports (NCMRs) for parts and products that fail to meet specifications, and collaborate with engineering and production on root cause analysis.
Perform detailed First-Article Inspections (FAIs) for new products or revised components to validate the manufacturing process before full-scale production begins.
Verify that all serialized components are correctly marked, engraved, and recorded in compliance with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulations.
Conduct final "white-glove" inspections of packaged firearms to ensure all required accessories, manuals, and safety warnings are included and that the product's cosmetic finish is flawless.
Calibrate and maintain inspection equipment and gauges to ensure their ongoing accuracy and reliability, and meticulously maintain detailed calibration records.
Assist in the development and refinement of inspection procedures, work instructions, and quality control checklists to improve departmental efficiency and effectiveness.
Evaluate returned firearms (RMAs) from customers to diagnose reported issues, document findings, and provide detailed feedback to the quality, engineering, and customer service departments.
Strictly adhere to all workplace safety protocols, including the mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe firearm handling procedures at all times.
Provide critical, constructive feedback to manufacturing and assembly teams regarding quality trends, defect patterns, and opportunities for process improvement.
Segregate and control non-conforming products to prevent their unintended use or shipment, following established quarantine and material review board (MRB) procedures.
Participate actively in internal and external quality audits by providing accurate records, demonstrating inspection processes, and professionally answering auditor inquiries.
Check and verify material certifications, hardness testing results, and surface finish reports to confirm that components meet all design and durability requirements.
Perform Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R) studies to assess the viability, accuracy, and precision of new and existing measurement systems.
Inspect and approve or reject tooling, fixtures, and jigs used in the manufacturing and assembly processes to ensure they are capable of producing conforming parts.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment (5S principles) within the quality inspection lab and associated test-fire areas.
Collaborate with the supply chain team and suppliers to resolve quality issues related to incoming components and provide clear documentation of any discrepancies found.
Train new inspectors or production personnel on specific quality checks, advanced measurement techniques, and the proper use of inspection equipment.

Secondary Functions

Support the Research & Development team by inspecting and providing detailed feedback on prototype components and new firearm designs.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing events) aimed at reducing scrap, rework, and quality defects.
Assist in compiling and presenting quality data and trend analysis to management during regular quality review meetings.
Maintain and audit logs and records in strict compliance with ATF regulations and internal company policies to ensure 100% accountability.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in using a wide array of precision metrology instruments (calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, height gauges, etc.).
Advanced ability to read and interpret complex engineering blueprints and technical drawings.
Strong working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) symbols and concepts.
Expert knowledge of firearms mechanics, function, and assembly across various platforms (e.g., pistols, rifles, shotguns).
Certified and/or highly proficient in safe firearm handling and live-fire testing procedures in a range environment.
Experience with Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software for data entry and report tracking.
Thorough understanding of ATF regulations regarding firearms manufacturing, serialization, and record-keeping.
Competency in operating advanced inspection equipment such as Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) or vision systems is highly desirable.
Basic computer skills for data entry and report generation using software like Microsoft Excel and Word.
Knowledge of common manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, injection molding, casting, and metal finishing (e.g., anodizing, phosphating).
Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) principles and applications.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a meticulous, methodical approach to work.
Strong analytical and objective problem-solving abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documenting and clearly reporting findings.
An unwavering commitment to safety and strict procedural compliance.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage time effectively.
A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Production, Supply Chain).
High degree of personal integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
Strong sense of ownership and accountability for product quality.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Associate's Degree in a technical field or a Certificate from a recognized Gunsmithing program (e.g., SDI, Colorado School of Trades).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Gunsmithing
Machine Tool Technology
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Quality Assurance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5+ years of direct experience in a quality control, inspection, or armorer role within a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

Prior experience specifically within the firearms manufacturing industry is strongly preferred. Experience as a military (MOS 2111, 91F) or law enforcement armorer is highly valued.