Firearms manufacturer Proof Research is expanding its Columbia Falls facility, adding 12,000 square feet of storage and manufacturing space with a new annex building.  

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte attended a ribbon-cutting event for the new building on Wednesday, where he spoke to a crowd of employees alongside Proof Research Director of Special Projects Greg Hamilton.

"This expansion in Montana means more investment in our communities, more opportunities for Montanans and more good-paying jobs right here in Flathead," Gianforte said.  

The company has pioneered firearm innovation since 2012, striving to create products that better serve customers in the firearms, aerospace, and defense industries. The company has contracted with the U.S. Military and has earned recognition among hunters for its sports firearms. The Elevation MTR FDX rifle was awarded the Editor's Choice award for Best Hunting Rifle of 2026 by Outdoor Life, a recreation-focused online publication.

Hamilton said one of the most famous products is the carbon composite barrels, which remain the only product of its kind used by the U.S. Military.  

"They are utilized by all of our customers to save weight when the shot counts. This performance came from years of work, rigorous testing and a willingness to prove the technology under the most demanding conditions from the beginning. Proof has pioneered this technology. We did not wait for others to show the way. We set out to improve it, Hamilton said.  

Proof Research employs 150 people, according to Sales and Marketing Director Sean Murphy. Along with the Columbia Falls facility, the company also operates an Advanced Composites Division located in Dayton, Ohio.  

The company is hiring across all lines of production and all shifts. 

"If you're willing and able, we can teach you. Everything has work instructions and documentation. We have a lot of people with a lot of experience ... So it's very much a lot of job shadowing, learning, doing, seeing, reviewing — just constant improvement," Murphy said.  

Following the ribbon cutting, Gianforte toured Proof's manufacturing facility and shooting range. The governor has visited the facility previously — he said on another visit, he had the opportunity to shoot at the on-campus shooting ranges, which are used for research and testing the quality of products.  

Proof's firearms have set new industry standards for extreme accuracy, reduced weight and durability, according to Murphy. Walking through the main manufacturing facility, he explained how carbon fiber coatings create a gun that shoots accurately while remaining lightweight.  

The process begins in the rifling station, where barrels are drilled from pieces of steel bar, cut down to allow for a lighter weight, then coated with carbon fiber to increase durability. Once the rifle has its carbon fiber wrap, which is first overbuilt, then sanded down, it's sent to another department to add the rest of the components. It's then cleaned up, painted and handed over to be shipped to customers.  

Murphy said there is quality control throughout the entire manufacturing process to ensure a consistent product when it reaches the end of the line.  

He said Proof's proprietary technology is years ahead of how many traditional firearm manufacturers create weapons. The company’s PXT technology allows them to drill a barrel with a progressive twist that will ultimately cause less resistance for a bullet.  

“If you look down the barrel, it looks like a mesa, versus the newer one with a multi-radius that looks more like a half-moon ... With the mesa shape, those 90-degree angles are what actually cause bullets to shear, especially when you increase the speed for newer ammo. By smoothing that out, it's less engraving force on that bullet,” Murphy said. 

In 2018, the U.S. military pushed to extract greater performance from existing weapons platforms, which led Proof to develop its PXT technology for medium-caliber cannon barrel development. It uses new twist rates while drilling barrels, which affect pressure and projectile behavior, according to the company. 

During his speech on Wednesday, Hamilton said the company's exponential twist PXT rifling has moved it forward in the industry. 

"Through our own extensive testing and collaboration with government partners, we are enabling the next generation of small arms performance ... The work is ongoing, the results are promising, and now we are getting this technology into the hands of the warfighters and the commercial customers," Hamilton said. 

He said the new building represents a commitment to that future. With the infrastructure needed to support those programs, they can better serve customers and keep developing the technology. 

"We designed this with growth in mind, growth in capability, capacity and the kinds of projects we take on. The future of Proof is bright — we are engaged in multiple U.S. government projects that range from small arms to cannon barrels," Hamilton said.  

Gianforte made note of how Montana has embraced firearm manufacturers, having the most companies per capita compared to other states in the U.S. He said the state's support for the Second Amendment is part of why Montana is seen as a state that "preserves individual freedoms." 

"When companies like Proof Research choose to invest and expand here, we create more opportunities for our kids and grandkids to stay right here in Montana and pursue their own version of the American dream," Gianforte said.  

To learn more about Proof Research, visit proofresearch.com.  

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4440 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support. 

    Proof Research's new annex building in Columbia Falls on Wednesday, Oct. 28. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Gov. Greg Gianforte fires a Proof Research Elevation FDX rifle during a tour of the company's facility in Columbia Falls on Wednesday, Oct. 28. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Marcus Becker, left, Proof Research Director of Operations, shows Gov. Greg Gianforte the company's Tundra rifle during a tour of the facility on Wednesday, Oct. 28. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider