Going Great Guns

<p>Gov. Brian Schweitzer checks the sights of an AR-15 before firing it at a small indoor range during the open house Nov. 16 for Proof Research north of Kalispell.</p>

<p>Kirk Leopold, left, and Clint Walker assemble a short-barreled AR-15 Tuesday afternoon at Nemo Arms.</p>

<p>NEMO Arms weapons engineer Daniel Neitzling shows off a hand guard he designed. </p>

<p>Jon Hartig is sporting goods manager at Sportsman Ski Haus. </p>

<p>Gov. Brian Schweitzer laughs after shooting an AR-15 during the open house for Proof Research.</p><p> </p>

<p>Jeff Hughes is the owner of Northwest Shooter.</p>

<p>Matthew Fulk, owner of Big Bear Fire Power at 115 Main Street in downtown Kalispell on Thursday, November 1.</p>

<p>Jeff Sipe, director of sales and marketing for the Montana Firearms Group, holds the American Standard Rifle named “Best of the Best” new rifle in 2011 by Field and Stream Magazine.</p>

<p>Matthew Fulk, owner of Big Bear Fire Power at 115 Main Street in downtown Kalispell on Thursday, November 1.</p>

<p>Randy Franklin of Franklin Precision Gunsmithing works on a piece for a customer on Friday, November 2, at his shop in Kila.</p>

<p>Firearms on display in the back room of Big Bear Fire Power on Thursday, November 1, in downtown Kalispell.</p>

<p>Montana Rifleman owner Brian Sipe said his company is running a 10-hour shift seven days a week to keep up with demand. Sipe said if he can fill his machinist positions, the production line will be running day and night, seven days a week. “Right now I could hire at least 15 good CNC machinists,” but they aren’t immediately available, Sipe said.</p>

<p>Jeff Hughes demonstrates shooting at the indoor range at Northwest Shooter.</p>

<p>Will and Terri Parker, owners of Freddie Merc's Glock Works in Kila on Wednesday, November 21, in downtown Kalispell.</p>

<p>The interior of Big Bear Fire Power is designed to have a country store atmosphere on Thursday, November 1, in downtown Kalispell.</p>

<p>Doug Davis, assistant manager/sales sets preps to open the store on Tuesday, November 13, at Northwest Shooter located on Highway 2, west of Columbia Falls.</p>

<p>Ammunition on display at Big Bear Fire Power on Thursday, November 1, in downtown Kalispell.</p>

<p>Detail of Randy Franklin work space at Franklin Precision Gunsmithing on Friday, November 2, at his shop in Kila.</p>

<p>Firearm salesman Bill Archie looks over the AR-type rifles Monday evening at Snappy's Sports Senter.</p>

<p>Doug Davis, assistant manager of sales, prepares to open the store on Nov. 13 at Northwest Shooter on U.S.  2 southwest of Columbia Falls.</p>

<p>The interior of Big Bear Fire Power is designed to have a country store atmosphere on Thursday, November 1, in downtown Kalispell.</p>