Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing
Description
Establishments classified under this sector specialize in the production of projectiles and propellant systems designed to function with firearms such as rifles, shotguns, and pistols. These facilities typically operate as integrated plants where raw materials including brass casings, primers, and gunpowder are combined to form complete cartridges ready for market distribution. The manufacturing process involves precise steps of feeding, crimping, and assembly to ensure every unit meets strict safety and performance standards required by federal regulations and military specifications. Businesses within this category range from small independent manufacturers operating single facilities to large corporations employing hundreds of workers capable of producing millions of rounds annually. While some operators focus exclusively on ammunition fabrication, others may engage in related activities such as powder production or the casting of primers depending on their specific supply chain strategies. Most firms adhere closely to rigorous quality control measures and maintain detailed records to comply with environmental laws regarding hazardous waste management. The industry supports both civilian hunting and shooting clubs as well as government agencies and defense contractors needing reliable ammunition for training and operational purposes. Overall, this sector represents a critical component of the broader firearms ecosystem, driving demand through sporting events, personal defense applications, and active military operations across the nation.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Manufacturing 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. The assembling of component parts of manufactured products is considered manufacturing, except in cases where the activity is appropriately classified in Sector 23, Construction. Establishments in the Manufacturing sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills and characteristically use power-driven machines and material handling equipment. However, establishments that transform materials or substances into new products by hand or in the worker's home and those engaged in selling to the general public products made on the same premises from which they are sold, such as bakeries, candy stores, and custom tailors, may also be included in this sector. Manufacturing establishments may process materials or may contract with other establishments to process their materials for them. Both types of establishments are included in manufacturing. Selected industries in the Manufacturing sector are comprised solely of establishments that process materials for other establishments on a contract or fee basis. Beyond these dedicated contract manufacturing industries, establishments that process materials for other establishments are generally classified in the Manufacturing industry of the processed materials. The materials, substances, or components transformed by manufacturing establishments are raw materials that are products of agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, or quarrying as well as products of other manufacturing establishments. The materials used may be purchased directly from producers, obtained through customary trade channels, or secured without recourse to the market by transferring the product from one establishment to another, under the same ownership. The new product of a manufacturing establishment may be finished in the sense that it is ready for utilization or consumption, or it may be semi-finished to become an input for an establishment engaged in further manufacturing. For example, the product of the alumina refinery is the input used in the primary production of aluminum; primary aluminum is the input to an aluminum wire drawing plant; and aluminum wire is the input for a fabricated wire product manufacturing establishment. The subsectors in the Manufacturing sector generally reflect distinct production processes related to material inputs, production equipment, and employee skills. In the machinery area, where assembling is a key activity, parts and accessories for manufactured products are classified in the industry of the finished manufactured item when they are made for separate sale. For example, an attachment for a piece of metalworking machinery would be classified with metalworking machinery. However, component inputs from other manufacturing establishments are classified based on the production function of the component manufacturer. For example, electronic components are classified in Subsector 334, Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing, and stampings are classified in Subsector 332, Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing establishments often perform one or more activities that are classified outside the Manufacturing sector of NAICS. For instance, almost all manufacturing has some captive research and development or administrative operations, such as accounting, payroll, or management. These captive services are treated the same as captive manufacturing activities. When the services are provided by separate establishments, they are classified in the NAICS sector where such services are primary, not in manufacturing. The boundaries of manufacturing and the other sectors of the classification system can be somewhat blurry. The establishments in the Manufacturing sector are engaged in the transformation of materials into new products. Their output is a new product. However, the definition of what constitutes a new product can be somewhat subjective. As clarification, the following activities are considered manufacturing in NAICS: <table width=100%><tr><td width=10%> </td><td><dl><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Milk bottling and pasteurizing;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Water bottling and processing;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Fresh fish packaging (oyster<br/> shucking, fish filleting);</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Apparel jobbing (assigning<br/> materials to contract<br/> factories or shops for<br/> fabrication or other contract<br/> operations) as well as<br/> contracting on materials<br/> owned by others;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Printing and related activities;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Ready-mix concrete production;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Leather converting;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Grinding lenses to<br/> prescription;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Wood preserving;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Lapidary work for the trade;</dt></dl></td><td width=10%> </td><td><dl><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Electroplating, plating, metal<br/> heat treating, and<br/> polishing for the trade;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Fabricating signs and<br/> advertising displays;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Rebuilding or remanufacturing<br/> machinery (i.e., automotive<br/> parts);</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Making manufactured homes<br/> (i.e., mobile homes) or<br/> prefabricated buildings,<br/> whether or not assembling/<br/> erecting at the customers'<br/> site;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Ship repair and renovation;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Machine shops; and</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Tire retreading.</dt></dl></td><td width=10%> </td></tr></table> Conversely, there are activities that are sometimes considered manufacturing, but which for NAICS are classified in another sector (i.e., not classified as manufacturing). They include: 1. Logging, classified in Sector 11, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, is considered a harvesting operation; 2. Beneficiating ores and other minerals, classified in Sector 21, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction, is considered part of the activity of mining; 3. Constructing structures, assembling prefabricated buildings, and fabricating at the construction site by contractors are classified in Sector 23, Construction; 4. Breaking bulk and reselling in smaller lots, including packaging, repackaging, or bottling products, such as liquors or chemicals; assembling and selling computers on a custom basis; sorting and reselling scrap; mixing and selling paints to customer order; and cutting metals to customer order for resale are classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade; and 5. Publishing and the combined activity of publishing and printing, classified in Sector 51, Information, transform information into a product for which the value to the consumer lies in the information content, not in the format in which it is distributed (i.e., the book or software compact disc). |
| 332 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing subsector transform metal into intermediate or end products, other than machinery, computers and electronics, and metal furniture, or treat metals and metal formed products fabricated elsewhere. Important fabricated metal processes are forging, stamping, bending, forming, and machining, used to shape individual pieces of metal; and other processes, such as welding and assembling, used to join separate parts together. Establishments in this subsector may use one of these processes or a combination of these processes. The NAICS structure for this subsector distinguishes the forging and stamping processes in a single industry. The remaining industries in the subsector group establishments based on similar combinations of processes used to make products. The manufacturing performed in the Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing subsector begins with manufactured metal shapes. The establishments in this subsector further fabricate the purchased metal shapes into a product. For instance, the Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing industry starts with wire and fabricates such items. Within the Manufacturing sector there are other establishments that make the same products made by this subsector; only these establishments begin production further back in the production process. These establishments have a more integrated operation. For instance, one establishment may manufacture steel, draw it into wire, and make wire products in the same establishment. Such operations are classified in the Primary Metal Manufacturing subsector. |
| 3329 | Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing fabricated metal products (except forgings and stampings, cutlery and handtools, architectural and structural metals, boilers, tanks, shipping containers, hardware, spring and wire products, machine shop products, turned products, screws, and nuts and bolts). |
| 33299 | All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing fabricated metal products (except forgings and stampings, cutlery and handtools, architectural and structural metal products, boilers, tanks, shipping containers, hardware, spring and wire products, machine shop products, turned products, screws, nuts and bolts, and metal valves). Illustrative Examples: Ammunition manufacturing Ball and roller bearing manufacturing Enameled iron and metal sanitary ware manufacturing Fabricated pipe and pipe fittings made from purchased metal pipe Foil containers (except bags) manufacturing Industrial pattern manufacturing Metal safes manufacturing Portable metal ladders manufacturing Small arms and other ordnance manufacturing Steel wool manufacturing |
| 332992 | Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing 6-digit U.S. detail | Establishments classified under this sector specialize in the production of projectiles and propellant systems designed to function with firearms such as rifles, shotguns, and pistols. These facilities typically operate as integrated plants where raw materials including brass casings, primers, and gunpowder are combined to form complete cartridges ready for market distribution. The manufacturing process involves precise steps of feeding, crimping, and assembly to ensure every unit meets strict safety and performance standards required by federal regulations and military specifications. Businesses within this category range from small independent manufacturers operating single facilities to large corporations employing hundreds of workers capable of producing millions of rounds annually. While some operators focus exclusively on ammunition fabrication, others may engage in related activities such as powder production or the casting of primers depending on their specific supply chain strategies. Most firms adhere closely to rigorous quality control measures and maintain detailed records to comply with environmental laws regarding hazardous waste management. The industry supports both civilian hunting and shooting clubs as well as government agencies and defense contractors needing reliable ammunition for training and operational purposes. Overall, this sector represents a critical component of the broader firearms ecosystem, driving demand through sporting events, personal defense applications, and active military operations across the nation. |
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Classification References
- 01Manufacturing ammunition (except small arms)--are classified in U.S. Industry 332993, Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing;
- 02Manufacturing blasting and detonating caps and safety fuses--are classified in Industry 325920, Explosives Manufacturing; and
- 03Manufacturing fireworks--are classified in U.S. Industry 325998, All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing.
Index Items
Ammunition, small arms (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less), manufacturing
BB shot manufacturing
Blank cartridges (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less) manufacturing
Bullet jackets and cores (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less) manufacturing
Cartridge cases for ammunition (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less) manufacturing
Cartridges (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less) manufacturing
Cores, bullet (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less), manufacturing
Jackets, bullet (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less), manufacturing
Paper shells (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less) manufacturing
Pellets, air rifle and pistol, manufacturing
Percussion caps (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less), ammunition, manufacturing
Shells, small arms (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less), manufacturing
Shot, BB, manufacturing
Shot, lead, manufacturing
Shot, pellet, manufacturing
Shot, steel, manufacturing
Shotgun shells manufacturing
Small arms ammunition (i.e., 30 mm. or less, 1.18 inch or less) manufacturing
Wads, ammunition, manufacturing
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External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 332992.
National Firearms Association
Provides education and advocacy resources specifically for small arms ammunition manufacturers.
U.S. Census Bureau NAICS Database
Official government directory defining manufacturing standards and classifications for this specific industry.
Small Arms Manufacturer Association
A trade organization representing major manufacturers of firearms and ammunition with global reach.
