PROOF Research Opens New Montana Building With Governor's Ribbon Cutting

Rifle and barrel maker PROOF Research hosted Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte at its Columbia Falls headquarters to open a new facility, Hunting Life reports. The company presented the visit as a marker of its growth as a Montana manufacturer.

Key points

• Ribbon cutting: The governor and First Lady Susan Gianforte attended the Oct. 28 opening of the new building.
• Plant tour: The visit covered barrel making, carbon fiber stock production and complete rifle builds at the main manufacturing site.
• Company roots: Greg Hamilton, director of special projects and an early PROOF employee, briefed the governor on the firm's history since 2012, its PXT barrel technology and how the new space supports expansion and hiring.
• Range time: The tour ended at PROOF's indoor 100-meter range, where the governor fired an Elevation MTR FDX in 22 Creedmoor. The article notes Outdoor Life named that rifle its "Best Hunting Rifle of 2026."

Quick take

Gov. Gianforte said the work in Columbia Falls is creating well-paying jobs and called Montana's gun and ammunition makers among the best in the world. KK Jense, PROOF's founder and president, said the new building reflects the company's commitment to growing in the Flathead Valley and thanked the governor for backing state manufacturing.

Read the full story at Hunting Life.