Who is Tactical Arms?
Who am I?
My name is Scott Walters. I’m the founder and owner of Tactical Arms Gunsmithing. I’ve been an avid shooter for most of my life. I starting shooting in Boy Scouts about the age of 12 and have been shooting ever since. I have shot competitively in PPC, pin matches, small bore, High Power, as well as long range. I hold a degree in engineering from the University of Florida and multiple gunsmithing certifications. I served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years leaving as a Staff Sergeant. I am a NRA certified instructor for Handgun, Rifle, and Personal Protection.
I’m a member of the following organizations:
The American Gunsmithing Association – Life member
NRA – Life member
NRA Certified Instructor
Gunsmithing Club of America
Gun Owners of America
Tennessee Gun Owners
The start of Tactical Arms Gunsmithing:
While I was competing, I always worked on my own firearms. As time went on, many of my friends and team mates would ask me to tweak or accurize their firearms. I had purchased a new high power rifle for matches and while removing the receiver plugs to mount sights, one of the plug screws snapped off. I contacted the manufacturer. They said that it was a common problem of the bluing seizing the plug screws and the told me to take it to one of their factory authorized repair shops. The closest place was about 1-1/2 hours away and only open two days a week. That meant I have to take off work and drive it down. I spoke with the gunsmith and he said it would take a week. I was concerned about scratching the receiver. He said he couldn’t give a guarantee and I could send it back to the factory, if I wished. Sending it back to the factory would be at least 8 weeks to get it back, so I left it with him. In a week, I took another day off work and drove down to get it. He did a fine job, but it cost me two vacation days. I thought, there has to be a gunsmith closer. I checked. There wasn’t.
In 1995, I decided to go to school and get certified. I did just that. I received my certifications, FFL, and business licenses and started Tactical Arms Gunsmithing in Monrovia, AL in February of 1998. I started working out of my garage. I quickly out grew that and moved into an 800 sq ft shop. The business continued to grow.
In 2004, we formed into a corporation. Our client list grew as did our reputation. We started picking up state and federal contracts, as well as our local clientele.
Some of our contracts for ballistic testing, refinishing, modifying, and/or repairs are with companies such as:
NASA
General Dynamics / OTS
Advanced Composites Technology
ManTech International
Several local police departments
In 2021, we opened our new shop outside of Fayetteville, TN. With the political climate at the time, it was just too hard to keep both shops running. So, in 2022, we closed our shop of 24 years in Alabama. But we continue to serve the Tennessee Valley. Many of our AL clients make the short drive to have us work on their prize possessions.
In 1995, I decided to go to school and get certified. I did just that. I received my certifications, FFL, and business licenses and started Tactical Arms Gunsmithing in Monrovia, AL in February of 1998. I started working out of my garage. I quickly out grew that and moved into an 800 sq ft shop. The business continued to grow.
In 2004, we formed into a corporation. Our client list grew as did our reputation. We started picking up state and federal contracts, as well as our local clientele.
Some of our contracts for ballistic testing, refinishing, modifying, and/or repairs are with companies such as:
NASA
General Dynamics / OTS
Advanced Composites Technology
ManTech International
Several local police departments
In 2021, we opened our new shop outside of Fayetteville, TN. With the political climate at the time, it was just too hard to keep both shops running. So, in 2022, we closed our shop of 24 years in Alabama. But we continue to serve the Tennessee Valley. Many of our AL clients make the short drive to have us work on their prize possessions.