Gun Cleaner / Firearm Maintenance Technician — Key Responsibilities and Required Skills

🎯 Role Definition

The Gun Cleaner / Firearm Maintenance Technician is a hands-on role focused on maintaining the safety, reliability, and longevity of small arms through routine cleaning, inspection, preventative maintenance, and accurate documentation. This position enforces strict safety and compliance standards, works closely with range staff, armorers, or retail teams, and supports customer-facing activities related to firearm condition and maintenance recommendations. Ideal candidates demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, familiarity with manufacturer service recommendations, and a commitment to lawful and safe handling of firearms.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Range Attendant / Range Safety Officer
Retail Gun Counter Associate
Military or Law Enforcement Weapons Specialist

Advancement To:

Armorer / Certified Firearms Technician
Weapons Maintenance Supervisor
Range Manager or Firearms Services Manager

Lateral Moves:

Sales Specialist (Firearms & Accessories)
Inventory Control or Compliance Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Maintain a rigorous safety-first approach while handling, inspecting, and maintaining a broad range of small arms, ensuring all work complies with federal, state, and local firearms laws and internal safety protocols.
Perform routine cleaning and preventive maintenance on firearms according to manufacturer specifications and shop policies, ensuring reliability and reducing long-term wear without providing operational or tactical instruction.
Conduct thorough visual and functional inspections to identify wear, corrosion, cracks, loose fittings, or damaged components and document findings with clear, time-stamped records.
Disassemble and reassemble firearms following manufacturer guidance and organizational standard operating procedures, ensuring all parts are accounted for and correctly installed prior to return to service.
Replace common serviceable parts (springs, pins, magazines, pins, extractors, screws) when required and escalate non-routine defects to certified armorers or supervisors for further action.
Lubricate and protect metal and wood components using approved products, applying corrosion prevention practices appropriate for the firearm type and storage conditions.
Maintain detailed service logs, chain-of-custody documentation, and serial-numbered records for every firearm processed, ensuring traceability and audit readiness.
Coordinate with the armory, range manager, or retail leadership to prioritize work based on safety risk, scheduled rentals, customer appointments, or law enforcement needs.
Receive, verify, and process firearms brought in for cleaning or maintenance, confirming ownership or transfer documentation as required by law and internal policy.
Conduct operational function checks and non-invasive performance verification (e.g., cycle checks, safety lever inspection) as permitted by policy to confirm safe condition before release to owner or service pool.
Triage firearms for escalation when symptoms indicate mechanical failure, recommending parts, repair timelines, or referral to a certified armorer for gunsmith-level service.
Follow hazardous materials handling and disposal procedures for cleaning solvents, lubricants, and contaminated materials, keeping MSDS/SDS documentation current and accessible.
Maintain and calibrate cleaning and inspection tools, minor fixtures, and test equipment, reporting any tool failures or calibration issues promptly to management.
Manage parts inventory and routinely reorder consumables (cleaning kits, solvents, lubricants, patches, brushes) to support uninterrupted shop operations and reduce turnaround delays.
Communicate clearly with customers, range personnel, or internal stakeholders about service scope, turnaround times, costs, and any safety or compliance concerns discovered during inspection.
Provide written condition reports and maintenance recommendations for customers and record any agreed-upon service changes or add-on authorizations.
Enforce range or shop policies when handling rental or demo firearms, ensuring returned equipment meets cleanliness and safety standards before re-issuing to customers.
Participate in regular safety audits and internal inspections, implementing corrective actions and process improvements to reduce repeat maintenance issues and safety incidents.
Train and mentor junior technicians or new hires on shop procedures, safety protocols, and documentation practices, focusing on compliance and quality rather than operational guidance that could be misused.
Work with compliance or legal teams to support audits, recalls, or regulatory inquiries, supplying accurate records and descriptions of maintenance histories and custody.
Assist in incident investigations by preserving evidence, documenting firearm condition, and producing clear, factual reports to support internal or external review.
Maintain professional discretion around client and case information, handling sensitive customer and law enforcement-related matters with confidentiality and integrity.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc service requests, special cleaning projects, and peak-period demand by adjusting scheduling and prioritization in coordination with management.
Contribute to the organization’s safety culture by suggesting procedural improvements, equipment upgrades, and training topics based on recurring maintenance trends.
Collaborate with sales and retail teams to translate observed maintenance needs into recommended accessory or service offerings.
Participate in scheduled inventory audits and reconciliation for consumables, spare parts, and manufacturer-specific components.
Assist in the preparation of firearms for customer pickup, rental rotation, or display, ensuring aesthetic and functional standards are met.
Provide input on warranty claims and manufacturer returns by documenting pre-existing conditions and service performed.
Engage in vendor communications for parts procurement and escalation of defective components, maintaining professional communication logs.
Help develop and maintain a searchable database of service records and common failure modes to streamline diagnostics and improve turnaround times.
Take part in periodic cross-functional training with armorers and compliance officers to remain current on legal changes and industry best practices.
Participate in community or customer education events about safe firearm storage, basic maintenance awareness, and shop service offerings (without teaching technical or tactical operation techniques).

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Firearm inspection and condition assessment (visual and non-invasive functional checks) across a range of handgun and long-gun platforms.
Knowledge of manufacturer maintenance recommendations, warranties, and service bulletins; ability to follow documented procedures.
Familiarity with safe firearm handling, storage, and transport practices consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.
Parts identification and basic replacement for common service items; ability to read and reference parts diagrams and exploded views.
Inventory management and parts procurement, including SKU and serial-number tracking for parts and serviced firearms.
Documentation and recordkeeping skills for service logs, chain-of-custody forms, inspection reports, and compliance files.
Use and basic maintenance of cleaning equipment, inspection optics, calipers, and non-destructive test aids.
Hazardous materials awareness and safe handling of solvents, lubricants, and contaminated waste in accordance with SDS guidelines.
Familiarity with POS/service management systems, digital logging tools, and basic spreadsheet/database operations for service tracking.
Understanding of basic customer service workflow within a retail or range environment, including appointment scheduling and checkout processes.

Soft Skills

Impeccable attention to detail and consistency in repetitive processes to ensure safety and quality.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for clear reporting and customer interactions.
High integrity and discretion when handling customer firearms, personal data, and law enforcement cases.
Good time management and prioritization skills to meet turnaround commitments during busy service periods.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to escalate complex mechanical issues appropriately.
Team-oriented approach and willingness to cross-train or assist others during peak demand.
Customer-focused attitude with tactful communication when explaining condition or service limitations.
Adaptability to changing regulatory requirements and internal process updates.
Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development in firearms maintenance practices.
Dependability, punctuality, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate, technical school coursework, or community college coursework related to mechanical technology, small engine repair, or an armorer certification program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mechanical Technology / Small Arms Maintenance
Law Enforcement or Military Weapons Training
Industrial Safety / Occupational Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years for entry-level roles; 2–5 years preferred for standalone technician positions.

Preferred:

Prior hands-on experience working in a gun shop, firearms repair facility, shooting range, military weapons section, or law enforcement armory.
Certifications or training such as NRA Safety Instructor courses, manufacturer armorer courses, or state-required firearms handling credentials are a strong plus.
Demonstrated track record of safe firearm handling, excellent recordkeeping, and customer service in firearm-related environments.