Firearms manufacturer discusses plans for growth in Helena

A Helena firearms manufacturer announced Friday he plans to invest nearly $50 million into his company in the next 10 years and grow his workforce from 12 to nearly 60 employees. And there are plans for more growth and investment. Michael Merino, president of Olympus Arms Inc.

, discussed his companies’ goals and firearms during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Cole Avenue business attended by Gov. Greg Gianforte, who earlier in the morning tested Olympus’ Vulcan Recoilless Rifle. There are plans to develop a high-tech industrial park in Helena and a facility where Olympus can manufacture the Vulcan and associated companies will invest nearly $150 million and add nearly 200 employees over the next decade.

The Vulcan is described as a “modular, multi-caliber firearm, using recoil action, that can be configured as either a rifle, carbine or pistol. ” The rifle, which retails for $3,857, can be converted to fire other calibers with a 60-second, no-tool barrel change. The long-barrel .

308 version of the Vulcan was named the new firearm of the year at the 2023 SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade) show in Las Vegas, Merino said. He said it can be used for military purposes or as a sporting rifle. Developing the Vulcan was a 15-year endeavor.

Merino said he is expecting excitement when he returns to the SHOT show Jan. 23–26 and will seek “serious” purchase orders. “This is one of the most innovative rifles I have seen in a while,” Gianforte said while touring the Olympus plant.

Olympus is one of three entities of Merino Enterprises, which includes Blue Sky Inventors Inc. and Mars Inc. Blue Sky did the research and development of the Vulcan.

It was based in St. George, Utah, and moved to Montana in 2023. A media packet provided by Olympus described Blue Sky as a “world class precision machine shop …” Mars Inc.

was described as having a relationship with the U. S. Army, stating it recently provided versions of the Vulcan for testing.

It also works with law enforcement and allied military. According to a fact sheet provided by Olympus on Friday, as Blue Sky grows it expects to invest up to $100 million and have 150 employees in its research, design and business innovation efforts over the next 10 years. Mars Inc.

expects to invest up to $50 million in capital and have nearly 50 employees over the next 10 years. Merino said he starts his workers at $20 an hour and hopes they stay and the job becomes a longtime career. Merino said he is an Army veteran, inventor and entrepreneur.

He is a Montana native in Melrose. He enlisted in the Army at 19. He was asked why his business is located in Helena.

“I live here, this is my home,” he said. “This is where I served in the military and my kids go to school. This is where I want to be.

” Gianforte thanked Merino and his employees for “their investment in Montana. ” He said they are building on a very strong firearms and ammunition industry in Montana. The governor said the state is home to more 150 firearms and ammunitions businesses, the highest per capita in the country.

“We are thrilled to have you here,” he said. “We’re just happy to be here and thank you for all the opportunities,” Merino said. There was other firearms news this week in Montana.

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