Ummm. For Whom? Until my retirement from the Army (1993), I'd had no connection with the firearms industry (other than as a user) since 1968 - before I got my draft notice, I worked for a really great wholesaler and retailer; Moore and Ehler (R.I.P.), in Dallas (421 N. Ervay, right across from the main Post Office). After retirement, I dogged it for a while, then discovered that there was a barrel maker literally in the neighborhood (well, in Arizona, we have large neighborhoods). I met the owner (Bernie) at the local range, compared notes, and was invited to visit the shop. He gave me the 25 cent tour, explained how he did things (and the peculiarities of the semi-antique equipment), verified that I had some machinist background, handed me a shop apron and set of safety glasses and said, in effect, 'have at it'. I did. That was in 1995. The only other 'them' I've really worked for since 1968 was the Army and certain three-letter government agencies.
mhb - Mike