Matt Hiller gives his father’s dog “Grady” a scratch at Hiller’s new store, Operation Freedom Firearms in Muncy.
Hiller opened his store in early September after he and his wife decided that Matt should go full time as a gun store owner.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
A Muncy firearms shop owner says business is brisk and there is opportunity to grow, especially with the ample hunting, outdoors and sport shooting customer base in the region.
Matt Hiller owns Operation Freedom Firearms at 50 Angletown Road.
“We sell a variety of different manufacturers of firearms and ammunition along with other accessories such as turkey calls, firearms accessories, minor clothing and many other outdoor items,” Hiller said.
“The importance of this type of business is to provide the tools for game conservationists/hunters preserving one of this state’s most valued traditions,” Hiller said, when asked why businesses such as his are so valuable in this region.
“Additionally, this business continues the efforts of providing Americans with firearms, which are a right in the eyes of the Constitution,” he stressed.
There is a large selection of guns on display at Matt Hiller’s new store, Operation Freedom Firearms in Muncy. Hiller opened his store in early September after he and his wife decided that Matt should go full time as a gun store owner. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“The business started in my garage with the support of my wife … as a small side business.”
In terms of the customers and community response, he said, “it’s been amazing. We never expected to flourish this quickly.”
Hiller added how he had a five-year plan in his head several years ago when he was thinking about retirement from the Army.
“I wanted to have something to give to my family and I also wanted to be doing something I thoroughly enjoyed. I am passionate about the outdoors and the firearms community and have been since (I was) a child. So, I planned out going to school with my GI Bill for gunsmithing and business.”
“Once I completed the school, I began laying down the groundwork to get the business in gear. I worked in my little shop every day but Sundays all while still holding a full-time job.”
Matt Hiller assists a customer as they look over the selection of guns at Hiller’s new store, Operation Freedom Firearms in Muncy.
Hiller opened his store in early September after he and his wife decided that Matt should go full time as a gun store owner.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“We offer pricing that is sure to beat the competitor and we do gunsmithing, which is getting harder to find,” he said. “Currently, we do firearm restoration, minor repairs and major repairs and we do not have a machining presence but hope to in the very near future.”
Today, Hiller remains the sole owner and employee at the business.
But last August, when his wife was in a bad accident, a good friend stepped up and helped him in the shop — that friend continues to help out now.
“He is a volunteer,” Hiller said. “My wife helps as well, creating the business logo and other promotional items.”
Hiller is not only skilled in operating firearms, but in knowing their functions, design, purpose and construction — and it is what sets the model for the store moving forward.
“I have studied and developed my own methods of strategy when diagnosing major and minor firearm issues as well as developing my own restoration process,” he said.
“I have a degree in gunsmithing and continue my knowledge everyday through research and networking with major manufacturers and other professionals in the industry,” he said. “I have been taking apart firearms since an early age but more recently diving into the overall development and repair aspect since 2020.”
“We hope to be adding the machining aspect of the repairs in the next year and grow our business as well. We hope to make positive waves in the community for safe gun ownership,” Hiller said.
“We also would like to develop a weekend event for children to understand safe handling of firearms and marksmanship training,” he said, adding that another desire is to “develop a way to be able to donate to local veterans in need. As any new business it is hard to devote funding to any charity, but we hope to find ways to support the veteran community through any means necessary.”