NAICS 332992

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the U.S. government’s standard for classifying business establishments to compile and publish statistics on the U.S. economy. Developed under the Office of Management and Budget with Canada and Mexico and adopted in 1997 to replace SIC, NAICS groups establishments by production processes to enable comparable statistics across North America. ¹

Under the current 2022 NAICS vintage used in recent Census Bureau economic programs, NAICS 332992 classifies establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing small arms ammunition; official cross-references separate non‑small‑arms ammunition, explosives components like blasting caps and safety fuses, and fireworks into other industries. ²

See also on G2X:

• NAICS 332992
• NAICS 332993
• NAICS 332994

What this NAICS covers

• Manufacturing of small arms ammunition, defined in the NAICS manual as ammunition of 30 millimeters (1.18 inches) caliber or less. ¹
• Ammunition detonators and percussion caps that are part of ammunition manufacturing. ¹
• Establishments within the fabricated metal product manufacturing subsector that are specifically focused on ammunition production rather than firearms or other ordnance. ²
• Not in scope: ammunition other than small arms; see NAICS 332993. ²
• Not in scope: blasting and detonating caps and safety fuses (see NAICS 325920). ²
• Not in scope: fireworks manufacturing (see NAICS 325998). ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	332993	Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing
NAICS	332994	Small Arms Manufacturing
PSC	1305	Ammunition, through 30mm
PSC	1310	Ammunition, over 30mm up to 75mm

NAICS descriptors and cross-references per the Census NAICS manual and descriptions. ²
PSC titles per the Product and Service Code Manual (April 2025). ⁴

Scope notes and boundaries

• “Small arms ammunition” in NAICS encompasses calibers up to and including 30 mm (1.18 inches). ¹
• Cross-references explicitly exclude non‑small‑arms ammunition (NAICS 332993), explosives items such as blasting caps and safety fuses (NAICS 325920), and fireworks (NAICS 325998). ²
• The Census Bureau’s implementation guidance notes that 2022 NAICS is the current vintage used for new releases, with programs transitioning through 2027. ³

Frequently asked questions

• What is the formal definition of NAICS 332992?

  • U.S. industry for establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing small arms ammunition; official cross-references direct non‑small‑arms ammunition to NAICS 332993 and certain explosives items to NAICS 325920. ²

• What caliber range does “small arms ammunition” cover in NAICS?

  • The NAICS manual describes “small arms ammunition” as 30 mm (1.18 inches) caliber or less, distinguishing it from larger‑caliber ammunition that falls in other industries and PSC classes. ¹

• How does 332992 differ from 332994 and 332993?

  • 332992 covers small arms ammunition; 332994 covers small arms (weapons) manufacturing; 332993 covers ammunition except small arms (e.g., larger‑caliber rounds). ²

• What are examples of products in NAICS 332992?

  • Illustrative examples include pistol and rifle cartridges, shotgun shells, blank ammunition, and small arms cartridge reloading. Examples align to the NAICS industry detail and illustrative lists. ²

• Is there a small business size standard for NAICS 332992?

  • Yes. The Small Business Administration sets size standards by NAICS. Refer to 13 CFR 121.201 for the current standard applicable to NAICS 332992; always verify the latest value directly in the eCFR. ⁶

Useful resources

• Census NAICS 2022 industry page for NAICS 332992 — official definition, illustrative examples, and cross-references for Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=332992&year=2022 ²
• Census NAICS portal — browse/search the current NAICS manual, download reference files, and access help materials for accurate coding. https://www.census.gov/naics/ ¹
• data.census.gov quick query for NAICS 332992 — pull available tables (e.g., Economic Census, County Business Patterns) tied to this industry. https://data.census.gov/table?q=332992 ⁵
• SBA size standards (13 CFR 121.201) — find the current small business size standard applicable to NAICS 332992 for set-asides and eligibility. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/part-121/section-121.201 ⁶
• PSC Manual — confirm scope and use of ammunition PSCs like 1305 (Ammunition, through 30mm) and 1310 (Ammunition, over 30mm up to 75mm) when aligning with NAICS 332992. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual ⁴
• PSC Selection/Lookup tool — browse PSC definitions and conduct basic PSC-to-NAICS exploration to support market research and coding checks. https://psctool.us ⁷
• NAICS 2022–2017 concordance — map NAICS 332992 across vintages to reconcile historical data and past awards. https://www.census.gov/naics/concordances/2022_to_2017.html ⁸
• ATF FFL licensing overview — Manufacturer of Ammunition (Type 06) application guidance relevant to establishments operating under NAICS 332992. https://www.atf.gov/firearms/apply-license ⁹
• ITAR U.S. Munitions List (22 CFR 121.1) — Category III (Ammunition/Ordnance) reference for export control considerations that may affect products in NAICS 332992. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/part-121/section-121.1 ¹⁰

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) — official portal. https://www.census.gov/naics/
2. U.S. Census Bureau. 2022 NAICS industry detail — Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=332992&year=2022
3. U.S. Census Bureau. Understanding NAICS and update information. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/guidance/understanding-naics.html
4. General Services Administration. Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual (April 2025). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
5. U.S. Census Bureau. data.census.gov — table search for code 332992. https://data.census.gov/table?q=332992
6. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 13 CFR 121.201 — Small Business Size Standards by NAICS Industry. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/part-121/section-121.201
7. PSC Selection Tool. Product Service Code Lookup. https://psctool.us
8. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS 2022 to NAICS 2017 Concordance. https://www.census.gov/naics/concordances/2022_to_2017.html
9. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Apply for a Firearms License (FFL). https://www.atf.gov/firearms/apply-license
10. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 22 CFR 121.1 — The United States Munitions List. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/part-121/section-121.1