In a firearms service industry often driven by rapid turnarounds and volume quotas, RTF3TX Gunsmithing has established a distinctly disciplined benchmark in South Texas. Located in Live Oak and operating as the only American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) Certified Service Center in the San Antonio metropolitan corridor, the facility is defined entirely by the uncompromising work ethic and rigorous technical pedigree of its founder, Master Gunsmith Roland Lamothe.

A Foundation Forged in Military Discipline

Lamothe's approach to mechanical accountability was shaped across 10 years of service in the United States Army, a tenure that included two major combat tours. In operational environments where equipment readiness is directly tied to mission survival, strict adherence to technical protocols and attention to detail are second nature.

Following his military service, Lamothe brought that same mission-critical mindset to formal gunsmithing education. Rather than relying on short-course seminars or self-taught methods, he completed comprehensive master-level curriculum at the American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI), studying directly under legendary master gunsmiths Bob Dunlap, Gene Kelly, and Gene Shuey. The resulting Master Gunsmith certification provided the diagnostic understanding, metallurgy insight, and design-function mastery required to handle intricate mechanical systems down to factory blueprint tolerances.

Aerospace Precision: 26.5 Years of Boeing Aircraft Standards

What sets RTF3TX Gunsmithing distinctly apart from conventional workshops is Lamothe's dual background in high-consequence manufacturing: 26.5 years of experience painting wide-body aircraft -- including commercial cargo and military aerial refueling platforms -- for Boeing aerospace.

In aerospace manufacturing, surface coatings demand microscopic precision. Standards dictate cleanroom-level degreasing, strict environmental controls, micro-inch surface profiling, and exact dry-film thickness measurements where deviations of a thousandth of an inch are unacceptable. Lamothe directly transfers this aerospace-level prep and coating discipline to every firearm on his bench.

Whether performing specialized Cerakote applications, protective finishes, or surface restorations, every component undergoes multi-stage decontamination, precise abrasive profiling, and controlled thermal curing. This aerospace prep prevents excess buildup inside critical receiver channels, slide rails, and pin holes -- ensuring that coated firearms maintain crisp factory tolerances, butter-smooth cycling, and exceptional corrosion resistance under harsh field conditions.

Uncompromising Quality: Strict OEM Standards and ATF Compliance

The facility's service philosophy focuses on foundational mechanical excellence: complete ultrasonic teardown and deep cleaning, factory OEM repairs, mechanical safety diagnostics, and strict ATF compliance. Every firearm accepted is disassembled to its bare components, mechanically inspected for fatigue, and thoroughly cleaned in ultrasonic tanks to eliminate unseen carbon fouling and grit.

Operating strictly within factory engineering specifications, RTF3TX Gunsmithing maintains clear operational boundaries: no unvetted modifications, no race triggers, no forced reset triggers (FRTs), and no non-compliant custom builds. Repairs are executed to the exact tolerances and specifications engineered by the original manufacturer.

\"Whether inspecting a critical mechanical component on military hardware downrange, applying flight-ready coatings to a multi-ton wide-body aircraft, or restoring a customer's firearm, the standard never changes,\" said Roland Lamothe, Founder and Master Gunsmith. \"True craftsmanship isn't about speed or cutting corners -- it's about meticulous prep work, patience, and doing every single step right the first time so the equipment functions flawlessly when it matters most.\"

A Direct, Appointment-Only Model of Accountability

To preserve this standard of craftsmanship, RTF3TX Gunsmithing operates strictly on an appointment-only, solo master craftsman model. Firearms never sit unattended in a high-volume intake backlog, and work is never delegated to junior apprentices or rotating bench hands. Every firearm is received, evaluated, serviced, and test-checked exclusively by Lamothe himself.

This hands-on accountability and work ethic have earned extensive community trust across Bexar County and South Texas, reflected in 85 five-star customer reviews from firearm owners who value transparent communication and verifiable expertise. In a recent video review testimonial, a client documented their personal service experience from drop-off to final testing -- detailing the meticulous intake process and attention to mechanical detail that defined the work (viewable at this video link).

For South Texas firearm owners who prioritize safety, longevity, and verifiable expertise over assembly-line turnarounds, RTF3TX Gunsmithing delivers a standard of care grounded in military discipline and aerospace precision.

About RTF3TX Gunsmithing

RTF3TX Gunsmithing is an appointment-only firearm service facility located in Live Oak, Texas, owned and operated exclusively by Roland Lamothe, a US Army Combat Veteran (10 years service, two combat tours) with 26.5 years of Boeing aerospace wide-body aircraft coating experience. Holding Master Gunsmith credentials through the American Gunsmithing Institute under Bob Dunlap, Gene Kelly, and Gene Shuey, Lamothe operates the only AGI-Certified Service Center in the San Antonio area. The workshop specializes in factory OEM repairs, complete ultrasonic teardown cleaning, precision Cerakote and protective coatings, mechanical safety diagnostics, and ATF-compliant services across Bexar County and South Texas.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit RTF3TX Gunsmithing / AGI Certified Gunsmith.

Contact Information:

RTF3TX Gunsmithing / AGI Certified Gunsmith

7505 Red Ripple St
Live Oak, TX 78233
United States

Roland Lamothe
+1 (210) 740-1811
https://www.agicertifiedgunsmith.com