MADE IN THE USA
FIREARMS AND FIREARMS RELATED EQUIPMENT
Several areas exist where American made products dominate, and one of them is in firearms, which includes firearms related equipment. I can't cover them all, but regardless of what you want, your search for the Made in the USA label will be a lot easier with these products. For simplicity, I will break it down to just a few categories:
Handloading
Handloading equipment is a class of products that is largely dominated by American companies who make their stuff right here. And, having handloaded for over 30 years, I can state with authority that with VERY, VERY few exceptions, the quality of these products is superb, and that holds true from the lowest consumer price point products to the highest (or higher.) While top quality products are a vital component to the success of any company, it is customer service which distinguishes the best from the not-so-good. Anyone who has been forced to resort to "off-shore" customer service, knows what I'm takin' about.
All of what I have just said is vitally important, but there is one other aspect of American handloading manufacturers that completes the picture - product guarantees and KNOWLEDGEABLE staff who are seasoned handloaders capable offering safe advice.
In very large part, the handloading equipment market is made up of small companies, many of whom have risen to the top of this field. Time and space prevent a full listing of every company ourt there, but here are some that I have found that are top notch and who make their stuff right here:
1. Sinclair, https://www.sinclairintl.com/
If it bears the Sinclair name, it is the best and made in the USA.
2. Brownells, https://www.brownells.com/
Brownells is an American company, and they sell a lot of products, many of which are American made. I mention them here as they are one of the very best sources for firearms and related equipment (including handloading), and they are my first go-to source for anything I need.
3. K&M Precision Reloading, https://kmshooting.com/
Precision handloading stuff at its best, and American made.
4. L.E. Wilson, https://lewilson.com/
Can't say enough good about their stuff. Well made, accurate, innovative, made in USA, and fair priced.
5. Harrell's Precision, http://harrellsprec.com/index.php
Best powder dispensers on the market, period!!! Fantastic compact loading presses.
6. J. Dewey Rods, https://deweyrods.com/
High quality cleaning rods, jags, brushes, cleaning kits, and more
7. Forster Products, https://www.forsterproducts.com/
Great loading press, gunsmithing equipment, and reloading supplies
8. Pacific Tool and Guage, http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/
The name says it all. If there is a tool out there that you need, chances are good that they carry it.
9. Neil Jones Custom Dies, https://www.neiljones.com/
10. ARs and Components
There are way, way too many to mention, but the one thing that they all (or almost all) have in common is the Made in USA label, and there is a lot of high quality out there.. Choose wisely!
If you have a need for any custom die, or adjustments for an existing one, this is the place to go.
Firearms
American companies make some of the finest quality firearms in the world. And while the big players dominate the market, to a certain extent, there are quite a few small ones whose products are widely recognized as the best.
1. Freedom Arms, http://www.freedomarms.com/
Freedom Arms makes some of the very best high power revolvers on the market today, and the number of companies in this group is very small. Their guns are models of strength, function and accuracy. Their customer service is among the very best in the industry. And, of course, they wear the label. This is their approach:
Freedom Arms firearms allow a given cartridge to reach its greatest potential in accuracy and velocity. The characteristics of each cartridge are matched to chamber, throat and barrel diameters along with rifling twists to stabilize a broad range of bullets at a variety of velocities.
Among the calibers for which they make revolvers are:
454 Casull
475 Linebaugh
44 Magnum
500 Wyoming Express
The power capabilities of these calibers require only the very strongest firearms made. A little history of the company may help:
Freedom Arms Inc. is located in a scenic mountain valley in Western Wyoming. This is a country of proud traditions and a history of individualism. Firearms served as a valuable tool, not just a recreational item. From this heritage comes the individuals whose dedication, skill and talent make Freedom Arms firearms and accessories unparalleled in their class.
We realize that purchasing a Freedom Arms firearm goes beyond ownership of just another firearm. It is an investment. Experienced Sales Staff are available at the factory to assist you in making the best choice of revolver configuration to satisfy your needs.
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2. Linebaugh Custom Six Guns, https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/
Like Freedom Arms, Linebaugh makes some of the very strongest, most accurate, and most powerful USA made handguns on the market today. And, also like Freedom Arms, they are the most attractive, as well, at least in this shooters opinion. About John Limbaugh:
John Limbaugh is an American gunsmith who has gained international renown for creating custom revolvers in the largest calibers in the world. He is inventor of the .500 Linebaugh caliber — the first successful .50 caliber revolver (and cartridge) which he created in 1986. He is also credited with inventing the .475 Linebaugh cartridge, which he perfected in 1988.
Linebaugh crafts handguns that defy convention. For instance, he made a .45 Colt capable of shooting 250-grain bullets at 1,700 feet per second — an increase of about 350 feet per second over its peers. When heavy loads were employed, the measured case expansion of the cartridge case was no greater .001" in diameter above the base of the cartridge. Very tight chamber dimensions accomplish this.
John sums up his philosophy:
"We are a custom sixgun shop dedicated to the old school sixgunner. We follow the theories of Elmer Keith and John (Pondoro) Taylor. Theirs was one of big bullets, so is ours. Bullet weight and caliber are constants in external ballistics; velocity is a constantly diminishing variable. I believe high velocity to be a superb killer if placed with exact precision, and if it reaches the inside of the animal. But without exact placement, it lacks the penetrating qualities and thus it wastes its energy in flesh wounds. The big bullet does not have these shortcomings. It will penetrate fully from any angle, thus letting the hunter take shots with confidence that he would otherwise pass up with a 'little' gun. I for one do not like big guns, just big bullets. With this in mind we offer models and ideas to the old school sixgunner.
Remember, old school to us is powerful, practical, and packable."
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3. Dakota Arms, https://www.dakotaarms.com/
Dakota Arms has been making world class rifles, right here in America, since the 1980s. Their Model 76 was their first production firearm and is one of the finest bolt action rifles on the market today. From their website:
For more than thirty years, the classic Model 76 has claimed its rightful place as the most coveted custom rifle on the market today. Featuring timeless design attributes and an unparalleled level of craftsmanship and detail, it’s the ultimate in controlled- round feed perfection. Simply, the finest custom bolt-action rifle made.
Some of the Model 76s features:
CLASSIC FEATURES
XXX grade walnut with a hand-rubbed oil finish
Point panel hand-cut checkering
Dakota swivel studs
Short, standard and long actions
A wide variety of chambers available from 22-250 Remington to 416 Remington
STANDARD FEATURES
Blueprinted action from birth
5 action sizes available: Short, Short Magnum, Standard, Magnum, and Long Magnum
A wide variety of chambers available from 22-250 Remington to 416 Remington
23" premium barrel
Right- or left-hand configurations
7 1/4 to 7 1/2 lbs depending on configuration
Std L.O.P. 13 5/8"
Matte blue finish
One-piece (Classic) steel trigger guard
Claw extractor, controlled round feed
3 Position Safety
Hand-tuned feeding
Range tested for accuracy
Guaranteed MOA accuracy
Target included
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4. Henry Firearms,
https://www.henryusa.com/
This company deserves your business. In fact, any company with this motto, is tops in my book:
Made in America or not made at all.
The Henry company is absolute proof that you can make a product and make a profit by building it here in the USA. From their website:
Henry Repeating Arms is the leading lever action manufacturer and one of the top-five long gun manufacturers in the USA. Our goal is to manufacture a line of classic, well-crafted firearms that every enthusiast can afford. The passion, expertise, and dedication of our employees embody the company’s motto, which is “Made in America Or Not Made At All”. Rest assured, when you read the roll-mark on the barrel of a Henry it’s going to say “Made in the USA.”
How can you not like a company that does this:
Henry Repeating Arms “Guns for Great Causes” is a charitable component of the company that focuses on individual sick children’s cases, children’s hospitals, veterans’ organizations, and 2nd Amendment/Shooting Sports/Wildlife conservation causes and organizations.
5. Companies making firearms in the USA
It gets a little dicey here as there are some companies that are located in the USA, and who assemble them here, but who incorporate foreign made components. Rumors abound, and here is where you may have to make a phone call or two or do some homework. The situation is complicated somewhat by the fact that some of these American companies are in quite a bit of financial distress, and have been so for years. And lastly, it is not American made just because the Company name is on the gun, with a USA address!!!
One note of caution: Companies who are in distress often times resort to the money saving business decision of farming out production of components to foreign countries. One good indicator of foreign manufacture is PRICE, but not always. Just do your homework!
Barrels
For those wanting the very best barrel, whether for hunting, competition or the quest for accuracy, there are some outstanding American Companies who make the best of the best:
1. Krieger Barrels, https://kriegerbarrels.com
From their website:
Krieger Barrels Manufactures precision single-point cut-rifled barrels in calibers ranging from .20 through 4 Bore for the best target shooters and custom rifle builders in the world. While we do not manufacture complete rifles, we do make barrels for almost any need including competition rifles, high-grade sporting rifles, high-power service rifle competition, AR-10, AR-15, ammunition test barrels and more.
Since John Krieger first began rifling barrels in 1982, our Barrels have been made in America by shooters and for shooters, continuously supporting and advancing shooting sports in America and across the world.
2. Lilja Barrels, https://riflebarrels.com/about-lilja-pr ... e-barrels/
From their website:
Since Dan started this business Lilja barrels shot by him and others have won events in every major benchrest tournament, including the NBRSA and IBS Nationals, the Super Shoot, the Cactus, the Crawfish and Williamsport, as well as FCSA, BR-50 and CBA matches. They have also set NBRSA, BR-50, IR 50/50, RBA, ARA and CBA records. Olympic Gold medals have been won using our .22 rimfire barrels. Dan has also served as both a director and past president of the National Bench Rest Shooters Association and is a Trustee of the Rifled Arms Historical Association. From this benchrest beginning, shooters desiring the ultimate in accurate barrels have called on our company. We furnish barrels for other competitive shooting sports, hunting and varmint rifles. There is also a demand for our barrels in law enforcement counter-sniper rifles and a number of military agencies including the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Rangers, the U.S. Army Research Lab, the U.S. Navy Seals, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, the U.S. Airforce Shooting Team, U.S. Army Reserve Shooting Team, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Canadian Special Forces and numerous local police and sheriff departments. These customers demand the best and so should you.
3. Schneider Rifle Barrels, http://schneiderriflebarrels.com/#
From Their website:
Champion shooting notable David Tubb (11 time national Champion) has brought our barrels into the competitive field for over 25-years. In the sporting rifle arena, McMillan Rifles, Lazzeroni Arms Company, Red Rock Rifles, Hill Country Rifles and others, utilize Schneider Rifle Barrels on their products.
We are particularly proud that all of the United States Marine Corp M40A-series sniper rifles utilize our barrels exclusively. These are the M40A3, M40A4, M40A5, and now the new M40A6 sniper rifle. This series spans 17-years as the only qualified barrel supplier for this series of rifles. Other federal government entities with similar applications also employ our barrels.
4. Satern Liberty Barrels, https://shop.saternbarrels.net/about
From their website:
All made 100% in house, you'll find a wide variety of our highest quality SATERN® Cut Rifled barrels and LIBERTY BARRELS® Button Rifled barrels.
(I hope to make it to at least half the places this bike has been)
