A trend gaining strength in the outdoor industry is a push for products to be made in America. This is an understandably pricey endeavor, but that isn’t stopping numerous manufacturers from finding ways to make it work. Benefits include a more reliable supply chain, greater opportunities for quality control, and supporting local economies. Check out these outdoor industry companies striving to manufacture made in America products, and consider stocking your shelves with their products.
This might come as a surprise due to the brand’s past association with the Philippines, but Rock Island Armory (RIA) USA is in Utah. Thanks to the familiarity of the RIA name, this shift into American-made firearms is not only welcome but something to be excited over. The facility in Utah is filled with state-of-the-art machinery and staffed by a team focused on producing quality guns that are meant to be used.
The RIA 5.0 E(nhanced) is a great example of the manufacturer’s drive to offer guns that are truly American made — 95% of the raw materials used in this model are sourced directly from Utah, meaning customers can’t really get any closer to a gun that truly comes from the Beehive State. The remaining 5% of materials are also obtained from within the border of the United States. As for the finished product, it’s assembled in Utah.
RIA guns that are made in the USA bear an American flag on their frame and have RIA-USA engraved on them as well. The RIA 5.0 E(nhanced) is a stellar example and an ideal pistol for customers looking for a well-made option for defensive applications. It’s a full-size handgun chambered in 9mm with a 17 +1 capacity. Features include an accessory rail in front of the trigger guard, optics-ready slide, and 4-pound trigger.
MSRP $1988
Learn more at Armscor.com
As a relative newcomer to the gun world, Watchtower Firearms is a name not recognized by many — yet. Firearms are 100% made in America and designed to appeal to customers interested in custom-quality, high-end products. These guns aren’t only made to last, they’re meant to be passed down through generations.
The Apache can be considered the manufacturer’s flagship model. It’s a double-stack 9mm 1911 that boasts many useful features alongside unique details. This is a full-sized 1911 although not quite a Government model (the specifications are slightly different). The Apache’s barrel is 4.6 inches long and the gun’s overall length is 8.6 inches. Height with iron sights and a flush-fit magazine is 6.2 inches. While this is a beautiful gun for customers who demand the best, it’s also functionally reliable, accurate and durable. And even though it’s a full-size gun, it can be concealed if the owner desires.
Interestingly, the manufacturer got its name from Operation Watchtower. The operation is more commonly referred to as the Battle of Guadalcanal and took place in the Pacific during World War II. The team at Watchtower Firearms takes pride in engineering and building handguns and rifles in Houston, Texas. These guns are made to protect and defend.
Editor’s note: Watchtower Firearms filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and sold many of its assets in 2025, rebranding as Watchtower Defense. As far as we are able to determine, they are still making guns.
MSRP $4,300
Learn more online at watchtowerfirearms.com
Based in Cocoa, Florida, Diamondback Firearms is another company your customers might not realize takes pride in making its products in America. Diamondback is family owned and operated. Production is handled in-house to a high standard for quality control. According to the gun maker, keeping these things right here in America helps them ensure supply continuity while preserving quality.
The Diamondback SDR is a 9mm-chambered revolver that’s the perfect fit for customers that want a modern snubby. With its 2.0-inch barrel, 6.53-inch length, and 4.44-inch height, the SDR is small enough for pocket carry but large enough to offer a comfortable grip during live fire. And because it’s chambered in 9mm +P, it offers the caliber options defensive shooters prefer. The SDR is built on a forged stainless-steel frame and weighs 21.2 ounces, empty. It has a six-shot capacity.
Features of the Diamondback SDR that are sure to appeal to revolver fans include a double-action/single-action trigger, Hogue black rubberized grips, and an ergonomic push-button cylinder release. A high-vis fixed fiber optic front sight and low-profile dovetailed fiber optic rear sight come standard. Moon clips are included.
MSRP $821
Learn more at diamondbackfirearms.com
For customers that want niche products made by experienced shooters and hunters, there’s Skinner Sights. The brand got its start with peep sights, but today Skinner Sights manufactures a variety of iron sights, optics, and accessories such as carrying cases. Skinner Sights is spearheaded by Andy and Sheila Larsson and located in Montana. The Larssons put enormous time and effort into their products and are constantly expanding and improving their facilities and offerings. This is the company that designs and manufactures the iron sights that have been used on lever-action rifles made by companies like Remington and Marlin.
The Skinner Sights Concealed Carry HTF Garment Bag is a solid product to keep in stock for customers who travel. The HTF Garment Bag is exactly what is sounds like — a garment bag — but it’s one with a clever tactical angle. Inside the bag are the pockets, loops and attachment points for one long gun, two handguns, three 30-round rifle magazines, eight handgun magazines, a knife, a flashlight, and other accessories. The emergency-use-only holsters are soft-sided and the magazine pockets are ruggedly made. A heavy-duty zipper keeps it closed, and a strong hanger is capable of supporting its weight. And if a customer doesn’t have a long gun in it, or if they break down the rifle in question, the case can be folded in half. Basically, this is the gun case your customers might not know they need, but once they see it, they’ll be sold.
I’d be remiss not to mention the company’s iron sights in somewhat greater detail. Customers with bolt-actions and lever-actions will benefit most from Skinner Sights’ iron offerings, but LPVO optics are available as well. Iron options include peep, aperture, express, and front sights, all of which are made to exacting standards for performance and quality. The sights are also beautiful additions to classic rifles and well worth stocking for popular rifle models.
MSRP $269
Learn more at skinnersights.com
It’s a good idea to keep quality AR-15s in stock, and if your focus is those made in America, you should be checking out Acme Machine. The AR manufacturer is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in recent years they’ve made the move to on-site, American-made components. Today, the company’s guns are not only made in America but largely made in-house, something that was only a dream for them years ago.
The standard Acme Machine AM-15 is a reliable rifle that can be purchased as a complete rifle or as sets separated into the lower and upper receivers. And while that’s a great model to keep in the store for customers to handle, it’s Acme’s Build Your Own Kit AM-15 that makes an appealing display. Components are packed into what can only be called a pizza box — although it does have the foam cutouts necessary to protect parts. You can stock the popular 5.56 NATO model or have multiple calibers available, including 350 Legend, 300 Blackout, 6.5 Grendel, 458 SOCOM, and 450 Bushmaster. This kit is a good way to get customers who want to build their own rifle a straightforward start.
MSRP $749.99
Learn more at acmemachine.com
Ruger’s been in business since 1949, when it launched its first 22-caliber pistol. Many consider the gun maker to be the last of its kind: A long-time, all-American company that remains American-owned and -operated. It’s no easy feat for a manufacturer to stick to its mission to remain American-made, but Ruger’s pulled it off.
The Ruger RXM, which is the result of a collaboration with Magpul, is probably the gun maker’s most popular handgun currently. It’s proven itself as more than just another polymer pistol and gained a following among gun owners interested in concealed carry. Odds are good you already keep the RXM on your shelves, and if you don’t, you should. The Ruger RXM is a 9mm, striker-fired handgun with a 4.0-inch barrel and a Stealth Gray Magpul Enhanced grip. It’s available as either a 15 +1 capacity or a 10-round capacity, the latter of which is for restricted states.
For customers who prefer an AR-platform rifle, Ruger makes the AR-556. The Ruger AR556 MPR is a flat-top rifle with a full-length Picatinny rail and M-Lok compatible handguard. It’s chambered in 5.56 NATO and ships with one 30-round magazine. The stock is adjustable for length and the Ruger Elite 452 AR Trigger comes standard. This is a nice option for customers that want a multi-purpose rifle for range time and home defense.
MSRP $499 (RXM), $1129 (AR556 MPR)
Learn more at ruger.com
