Charter Arms: New Facility, Old World Craftsmanship

In a time of uncertain economic conditions and outright political hostility, many manufacturers in the shooting industry are filling orders as best they can, but are not expanding the size of their manufacturing base.  After all, what CEO is willing to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into new machinery and buildings only to have their products banned or restricted next month?

However, there are some companies that are still investing into the growth of their own business and stand to reap the reward of such a move.  One of those companies is Charter Arms.

Charter Arms recently moved into a new facility that has greatly expanded their production space from 8,000 square feet to 28,000 square feet.  That obviously gives the existing employees a little more breathing room, but it also allows the company to add new production lines as the product offerings expand and orders increase.

“The overall increase in space will enhance the efficiency and flow of parts throughout all of our plant production cells,” said Nick Ecker, president of Charter Arms.  “A lot of thought went into the initial design process incorporating many of our employees’ ideas that will favorably impact their work areas.”

Charter Arms estimates approximately a 25% increase in production efficiency just from the new plant layout.  The company also estimates that the additional space gives them the ability to triple their total manufacturing capability.

The additional space might just be needed in the coming months and years.  While the current firearms buying frenzy will eventually slow, there is little doubt that the company is receiving more orders today that they were a year ago.  Keeping up with existing orders is not the only thing Charter Arms has in mind for all of the new space.  Several new handgun models are expected to roll out this year.

“In 2013, we plan to introduce several new models catering to the growing interest of women shooters and a few other niche areas, so we’re eager to settle in,” said Ecker.  Among the new gun are several woman-specific models and another that is more gender neutral.

The increase in capacity and efficiency does not mean the company’s traditions of making quality products at affordable prices will be negatively impacted said a representative with whom I spoke.  According to Charter Arms, the company has the lowest return rate in the industry and the fastest turn-around time for repairs that do come in.  Charter Arms offers a lifetime warranty on their products.

Charter Arms guns are all made in the United States with all source parts and materials coming from vendors in a 50-mile radius to the company. The area that Charter Arms calls home is traditionally known as “Gun Valley.”  The area is rich with firearms history – with much of the country’s production and innovation in the shooting realm coming from this area since the 1800’s.  Companies like Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Winchester, Marlin and Mossberg have all called this area home at one point.  It is sad that an area so rich in shooting history is now plagued by forces that would crush freedom.