Tactical Machining

What Tactical Machining does

Tactical Machining, LLC is a privately held CNC precision machining company founded in 2008 and headquartered in Deland, Florida. The company manufactures unfinished 80% lower receivers for AR-15, AR-10, AR-9, and handgun (Polymer80) platforms from American-sourced 7075-T6 aerospace-grade aluminum forgings and 6061-T6 billet stock, applying Mil-Spec tolerances for compatibility with standard parts kits. Its primary product line is 80% lower receivers — intentionally unmachined in the fire control pocket so they are not classified as firearms by the ATF — sold to home gunsmiths and DIY firearm builders who complete the receivers themselves. The portfolio extends into upper receivers, lower parts kits, buffer tube kits, build bundles, and stainless steel slide castings, with the Smith Defense sub-brand covering Mil-Spec components and reseller relationships with DPMS, KAK Industry, and SB Tactical rounding out the offering.

The business operates as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer on a BigCommerce storefront, with guest checkout, multi-pack volume discounts, and bundled build kits supporting the DIY builder use case. Pricing is unit-based across a range from approximately $40 for a single AR-15 80% lower to over $600 for complete build kits, with no subscription or recurring billing component. A secondary B2B revenue stream exists through OEM Manufacturing services for other firearm industry brands, leveraging in-house CNC capacity. Distribution is restricted to the Continental United States (plus Alaska) and is subject to 15-state geographic exclusions covering 80% lowers and certain firearm components due to state-level regulations.

The company holds one granted US patent (No. 12,031,791) covering a split rail system for Polymer80 frames, with three additional patent applications pending covering bridge frame designs and front rail locking block systems. The customer base is exclusively individual DIY builders, with no enterprise accounts disclosed. The business is founder/owner-operated with no institutional investment or parent company identified, and no public trading in equity or debt. Revenue, headcount growth, and ownership structure are not disclosed in the available data.

Name

Tactical Machining

Legal name

Tactical Machining, LLC

Website

https://tacticalmachining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tactical Machining is a Deland, Florida CNC machine shop founded in 2008 that manufactures 80% lower receivers, AR parts, and Polymer80 pistol frame accessories for individual home gunsmiths and DIY firearm builders, selling direct-to-consumer via its own e-commerce storefront.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Firearm Components Manufacturing

NAICS

Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515)

SIC

Screw Machine Products (3451)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Welding, Fabrication & Field Machining Services (On-site) (IMAIACAD)

Keywords

• Firearm receiver machining
• 80 lower receivers
• AR-15 parts
• CNC machining services
• Firearm components manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Deland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Retail Product Sales: Direct e-commerce sales of 80% lower receivers, AR parts, handgun frames, and complete build kits to consumers. Products sold as one-time purchases with no subscription component. Revenue generated through individual product transactions and bundle/package sales.
2. OEM Manufacturing Services: B2B manufacturing services for other firearm industry companies, producing components under OEM partnerships. Manufacturing capabilities for high-volume production of precision-machined aluminum components.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Tactical Machining is a full-service CNC machine shop that manufactures and sells precision-machined 80% lower receivers for the AR-15, AR-10/308, AR-9, and handgun platforms (including parts for the TM-22 and suppressors for the TM-10), along with mil-spec lower parts kits, buffer tube kits, build kits, slide castings, and proprietary split rail systems for Polymer80 frames. The company sells primarily direct-to-consumer through its own online storefront, and also offers OEM contract manufacturing services for other firearm industry brands. All Tactical Machining-brand products are manufactured in-house at its Deland, Florida facility from American-sourced 7075-T6 aluminum forgings.

Product overview

Tactical Machining is a full-service machine shop specializing in 80% lower receivers for the home gunsmith market, founded in 2008 in DeLand, Florida. The product portfolio centers on precision-machined 7075-T6 forged and 6061-T6 billet aluminum receivers (AR-15, AR-10, AR-9 platforms), supplemented by the Smith Defense sub-brand of mil-spec lower parts kits and buffer tube kits, Polymer80-compatible pistol frames and rail systems, and resold complete uppers from KAK Industry and DPMS. Build kits bundling lowers with uppers, LPKs, buffer tubes, and stocks provide turnkey solutions for DIY builders, while slide castings and individual components serve custom fabricators. All Tactical Machining-brand products are manufactured in-house and held to tight tolerances using American-sourced materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smith Defense: Brand of lower parts kits, buffer tube kits, and complete lower build kits for AR-15, AR-10, and AR-9 platforms.
• Tactical Machining

Products and services

• AR-15 80% Lower Receiver – Forged 7075-T6 Precision-forged 80% lower receiver machined from 7075-T6 aluminum, the Mil-Spec standard for AR-15 platforms. Sold in multiple variants (raw, anodized black, blemished, custom engraved) for individual DIY builders who complete the fire control pocket themselves using a jig, eliminating FFL transfer requirements.
• AR-15 80% Lower & Upper Receiver Set – Forged 7075-T6 Complete receiver set bundling the company's 80% lower with a matching forged 7075-T6 upper receiver (raw or anodized black). For DIY builders wanting a matched, in-house-manufactured receiver pair without sourcing the upper separately.
• AR-9 80% Lower Receiver – Billet 6061-T6 (Glock-compatible) Billet-machined 80% lower receiver for AR-9 / PCC platforms, machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and Glock magazine compatible. Features a broached magazine well for consistent fit; intended for home builders building 9mm pistol-caliber carbines.
• Polymer80 PF940V2 76% Bridge Frame – Full-Size Glass-filled nylon 76% pistol frame compatible with Gen3 Glock G17/G22 components, supporting 9mm, .40 S&W, and .357 SIG builds. Sold by Tactical Machining as an authorized Polymer80 reseller.
• Polymer80 PF940CV1 76% Bridge Frame – Compact Compact-format 76% pistol frame compatible with Gen3 Glock G19/G23 components, designed for 9mm and .40 S&W builds. Sold by Tactical Machining as an authorized Polymer80 reseller.
• Smith Defense AR-15 Lower Parts Kit – Mil-Spec Complete mil-spec lower parts kit for AR-15 lower receivers, including trigger fire control unit and A2-style pistol grip. Sold under the in-house Smith Defense sub-brand with polished and ground sear surfaces and precision trigger components.
• Smith Defense AR-15 Carbine Buffer Tube Kit Complete buffer tube kit for AR-15 builds including mil-spec 7075-T6 6-position carbine buffer tube, 3oz buffer, spring, castle nut, and end plate, sold under the Smith Defense sub-brand.
• Smith Defense AR-15 Complete Lower Build Kit All-in-one bundle combining Smith Defense LPK, buffer tube kit, and mil-spec collapsible stock into a single purchase for complete AR-15 lower assembly, sold under the Smith Defense sub-brand.
• Complete AR-15 Upper Receivers (5.56 NATO / 9mm / 300 AAC Blackout) Complete AR-15 upper assemblies resold from authorized partners, offered in 5.56 NATO, 9mm, and 300 AAC Blackout calibers with barrel lengths from 7.5" to 16" and M-LOK or quad-rail handguard options. Each upper is test-fired by the supplying partner (DPMS or KAK Industry) before shipment, allowing DIY builders to source the upper together with their 80% lower from a single storefront.
• Slide Casting – Glock 19 Compatible (17-4 PH stainless) Raw unfinished slide casting machined from 17-4 PH pre-hardened stainless steel, Glock 19 compatible, sold for custom slide fabrication, slide porting work, or OEM prototyping. Targets custom fabricators and OEMs.
• AR-15 80% Build Kit (300 AAC Blackout 7.5" M-LOK) Complete pre-planned AR-15 build kit bundling the company's 80% lower with a DPMS assembled upper (with BCG), Smith Defense LPK, buffer tube kit, and SB Tactical SBA5 pistol brace into a single SKU, designed to deliver all the parts a DIY builder needs for a 300 AAC Blackout 7.5" M-LOK pistol build.
• Polymer80 Split Rail System Proprietary split front and rear rail upgrade set machined from stainless steel billet for Polymer80 PF940C and PF940V2 pistol frames. Divided into multiple components with a connector clearance cutout preventing trigger interference, simplifying alignment and installation compared to traditional one-piece rails.
• OEM Manufacturing Services B2B contract CNC manufacturing service offered to other firearm industry companies for high-volume production of precision-machined aluminum components, leveraging the company's full-service machine shop, CNC capacity, and in-house quality control.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Smith DefensecoreTechnology or IntegrationSmith Defense is a key partner supplying high-quality lower parts kits, buffer tube kits, and complete lower build kits sold through Tactical Machining's e-commerce platform. Smith Defense LPKs feature mil-spec components including polished and ground sear surfaces, precision trigger components, and extended controls. Products include AR-15, AR-10/.308, and AR-9/AR-45 lower parts kits, buffer tube kits, and complete lower build bundles.
• DPMS (DPMS Panther Arms)coreTechnology or IntegrationDPMS supplies complete AR-15 upper receivers sold through Tactical Machining. Products include 300 AAC Blackout and 5.56 NATO uppers in various configurations (Kitty Kat with C7 carry handle, M-LOK handguards, quad rail options). Uppers are assembled and test-fired by DPMS before shipment.
• KAK IndustrycoreTechnology or IntegrationKAK Industry supplies complete AR-9/AR-15 upper receivers chambered in 9mm sold through Tactical Machining. Products feature button-rifled barrels, M-LOK free-float handguards, and black nitride BCG finishes. All uppers are test-fired by KAK Industry for feed and function before shipment.
• Polymer80coreTechnology or IntegrationTactical Machining is an authorized reseller of Polymer80 76% bridge frames (PF940V2 and PF940CV1) and compatible split rail systems for P80 builds. The partnership includes Tactical Machining's proprietary split rail designs (patented US Patent No. 12,031,791) that enhance Polymer80 frame builds.
• SB TacticalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSB Tactical SBA5 Pistol Stabilizing Brace is included as an option in Tactical Machining's AR-15 80% build kits. Products sold as bundled components for pistol builds.
• XTSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand listed in Tactical Machining's brand portfolio alongside Tactical Machining and Trailergearbox.com. Products not detailed in available source data.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Polymer80: Manufacturer of 76%/80% polymer pistol frames (PF940 series) for DIY builders. Both companies serve the same home gunsmith segment and Tactical Machining is an authorized Polymer80 reseller adding proprietary patented rail/frame upgrades—a directly overlapping customer with shared distribution.
• Juggernaut Tactical: Manufacturer of precision-machined AR-10/AR-15 components and 80% receivers out of Washington state. Comparable product line and DIY-builder customer base with similar CNC-driven differentiation.
• Sharps Bros: Billet-machined AR-15/AR-10 lowers, uppers, and components for the enthusiast custom-builder segment. Similar reliance on precision CNC machining and styling/aesthetic differentiation targeting AR hobbyists.
• Radian Weapons: Premium AR-15/AR-10 component manufacturer focused on precision-machined ambidextrous controls and billet receivers. Overlaps in target customer (custom builders) and CNC-precision manufacturing approach.
• KE Arms: Precision AR-15/AR-10 component manufacturer including 80% receivers and KP-15 polymer lower. Direct overlap with Tactical Machining's 80% lower and DIY build-kit offering.
• Cross Machine Tool: Manufacturer of precision-machined AR-15 billet uppers, lowers, and components, including 80% offerings. Comparable niche focus on mil-spec tolerances and CNC-driven customization for builders.

Broad incumbents

• Spike's Tactical: Established AR-15 manufacturer offering complete rifles and components. Broader product portfolio than Tactical Machining, with similar mil-spec tolerance focus but a much larger installed customer base.
• Anderson Manufacturing: High-volume manufacturer of AR-15 lowers and components at value price points. Overlaps at the lower-receiver category but competes on volume/price rather than CNC precision or proprietary IP.
• Aero Precision: Larger, established AR-15/AR-10 component manufacturer offering complete rifles, uppers, lowers, and parts at scale. Comparable CNC-machined receiver products but with much broader product portfolio and distribution.

Others

• KAK Industry: AR-15/AR-9 component manufacturer (button-rifled barrels, complete uppers, BCGs) that supplies complete uppers to Tactical Machining for bundle kits. An adjacent supplier/partner whose own finished-goods business overlaps with Tactical Machining's reseller SKUs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tacticalmachining
• Xx.com/tactmach
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tactical-machining-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tactical Machining