KE Arms

What KE Arms does

KE Arms (legal entity Kinetic Energy Arms LLC) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based firearms manufacturer founded in 2013 that designs and produces complete rifles and components for the AR-15 and AR-10 platforms, pistol caliber carbines, shotguns, and accessories. The company is best known for two proprietary technology platforms: the KP-15 monolithic polymer lower receiver — injection molded from 30% glass-filled nylon with the buttstock, buffer tube, pistol grip, and trigger guard integrated into a single piece — and the SLT-1 Sear Link Technology trigger system, which allows the firearm to be placed on safe regardless of hammer position. The broader product portfolio includes billet aluminum KE-15 receivers, 9mm-compatible KE-9 and KP-9 lowers (Glock magazine compatible), complete rifles such as the KP-15 CDR, Run-N-Gunner, and Run-N-Gunner Pro, upper receivers, ambidextrous selectors, optic mounts, rail systems, lower parts kits, M16 bolt carrier groups, and shotgun accessories.

KE Arms operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business at kearms.com, complemented by a network of Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers through which all firearm shipments are routed for transfer. Pricing spans from $5.95 accessories up to $2,399.95 for the premium Run-N-Gunner Pro rifle, with stripped receivers starting at $139.95 and complete lowers in the $149.95–$699.95 band. The company ships roughly 50 packages per week via FedEx and USPS in batches every 2–3 business days, with the operation closed Friday–Sunday. Sales are domestic-only — KE Arms explicitly does not export — and are restricted in California (manual email/FFL processing), Illinois, and Washington. Core component suppliers include Young Manufacturing (bolt carrier groups, produced on KEA's in-house CNC machines) and Ballistic Advantage (barrels), with Cerakote finishing coordinated through Pro 2 Customs.

The customer base is fragmented across firearms builders and DIY enthusiasts, competition shooters (for whom the Run-N-Gunner series is specifically designed), defense and hunting consumers, and small OEM/contract clients purchasing receivers for integration into their own product lines. Management is led by Director Russell Phagan; the firm operates without institutional investment or a parent company. KE Arms also operates a sub-brand, Sinistral Surplus, for resale of third-party accessories and surplus parts, and was previously a contract manufacturer for the Hudson H9 pistol prior to Hudson's bankruptcy (the design was subsequently acquired by Daniel Defense). The company is currently engaged in a legal dispute with GWACS over the KP-15 polymer receiver design.

Name

KE Arms

Legal name

Kinetic Energy Arms LLC

Website

https://kearms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KE Arms is a Phoenix-based firearms manufacturer (founded 2013) that designs and sells AR-15/AR-10 components, complete rifles, and accessories — including proprietary KP-15 polymer and KE-15 billet aluminum lower receivers — via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and a domestic FFL dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Firearms and Receivers: Complete firearms including KP-15 CDR rifles, Run-N-Gunner rifles, complete upper and lower receivers sold as one-time purchases to licensed FFL dealers or end customers.
2. Components and Parts: Individual components including stripped lowers, upper receivers, lower parts kits, triggers, bolt carrier groups, rail systems, barrels, and accessories sold to build-it-yourself market.
3. Customization Services: SBR engraving services, Cerakote coating coordination through Pro 2 Customs, and custom rifle builds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KE Arms manufactures and sells AR-15 and AR-10 platform firearms and components, including proprietary polymer and billet aluminum lower receivers, complete rifles, upper receivers, triggers, ambidextrous selectors, rail systems, optic mounts, and shotgun/Picatinny adapter accessories. All products are made in America, with firearms fulfilled through a network of FFL dealers. The company emphasizes mil-spec compatibility, cross-manufacturer interoperability, and competition-driven R&D.

Product overview

KE Arms is a U.S.-based firearms manufacturer specializing in AR-15 and AR-10 platform components and complete firearms. The product portfolio centers on two main lower receiver families: the KP-15 (monolithic injection-molded polymer design with integrated stock/grip/buffer tube) and the KE-15 (billet machined aluminum). These lower receivers support multiple calibers including 5.56mm NATO, .300 Blackout, 9mm, and various big bore cartridges. The company also produces complete rifles (KP-15 CDR, Run-N-Gunner series), upper receivers, trigger systems (proprietary SLT Sear Link Technology), ambidextrous selectors, rail systems, optic mounts, and shotgun accessories. All products are manufactured in America with 30+ years of tier-one manufacturing experience from automotive, aerospace, and semi-conductor industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sinistral Surplus: A sub-brand/section of the website featuring surplus firearms accessories and parts from other manufacturers

Products and services

• KP-15 Polymer Lower Receiver Monolithic injection-molded 30% glass-filled nylon AR-15 style lower receiver with integrated buttstock, buffer tube, pistol grip, and trigger guard. Features flared magwell for competition use and M-LOK slots at rear of stock for sling attachment. Designed for AR builders seeking lightweight, lower-cost, high-production-speed receivers.
• KE-15 Billet Lower Receiver Precision-machined billet aluminum AR-15 lower receiver to mil-spec standards with broached magwell and mil-spec 8625 type III class 2 hard coat anodizing. Targeted at builders and OEM clients requiring mil-spec compatible aluminum receivers.
• KE-9 Billet Lower Receiver 9mm AR-15 billet lower receiver compatible with most mil-spec 9mm uppers, accepting Glock OEM and aftermarket magazines, with broached magwell. Features adjustable ejectors for cross-compatibility with various bolt carrier groups.
• KP-9 Polymer Lower Receiver Polymer AR-15 style lower receiver designed for 9mm blowback systems with Glock magazine compatibility. Part of the KP-15 polymer lower family extended to 9mm pistol caliber carbines.
• KP-15 CDR (Community Defense Rifle) Complete rifle built around the KP-15 polymer lower with 16 inch midlength barrel, complete upper receiver, and rail system. Marketed for community defense, home defense, and hunting.
• KP-15 Run-N-Gunner Rifle Competition-focused lightweight rifle with KP-15 polymer lower, carbon fiber handguards, and SLT trigger technology. Weighs 5.00 pounds with 12 inch handguard. Designed for cross-country competition matches.
• KP-15 Run-N-Gunner Pro Rifle Premium competition rifle featuring Unrivaled components including dead blow buffer system, hard chrome bolt carrier, and adjustable gas block. Weighs 5.65 pounds. Priced at $2,399.95.
• KE-15 Upper Receiver Forged 7075-T6 flat top upper receiver machined to mil-spec standards with M4 feed ramps and USGI type T marked top. Sold as a standalone component for builders.
• Complete Upper Receivers Complete assembled upper receivers including 16 inch lightweight, 20 inch WWSD, and 16 inch CDR configurations with various barrel and rail options. Available as turnkey upper assemblies.
• SLT-1 Sear Link Technology Trigger Proprietary trigger system allowing user to place firearm on safe regardless of hammer position. Features D-Clip retention for fire control pins. Provides crisp, lightweight trigger pull with enhanced safety characteristics.
• Ambidextrous Selectors Billet machined ambidextrous safety selectors in various configurations (Wedge, Bar, Pinch, Circle, Dog Bone) for 90 or 45 degree throw. Sold as standalone components for builders and upgrades.
• Optic Mounts Precision-machined aluminum optic mounts for various applications including carry handle mounts for Aimpoint and Holosun optics, and shotgun mounts for Mossberg 500/590 and Remington 870.
• Shotgun Products Picatinny stock adapters for Mossberg 500/590/990 and Remington 870 shotguns enabling attachment of AR-style stocks and grips. Includes Midwest Industries side folding tube in KEA Shotgun Stock Adapter Kit combo product.
• Side Folder Products KP-15 and KP-9 variants with side-folding stock adapters compatible with BRN-180, FM Products, and bufferless upper systems.
• Rail Systems Free float rail systems including Delta Quad Rail and Delta-S Keymod options in various lengths, plus SHTF thermal wraps. Sold as standalone components for AR platform builds.
• AR-15 Lower Parts Kits Complete lower parts kits including GI parts, enhanced mil-spec fire control, AR-15 enhanced LPK, and drop-in kits with various grip options. Sold as standalone kits for builders.
• M16 Bolt Carrier Groups Complete bolt carrier groups made by Young Manufacturing on KEA's in-house CNC machines using MILSPEC quality steel, with chrome or nitride finishes and HMB (Heavy Metal Defense) bolt option.
• GEAR (Branded Apparel and Accessories) Branded merchandise including patches, stickers, and novelty items such as aluminum goblin bottle openers and shot glasses. Sold under the KE Arms brand.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Pro 2 CustomsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPro 2 Customs provides Cerakote coating services for KE Arms customers. Customers ordering rifles or receivers with Cerakote options have parts dropped off at Pro 2 Customs. KEA coordinates the logistics while customers pay Pro 2 directly for the coating work.
• Arizona FirearmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Phoenix area FFL dealer that accepts transfers for KE Arms orders. Listed as a shipping option at checkout for Arizona residents who prefer local pickup rather than shipping to distant dealers.
• Young ManufacturingcoreTechnology or IntegrationYoung Manufacturing produces bolt carrier groups for KE Arms on KEA's in-house CNC machines using MILSPEC quality steel. Supplies both Black Nitride and Chrome M16 BCG options for complete upper builds. Key component supplier for rifles.
• Ballistic AdvantagecoreTechnology or IntegrationBallistic Advantage manufactures barrels for KE Arms rifles, including 5.56mm NATO nitride coated barrels with 1:7 twist for Run-N-Gunner rifles and complete uppers.
• Daniel DefenseminorOthersDaniel Defense acquired the Hudson H9 pistol design and re-engineered it for release as a new product. KEA previously produced slides and grip frames for original Hudson H9 before Hudson's bankruptcy.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Brownells: Brownells is a broad firearms parts, components, and accessories distributor/retailer serving the AR builder market — comparable as a channel competitor and product-line adjacency for the DIY builder segment KEA targets.
• Daniel Defense: Daniel Defense is a broader incumbent in premium AR-15 rifles and components, including a direct historical relationship with KE Arms (Hudson H9 design); comparable as a premium-positioned AR competitor.

Direct peers

• Noveske Rifleworks: Noveske is a comparable premium AR-15 platform manufacturer offering complete rifles, barrels, and components targeting competition and professional shooters — overlapping KEA's enthusiast/competition segments.
• Seekins Precision: Seekins Precision is a comparable boutique AR platform manufacturer producing billet lowers, uppers, and complete rifles with a focus on quality and innovation — directly overlapping KEA's premium positioning.
• Aero Precision: Aero Precision is a directly comparable AR-15/AR-10 lower and upper receiver manufacturer with overlapping product lines (billet and forged receivers, complete rifles, components) and similar DTC e-commerce + dealer distribution model.
• Palmetto State Armory (PSA): PSA is a high-volume direct competitor in complete AR-15 rifles and components, competing on price and availability with similar mil-spec receivers and component kits sold via DTC e-commerce.
• Anderson Manufacturing: Anderson Manufacturing is a closely comparable AR-15 lower/upper and component manufacturer selling primarily through distributors and dealers, competing on price-positioned mil-spec parts.

Emerging players

• Midwest Industries: Midwest Industries is a comparable accessory and component manufacturer (rails, mounts, side folders) sold to AR builders; partial overlap with KEA's accessory/Side Folder product lines.
• Ballistic Advantage: Ballistic Advantage is both a supplier to KEA and a comparable barrel/component manufacturer selling to builders; partial product overlap and shared customer base (DIY builders) make it a relevant emerging-peer comparison.

Others

• Magpul: Magpul is both a component supplier integrated into KE Arms products (trigger guards, slings, PMAGs) and a major accessory/parts manufacturer — relevant as an ecosystem enabler and as an indicator of category economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbgVrmWU0tYq2iw-6fFZnGQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/KEArmsOfficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/ke_arms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ke-arms-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 KE Arms