Trailblazer Firearms

What Trailblazer Firearms does

Trailblazer Firearms is a privately held, American-owned firearms manufacturer founded in 2014 and headquartered in Fletcher, North Carolina, with 1-10 employees. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets firearms that emphasize compact form factors and patented folding mechanisms, with manufacturing located at its Fletcher facility on Cane Creek Road. Its product portfolio is built around two proprietary platforms: the LifeCard, a single-shot .22LR/.22WMR folding pistol that collapses to credit card size (3.375" x 2.125" x 0.5", 7 oz) and stores three extra rounds in the handle, and the Pivot, a semi-automatic 9mm ultracompact folding rifle (pistol caliber carbine) that collapses to 20.9 inches and accepts GLOCK-compatible magazines. Both platforms are protected by US patents (US10126079B2 for LifeCard and US9021734B2 for Pivot), and the Pivot won the 2024 American Rifleman Golden Bullseye 'Tactical Gun of the Year' award. The company offers blemished (BLEM) variants and a California-compliant Pivot to address regulatory restrictions, and a lifetime warranty that is honored regardless of purchase channel.

The business model is a one-time hardware sale model. Firearms are priced from $279 (LifeCard BLEM) to $1,795 (Pivot California Compliant), with accessories ranging from $7.99 to $129 (conversion barrels, Kydex and leather holsters, CHAD, grip tape, rattle stop, rebuild kit, leather goods, and a custom Pivot Backpack). Sales are made through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, eight-plus firearms distributors (Davidsons, Lipsey's, Orion, Bill Hicks, Zanders, MGE Wholesale, Kinseys, CSSI), major retailers (Gallery of Guns, Sportsman's Warehouse), and Reghen International LLC for international dealer/wholesale orders, with all firearm sales requiring FFL transfer. Customer segments are horizontally distributed across concealed carry/EDC, survival/outdoor, military and law enforcement (eligible for a 10% discount), and pistol caliber carbine users, with active marketing on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and an email list for exclusive deals. Trailblazer faces geographic restrictions in California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, and has no disclosed external funding, parent company, or M&A activity.

Name

Trailblazer Firearms

Legal name

Trailblazer Firearms

Website

https://trailblazerfirearms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Trailblazer Firearms is a privately held, American firearms manufacturer that designs and sells the patented LifeCard credit card-sized .22 folding pistol and the Pivot 9mm folding rifle. It serves concealed carry, survival, military/law enforcement, and PCC users via direct e-commerce, a national distributor and dealer network, and Reghen International for international sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Compact Folding Firearms

NAICS

Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994)

SIC

Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAMAKAA

Firearms & Ammunition Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Sporting Goods & Outdoor Retail/Hunting, Shooting & Archery Retail

Keywords

• Folding firearms
• Compact rimfire pistols
• Pistol caliber carbines
• Concealed carry handguns
• Firearms accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Asheville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Firearms Sales: One-time sale of firearms including LifeCard (.22LR/.22WMR) and Pivot (9mm). Products sold at various price points from $279 to $1,795. Sales through direct e-commerce, distributors, and retailers.
2. Accessories Sales: Sale of complementary accessories including conversion barrels ($99-$129), leather holsters and sleeves ($39-$49), kydex holsters ($49), grip tape ($12.99), rebuild kits ($19.95), and apparel. Ongoing revenue from existing customer base.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Trailblazer Firearms designs, manufactures, and markets American-made innovative folding firearms. Its two signature products are the LifeCard, a credit card-sized single-shot .22 caliber (rimfire) folding pistol, and the Pivot, a semi-automatic 9mm ultracompact folding pistol caliber carbine. The company supplements these firearms with a complete accessory ecosystem including conversion barrels, holsters, leather sleeves, backpacks, grip aids, and rebuild kits sold direct and through an FFL dealer network.

Product overview

Trailblazer Firearms is a firearms manufacturer offering a portfolio of two distinct innovative firearms: the LifeCard (.22LR/.22WMR) as the world's only credit card-sized folding single-shot pistol, and the Pivot Ultracompact Folding Rifle (9mm PCC) featuring patented folding technology. The product line is supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of proprietary accessories including conversion barrels (threaded and caliber-swapping), carry solutions (Kydex holsters and leather sleeves), tactical accessories (charge handle assist device and grip tape), and lifestyle products (backpacks, wallets, notebooks). The company also offers blemished versions of both firearms at discounted prices and state-compliant variants for regulated markets like California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LifeCard: A folding, single-shot .22 caliber pistol that is credit card-sized when folded. Available in .22LR and .22WMR calibers. The world's only credit card-sized folding pistol.
• Pivot

Products and services

• LifeCard (.22LR / .22WMR) World's only credit card-sized folding single-shot rimfire pistol available in .22LR or .22WMR; 0.5-inch thin profile, 7 oz weight, stores 3 extra rounds in the handle; will not fire when closed to satisfy BATF requirements; not classified as an NFA item. Targeted at individual consumers for concealed carry and discreet personal protection.
• Pivot Ultracompact Folding Rifle (9mm) Semi-automatic 9mm ultracompact folding rifle with patented folding mechanism, full 16-inch threaded barrel, extendable stock, GLOCK-magazine compatibility, and extra ammunition storage in the stock. Collapses to 20.9 inches when folded; will not fire when closed. Targets truck-gun, backpack-gun, and home-defense buyers.
• Pivot — California Compliant California-compliant variant of the Pivot folding rifle. Features a pinned non-collapsible stock, a fin installed to remove the pistol grip, and a muzzle brake to achieve the required 30.5-inch overall length. Ships with a 10-round magazine. Sold to individual buyers in California.
• Pivot — BLEM (blemished) Blemished Pivot rifle sold at a discount due to cosmetic imperfections such as machining marks under finish, scratches, or slight finish color variations. Functionally identical to the standard Pivot; targets price-sensitive buyers.
• LifeCard — BLEM (blemished, .22LR / .22WMR) Blemished LifeCard folding pistol sold at a discount due to cosmetic imperfections that do not affect function. Targets price-sensitive concealed-carry buyers.
• .22LR Threaded Conversion Barrel for LifeCard Threaded .22LR barrel conversion for LifeCard pistols (compatible with serial numbers after 09700). Includes storage tin and hex key; sold to existing LifeCard owners who want a threaded barrel option.
• .22LR Conversion Barrel for LifeCard .22WMR Standard .22LR conversion barrel that swaps a LifeCard .22WMR owner's pistol back to .22LR caliber. Includes storage tin and hex key; sold to existing LifeCard owners.
• .22WMR Conversion Barrel for LifeCard .22WMR conversion barrel upgrade for LifeCard .22LR owners. Requires custom gunsmith fitting due to magnum headspace; service includes barrel installation, handle conversion for polymer models, and return shipping to the customer's FFL dealer.
• LifeCard Kydex Holster Made-in-USA Kydex inside-the-waistband holster designed for concealed carry of the LifeCard. Solid locking retention with easy belt/strap attachment. Manufactured in partnership with C&G Holsters. Available in Black, Carbon Fiber, Carbon Fiber FDE, and Olive Green.
• LifeCard Leather Sleeve Premium leather sleeve custom-fit for LifeCard .22LR and .22WMR with non-threaded barrel. Designed for easy pocket or purse carry. Made in Mississippi in partnership with Golden Age Supply Co.
• LifeCard Leather Sleeve for Threaded Barrel Extended premium leather sleeve accommodating a LifeCard fitted with a threaded barrel. Designed for pocket or purse carry. Made in USA.
• Pivot Backpack Custom-designed backpack purpose-built for transporting the Pivot folding rifle, manufactured by Savior Equipment to Trailblazer's specs. Padded single-rifle compartment with lockable zippers, rigid hook-and-loop lockdown straps, and exterior accessory pockets. 22" x 8" x 3" external, 21" x 7" x 1.25" internal.
• Charge Handle Assist Device (CHAD) Low-profile composite charge-handle assist device for LifeCard that makes charging the bolt easier; quickly removable from pocket or purse. Targets existing LifeCard owners.
• LifeCard Grip Tape Peel-and-stick translucent grip tape for the LifeCard handle, with four pieces covering the ammo door, handle upper, backstrap, and handle grip. Enhances traction and control for existing LifeCard owners.
• Rattle Stop Peel-and-stick foam piece that prevents ammunition from rattling inside the LifeCard handle during concealed carry. Sold as an aftermarket accessory for LifeCard owners.
• LifeCard Rebuild Kit Parts kit containing all components needed to rebuild a LifeCard, including bolt spring, trigger spring, tabs, door detent, screws, mylar washers, and hex wrench. Sold as a maintenance/repair kit to existing LifeCard owners.
• Leather Bifold Wallet Handmade genuine leather bifold wallet with a custom LifeCard slot plus cash and card slots. Lifestyle accessory for LifeCard owners.
• Leather Notebook Cover Handmade genuine leather notebook cover with a custom LifeCard slot, including a custom 3.5" x 5.5" ruled 32-page notebook and cash/card slot. Available in Black and Dark Brown. Discreet carry accessory for LifeCard owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.8/5 stars from 127 reviews with 37+ units purchased in last 30 days

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DavidsonscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor firearms distributor offering Trailblazer products (LifeCard and Pivot) to authorized dealers nationwide.
• Lipsey'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational firearms distributor stocking Trailblazer products for dealer network.
• OrioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFFL distributor offering Trailblazer firearms to authorized dealers.
• Bill Hicks & CocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirearms distributor handling Trailblazer products for dealers.
• ZanderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirearms wholesale distributor for Trailblazer products.
• MGE WholesaleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale distributor for Trailblazer firearms.
• Kinseys IncminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirearms distributor stocking Trailblazer products.
• Chattanooga Shooting Supplies (CSSI)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirearms distributor and shooting supply company.
• Reghen International LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales partner for Trailblazer Firearms. Handles all international orders for dealers and wholesalers. Contact: Bob Hennessy, Owner/President. PO Box 523, Denver, Iowa 50622.
• Golden Age Supply Co.minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMade in Mississippi: Leather sleeves for LifeCard manufactured in partnership with Golden Age Supply Co.
• C&G HolstersminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerVeteran-owned company producing Kydex holsters for LifeCard. Made in the USA.
• Savior EquipmentminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerManufactures Pivot Backpack designed by Trailblazer Firearms. Custom made for Trailblazer.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Springfield Armory: American firearms manufacturer with a focus on 1911-style handguns and modern sporting rifles (Hellion). Comparable end markets and Made-in-USA brand positioning, but at broader scale.
• Sig Sauer: Premium American firearms manufacturer with strong concealed carry, pistol caliber carbine (MPX), and pistol lines. Competes for the same end-customer; Pivot's 9mm PCC offering overlaps with Sig's MPX line.
• Ruger (Sturm, Ruger & Co.): Large, established American firearms manufacturer with broad rifle, pistol, and revolver lines. Competes in the same end-markets (concealed carry, PCC) but with much larger scale and product breadth than Trailblazer.
• Henry Repeating Arms: American-made firearms manufacturer with strong brand cachet in lever-action rifles and shotguns. Comparable Made-in-USA brand positioning and direct-to-consumer + dealer distribution model.
• Smith & Wesson: Major American firearms manufacturer with deep distribution. Overlaps with Trailblazer in concealed carry and PCC categories, but at fundamentally larger scale with diversified product portfolio.

Emerging players

• CZ-USA: US arm of Czech firearms maker with compact pistol and PCC (Scorpion) offerings. Competes for the same discreet-carry and pistol-caliber-carbine customer, with a more established brand but largely similar mid-cap manufacturing scale.
• Bond Arms: Texas-based niche derringer and mini-revolver manufacturer. Comparable small-scale, US-made manufacturer focused on unconventional and compact defensive firearms - a direct conceptual analog to Trailblazer's positioning.
• Diamondback Firearms: Smaller American firearms manufacturer producing pistols, rifles, and 9mm PCCs (DBR). Similar scale and Made-in-USA positioning to Trailblazer, with overlapping concealed carry and PCC end-customer.

Others

• GLOCK: Dominant 9mm pistol manufacturer whose magazine standard Trailblazer's Pivot uses. Not a direct competitor but a critical ecosystem participant whose installed base creates aftermarket demand for Pivot-compatible accessories.

Direct peers

• KelTec: Innovative American firearms manufacturer known for unconventional designs (Sub2000 folding PCC, RDB, P11, P17). The most direct peer to Trailblazer's niche-innovation ethos, both compete in compact/folding firearms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/trailblazerguns
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzP94dnPriu2V6-OVbQrUhA
• Facebookfacebook.com/trailblazerfirearms
• Instagraminstagram.com/trailblazerfirearms
• TikToktiktok.com/@trailblazerfirearms

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 Trailblazer Firearms