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Last updated: 2026-02-24
Home Page
Tagline: Guided by Purpose. Built for Precision.
Hero Statement: Altaris Defense delivers next-generation small arms components for uncompromising precision and performance.
R&D Status: Contract Elite™ and Precision Elite™ barrel programs are currently in R&D, with first production runs targeted for 2026.
Key Value Propositions
Individually Inspected: Every component. Every time. Never batch spot-checked.
Documentation-Ready: Components engineered with rigorous quality documentation. Alternate-source procurement ready.
Full Traceability: Uncompromising quality control. Documentation ready for contract compliance.
Performance Earned: A reputation earned through performance, not promotion.
Product Lines
Altaris Defense Barrel Program: Premium alloy. Sub-MOA accuracy. Combat competition focus. Built for sustained duty, each Altaris barrel is engineered with tight bore tolerances, thermal stability, and precise concentricity for reliable suppressed or unsuppressed operation.
AR15 Upper Parts — Precision Where It Matters: Documentation-ready — built for operational reliability. Our kits include only verified, mission-capable parts. Every spring, pin, and fastener is selected for longevity, resilience, and contract compliance.
About Section (Home)
Altaris Defense sits at the intersection of the Podium and the Battlefield. We channel the extreme accuracy demands of national-level precision rifle competition into systems rugged enough for Department of Defense deployment. Our mission is to arm the warfighter with match-grade capability and the competitor with battle-proven reliability.
Our Company: Altaris Defense, LLC is a Pennsylvania limited liability company structured for dual-market engagement. We serve both federal contracting and commercial markets, offering advanced, compliant, and innovative defense solutions.
Our Name: The name Altaris is derived from "Altar" (symbolizing purpose, foundation, and integrity) and "Polaris" (the North Star, a timeless guide in navigation and direction). Together, "Altaris" conveys a company guided by purpose and built for precision.
Mission: To deliver innovative, compliant, and effective solutions across multiple domains — from defense contracting to commercial markets.
Vision: To establish Altaris Defense as a trusted partner in precision small arms components, recognized for advanced engineering solutions and readiness to meet both commercial and government requirements.
About Altaris Defense
Badge: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
Tagline: At the intersection of the podium and the battlefield.
Our Mission
Altaris Defense was founded on a simple principle: precision rifle barrels should be engineered from first principles, not manufactured to tradition. We leverage Carpenter Technology's A-21® stainless carburizing steel to deliver barrels designed to advance the standard for defense and competition platforms.
Our Contract Elite™ and Precision Elite™ barrel programs represent the culmination of extensive R&D, combining advanced metallurgy with precision manufacturing to serve both competitive shooters and defense professionals.
Pennsylvania Long Rifle Heritage
Our roots trace back to the Pennsylvania Long Rifle tradition — American gunsmithing excellence that prioritized accuracy and craftsmanship above all else. We carry that legacy forward with modern materials science and manufacturing precision.
Core Values
Precision First: Every decision is evaluated against its impact on downrange performance.
First-Principles Engineering: We question conventional wisdom and build from the ground up based on material science.
Service to Mission: As a veteran-owned business, we understand what's at stake when performance matters most.
R&D Transparency: We share our research and findings through the Precision Arms Journal to educate and inform.
A-21® Elite Barrel Program
Full Title: Altaris Defense A-21® Elite Barrel Program — Contract Elite™ AR-15 & Precision Elite™ Bolt-Action
First Principles Engineering
At Altaris Defense, we apply first-principles engineering to barrel design. By combining Carpenter Technology's A-21® stainless carburizing steel (UNS S41429) with advanced surface treatments, we deliver barrels engineered to integrate match-grade accuracy with duty-cycle reliability.
Why A-21® Changes Everything
Most stainless steels force operators to choose between accuracy, barrel life, or durability. A-21® is engineered to address those tradeoffs.
Exceptional Thermal Stability: Minimal POI shift during long strings, maintaining precision when heat builds up.
Superior Toughness: Demonstrates improved impact resistance compared to 416R and 410 in cold-environment testing, where other steels may become brittle.
Enhanced Corrosion Resistance: A-21® remains stainless even after hardening — critical for maritime and harsh environments.
High Surface Hardness: Optional nitriding or carburizing for enhanced wear resistance and extended barrel life.
Extended Throat Life: Reduced heat-check cracking means longer accurate barrel life under sustained fire.
Integrated Performance: Engineered to deliver strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance in a single alloy system.
Contract Elite™ AR-15 Competition Barrels
Purpose-built for the AR-15 platform where competition demands and operational reliability converge.
Competition / Match
Match-grade accuracy with the durability to withstand high round counts beyond the flat range.
Tight bore and groove tolerances for sub-MOA potential
Thermal stability maintains POI through heat cycles
5R rifling option for reduced fouling and jacket wear
Tactical / Duty
Built for high round-count duty cycles and harsh operational environments where reliability is non-negotiable.
A-21® alloy chemistry is designed to improve corrosion resistance vs. common barrel stainless steels — supporting data available under NDA
Compatible with QPQ nitriding for enhanced surface hardness
Precision Elite™ Bolt-Action Barrels
PRS / Competition
Engineered for the precision rifle series competitor who demands consistent performance stage after stage.
Hand-lapped bore for superior surface finish
Consistent bore/groove concentricity for repeatable accuracy
Optimized twist rates for popular PRS calibers
Hunting / Long Range
Lightweight precision for the field where every ounce matters and first-round hits count.
A-21® corrosion resistance for extended field exposure
Profiled for weight savings without sacrificing accuracy
Available in popular hunting and long-range calibers
Manufacturing Capability
Altaris barrels are produced under controlled manufacturing and inspection processes optimized for A-21® metallurgy. Process details, tolerances, and inspection protocols are available to qualified partners under NDA.
Precision Arms Journal (Blog)
Technical articles and analysis on barrel engineering, metallurgy, and precision shooting from Altaris Defense.
Choosing the Right AR-15 Barrel Length: Industry Insights
A comprehensive guide to AR-15 barrel length selection for operators and professional end-users. Key considerations include:
Drill steel at 100-300 yd with authority
Provide useful energy and trajectory to 500 yd and beyond
Handle well from prone, standing, and shoulders
Work reliably suppressed or unsuppressed
Stay on the right side of the NFA
Shorter barrels lose significant muzzle velocity compared to longer barrels (sometimes hundreds of fps) because propellant doesn't have time to fully expand before the bullet exits. Reduced velocity translates to reduced effective range and less predictable trajectories. Suppression often increases back-pressure and makes gas tuning critical.
Key Findings: 16" barrels with mid-length gas systems represent a strong general-purpose configuration. Beyond 16", velocity gains per inch start diminishing while weight and handling penalties continue to grow. General guidance: 16" mid-length is a well-validated starting point for an all-around utility rifle.
Downrange Dominance: Evaluating The .300 Magnum Powerhouses
Comparing the leading .300 magnum cartridges (.300 Win Mag, .300 PRC, .300 Norma Magnum) for long-range performance.
.300 Win Mag: Widely available worldwide with numerous hunting and match loads from major manufacturers, often at moderate price points. Barrel life typically 1,500-2,500 rounds of top-tier accuracy.
.300 PRC: Grown quickly in market presence since introduction. Hornady's match and hunting offerings commonly stocked. Barrel life similar or slightly lower, around 1,600-2,000 rounds. Uses standard magnum bolt face.
.300 Norma Magnum: Most niche and expensive of the three. Factory ammunition premium-priced for ELR or professional users. Shortest barrel life (1,000-1,500 rounds). Requires larger action and bolt face compatible with .338-class cartridges. Rifles tend to be heavier and more expensive.
Belt vs. beltless is one design variable among many. For all three cartridges, real-world accuracy is driven more by implementation than by the presence or absence of a belt alone.
6.5 Creedmoor vs 6mm: Why a 6.5mm "Do-Everything" Cartridge Still Matters
Analysis of the 6.5 Creedmoor vs 6mm Creedmoor debate for precision rifle shooters.
Drop: 6mm Creedmoor shows roughly 30 inches less drop at 1,000 yards with comparable match loads — flatter trajectory, more forgiving on range estimation errors.
Wind: At 1,000 yards in a 10 mph full-value wind, 6.5 Creedmoor has roughly 6 inches less drift (roughly 12% improvement).
Energy: At 1,000 yards, 6.5 Creedmoor carries about 50% more energy than 6mm Creedmoor (467 ft-lb vs 312 ft-lb). For duty and hunting, that extra energy isn't just "nice" — it's often the whole point.
Recoil: 6mm has slightly less recoil, important for staying on glass in fast match stages.
The 6.5 Creedmoor doubled hit probability at 1,000 meters compared to 7.62 NATO and increased effective range by nearly half. For steel-only matches, excess energy is cosmetic. For real targets, armor, intermediate barriers, or extended-range lethality, that extra energy matters.
Why the M4 Still Reigns Supreme for Most Shooters
The M4 Carbine remains a highly practical platform for law enforcement, military, and professional applications. Based on 15+ years of field experience, the M4/AR-15 platform continues to demonstrate strong reliability, cost-effectiveness, modularity, and real-world effectiveness. The 5.56 NATO platform remains among the most versatile and cost-effective options across a wide range of operational use cases.
NGSW Deep Dive: The Army's Next-Gen Weapons Program
In-depth analysis of the Next Generation Squad Weapon program based on 15 years of field experience plus recent test data.
SIG Sauer won the competition with its MCX SPEAR designs. The winner weapons are designated M7 rifle (formerly XM5/XM7) to replace the M4, and M250 automatic rifle. Both have received Type Classification — Standard (TC-STD), meaning they are officially considered to meet performance, safety, and reliability standards.
Key Comparisons: NGSW vs Legacy (5.56 NATO/AR-15)
Lethality: 5.56x45mm NATO is effective but struggles penetrating newer armor; range limitations beyond 300-500m. The 6.8mm Common Cartridge delivers higher energy, better armor penetration, more lethality at longer ranges.
Reliability: M4 performs well, but hot environments, suppressors, and barrel wear degrade performance. Field tests in desert, vehicle mounting, and force-on-force have shown M7/M250 hold up; earlier fume issues have been addressed.
Weight/Logistics: Soldiers often carry more 5.56 ammo due to lower lethality per round. NGSW weapons are heavier, but soldiers carry fewer rounds because each is more capable.
Optics: Legacy uses mostly traditional optics. NGSW integrates the XM157 NGSW-FC system (1-8x variable optic with advanced sensors), improving detection, aiming, and accuracy.
Gas Port Erosion Profiling: The Silent Killer of SD/ES
How gas port erosion degrades shot-to-shot consistency in AR-pattern rifles. Gas port erosion is a progressive, often invisible degradation that directly impacts Standard Deviation (SD) and Extreme Spread (ES) of muzzle velocity, undermining precision at distance. This article examines the mechanisms and mitigation strategies.
A-21® Stainless Barrel Steel and QPQ Nitriding: The Evolution Beyond Chrome-Lined Barrels
The case for A-21® steel and modern surface treatments vs. traditional chrome lining.
Legacy Chrome Lining
Chrome's chemical inertness protected against fouling and environmental degradation
Easier cleaning and extended service intervals in harsh conditions
Significant improvement in round-count capability over unlined steel
Decades of military service validation across multiple platforms
A-21® Steel Advantages
A-21® is a martensitic stainless steel engineered by Carpenter Technology specifically for carburizing, nitriding, and quenched-and-tempered service. Rather than relying on legacy stainless chemistries that lose corrosion resistance when aggressively hardened, A-21® is designed from the ground up to operate in this environment.
True stainless steel, retaining excellent corrosion resistance even after carburizing, nitriding, and high-strength heat treatment
Alloy chemistry tuned to accept QPQ nitriding without compromising base properties
Designed to meet or improve upon duty-grade durability with enhanced corrosion performance
High strength and impact toughness under rapid thermal cycling
Engineering Insights
Deep-dive technical analyses on barrel engineering, materials science, and precision shooting fundamentals.
A-21® vs 416R: The Barrel Steel Showdown
An in-depth comparison of Carpenter Technology's A-21® stainless carburizing steel (UNS S41429) versus industry-standard 416R stainless steel from a precision shooting and barrel engineering perspective.
A-21® is built for strength, toughness, and surface hardness — critical when you've got thousands of rounds, multiple matches, or years of duty use on the tube.
Key ways steel affects real-world accuracy: throat erosion rate (how fast the leade and first few inches erode under heat and pressure), heat-check cracking (tiny cracks from repeated hot/cold cycles that disturb bore surface), corrosion behavior (rust in bore or chamber that never cleans out 100%), and overall resilience (how forgiving the barrel is under hot, fast, or tough conditions).
A-21® is designed to be hard on the surface, tough in the core, and genuinely stainless even after hardening.
Materials & Coatings Analysis
Comprehensive analysis of barrel steel types and surface coatings used in precision rifle manufacturing.
Stainless Steel
Excellent accuracy potential due to consistent metallurgy
Easier to machine with precise tolerances
Better surface finish leading to reduced fouling
Higher cost than carbon steel alternatives
Carbon Steel (Chrome-Moly)
Requires protective coatings to prevent corrosion
May be slightly less accurate than premium stainless
More susceptible to environmental degradation
Hard Chrome Plating
Hard chrome plating applied to the bore and chamber surfaces for enhanced wear and corrosion protection.
Barrel Steel Battleground
Interactive comparison tool for barrel steels. Material selection is mission-dependent. Users can select their operational profile to receive a tactical recommendation based on thermal load, accuracy requirements, and environmental exposure. Analysis covers yield strength (the pressure limit before permanent deformation) and other key metallurgical properties.
AR-15 Performance Pyramid
Understanding barrel and gas system lengths and their impact on rifle performance.
A barrel's length directly dictates a bullet's acceleration time, which determines muzzle velocity and terminal performance. It also sets the stage for gas system timing and overall rifle balance.
Key Concepts
Velocity vs. Length: Longer barrels allow more complete powder burn, resulting in higher muzzle velocity and kinetic energy.
Dwell Time: The critical period a bullet spends in the barrel after passing the gas port. It determines how long gas pressure has to cycle the action. Too little dwell time causes short-stroking; too much results in excessive recoil and wear.
Suppressor Effects: Suppressors trap expanding gases, significantly increasing back pressure. This can lead to excessive gas blowback and violent cycling. Mismatched barrel and gas system lengths compound this issue.
Adjustable gas blocks, heavier buffers, and different springs are needed to achieve reliable function without excess force when running suppressed.
Barrel Profiles Battleground
Choosing the right barrel weight and profile for your mission. Beyond length, a barrel's weight and profile define a rifle's handling, heat resistance, and accuracy under sustained fire.
Common Profiles
Pencil: Lightest profile, designed for maximum maneuverability. Heats up and loses accuracy quickly with sustained fire.
Government: Standard military profile. Balance between weight and durability, though not optimized for sustained precision.
SOCOM: Variant of Government profile, heavier near the muzzle for grenade launcher attachment and increased heat resistance.
Bull/Heavy: Designed for maximum heat capacity and rigidity. Excellent for precision and high-volume fire, but significant weight penalty.
Lighter profiles improve handling but sacrifice stability. Heavier barrels absorb more heat, delaying point-of-impact shift.
Chamber, Twist Rates & Bullet Selection
A briefing on barrel performance characteristics in relation to various ammunition types. Outlines how chamber design and bullet composition impact accuracy, reliability, and performance across different operational environments.
Key Topics
Chamber compatibility across 5.56 NATO and .223 Wylde specifications
Ammunition type as a primary driver of accuracy — comparing average group sizes (MOA) across chamber types
Environmental effects: in cold weather (<20°F), copper bullets can increase chamber pressure by 3-5% due to higher engraving resistance. Expect 0.2-0.4 MOA accuracy shift in freezing conditions.
1:7 twist rate is mandatory to ensure consistent stability for all solid copper and heavy match projectiles across all temperature ranges
Commercial and government supplier analysis of key ammunition manufacturers
Precision Fundamentals
Covering the fundamentals of precision rifle assembly and performance, including barrel nut torque specifications (proper range ensures secure connection without deforming receiver threads), gas tube alignment, barrel profile impact on accuracy potential, load development techniques, and case studies on the impact of meticulous testing on downrange performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Altaris Defense?
A U.S.-based defense contractor and precision barrel engineering firm focused on advanced metallurgy, match-grade manufacturing, and programs that bridge competitive shooting and professional duty use.
What does Altaris Defense specialize in?
Precision AR-15 and bolt-action barrels, with emphasis on next-generation stainless alloys, advanced rifling, and surface treatments meeting military, law-enforcement, and precision-rifle standards.
Who are the customers?
Strictly B2B and B2G: qualified commercial manufacturers, defense industry partners, firearms OEMs, and government or law-enforcement agencies. Not a consumer retail gun store.
Does Altaris sell complete firearms?
No. Altaris Defense does not sell complete firearms to individual consumers. We focus on barrel programs, components, and engineering support delivered through B2B and B2G relationships.
What are Contract Elite™ and Precision Elite™?
Contract Elite™ focuses on hard-use AR-pattern barrel solutions for professional/duty applications. Precision Elite™ centers on PRS-style and bolt-action barrels optimized for accuracy, consistency, and match performance. Both programs are built around data-driven metallurgy and manufacturing practices.
Where is Altaris Defense based?
Pennsylvania, USA. Structured as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
International sales?
Any potential international activity is handled in strict accordance with U.S. export-control laws including ITAR and EAR. We do not provide export-controlled technical data or products to unauthorized persons or destinations.
How to work with Altaris?
Qualified commercial, law-enforcement, and government partners can contact us to discuss barrel programs, prototype development, and long-term supply relationships. We typically start with a technical discovery conversation and a structured RFQ or statement of work.
Contact
Altaris Defense welcomes inquiries from qualified commercial, law-enforcement, and government partners.
Use the contact form at /contact or the early access signup at /subscribe to get in touch.
Early access signup collects: first name, email, primary category (Precision/PRS competitor, Industry Professional/Technical Observer, Retailer/FFL, LE/government buyer, OEM/Partner), and optional secondary interests.
Contracting Hub
Single pane of glass for vendor onboarding, procurement identifiers, and RFQ intake.
Vendor Identifiers
CAGE Code: 171R3
UEI (Unique Entity ID): EXCDPD1N3881
NAICS Codes: 332994, 423910
PSC: 1005 (Guns, through 30mm)
Business Type: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
Documented inspection plans with formal acceptance criteria for each barrel program
Serialized / lot traceability from steel mill to final inspection
Objective evidence packages available under NDA for qualified procurement contacts
Configuration control with revisioned documentation and change management protocols
RFQ Intake
Submit a Request for Quote through the contact form at /contact. Include organization, program requirements, and estimated quantities. Response to all qualified RFQs within 2 business days.
Secure Technical Interchange
For discussions involving controlled technical data, proprietary specifications, or NDA-protected information, contact us to establish a secure communication channel. Do not transmit ITAR/EAR controlled data through this website.
Export Compliance Boundary
This website publishes only general marketing and educational information. No ITAR-controlled technical data, EAR-controlled dual-use technical data, engineering specifications, or controlled technical information is published on this site. All content is intended for public release.
Legal Policies
Privacy Policy (Rev 2.0)
Effective Date: February 11, 2026
Altaris Defense, LLC is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your information. As an SDVOSB and defense manufacturer, we hold ourselves to a higher standard of data integrity. We do not sell your data.
1. Information You Voluntarily Provide
When you submit a contact form or subscribe for updates, we may collect:
Identity Data: First name, last name (if provided), email address, professional title, and company name (if provided).
Preference Data: Your selected primary category (e.g., OEM/Partner, Retailer/FFL, LE/Government Buyer, Precision/PRS Competitor) and any optional secondary interests you choose to indicate.
Communication Data: The content of messages submitted through contact forms or direct email correspondence.
Preference Data is used solely for communication segmentation and does not involve automated decision-making or profiling with legal or similarly significant effects.
2. Automatically Collected Information
Technical Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, time zone setting, and device characteristics.
Usage Data: Pages visited, navigation paths, and time spent on pages.
Usage metrics are derived from server logs and/or privacy-friendly analytics tools. This website does not use third-party advertising trackers or behavioral profiling pixels.
How We Use Your Information
Communication: To deliver Contract Elite™ and Precision Elite™ updates, technical journals, and product release notifications.
Security: To monitor for malicious activity, prevent fraud, and secure digital infrastructure.
Compliance: To maintain records required by federal regulations and export control laws (ITAR/EAR).
Third-Party Service Providers
MailerLite: Email subscriber list management and newsletters.
Replit: Website hosting infrastructure.
Fastmail: Secure corporate email processing.
Namecheap: Domain registration and DNS services.
Cookies & Email Analytics
This website does not use third-party tracking cookies or behavioral advertising pixels. Browser local storage is used solely for user preference settings. However, to comply with anti-spam policies and ensure delivery quality, emails sent via MailerLite may contain industry-standard web beacons to measure delivery quality and engagement. You may opt out of these communications at any time.
Data Retention
Subscriber Data: Retained while subscription is active; removed within 30 days of unsubscribing.
Contact Form Submissions: Retained up to 12 months, then permanently deleted.
Technical Logs: Retained up to 90 days, then automatically purged.
Your Rights
Depending on location: unsubscribe, access & correction, deletion, portability, restrict processing. CCPA/CPRA rights for California residents. GDPR rights for EU/UK residents. Contact: privacy@altarisdefense.com
Data Security & CUI
We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information we process. This website is for public release information only — we never store, process, or transmit CUI, ITAR-restricted technical data, or sensitive contract details via public web forms.
Address: 830 Main St, Unit 18, Honesdale, PA 18431, United States
Terms of Use
Effective Date: November 27, 2025
Intended Audience
This website and its content are intended for qualified commercial manufacturers, defense industry partners, firearms OEMs, and government or law-enforcement procurement professionals operating within the B2B and B2G channels.
Export Control and Compliance — CRITICAL NOTICE
PROHIBITED ACCESS: This website is prohibited for access by persons located in embargoed countries, persons on U.S. Denied Persons List, Entity List, or other restricted party lists, and persons acting on behalf of restricted parties.
By using this site, you represent that you are not in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or any embargoed country; not on any U.S. government restricted party list; will comply with all applicable export control laws (ITAR, EAR, OFAC sanctions).
DO NOT TRANSMIT CONTROLLED TECHNICAL DATA through this website or contact channels. Contact us for proper channels if needed.
Intellectual Property
All content owned by Altaris Defense, LLC. Permitted: linking and brief excerpts with attribution, personal non-commercial use. Prohibited: copying/republishing substantial portions, commercial use, reverse engineering.
Limitation of Liability
Website provided "AS IS" without warranties. Total liability shall not exceed $100. Not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.
Governing Law
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA. Disputes resolved through binding arbitration with class action waiver.
Accessibility Statement
Last Updated: November 27, 2025
Altaris Defense is committed to WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance.
Accessibility Features
Semantic HTML structure for screen readers
Alt text for images and graphics
Keyboard navigation support
Sufficient color contrast ratios (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text)
Responsive design for various devices and screen sizes
Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and state/local accessibility requirements.
Contact for Accessibility
Contact form at altarisdefense.com/contact. Initial response within 1 business day. Issue assessment within 3 business days. Alternative formats available: large print (18pt+), high contrast, plain text, phone consultation, screen reader compatible documents.
Altaris Defense, LLC is a Pennsylvania limited liability company. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).