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In developmentStratis bolt-action riflesCustom-built and hand-painted by design engineer Bobby Keigans, in six chamberings from 22 Creedmoor to .300 PRC.Meet the Stratis ›September 29, 2026Grand opening in TomballRead the story ›DealersFind a dealer near youOpen the dealer locator ›Pistols
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Deploying soonRaider15 S.I.Standard Issue
Deploying soonRaider15 S.D.Special DutyPistols
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Raider15 S.I.Deploying soon
Raider15 S.D.Deploying soonBolt-Action Rifles
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Tomball, Texas | January 12, 2026
Watchtower Defense today announced its participation in the 2026 SHOT Show, taking place January 20 to 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The SHOT Show is the premier global event for the sport shooting, hunting, outdoor, law enforcement, and military industries, drawing thousands of professionals from around the world.
With more than 2,700 exhibitors spanning over 800,000 square feet across the Venetian Expo Center and Caesars Forum, the SHOT Show delivers unparalleled access to the latest innovations shaping the industry. Watchtower Defense is proud to be part of this world-class event and will showcase its newest products, along with exclusive show-only specials that attendees won’t want to miss.
Watchtower Defense is gearing up for exciting new product launches at the 2026 SHOT Show. Attendees can expect an expanded lineup of double-stack 1911 pistols, including the new lightweight, aluminum-frame Tactical Commander and the flagship Apache MkII, an all-stainless double-stack 1911 renowned for exceptional recoil control and performance. The lineup also includes the impressive Apache Commanders and Raider15 rifles, reinforcing Watchtower Defense’s commitment to innovation, quality, and reliability.
“SHOT Show is where innovation meets opportunity, and we’re excited to connect face-to-face with our dealers and industry partners,” said Jordan Davis, Watchtower Defense’s Chief Growth Officer. “Our new product lineup reflects Watchtower Defense’s evolution, delivering performance-driven firearms designed to meet today’s market demands while providing real value to our partners.”
In addition to new product debuts, exclusive SHOT Show specials will be available only during the event, making this an ideal opportunity for dealers and distributors to connect directly with a Watchtower Defense representative.
Attendees are encouraged to visit Watchtower Defense at Booth #72226 in Caesars Forum to experience the latest product offerings, discuss upcoming launches, and take advantage of show-only promotions.
We are excited to announce the grand opening of our new facility! We celebrated this milestone with a memorable ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials, industry partners, dealers, members of the media, customers, friends, and supporters.
Today marks a pivotal moment, showcasing our commitment to welcoming American gun owners as part of our dynamic and innovative company.
Guns & Ammo put the Apache Commander in its pages. Here is what the pistol is, spec for spec, and why coverage we did not write carries more weight than anything we could say ourselves.
Build the foundation.
Curtis shares the experiences and influences that helped shape his journey, from his time serving in the Army to the firearms and the inspiration he found in his grandfather’s guns.
From our new facility to our manufacturing processes and commitment to quality, Curtis talks about what it means to build a strong foundation from the ground up—and why the people behind the products matter just as much as the products themselves.
Get to know Curtis, hear his story, and take a look inside the team working to define the next chapter of Watchtower Defense.
The ribbon is cut, and now it’s time to reveal what we’ve been building… VAELON.
- A first glimpse at the prototype
- This is just the start.
- Updates are coming soon!
Tell us what you think of Vaelon.
What a week. Being able to share our mission and beliefs with our new community, shake hands, and make new friends has truly set the tone for the next year. Stay tuned; this is only the beginning.
One final thank you to everyone who took the time to come out and see our new home.
This is what we do here.
We chase success, build teams that become families, and strive to make American manufacturing something to be respected again.
Thank you again to everyone who came out to support us yesterday!
Introducing Marty, the Lead Gunsmith at Watchtower Defense, an Army combat veteran whose experience, craftsmanship, and commitment to excellence shape every firearm manufactured at our facility.
In this interview, Marty shares his journey, his perspective on gunsmithing, and what it takes to pursue a higher standard of quality in the firearms industry. From lessons learned through military service to the attention to detail required at the bench, Marty gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the mindset and craftsmanship that go into his work.
New guns doesn`t necessarily mean more innovation.
Vaelon was built with a different question in mind:
What could we do differently?
The answer seemed simple: bring more control, to our systems, QC processes, every aspect of the design, and ultimately to the shooter.
The firearm depicted is a prototype model; The Vaelon is still in development but will be hitting dealers soon. Stay tuned.
Twenty-five years later, we remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the men and women who ran toward danger to protect others.
Remember them. Honor them. Never forget.
Did you think we were done with just two new models? We`re just getting started.
The firearms depicted are prototype models; they are still in development but will be hitting dealers soon.
Tell us what you think in the comments; more news to follow.