My name is Colt Stephens, and I'm the Owner & Operator of C. Stephens Gun Works, LLC. My journey in the firearms industry began early, with some of my first experiences coming from my time in the Boy Scouts of America. 

Starting as a Cub Scout and progressing to a full Boy Scout, I had many opportunities to practice shooting in a safe and educational environment, eventually earning both my Rifle Shooting & Shotgun Shooting BSA Merit Badges. My time in the Scouts culminated in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout with two additional Eagle Palms for continued service.

Alongside my scouting achievements, I was an active dual-enrolled student at Blue Ridge Community College, where I earned an Associate of Science with a Business Focus, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Concurrently, I gained valuable hands-on experience by apprenticing and working in my family's firearms business, laying the groundwork for my future endeavors.

My deep appreciation for history, a subject I was able to explore extensively during my homeschool education, naturally extended into the world of firearms. From 2017 onwards, I immersed myself in learning Gunsmithing. It became more than just mechanics; it was about connecting with the stories these firearms told. I found immense fulfillment in the meticulous work of handling, preserving, and even recreating historical firearm parts kits. Transforming them from collections of components into functional firearms and valuable teaching tools fueled an insatiable quest to continually improve, tackle more challenging projects, and bring unique offerings to new markets.

At the time, the rural market I primarily served was accustomed to traditional firearms. Modern tactical rifles, high-end precision bolt-actions, or truly cutting-edge products were largely unavailable. Recognizing this gap, I took the lead in pioneering built-to-order Armalite AR15 firearms. This was a deeply consultative process. I'd begin by asking customers, 'What is your purpose for this gun?' From there, we'd explore every facet of the build together – optimizing barrel twist rates for their intended ammunition, selecting ergonomic furniture and optics, and even offering custom ceramic coatings in any imaginable color. This allowed us to strategically allocate their budget, ensuring investment where it truly mattered. This personalized, built-to-order service, a first for our area, completely revolutionized how we met customer needs and expectations.

My drive to innovate soon led me to explore more diverse offerings, including assembling AKM platform firearms in both 7.62x39 and 5.45x39. As our capabilities expanded, we delved deeper into manufacturing operations. This involved purchasing historical parts kits from across the globe and meticulously re-assembling them. By pairing these with the newest, cutting-edge American-made components – such as stronger receivers for enhanced durability, higher precision barrels for improved accuracy, modern gas piston systems for reliability, and even suppressor adapters (a largely untapped market then) – we effectively breathed new life into these pieces of firearm history. This approach was not only a regulatory necessity for compliance (like 922r) but also became a hallmark of our quality and innovation, setting our work distinctly apart.

At the peak of these endeavors, we were producing Heckler & Koch parts kit firearms, including the MP5 in 9mm and MP5/10 in 10mm, G3s in .308, and HK93s in 5.56 NATO. Our ambition even led us to undertake highly complex projects such as a modern recreation of the Sten MK.V as a registered post-sample machinegun. These advanced projects were thrilling but also presented significant learning opportunities, particularly in understanding the intricate regulatory landscape. We had to navigate the NFA process from scratch, which included upgrading our FFL to incorporate manufacturing capabilities, filing Form 2s to legally manufacture NFA items, and implementing new processes like stamping our trademark on every firearm once we began assembling AR15 uppers and lowers. These were often tasks for which even our ATF advisors sometimes had limited direct precedent, requiring diligent research and the development of robust internal protocols.

This extensive hands-on experience in building, customizing, and navigating the complexities of diverse firearm platforms ensures that every product offered and service rendered at C. Stephens Gun Works is backed by deep, practical knowledge. Whether you're looking for a carefully selected firearm, custom advice, or a reliable transfer, you can trust the expertise forged through these demanding projects.