While the NSSF SHOT Show is always full of excitement, some of the biggest news this year was arguably the attendance of Watchtower Firearms. Prior to January 2024, most folks hadn't heard of the entity, but it promises to be “the next great American firearms company,” and given its pedigree, this claim seemed credible. Born from F1 Firearms, founder Jason Colosky acquired and repurposed the facility with the vision of not only utilizing the plant to its full capacity but also to expand into other states and even other countries. While F1 emphasized flashier firearms geared toward competitors, Watchtower aims to continue a legacy of quality, but now with subdued options built for defense.
Watchtower Firearms has its sights set on more than just high-quality guns; it wants to reestablish American dominance in the field. Over dinner, Mr. Colosky explained that although many firearms brands appear purely American, most larger ones have foreign investors or other means to funnel profits out of our economy. Watchtower vows to maintain a 100 percent American board of directors and expand its offerings to the American job market. On a global scale, Watchtower seeks to help arm our foreign allies and return those funds to the U.S. These funds will be reinvested into the company and used to create more jobs at more locations throughout the United States.
A noble mission, indeed, I was curious to see if Watchtower’s products had the mettle to make it a reality. At the time of this writing, Watchtower has two flagship firearms that collectively display its creative prowess. A defense company cannot exist without an AR-15-style carbine, and Watchtower is no different. Its Type 15 is billed as a "SPEC-OPS-grade" firearm, distinguishing it from the more common “mil-spec” grade of equipment that saturates the market. Although both grades are suitable for rough service, the SPEC-OPS moniker indicates an enhancement in its features and craftsmanship.
Using a matched billet receiver set, both halves of the Type 15 fit together snugly without any hint of slop. This fitment vastly increases accuracy while closing up the typical pathways that allow dirt and debris to enter. Watchtower offers these with a conventional 5.56 NATO chamber or a tighter, .223 Wylde chamber for users who prioritize consistency over generous chamber dimensions. The Type 15 is also available in an array of Cerakote hues to help it match the end-user’s kit or blend into different environments as needed.
Our industry is moving to arm military and police entities with competition-grade pistols, and I believe this is long overdue. I’ve never understood why we reserve the best firearms for punching paper while those with their lives on the line are limited to run-of-the-mill guns. Demonstrating awareness of current trends and ideas, Watchtower offers the Apache. This double-stack M1911 pistol boasts a generous 20+1 capacity, oversize controls and a ported barrel extension, making it one of the flattest-shooting pistols on the market.
Like most pistols today, the Apache is cut for an optic; however, unlike most, it can arrive with a pre-mounted and bore-sighted Trijicon SRO red dot, if you so choose. The pistol even includes a set of recoil springs to tune it to the particular round you plan on using, a godsend for police departments limited to specific duty ammunition.
I began my range day with an accuracy test of each firearm using a variety of bullet weights. Watchtower was gracious enough to loan me an EOTech EXPS holographic optic with the Type 15, so no other work was needed to get it ready for live fire evaluation. Upon preparing the rifle for its first shots, I noted the F1 ambidextrous charging handle, which replaced the usual brittle tabs with a pair of robust knurled knobs. Initial results were excellent, especially considering that carbine-length ARs aren’t built for precision applications, and this particular one was cut with the looser 5.56 NATO chamber. Nonetheless, sub-m.o.a. accuracy was within its capabilities, especially when paired with match-grade ammunition.
Moving onto the Apache, its combined weight and recoil-mitigating features made it one of the softest shooting 9 mm Luger pistols I’ve ever fired. Coupled with the Trijicon sight, it was also one of the sharpest shooters I’ve ever worked with. Using its stiffest spring, I found I could nearly eliminate the rearward bump of the slide against the frame, though it did cost me some reliability with softer shooting rounds. A step lighter proved to be the best balance for the three rounds I selected for testing, but I would certainly opt to run the heavier spring if I were carrying this with +P loads.
Taking both firearms to the steel pit, I was determined to use each in an arena more conducive to their creation. Assuming an aggressive C-clamp style grip, I briskly emptied a magazine through the Type 15 with a combination of failure-to-stop routines and double-taps. This helped me make better use of the three-chamber brake that comes with the carbine and truly experience how effective it was at keeping me on target. Putting two rounds within inches of each other was effortless, and I found the overall balance and geometry consistent with high-speed use.
The same held true for the Apache, which I ran through the same series of drills. Although girthy, I found that Watchtower designed the grip efficiently, as I had no trouble building a complete purchase on the pistol. I also appreciated the magazine funnel that caps it off, as that little bit of flair sped up reloads. Aside from breaking crisply, the trigger on each firearm had an exceptional reset that expedited follow-up shots. I jokingly attribute this to the reason I went through more than 400 rounds of ammunition so quickly.
Stepping away from the range, I can corroborate Watchtower’s aspirations to be ranked among the greats in the upcoming years. Not only do its products seem to have what it takes, but its forward-thinking ideas position it for greatness as well. These include programs that replace duty firearms held up in evidence lockers and allow officers to send in their firearms for annual maintenance, and this sets Watchtower apart from the norm and are a shot across the bow of competitors.
Additionally, the company is eyeing areas of Florida and Alabama as potential build sites for satellite factories and is in talks with three countries to help arm their militaries. Through the quality of both its products and services, Watchtower is certainly a company to keep an eye on. For more information, visit watchtowerfirearms.com.
Type 15 – Performance & Specs
Watchtower Firearms Type 15 Specifications
Manufacturer: Watchtower Firearms
Chambering: 5.56 NATO
Action Type: direct-gas-impingement-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire rifle
Receiver: 7075-T6 billet aluminum; Cerakote finish
Barrel: 16.25" chrome-moly steel; 1:7” RH-twist, threaded 1/2x28 TPI
Magazine: 30-round detachable box, polymer PMAG
Sights: None; Picatinny rail
Trigger: single-stage, Hiperfire EDT2 Heavy Gunner; 4-lb., 8-oz. pull.
Overall Length: 33.50 to 36.75”
Height: 8.82” (with mag inserted), 7.36” (without mag)
Length of Pull: 11.00 to 14.25”
Width: 2.14”
Drop at Comb: .5”
Drop at Heel: .5”
Weight: 7 lbs.
Accessories: owner's manual, hard case, lock
MSRP: $1,479.00
Apache – Performance & Specs
Watchtower Firearms Apache Specifications
Manufacturer: Watchtower Firearms
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9mm Luger
Barrel: 4.62”
Slide: 4140 stainless steel; PVD finish
Frame: 4140 stainless steel; PVD finish
Rifling: 1:16” LH-twist
Magazine: 17 or 20-round detachable box
Sights: dovetailed; fiber optic front post, square-notch rear,
Trigger: single-action, 2-lb., 14-oz. pull weight
Overall Length: 8.53”
Height: 4.96”
Width: 1.62”
Weight: 43.2 Oz. (unloaded with empty 20-round magazine)
Accessories: owner's manual, soft case, spare magazine, recoil spring set, lock
MSRP: $4,540 (includes Trijicon SRO)
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