since 1995
Born From Carbon Fiber
Built for the field since 1995
We built our name on a simple standard: make rifles lighter, stronger, and ready for the country that tests them.
From aerospace to the field
Before Christensen Arms was a rifle company, Roland Christensen had built his career around carbon fiber, specializing in aircraft and space structures where weight, rigidity, and precision mattered. He applied that experience to rifle design with a clear goal: make a rifle easier to carry without giving up strength, accuracy, or confidence in the field.
"What else can I improve with carbon fiber?"
Roland Christensen, FounderLighter rifles raised the standard
In 1993, that thinking took shape in a new kind of rifle barrel. Roland theorized that wrapping a steel barrel in carbon fiber could cut weight while maintaining rigidity, managing heat, and preserving the accuracy hunters needed in the field.
That carbon fiber wrapped barrel became the foundation for Christensen Arms and set the standard that still guides the rifles built today.
Gunnison gave the standard a home
As demand grew, Christensen Arms moved to Gunnison and brought stock making, machining, assembly, and inspection under one roof. More control meant fewer compromises between materials, fit, finish, and performance.
The idea carried beyond Utah
What began in a small Utah shop reached hunters, shooters, dealers, and partners across the country. As the company grew, the standard stayed the same: lighter rifles, disciplined accuracy, and confidence in the field.
Where the standard becomes a rifle
Every rifle starts as raw material and leaves as a tool for real conditions. Between those points are skilled hands, advanced equipment, repeatable standards, and the judgment to know when the details are right.
See where the rifles are built
Step inside the people, equipment, and process behind the Gunnison standard.
Watch the TourBuilt by people close to the country
Christensen Arms is still based in Gunnison, Utah because Roland started the company with more than a rifle in mind. He wanted to bring skilled work and lasting opportunity to a rural part of Utah.
Today, that means keeping skilled hands close to the work, investing in the people behind each rifle, and building with the kind of accountability that comes from putting your name on every detail.
The milestones behind the standard
Select a year to explore the moments that shaped the Christensen Arms standard.
The move home
The Christensen family returned to Fayette, Utah to build skilled work close to home.
A new use for carbon fiber
Roland Christensen saw a new use for carbon fiber: a lighter, stronger rifle barrel.
Christensen Arms is born
Carbon-wrapped .22 LR barrels turned a composite idea into Christensen Arms.
Carbon fiber goes big
The Carbon Cannon proved the concept in a large-caliber hunting rifle.
The advantage gets proven
New models kept proving the value of lighter, stronger rifle design.
The Hunter earns its place
The Hunter became a mainstay with serious hunters.
A new home in Gunnison
Growth moved the company to Gunnison and brought more manufacturing in-house.
Beyond bolt-action
The CA-15 expanded the brand beyond carbon fiber bolt-action rifles.
Complete rifles take shape
Christensen Arms receivers marked a shift toward complete rifle manufacturing.
Expanding on all fronts
More work came in-house, giving the team greater control over the process.
Momentum builds nationwide
The brand pushed toward national recognition in advanced rifle manufacturing.
Aerospace thinking meets rifle design
Models like the Summit and TFM carried aerospace thinking into rifle design.
Carbon fiber reaches more hunters
Demand accelerated as more hunters discovered carbon fiber-barreled rifles.
The Mesa line launches
The Mesa brought Christensen Arms methods to the steel-barreled rifle market.
Fine-tuning precision
Production expanded while the quality standard held.
The MPR changes the conversation
The MPR launched as Christensen Arms continued growing nationwide.
Full production momentum
The Gunnison facility reached full production momentum.
25 years of innovation
Christensen Arms marked 25 years and earned Rifle of the Year recognition.
Built for what comes next
The work continues in Gunnison with the same standard: lighter rifles, disciplined manufacturing, and confidence earned before the rifle ever reaches the field.
GO FURTHER. HUNT HARDER.
Every Christensen Arms rifle carries the same standard forward: advanced materials, disciplined manufacturing, and performance built for the field.
