January 2008 

Started by Ken Elmore in 1990 after leaving active duty with the U.S. Army, the concept for a highly responsive, professionally organized, small firearms company has developed into Specialized Armament Warehouse (S.A.W.), a leader in law enforcement sales and training, focusing on COLT automatic weapons and handguns. Our close working relationship with the COLT factory and in-house expertise allow us to provide made-to-order COLT products available nowhere else, as well as firearms and parts straight from the factory. Over the past 18 years Specialized Armament has built a huge inventory of firearms, COLT factory parts, and custom accessories to support its ever growing and diverse customer base.

Besides building individually modified COLT weapons for hundreds of Law Enforcement Agencies across the country and upgrading older COLT rifles and carbines for many others, Specialized Armament has also worked on firearms for private collectors, target shooters, security firms, the movie industry, training groups, elite military units, and others. From special projects and new designs to rebuilding and restoring classic military weapons from around the world, we are constantly striving to provide advanced firearms knowledge and high-end products that are unique in our industry.

From 1997-2007 Ken Elmore taught more than 300 Law Enforcement (LE) and Military training courses for COLT Defense, Specialized Armament, and the US Government—instructing well over 5000 police and military personnel from around the world.  He was also a material contributor to the Collector Grade Publications’ book, Black Rifle II, (2003-2004); Guest Instructor at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, Ft. Bragg, NC, (2003); consultant on several development and engineering projects, (2004-2007); and advisor/”subject matter expert” for National Geographic Television (2006).

Mr. Elmore's background includes extensive training with the U.S. Army (1986-1990) while assigned to 3rd Infantry Division (West Germany) and as a Squad Leader for a demolitions and light weapons platoon attached to 3/27 INF (Wolfhounds), 7th Infantry Division (Light), Rapid Deployment Force (Ft. Ord, CA).  SGT Elmore’s unit participated in combat and military police operations during the Panama Invasion (1989-90). Previously, he attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN)—where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Magna Cum Laude) in International Economics and German (1985).  Over the past 20+ years, Ken Elmore has attended numerous training courses across the United States and overseas, worked on several independent study projects, and continued to develop many diverse skills—besides creating this company.

Specialized Armament has a multitude of projects (big and small) moving ahead at various rates of speed, including research & development, specialty/advanced training, published material, parts/tool design, firearms modifications and improvements, as well as many other future endeavors. The Company never sleeps.

Specialized Armament is currently located in a modern industrial park in Chandler, Arizona, approximately 15 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. This facility provides an extensive custom workshop, multiple machining areas, warehouse storage, shipping/receiving and offices onsite.

Our shop capabilities include but are not limited to small arms repair and modification; design-engineering-development; gauging & inspection; tool & die making; skilled hand work; milling; turning; cutting; welding; brazing; precision grinding operations; polishing and fine finishing; multiple types of abrasive blasting; phosphate plating (DOD-P-16232F TYPE M); anodizing (MIL-A-8625 TYPE II & TYPE III), as well as other common and exotic metal plating/finishes.

Since its inception Specialized Armament has worked on a wide variety of firearms and made parts and tools for many current production and obsolete firearms. Although our main effort is directed toward Law Enforcement application weapons and training, we are still available, on a limited basis and by appointment only, to work on privately owned firearms. Firearms (including Class III) can also be shipped directly to Specialized Armament for repair or modification. Please contact SA Sales for direct shipping information.

It is our sincere hope that this latest generation website will help us to communicate with you more effectively and allow us to fill your individual needs. Specialized Armament no longer prints a product catalog. We appreciate your comments and continued feedback.

Thank you.