PMCI - February 2017

pmcimagazine.com
ARMOURER: HARDENED ARMS
HARDENED ARMS
LUMASHARK
As mentioned in the SHOT Show 2017 report in this issue there were a couple of real stand-out products that
caught our attention, and one of these was undoubtedly the LumaShark free float handguard offered by
Hardened Arms.
Hardened Arms, LLC was established in 2012,
by Pat Merlino, and is operated by Pat, Rick
and Carol (CJ) Merlino. When you think of the
American Dream, think of these folks, they
are a hardworking, multi-talented, family run
business and they are passionate about what
they do 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. That
is the dream. If you can conceive it, and put
your heart and soul into it, you can create a
great product and achieve success!
Patrick is the owner of the company, and the technical
mind behind the innovation that takes place on their machining
floor. Pat has a deep understanding of the proper specifications
and function of the AR platform, committed to the utmost in
quality; he is simply not capable of producing anything but a
superior product. He brings his computer coding and firearms
knowledge blended together with a hands-on approach that is
refreshing in today’s business world. As a hands-on owner you
will most likely find him in the machine shop bringing a new
part to life. He is tireless when it comes to pushing for the best
quality and value for his customers.
Carol, better known as ‘Momma CJ’, is the bookkeeper, she
handles procurement, sales and makes lunch every day
for the entire staff. She now has roughly two dozen staff that
she lovingly refers to as her “children”, and she takes care of
them all, with genuine care and consideration.
Rick, Pat’s dad and husband to Carol, is the general manager
of the company. With over 40 years’ experience in the business
world, several established businesses and a commitment to
meet the needs of each and every customer, he brings a world
of experience that continues to move the company forward. He
splits his time between strategy, managing and encouraging
the staff, and traveling to various trade, law enforcement
conferences, and private firearm demonstrations. Each firearm
and firearm upper we produce is machined and custom
assembled to order. Hardened Arms insists on strict quality
control and we test fire all of our firearms and upper receivers
to insure proper function prior to shipping.
In the span of just under four years, Hardened Arms LLC has
gone from selling firearm parts out of a closet size space, to
an 8000+ sq. ft. complete machine and production shop. They
have reinvested every dime into their people, state of the art
CNC machines, and processes to ensure the highest levels of
quality, service and value for our customers.
Located in the Northwest corner of Washington State they
are the third largest private employer in their community.
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