You’ve probably seen the skeletonized receivers and those flashy, high-speed competition rifles on Instagram or at your local range and wondered, "Wait, is F1 Firearms even still a thing?" Honestly, it’s a valid question. The brand that basically pioneered the "skeletonized everything" look for the AR-15 market seems to have vanished from the headlines lately.
Well, it didn't just disappear into thin air. It got swallowed up.
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In mid-2023, a new player called Watchtower Firearms officially acquired F1 Firearms. This wasn’t just a minor partnership or a distribution deal. It was a full-scale buyout that effectively retired the F1 name in favor of a new, veteran-owned identity. If you're looking for an F1 rifle today, you're more than likely looking for a Watchtower product.
The Watchtower Takeover: Why F1 Firearms Went Away
The transition started around May and June of 2023. Jason Colosky, a former Recon Marine and executive at Raytheon, led the acquisition under the banner of Watchtower Firearms. They didn't just buy the blueprints; they took over the whole 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Spring, Texas.
Why did F1 sell? By most accounts, they were doing okay, but they were niche. They were the "competition and show" guys. Colosky and his team wanted to take that precision manufacturing capability—which, to be fair, was top-tier—and pivot it toward something a bit more serious. They wanted to move away from the "civilian-only competition" vibe and start chasing military and law enforcement contracts.
Basically, they kept the machines and the talented workforce but ditched the "shock branding" that F1 was known for.
What happened to the skeletonized stuff?
A lot of people loved F1 for the holes. The weight savings were cool, but for most, it was just the "gucci gun" aesthetic. Watchtower hasn't completely abandoned the high-end manufacturing style, but their flagship products, like the Type 15 rifles and the Apache 1911 (a double-stack 2011-style pistol), are built with a much more "duty-ready" mindset.
- F1 Firearms focused on: Competition, lightweight builds, and flashy aesthetics.
- Watchtower Firearms focuses on: Reliability, veteran-led branding, and law enforcement applications.
The 2025 Bankruptcy and the CK Strategic Partners Deal
If you thought the story ended with a happy acquisition, think again. The firearms industry is brutal. In early 2025, Watchtower Firearms—the company that replaced F1—hit some major financial turbulence.
They filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Northern District of Texas in February 2025. It’s kinda crazy when you think about how much hype was behind the launch just two years prior. They had big names like retired Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill and Allen West involved, but that didn't stop the cash flow issues or the landlord disputes from piling up.
By August 2025, the company's assets were sold to CK Strategic Partners, LLC. This was a "stalking horse" bid, which is a fancy way of saying CK Strategic was the primary lender and decided to take over the reigns to keep the doors open and the manufacturing jobs in Texas.
Does Your F1 Warranty Still Exist?
This is the big one. If you own an original F1 Firearms rifle, you’re probably worried about who fixes it if the bolt carrier group (BCG) snaps or the finish starts peeling.
Watchtower originally promised a "lifetime, no-nonsense warranty" that covered legacy F1 products. However, with the 2025 bankruptcy and the transition to CK Strategic Partners, things have become a bit more complicated. Most reports indicate that the new ownership is still honoring warranties and providing support to keep the customer base loyal, but you should expect slower lead times.
They’ve been moving into a new facility and doubling their production capacity, which usually means customer service emails might sit in an inbox for a few extra days.
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What You Should Do If You Own F1 Gear
If you're sitting on an F1 rifle or parts, don't panic. The hardware is still solid. The receivers were machined to high tolerances, and those haven't changed just because the logo on the building did.
- Check for Recalls: Keep an eye on the Watchtower Firearms website. If there are any safety issues with older F1 components, they are the ones who will post them.
- Verify Parts Compatibility: Most F1 parts are standard AR-15 spec, but if you have a skeletonized receiver, remember that proprietary handguards might be harder to find now.
- Contact Support Early: If you need work done, don't wait for a total failure. Use the current support channels at watchtowerfirearms.com rather than trying to find an old F1 contact.
- Second-Hand Market: If you're looking to sell, the "F1 Firearms" name still carries weight with collectors who like that specific look. Prices for the original skeletonized sets have remained relatively stable because they aren't being made under that name anymore.
The reality is that F1 Firearms as we knew it is a closed chapter. It’s now part of the Watchtower lineage, which is currently trying to find its footing under new management after a very rocky 2025. It’s a classic case of a brand with great tech but a difficult path through the corporate and financial world.