Chris has a background in law enforcement, corrections, competitive shooting, and teaching. A lifelong firearms enthusiast, he wanted to establish his own company. In 2014, he turned an idea into action and started building rifles from his home in Saint Cloud, Florida. His home-based company would end up employing three armorer/builders. He was fortunate to meet Colby Santaw, a young engineer who
came from a long line of engineers. Colby’s uncles have worked for Ruger, Sig Arms, or branched off into their own manufacturing. Colby grew up running and programming the very machines that were needed to make Live Free Armory expand and prosper. Four months after teaming up with Colby, Live Free Armory was born in earnest and moved to a 2000 square foot bay not too far from Chris’ home in Saint Cloud. By then, Chris’ three employees had turned into eleven, covering all aspects of the manufacturing process, shipping, and marketing. Twelve months later, the Saint Cloud facility proved too small. Though Chris and Colby wanted to stay in Saint Cloud, there was nothing available that could accommodate their vision for the company. In 2017, Live Free Armory moved an hour away, to a 13,000-square foot facility located at 4324 Fortune Place, West Melbourne, Florida. The 11-person staff moved with the company and formed the core group that provides leadership, training, and mentoring to new staff. Live Free Armory continues to produce a great product, at a great price. If there are any lessons here, it’s this; if you want to be successful at manufacturing rifles, build each one as if you were building it for someone you love in the military, law enforcement, or for a family member. Our customers say it best; it’s just a damn good rifle.
