Lithgow Arms – Aussie made rifles, start to finish
Why don’t more Australians buy Australian-made rifles?
By Sam Talbot
At Lithgow Arms, every rifle is built to the same standard as those supplied to the Australian Defence Force. From raw steel to test-fired firearm, the entire process happens on-site with nothing outsourced. Most of their work is military, but their civilian rifles are held to the same standard. And yet, these quality rifles are not on the radar of many Australians.
During a recent tour of the factory, I was struck by the level of precision involved. Barrels are drilled and other parts are made using specialised machines capable of tolerances down to three microns – about the width of a spider’s web. Measuring stations track every stage of the build, from raw material to heat-treated part. A level of scrutiny required for military rifles, but which is also applied to civilian ones.
“Lithgow competes on price and quality with any other manufacturer, but unlike many competitors, it’s Aussie made,” says Chris Burton, Product Line Manager at Lithgow Arms.
“Every Australian should have at least one Lithgow rifle,” says Chris. “And since it’s a civilian rifle made to the same standard as the military. You’d be doing yourself a favour by getting one.”
Chris also says there’s no need to run in a Lithgow rifle – it’s already run in for you and they are ready to preform from day one.
And yet, despite the quality and price being on par with leading imports, the local market continues to underplay the value of buying Australian-made. Lithgow’s sales aren’t quite where they would like them to be and they can produce more rifles, they just need the market to start demanding more.
An increase in business would also ensure the longevity of Lithgow Arms continuing to exist as a company. After all, Lithgow Arms is owned by Thales Australia, and in turn by French company Thales. Lithgow mostly rely on military contracts, but a greater civilian demand would help ensure the business and the jobs of well over 100 workers.
Maintaining the ability to manufacture in Australia is an important issue for a lot of people, especially with the threat that if it does disappear, it may be impossible to get back. Lithgow employs more than 15 apprentices and a team of skilled workers. The facility also houses the only high-grade electroplating unit of its kind in the country, a unique and crucial step in strengthening parts like barrels and firing pins.
“Lithgow rifles are similar quality, similar price, and generally very similar to any other rifle out there – and yet Australians keep buying overseas,” says Matt Duquemin, Director of Integrated Weapons and Sensors at Thales. “I just can’t understand why.”
“If you need parts and services down the track, you never know if an overseas company will cut that out,” says Matt. “With us, you know we’re right here – and we’ve been here for ages.” Lithgow offer lots of after-purchase support to customers.
For a brief period during COVID, Lithgow’s civilian rifle sales doubled. Imported products became harder to source, and suddenly Australian shooters tuned their attention to a world-class option in their own backyard. But once international shipping returned, many buyers reverted to their familiar habits.
Some argue that the playing field isn’t level. Imported rifles often benefit from scale and dealer incentives, and shooters may assume overseas means superior. But in Lithgow’s case, the opposite is often true. Their rifles are made to military-grade tolerances, proofed on-site, and backed by a service team that works with real factory knowledge.
“There’s no mystery with us,” says Chris. “If something goes wrong, we built the rifle – we know how to fix it.”
Some people have even suggested considering tariffs or limits on imported firearms to boost local manufacturing, but for now, Lithgow Arms continues to compete the hard way: on quality, reliability and history.
And that history runs deep. The factory first began military firearm production in 1912, and it’s still going more than a century later. But its future, especially on the civilian side, depends on whether Australian shooters see the value in what’s made here.