Frequently Asked Questions

At AZAO, we stand behind our products (never in front). Any duds will be replaced at no charge. Your satisfaction is our #1 priority

Every item AZAO manufactures is made in the USA. Arizona to be exact. Items from other brands are probably made overseas, like everything else these days...

Yes, they can! The most powerful grenades must be registered with the ATF. Trainers and simulators do NOT need to be registered, they retain a special explosive device exemption from the ATF

AZAO's frag trainers, flashbang (NFDD) trainers, and colored smoke grenades are exempt from ATF's NFA and explosive license/storage requirements. Thermite and tear gas grenades are sold and stored binary for legal purposes. All BINARY frag/ NFDD hand grenades, HE 40mm & HE RPG rounds with over 1/4oz of explosive material require registration, but do NOT require explosive licensing/storage if you add the explosive mix to the grenades on the day of use on private property.

On the other hand, AZAO's loaded and ready-to-go high-explosive (HE) frag grenades, HE 40mm rounds and HE RPG rounds all require NFA registration, an explosive license or permit, and a Type 2 explosive magazine

Grenadiers must be at least 21 years old, and be able to purchase a standard firearm. AZAO prepares the paperwork involved to make transfers easy for our customers. The registered grenades transfer just like a suppressor or SBR, requiring a one time fee of $200 each to the ATF.

Our stamped grenades are available only to members of the "Arlington Grenade Club". For non-members, our grenades are available for on-site use/rental "Cambodia-style", at a discount off the retail price. 

 
An ATF explosive license or permit is needed only to own indefinitely stored loaded grenades. AZAO can assist with all licensing paperwork needs.

Some of our grenades are reloadable. If the serialized part is destroyed or damaged beyond repair, a new tax stamp is required. When possible, AZAO utilizes designs preserving the serial number, legally allowing reloads.

Hand Grenades: 

* No registration required- AZAO's smoke grenades (color or tear gas), thermite,  flashbang and frag trainers

* Registration required (no explosive license/permit)- BINARY frag and flashbang grenades

* Registration & Explosive License required- Storable, loaded frag and flashbang grenades 

Launched 40mm Grenades & RPG Rounds:

* No registration required- All 40mm smoke/flare/signals, any traditional projectiles containing less than 1/4oz explosive BINARY filler

* Registration required (no explosive license/permit)- Projectiles with >1/4oz BINARY filler

* Registration & Explosive License required- Storable, loaded explosive projectiles

No, our founder is an actual person with feelings and dogs. With over 20 years experience in firearms and explosives, he felt the time was right to pursue his dream of supplying ordnance to legal beagles that are not on Uncle Sam's payroll

The laws for using your firearm in defense are complex and daunting. This can cause the average citizen to refrain from protecting themselves for fear of legal ramifications. Every lethal weapon should be backed up by a less lethal solution. Or sometimes, for whatever reason, people just flat out cannot carry any guns. AZAO believes good folks should have a non-lethal option with real punch, something that'll put the hurtin' on a grown man. Starting with the foundation of Germany's Umarex air weapon platforms, AZAO increases their ballistic performance considerably to levels allowing real world applications on American streets.

Other potential users are Canadian and Mexican visitors, security guards, college students, joggers, commercial truckers, delivery drivers, victims of domestic violence, recoil-sensitive elders, 18-20 year-olds seeking concealed carry, anti-gunners, Californians, hot chicks in bad neighborhoods, and let's not forget about prohibited possessors

Without an explosive license/permit and storage, the average consumer cannot own and store 40mm and RPG ammunition ready to go. Smokeless powder, fuses, primers, black powder, etc are all explosive materials, but have an ATF exemption when in "small-arms use". That means half an inch barrel or smaller. Once the exempted materials are put into NON "small-arms use" (like in a big ol' 40mm round), they now lose their exemption and are considered explosive materials again.

The industry practice to sell non-explosive rounds (like chalk, buckshot, smoke or tear gas) is to ship the round unassembled, or BINARY, with its propulsion ingredient removed and set aside until the day of use (like a .38S&W blank for 40mm). All non-anti personnel 37mm ammo is 50-state unrestricted thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard requiring flare use on all ships.

AZAO specializes in NFA transfers for ordnance. We prepare the paperwork and help overcome legal hurdles, finger-printing, photos, trusts and more. We are here to help you get the weapons of your dreams. Most of our transfers happen on ATF Form 1's to facilitate faster transfer times, typically less than 120 days.

AZAO is a nimble weapons manufacturer, and can accept requests. If it's an out of stock item, items in custom colors or configurations, or completely custom items, we would be happy to oblige, if possible. We love to talk explosives, reach out to us to start a request conversation

The Arlington Grenade Club was made by AZAO for locals in the greater Phoenix, Arizona valley who seek to enhance their collections beyond Glock clones, AR's and mega-buck transferrable machineguns. Enrollment is exclusively offered to friends of AZAO. 

The AGC maintains its own sprawling training field and clubhouse. Members have access to the AGC weapon inventory & store (machineguns, launchers, bombs, grenades, RPGs, etc), on-site explosive magazine storage, arcade, range and virtual shooting wall using real guns and ammunition.

At AZAO, we utilize a number of different manufacturing means, and yes 3D printers are some of them. Building upon the U.S. Army's R.A.M.B.O. program's success utilizing 3D-printed 40mm ammo and even complete launchers, AZAO's ammo uses modern technology. Our higher-temp polymers won't warp... while sitting on your car dash, in full sun, windows up, throughout a punishing Arizona summer day (now that's a test!). No cheap plastics, rest assured these are bona-fide weapons and not novelties. We have the capability of printing in steel, making prototyping much faster.

AZAO also utilizes a CNC machine, laser cutters, engravers, molds and a lathe. Our post processing includes a prep room and paint booth. All NFA items are engraved in-house to ATF's specs

At AZAO, we like to party in private. The last thing we need is for both our wives AND girlfriends to find out what we do after-hours...