About 19C

Founded in 2015 as a Kydex Holster manufacturer, 19Charlie Tactical is now a full-service gunsmithing shop, FFL 07/02 SOT Manufacturer and NFA dealer, and custom pro-shop located just off the firing line at Texas Star Shooting Range in Kempner, TX. Whether restoring grandpa’s old shotgun that you found in a closet, building a clone correct rifle from a movie, video game, or your service rifle, or simply removing a stuck case, 19Charlie can probably do that.

What is 19Charlie? 19-series is the Armor branch military occupational specialty (MOS) for the US Army. As a young second lieutenant, my MOS was 19A, an armor officer. When arriving at my first duty station, Fort Hood, TX, I noticed “19C” on my paperwork. When I pointed out the error as I thought it was, the squadron personnel officer said, “Armor officers in cavalry units are Charlies. Its an unofficial thing, but we do it anyway.” Very well. Now, in 2025, I’m told that all former 19D (Cavalry Scouts) are reclassed as 19C (Bradley crewmember) and officers are all 19A again. Ehh, too late to change it and I don’t want to do a DBA.

Who are we?

• Mike Cramer, Owner and founder. Head gunsmith, 10 years experience professionally, another 15 or so prior to that working on my own guns and dad’s guns. Associates in firearms technology SDI 2018, MBA Texas A&M Central Texas 2022, SOTAR Master AR Armorer 2022. TIG welding, lathe, and mill machining from YouTube.
• Brian Cox, 10 years professional gun coating KG GunKote, certified applicator KG Gunkote, certified instructor, 3 years fiber and CO₂ laser work. Specializes in color matching, custom camouflage patterns, and recreating original factory and custom firearm engravings.
• Trevor McCarthy, six years as an Infantryman in the US Army, achieving the rank of sergeant. I got out of the military and started the path to become a gunsmith. I’ve been gunsmithing for four years and still love it as much as the day I started. I have earned a degree in gunsmithing through SDI and I am a Glock certified armorer. I strive to give the customer my best every time and take every day as another learning opportunity.