A Look at Uintah Precision's Unique Rifle Design

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In 2018, I first heard about Uintah Precision through one of my instructors. He had just watched a YouTube video about the company’s bolt-action AR-15 upper, and his excitement was contagious. At the time, both of us were living in New York where strict firearm laws made the product uniquely appealing. Uintah’s bolt-
action AR upper offered a way to capitalize on the AR’s benefits while staying compliant with state regulations. Intrigued, I reached out to Uintah Precision with a cold-call email, hoping to learn more. I quickly connected with the company’s founders, Richard Hamilton and Jason Baker, and was impressed by their openness and enthusiasm. They were interested in having their products evaluated in our courses at Renaissance Firearms Instruction and graciously sent us two uppers to test. Our initial trials quickly proved that these uppers were more than just “compliance parts.” They were designed for precision and built with the intent to improve the accuracy of America’s best-selling rifle.

Uintah Precision, or “UP,” is headquartered in Utah, a state known for its gun-friendly laws and vibrant firearms culture. This made me wonder why they’d focus on a bolt-action product within the AR platform, especially given the popularity of semiautomatic configurations in such a favorable environment. My curiosity got the better of me, so I reached out to Baker, hoping to gain more insight into the origins of Uintah Precision, their journey, and where they envisioned their company going in the future.

The origins of Uintah Precision are with an industry you might not expect — coal. UP is actually a subdivision of Uintah Machine and Manufacturing (UMM), a company originally known for producing mining equipment, particularly for coal extraction operations. Unfortunately, as regulations increased under the Obama administration, many U.S. coal mines were forced to shut down, significantly reducing demand for the products UMM specialized in. The sharp decline in the coal industry created a dilemma for Uintah Machine, but it also opened up an opportunity for reinvention. Both Baker and Hamilton had a strong interest in the shooting sports and quickly recognized that the equipment used to make mining tools could be adapted to manufacture firearms and firearm components.

Baker credits Hamilton with the initial idea for creating a bolt-action AR upper. At the time, the precision rifle industry was growing rapidly, with shooters showing increasing interest in rifles that retained the ergonomics of an AR-15 while allowing for higher accuracy. Hamilton noticed this trend and saw the potential to design an upper that would satisfy this demand. The concept was straightforward yet innovative: design a true bolt-action upper receiver that could fit onto a standard AR lower.

When I first brought the UP-10 build to the range, it drew immediate attention. People mistook it for a Ruger Precision Rifle, demonstrating the seamless blend of form and function Uintah Precision had achieved. Unlike many manually operated AR variants, which are essentially semiautomatic uppers with the gas system removed, the UP-10 and UP-15 were purpose-built as bolt-action systems. This difference is crucial; a standard upper simply stripped of its gas system often results in an awkward, straight-pull action that feels unnatural. In contrast, Uintah’s design features a conventional “turn bolt” action, making for smoother and more intuitive operation.

Initially, Uintah Precision’s in-house machinery easily kept pace with demand, thanks to their mining equipment heritage. However, as word spread and orders began to pour in, UP realized they would need additional manufacturing capacity. They partnered with another industry manufacturer temporarily to meet the growing demand while they expanded their own facility. Despite this, more challenges lay ahead. Their primary manufacturing partner became embroiled in legal issues related to forced-reset triggers, a contentious issue that caused a production halt. Although this legal battle was eventually resolved in the partner’s favor, the interruption could have significantly impacted Uintah Precision’s production schedule. Fortunately, during this time, UP continued upgrading their facility, ultimately bringing nearly all manufacturing processes back in-house.

Uintah Precision’s ability to adapt and expand without compromising quality is impressive. Through their facility upgrades, UP has managed to keep their workforce small and closely connected, an approach that promotes superior product development, high standards in quality control, and exceptional customer service. Baker and Hamilton have clearly made it a priority to maintain a hands-on approach, which shows in their products and client relations.

In addition to expanding their factory, Uintah Precision has cultivated strategic industry partnerships that keep the company at the forefront of new cartridge developments. According to Baker, some of their best-selling products are the 6mm ARC and .22 ARC uppers as well as complete rifles chambered in these cartridges. These offerings are the result of early collaborations with leading industry names like Hornady and Preferred Barrels, enabling UP to bring these popular cartridges to market as soon as they were available on dealer shelves. The company’s forward-looking approach continues into 2025, as UP is already fulfilling orders for the .338 ARC, a new round designed to deliver superior performance on medium game. A glance at Uintah’s catalog also reveals collaborations with companies like Magpul, which provides UP rifles with some of the finest furniture available.

The appeal of Uintah’s products extends well beyond precision shooters. In fact, many hunters have found UP rifles to be excellent tools in the field. As Baker explained, “Being AR-15 based, the UPR-15 offers the familiarity and modularity of an AR. The 6mm ARC and .22 ARC have been very popular with coyote hunters, and our platform makes it easy to add peripherals like thermal and night vision optics as well as suppressed configurations.” The AR platform’s ease of customization is ideal for hunters who need to adapt their rifles to specific environments or game types. Additionally, in states like Pennsylvania where semiautomatic rifles are prohibited for most hunting, UP rifles provide hunters with a way to enjoy the AR platform while staying within legal limits. This compatibility lets hunters use the same furniture, trigger, and controls all year long, from the shooting range to the field.

Uintah Precision has also brought innovation to the world of muzzleloaders. This is the first time UP has tapped into another significant advantage of the AR platform: ease of maintenance. By simply lifting the upper and pulling the bolt, users can access the breech plug, which allows for straight-line cleaning and lubrication. As black powder is corrosive, thorough cleaning is crucial, and this design simplifies the process significantly. “Initially, we made just a few units because we weren’t sure how they’d be received,” Baker noted. “But they’ve done well, so we’ll continue to offer them and make improvements.” This reception has encouraged UP to further explore this niche, adding to their lineup of innovative products.

Our conversation eventually turned to Uintah’s clientele, which is as diverse as their product line. When I asked Baker if he saw any specific demographic dominating UP’s customer base, he replied enthusiastically, “We’ve got hunters, target shooters, people in gun-restrictive states, SWAT teams, military personnel … the whole gamut really, and we appreciate them all and are grateful for their support!” This diversity comes as no surprise, given the AR’s status as the ultimate general-purpose firearm. It only makes sense that a precision-focused variant would attract a broad range of users, all seeking reliability and accuracy.

Looking toward the future, I asked Jason what Uintah Precision has in store for the next five years. His answer was both reassuring and exciting. UP plans to continue with a business model that has proven both effective and rewarding for their loyal customer base. In the near term, they are developing accessories like folding stocks and adapters and are also exploring new chamberings to expand their lineup — think bigger. Additionally, UP is considering pistol-caliber offerings, a development I’m personally excited about. Beyond U.S. borders, they are positioning themselves for international sales, allowing shooters worldwide to experience Uintah Precision’s unique offerings.

In our closing conversation, Baker and Hamilton emphasized the importance of unity within the firearms community, especially in the face of mounting legal and regulatory challenges. They pointed out that, unlike many companies that view each other solely as competitors, Uintah Precision sees an opportunity for collaboration and mutual support within the industry. Their mindset is refreshing. As Baker put it, “If we don’t stick together as a community, the entire Second Amendment is weakened.” This focus on collaboration, rather than rivalry, reflects Uintah Precision’s commitment to the broader firearms industry and the importance it places on preserving gun rights. Their growth from a mining equipment manufacturer to a firearms innovator speaks volumes about their resilience, adaptability, and dedication to both their employees and every American who values high-quality firearms.

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