Derya Arms US Factory Visit

Derya Arms US Manufacturring

When I happened upon the Derya Arms DY9 in a flash sale for $225 I couldn't pass it up. At the time I pondered how a pistol could be made by a Turkish company, imported by Rock Island of the Philippines, then sold by the US retailer at such a low price with each company getting their piece, plus the cost of all the transportation and handling. I suspected it might be an effort to launch the brand in the US; softening doubts about a new-to-American brand with a "going into business" sale. As such I recommended folks jump on the deal and grab one while they can.

A rack of freshly US-made Derya DY9 Receivers

It turns out my suspicions were correct, and Derya Arms had much bigger plans that just being a flash-in-the-pan inexpensive import. At SHOT Show 2025 I met some of the good folks from Derya Arms and was enlightened on some of the expansions including US Production!

Derya Arms DY12 and DY9 Made in Florida

As you saw in the clip above US Manufacturing has begun in the state of Florida. I was invited to go see it for myself and am very excited this is happening. This means a few things for we American consumers including:

A bank of Derya DY12 receivers being cut

• More Adaptive: The US pressence means Derya Arms has a much better feel for what the US market wants and can adapt quickly with US-made parts and details to meet consumer demands (for example the DY9 is now optics ready). Often with imports a US importer shops availabel models abroad, then waits months for ATF and US import permission, makes the order and waits months for shipment, waits again for ATF approval, then tries to distribute the product. That process can take more than a year. Meanwhile, Derya Arms in the US can hear consumer demands and produce parts and list them directly on the Derya US website.

• Better Service: With many imported guns any warranty service involves either sending the gun to the importer who may or may not have trained staff and parts to work on the gun, or waiting for them to get parts shipped from abroad to help you. Derya Arms Most definitely has trained staff as they are building guns in the US, and as a result also has access to any parts that might be needed. Derya has a limited lifetime warranty.

• Employing Americans: I know for many of you buying American is a pride point. I understand and respect that. While Derya Arms isn't a 100% American company, the financial heavy lifting is still done in Turkiye, but I can assure you American industry professionals are at work in Jacksonville, Florida. Not only does this mean American jobs, but it also means those working on your guns are a lot more likely to care about the end user.

• Avoiding Nonsensical Import Restrictions: You may or may not be aware of the multitude of importation restrictions put on firearms. Many firearms that would be completely legal in the US can not be brought into the US. One of the first steps Derya took was to make receivers in the US. This makes the firearm assembled from them American and thereby exempt from importation hassles. For example a shotgun with a barrel under 18.5" can be very complicated to bring into the US, and yet 12 gauge handguns and "other"

Derya Arms DY9 Receiver's serial number being laser engraved.

For many of the video commenters who either fear a lack of parts and service, or would rather buy American, I think Derya Arms' new factory in the US should calm those hesitations. It is worth noting that Derya Arms is operating a hybrid model of US and Turkish manufacturing. Much of the design and leg work behind producing is done in Turkey which enables the US arm of the company to produce what we want here in the US. At the time of my visit, this means a mix of parts produced in Turkiye and the US, but the receivers being made in the US makes the firearm American-made.

Freshly-milled US-made DY12 receivers

See the video below for parts of my interview with Dustin Jones of Derya Arms about what the company has planned for the US market. Rumble Link

For the Latest from Derya Arms visit their website. Also make sure you've joined the GBGunsDepot email list for an exciting update coming soon.