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In 2015, brothers Jay and Dustin Pitcher founded Dirty Bird Industries in a Bakersfield, California garage, fueled by a passion for firearms and a commitment to making AR-15 customization accessible. Starting as a family venture focused on custom Cerakote and AR-15 components, the company has grown into a nationwide operation, fulfilling a high volume of orders monthly. Jay handled assembly and coatings, while Dustin brought expertise from their sister site, AR15Discounts.com, where he honed his online retail skills.
From just two employees in 2018, Dirty Bird Industries now employs fifty, with warehousing relocated to Youngsville, North Carolina in 2021 to optimize logistics. Remaining family-owned, the company is dedicated to delivering high-quality, American-made AR-15 parts at prices that avoid the markups of big-name brands.
“We’ve gone to a lot of the same manufacturers that a lot of top-of-the-line companies use. We use the same manufacturers that several other very respected companies do for our different offerings under the Dirty Bird Industries banner. We had to put in a lot of effort and money to get bigger order quantities up so that we can compete with the same quality, but not the same price point. So today, you’ll find that we have a lower price point than a lot of other places.” – Michael Earnest – Dirty Bird Industries

A Mission of Empowerment and Quality
Dirty Bird Industries is driven by a mission to empower every American to build reliable AR-15s, placing quality above all while keeping costs accessible. Their philosophy blends integrity, hard work, and a shooter-first mentality, treating customers like family. This shines through in their responsive support, available via phone, email, or social media, where inquiries receive prompt, personal responses. They enhance the experience with thoughtful extras, such as free tools included with certain parts to simplify builds, and actively incorporate feedback from online channels to refine their offerings. This ensures their gear meets the real-world needs of builders, from tactical enthusiasts to hunters, while their unwavering support for the Second Amendment resonates with a community that values firearms freedom.
“While we want to make sure that what we offer is affordable, the main focus is always going to be on quality. When you look at a company like ours, how we are going to succeed is by going above and beyond with our customer service and our attention to detail and making sure that each and every component we put our brand name on is something the customer can depend on.” – Michael Earnest – Dirty Bird Industries
Uncompromising Quality and Attention to Detail
Dirty Bird Industries specializes in American-made AR-15 components that deliver mil-spec performance at affordable prices, with a primary focus on quality. They partner with top domestic manufacturers, many supplying major industry names and the military, using advanced CNC machining and rigorous testing to ensure every component bearing their name is dependable under demanding conditions. Unlike some companies that prioritize speed over standards, sacrificing quality control, Dirty Bird maintains meticulous attention to detail through batch testing and mil-spec inspections.
By sourcing larger order quantities, they avoid inflated markups while upholding strict quality standards. Their in-house stocking model eliminates drop-shipping delays, with most orders shipping within 24 hours from their Bakersfield warehouse. Select products carry lifetime warranties, and a satisfaction guarantee supports hassle-free returns, giving builders confidence in reliable gear.
A Comprehensive Lineup for Every Builder
Dirty Bird Industries offers a wide range of AR-15 parts, including lower receivers, buffer kits, lower parts kits, triggers, complete uppers, upper receivers, bolt carrier groups, and handguards, all designed for builders of all skill levels. Each category is crafted for seamless compatibility and performance, catering to diverse needs from home defense to competitive shooting. Beyond these core components, they provide ammunition, reloading supplies, optics, shooting accessories, and custom Cerakote services, ensuring a one-stop shop for enthusiasts. Every product is carefully vetted to guarantee reliability, whether for lightweight carbines or precision rifles.
Innovation Rooted in Shooter Needs
Innovation at Dirty Bird Industries is practical, driven by feedback from the shooting community. They focus on refining components to enhance performance without adding complexity, ensuring products remain relevant for modern builds. Whether improving trigger mechanisms for smoother operation or enhancing handguard designs for better ergonomics and mounting options, their development process prioritizes reliability and value. By combining hands-on testing with customer input, Dirty Bird keeps their gear versatile for applications like close-quarters setups or long-range precision, all while maintaining affordability for builders who demand performance.
Standing Out Through Authenticity and Care
Dirty Bird Industries distinguishes itself as a family-owned brand that blends big-name quality with small-business authenticity, thriving in a sweet spot where quality and affordability intersect. Unlike larger suppliers that may cut corners to meet demand, their careful approach to quality control and customer service sets them apart. They stock all products in-house, shipping most orders within 24 hours from their Bakersfield warehouse, with operations split between California and North Carolina headquarters for efficient, compliant delivery nationwide.
Their commitment to customers shines through in responsive support, free tools with select parts, and flexible policies like no restocking fees on most returns (excluding firearms and ammunition). By rejecting drop-shipping and price gouging, Dirty Bird delivers American-made reliability at accessible prices, built by shooters who understand the challenges of stockouts and overpriced gear.
How and when was Dirty Bird Industries founded?
Dirty Bird Industries was founded in 2015 by brothers Jay and Dustin Pitcher in a Bakersfield, California garage, starting as a family venture focused on custom Cerakote and AR-15 components.
What is the company’s mission or philosophy?
The company’s mission is to empower every American to build reliable AR-15s with high-quality, affordable gear, emphasizing integrity, hard work, and a shooter-first approach while supporting the Second Amendment.
What are Dirty Bird Industries best known / what’s their specialty?
Dirty Bird is best known for American-made AR-15 parts that deliver mil-spec performance at budget-friendly prices, specializing in components for custom builds.
How does Dirty Bird maintain quality while staying price-competitive?
They maintain quality through partnerships with top domestic manufacturers using advanced CNC machining and rigorous testing, sourcing larger order quantities to avoid markups, and ensuring in-house stocking for fast delivery.
What is their customer service / feedback loop like?
Customer service is responsive via phone, email, or social media with personal attention, including post-purchase follow-ups and free tools with parts, while feedback from online channels refines their products.
What kind of products does Dirty Bird Industries offer?
Dirty Bird offers lower receivers, buffer kits, lower parts kits, triggers, complete uppers, upper receivers, bolt carrier groups, handguards, plus ammunition, reloading supplies, optics, shooting accessories, and custom Cerakote and bluing services.
How do they approach innovation / product development?
Innovation is practical, driven by shooter feedback, focusing on refining components like triggers and handguards for better performance and value without added complexity.
What separates Dirty Bird Industries from other AR-15 parts brands?
Dirty Bird stands out with family-owned authenticity, in-house stocking, fast shipping, responsive support, and a rejection of drop-shipping and price gouging, delivering quality at accessible prices.
Where are they located / where is their operation based?
Headquartered in Youngsville, North Carolina, with warehousing there, Dirty Bird operates its primary shipping from a Bakersfield, California warehouse and maintains a retail presence in Bakersfield.
