Indiana Native and Tactical Games® Competitor Colt Vanhouten Signs with APF Armory®, Will Compete with Custom-Built 16" Carbine

Alexandria, Minnesota — APF Armory® is proud to announce that competitive shooter Colt Vanhouten, an Indiana native and active competitor in The Tactical Games, has joined the APF Armory® team. Vanhouten will be running a purpose-built custom tactical rifle designed and finished in-house by APF Armory® as he continues to compete in one of the most demanding shooting-and-fitness formats in the country.

The Tactical Games is a multi-day competition that tests both physical fitness and precision marksmanship under fatigue. Athletes move through stages that combine functional strength and endurance work—sled drags, sandbag carries, runs, rope climbs, and other high-output movements—with rifle and pistol sequences. Scoring is primarily time-based, with penalties for missed shots, so competitors must transition from hard physical effort to accurate fire while breathing hard and under time pressure. The format draws military, law enforcement, first responders, and civilian athletes, and rewards shooters who can maintain fundamentals when their heart rate is elevated and their body is taxed. It is a true test of readiness, not just speed on a static range.

To meet those demands, APF Armory® built Vanhouten a 16" carbine featuring a chrome-lined barrel for durability and consistent performance through high-volume stages. The rifle wears a custom Cerakote finish applied in-house at APF Armory®’s facility in Alexandria, Minnesota. It is equipped with a 15" M-LOK handguard for accessory flexibility, an A5-style buffer system, a Breek Arms Sledgehammer ambidextrous charging handle, and a Geissele Automatics G2S two-stage trigger. Additional details include a pinned adjustable gas block, M16 Mag Phos BCG, Magpul MOE K2 pistol grip, and Magpul DT Carbine Stock.

The result is a practical, competition-ready carbine that prioritizes reliability, shootability, and the ability to run consistently across varied stages and conditions—exactly the qualities needed when accuracy under fatigue decides placement.

“We’re excited to support Colt as he competes in The Tactical Games,” said Matt Cheney, Vice President of APF Armory®. “This rifle was built to the same standards we apply across our law enforcement and commercial lineups: In-house American-made components, in-house finishing, and a focus on performance and reliability that holds up under real-world use. We’re proud to have it in his hands.”

Vanhouten will be running the custom APF Armory® carbine at upcoming Tactical Games events. Follow APF Armory® and Vanhouten for updates from the range and the competition floor.

About APF Armory®
APF Armory® designs, machines, and assembles premium AR-15 and AR-10 platforms in Alexandria, Minnesota. Every rifle is 100% American-made and backed by a lifetime warranty. The company offers in-house Cerakote, custom laser engraving, and a full lineup of complete rifles, builder sets, and components for civilian, law enforcement, and competitive shooters.

Media Contact
APF Armory®
sales@apfarmory.com
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