RWS GmbH traces its roots to 1856, when Heinrich Utendoerffer began manufacturing percussion caps in Nuremberg. The company was formally established in 1886 as Rheinisch-Westfälische Sprengstoff-Actiengesellschaft—the origin of the RWS acronym. Today, RWS stands as Europe's market leader for small-c...
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RWS GmbH traces its roots to 1856, when Heinrich Utendoerffer began manufacturing percussion caps in Nuremberg. The company was formally established in 1886 as Rheinisch-Westfälische Sprengstoff-Actiengesellschaft—the origin of the RWS acronym. Today, RWS stands as Europe's market leader for small-caliber ammunition and pyrotechnic elements.
"It's always exploding and rumbling here – that's ammunition you hear." — Dr. Rathsburg, Head of Chemical-Sciences-Laboratory, circa 1920
RWS GmbH operates two manufacturing facilities in Germany (Fürth and Sulzbach-Rosenberg) with approximately 1,400 employees. The company produces all components for its ammunition in-house except propellant powder, ensuring complete quality control.
The company manufactures: - Centerfire rifle cartridges across multiple calibers - Pistol and revolver ammunition - Rimfire cartridges - Shotgun shells (through ROTTWEIL brand) - Air gun pellets - Primer components (SINOXID® and SINTOX®) - Blank cartridges and explosive mixtures for industrial applications
RWS – The flagship brand connecting hunters and marksmen for generations. Premium ammunition engineered for the perfect shot in every situation. Includes the specialized RWS SHORT RIFLE line (optimized for short barrels) and RWS DRIVEN HUNT (lead-free copper bullets for driven hunts). The RWS R50 is the preferred cartridge of competitive shooters worldwide.
GECO – Over 130 years of experience. Modern, wide-ranging ammunition for hunters and sport shooters globally. Combines high quality standards with attractive pricing.
ROTTWEIL – Renowned shotgun shells with exceptional quality and performance reputation worldwide since 1907.
HAUSKEN – Norwegian silencer manufacturer with 30+ years of expertise in acoustic mechanics and sound suppression.
RWS is an innovation leader in lead-free primer technology:
The company holds over 300 patents and 35+ patent families related to ammunition and ignition technology.
| Line | Purpose | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION Line | Modern duty ammunition | Reduced over-penetration, low pollutant emissions, forensic analysis capability |
| DM Line | German Armed Forces training | Maximum reliability in diverse climates, SINTOX® ignition, REACH-compliant powders |
| DAG Line | Law enforcement & special forces | 9x19, 4.6x30, 5.56x45, 12/70 calibers, heavy-metal-free primers |
| NT Line | NATO-compliant | Covers 9x19, 5.56x45, 7.62x51, 12.7x99, meets strict NATO standards |
RWS tests ammunition using 2,400 representative firearms to ensure performance across real-world conditions before any cartridge reaches market.
Every rifle cartridge requires 8+ manufacturing operations to complete. Quality control is non-negotiable—the company's commitment is "100% safety of our products, always and at any time, especially in critical moments."
RWS GmbH is part of the Beretta Holding Group (since August 2022) and a member of the Beretta Defense Technologies alliance. The company serves: - Hunters and sport shooters worldwide - Law enforcement agencies - Military and armed forces - Industrial pyrotechnics sector
Fürth, Germany (Headquarters) Kronacher Str. 63, 90765 Fürth +49 (0) 911 7930-0
Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany Annabergweg 9, 92237 Sulzbach-Rosenberg +49 (0) 911 7930-0
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