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Custom Slide Manufacturing for Military & Defense

When mission-critical components demand zero tolerance for failure, MTS Forge delivers precision-forged slides built to military specifications. From Mil-spec closed die forgings to custom contour profiles, our Coatesville, PA facility produces defense-grade hardware engineered to perform under the most demanding operational conditions — exactly to your procurement requirements.

Precision forged military-grade metal slides being manufactured at MTS Forge facility

Our Custom Military & Defense Forging Services

Comprehensive forging capabilities purpose-built for defense procurement requirements, from raw material to near-net-shape delivery.

Closed Die Forgings

High-integrity closed die forgings in Monel K-500 and other defense-grade alloys. Reduces raw material waste and machining costs, delivering lower unit costs without compromising Mil-spec dimensional and mechanical requirements.

Contour Forging

Precision contour forgings in advanced materials including Ferralium 255 duplex stainless steel. Ideal for complex slide geometries requiring tight tolerances and superior corrosion resistance in harsh military operating environments.

Special Forgings

Defense-specific special forgings in 316-L Stainless Steel crafted to Section III standards. Produced under a comprehensive QA program encompassing Mil I 45208, NCA 3800, and Mil Q9858 for complete traceability and compliance.

Custom Forgings

Fully custom-forged slides and structural components tailored to exact defense specifications. Made in America using cutting-edge technology and time-honored craftsmanship, from small precision parts to large structural assemblies.

Heat Treatment

In-house normalizing heat treatment performed at our Coatesville, PA facility. Refines grain structure, relieves internal stresses, and improves tensile strength and machinability — essential for defense-grade slide components in demanding applications.

Rough Machining

On-site rough machining brings forged slides to near-net shape immediately post-forge. Eliminates the need for a separate machining vendor, reducing lead times and handling risk for defense procurement teams requiring tight dimensional control.

Mission-Critical Precision

Forged to Mil-Spec: Defense Slides Built for Operational Reliability

Defense procurement teams require more than standard commercial forgings — they demand complete traceability, verified mechanical properties, and compliance with stringent military standards. MTS Forge's Coatesville, PA facility combines in-house tooling design, normalizing heat treatment, and rough machining under one roof, delivering custom slides that meet Mil I 45208, NCA 3800, and Mil Q9858 requirements. With nearly 40 years forging for America's defense sector, we understand that every component must perform when it matters most.

MTS Forge technician inspecting a precision forged defense slide component
Proven in the Field

Trusted by Defense Manufacturers

See how MTS Forge delivers Mil-spec forged components that meet the toughest defense procurement standards.

"MTS Forge's closed die forgings exceeded our military specifications. Their precision and quality craftsmanship delivered components ready for immediate deployment. Exceptional service from a truly made-in-America partner."

Colonel James Mitchell

"We needed custom slide manufacturing military and defense applications completed in 6 weeks. MTS Forge's hot and cold plate forming service delivered on time with flawless quality and complete traceability documentation."

Sarah Chen

"Their upset forgings with in-house rough machining saved us weeks of production time and thousands in machining costs. The team understood our strict military requirements and delivered perfectly spec'd components."

Michael Rodriguez

"MTS Forge's heat treatment services normalizing our forged components eliminated internal stresses and improved our tensile strength by 12%. Their metallurgical expertise is unmatched in the industry."

Dr. Patricia Okonkwo

"Custom slide manufacturing military and defense sectors demands excellence. MTS Forge delivered contour forgings with superior grain structure and their Mil Q9858 certification gave us complete confidence in every component."

Thomas Abbott

"Working with MTS Forge for 8 years on aerospace components. Their consistency, reliability, and willingness to solve complex forging challenges makes them indispensable to our supply chain."

Rebecca Warner

"Their custom forgings in 316-L stainless steel with complete traceability met our Section III nuclear specifications perfectly. MTS Forge's Coatesville team demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and engineering knowledge."

Howard Peterman

"MTS Forge's flanges produced for commercial nuclear applications came with full Quality Assurance documentation and zero defects. Their 40-year reputation for excellence is well-deserved and proven in every component."

David Kellerman

"MTS Forge's closed die forgings exceeded our military specifications. Their precision and quality craftsmanship delivered components ready for immediate deployment. Exceptional service from a truly made-in-America partner."

Colonel James Mitchell

"We needed custom slide manufacturing military and defense applications completed in 6 weeks. MTS Forge's hot and cold plate forming service delivered on time with flawless quality and complete traceability documentation."

Sarah Chen

"Their upset forgings with in-house rough machining saved us weeks of production time and thousands in machining costs. The team understood our strict military requirements and delivered perfectly spec'd components."

Michael Rodriguez

"MTS Forge's heat treatment services normalizing our forged components eliminated internal stresses and improved our tensile strength by 12%. Their metallurgical expertise is unmatched in the industry."

Dr. Patricia Okonkwo

"Custom slide manufacturing military and defense sectors demands excellence. MTS Forge delivered contour forgings with superior grain structure and their Mil Q9858 certification gave us complete confidence in every component."

Thomas Abbott

"Working with MTS Forge for 8 years on aerospace components. Their consistency, reliability, and willingness to solve complex forging challenges makes them indispensable to our supply chain."

Rebecca Warner

"Their custom forgings in 316-L stainless steel with complete traceability met our Section III nuclear specifications perfectly. MTS Forge's Coatesville team demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and engineering knowledge."

Howard Peterman

"MTS Forge's flanges produced for commercial nuclear applications came with full Quality Assurance documentation and zero defects. Their 40-year reputation for excellence is well-deserved and proven in every component."

David Kellerman

"MTS Forge's closed die forgings exceeded our military specifications. Their precision and quality craftsmanship delivered components ready for immediate deployment. Exceptional service from a truly made-in-America partner."

Colonel James Mitchell

"We needed custom slide manufacturing military and defense applications completed in 6 weeks. MTS Forge's hot and cold plate forming service delivered on time with flawless quality and complete traceability documentation."

Sarah Chen

"Their upset forgings with in-house rough machining saved us weeks of production time and thousands in machining costs. The team understood our strict military requirements and delivered perfectly spec'd components."

Michael Rodriguez

"MTS Forge's heat treatment services normalizing our forged components eliminated internal stresses and improved our tensile strength by 12%. Their metallurgical expertise is unmatched in the industry."

Dr. Patricia Okonkwo

"Custom slide manufacturing military and defense sectors demands excellence. MTS Forge delivered contour forgings with superior grain structure and their Mil Q9858 certification gave us complete confidence in every component."

Thomas Abbott

"Working with MTS Forge for 8 years on aerospace components. Their consistency, reliability, and willingness to solve complex forging challenges makes them indispensable to our supply chain."

Rebecca Warner

"Their custom forgings in 316-L stainless steel with complete traceability met our Section III nuclear specifications perfectly. MTS Forge's Coatesville team demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and engineering knowledge."

Howard Peterman

"MTS Forge's flanges produced for commercial nuclear applications came with full Quality Assurance documentation and zero defects. Their 40-year reputation for excellence is well-deserved and proven in every component."

David Kellerman
The MTS Forge Difference

Why Choose MTS Forge for Military & Defense?

Backed by nearly four decades of metallurgical expertise, MTS Forge brings unmatched precision and compliance to every defense forging project.

Mil-Spec Certified

Certified to Mil I 45208, NCA 3800, and Mil Q9858 — meeting the exact compliance standards defense and military procurement programs mandate.

Made in America

Every forged slide is manufactured at our Coatesville, PA facility, ensuring domestic supply chain integrity critical for U.S. defense programs.

In-House Full Capability

From tooling design and forging through heat treatment and rough machining, our integrated Pennsylvania facility reduces lead times and single-vendor risk.

Metallurgical Expertise

Founded by metallurgists with deep forging knowledge, our team engineers material selection and process parameters to maximize slide durability and performance.

Meet the MTS Forge Founders

Metallurgists and forging experts dedicated to defense-grade precision.

Stephen Carr

Co-Founder

Stephen Carr co-founded MTS Forge in 1986 alongside Edward Waddell, establishing the company on principles of quality and service that continue to define every defense forging produced at the Coatesville, PA facility. With a formal metallurgical background and extensive hands-on knowledge of forging practices, Stephen has guided MTS Forge's growth from a regional forging shop into a recognized leader serving military, aerospace, and defense customers. His deep understanding of material behavior under hot and cold working conditions informs the company's approach to Mil-spec compliance, tooling design, and alloy selection — ensuring that every slide and structural component leaving the facility meets the most demanding procurement requirements. Stephen's founding vision of delivering American-made forged excellence remains the operational standard at MTS Forge today.

Edward Waddell

Co-Founder

Edward Waddell co-founded MTS Forge in 1986 with a mission to bring high-quality, metallurgically sound forging solutions to America's most demanding industries. Alongside Stephen Carr, Edward built the company from the ground up at the Coatesville, Pennsylvania facility, leveraging his metallurgical expertise to develop processes that deliver consistent mechanical properties and full traceability for defense and military customers. His knowledge of forging practices — from die design to heat treatment protocols — underpins MTS Forge's ability to produce closed die forgings, contour forgings, and custom slides to Mil I 45208 and Mil Q9858 standards. Edward's commitment to cutting-edge technology and time-honored craftsmanship has made MTS Forge a trusted partner for defense procurement teams across Pennsylvania, Iowa, Kentucky, and Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What military certifications does MTS Forge hold for defense forging work?

MTS Forge operates under a comprehensive Quality Assurance Program certified to Mil I 45208, NCA 3800, and Mil Q9858. These certifications cover inspection system requirements, nuclear component quality assurance, and defense manufacturing quality programs respectively, providing the complete traceability and documented compliance that military and defense procurement contracts require.

What materials does MTS Forge use for military and defense slide components?

Can MTS Forge produce custom slide geometries to exact defense specifications?

Does MTS Forge offer heat treatment for defense forged slides?

What is the maximum size and weight for forged defense components at MTS Forge?

How does closed die forging reduce costs for military procurement programs?

Does MTS Forge provide complete traceability documentation for defense contracts?

Where is MTS Forge located and which defense procurement regions does it serve?

Have More Questions About Defense Forging?

Speak directly with our metallurgical experts for a complimentary technical consultation on your requirements.

Where We Serve Defense Customers

MTS Forge delivers Mil-spec forged components to defense manufacturers and procurement teams across key U.S. industrial regions.

Coatesville, PA

Headquarters

4 Key States

Primary Regions Served

40+ Years

Years Serving Defense

Do We Service Your Defense Procurement Region?

Contact our team to confirm delivery capabilities and lead times for your location.

Certified & Compliant

Awards and Recognition

Mil I 45208 military inspection certification badge

Mil I 45208

Military inspection system requirements certification for defense manufacturing.

Mil Q9858 defense quality program certification badge

Mil Q9858

Military quality program requirements certification for defense contractors.

NCA 3800 nuclear quality assurance certification badge

NCA 3800

Nuclear component quality assurance program compliance certification.

Start Your Defense Forging Project with MTS Forge

Submit your specifications or RFQ below and our metallurgical team will respond with a detailed technical assessment and competitive quote for your military or defense slide manufacturing requirement.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at (610) 857-3500. You can also send us a quick email at Fmicale@mtsforgepa.com