Josh Ciardullo | Ciardullo Ranch
OA Defense is proud to highlight a hard-working American who champions American-made products.
Meet Josh Ciardullo. When he was home from his days as a firefighter, he assisted his neighbor with their cattle. As an environmentalist, Josh wanted to honor the land by raising grass-fed beef. Inspired to fulfill the American dream, Ciardullo Ranch was born: a family owned, regeneratively operated ranch raising 100% American grass fed cattle at the base of the Rocky Mountains.
Our paths have become intertwined through OAD’s ties to – and support of – the ranching and bull riding communities. Aside from our shared values of “Faith, Family, and Freedom,” we both believe in the importance and value of hand-crafted, high-quality American-made products. Josh has an appreciation for fine American firearms; you might recognize him through his content with Henry Rifles and Woox.
“American-Made Tools for American-Made Men”
Knife: Dagr & Nott ◦ Holster: TACRIG ◦ Knife Sheath: Jimmy C’s Custom Leather
Quality matters. In the frontier days, people would save for months and then make their way into town to pick up a new tool or accessory, something designed for durability. Back then company brands weren’t born in a boardroom. They were a badge of pride; a token of a craftsman’s skills and labor. The quality of your kit mattered. Your life could depend on it in famine or fight.
“A man is only as good as his tools” said Emmert Wolf, justly. In these modern times, Josh finds it important to do business with companies building high-quality American made gear – kindred spirits to his causes.
“Reliability In Any Moment”
With that mission in mind, Josh connected with OA Defense and has made an OA 2311 Compact Pro his daily carry pistol of choice while out on his ranch and around town.
“The feel of the gun, the weight, the performance of the porting – it all stands out in quality.” Josh comments. Starting off in our High Desert Black colorway, Josh then sent his Compact Pro off to LV Stipple who stippled the polymer grip module and lasered engraved the filigree scrollwork – a nod to the old hand-engraved firearms that helped tame the American West.
Josh’s son, Henry, intends to join the Army with his sights set on becoming a Ranger. Henry also practicines regularly with Josh’s OA 2311.
Pistol: OA Defense OA 2311 Compact Pro ◦ Stippling / Laser: LV Stipple ◦ Mag Release Paddle: Springer Precision
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
While not all of us are fortunate enough to be stewards of land that provides, we honor those who are. Josh is on the board for Revital Colorado, a local nonprofit that provides outdoor activities like guided horse rides to help bolster first responder’s mental health. In times of need, Ciardullo Ranch has gone as far as donating whole cows to organizations who serve people in less fortunate circumstances.
Belt Buckle: Western Heritage ◦ Jeans: Schaefer Outfitter ◦ Chaps: The Wild In Us
We salute Josh and his values as a protector and provider: a firefighter, environmentalist, entrepreneur, family man, and role model. While the “Marlboro Man” ad campaign has long since ended, it has long inspired us. We rekindle it in spirit, imbued with authenticity through Josh and Collin Perryman Photo.
While it’s easy to glamourize the “cowboy” lifestyle, there has never been an easy day on a ranch. A century ago, you might find yourself in any number of hardships from an exceptionally harsh winter to disagreements culminating in all-out war. Times may have changed, and while the challenges of being a cowboy may have shifted in shape; they are still ever-present.
According to the USDA Cattle Inventory Report, the US cattle herd dropped to 86 million as of January 1st, 2025, the smallest since 1951 with an 18% decrease in the total number of cattle operations. Cattle prices also continue to hit record highs with no signs of slowing down. Drought is expected to persist in parts of the West through 2025, straining water resources and forcing those working their land to reconsider their usage and crops. To further complicate matters, independent ranchers face competition from larger corporations and imported meat. Under threat of tariffs from other countries, Congress has diluted the market by removing mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) requirements for beef and pork. Where’s the beef (coming from)?
With overall increases in operating costs and mounting supply chain disruptions, independent American cattle companies continue to have their resolve tested.
“If you look back historically, farming and ranching have never necessarily been a good source of income. I think roughly 82% of people in this industry rely on income from an off-farm job just to get by. They have to have city jobs to provide food for their country, doesn’t make sense to me.” says Josh.
In pursuit of maximizing independence, Josh’s wife Erica continues the mission of utilizing their land and livestock to the full extent by offering tallow, eggs, honey, sourdough starters, and more.
“At Ciardullo Ranch, we honor a nose-to-tail philosophy, ensuring nothing from our God-given, 100% grass-fed and finished, humanely raised cattle goes to waste.”
Shirt: SavTac x OAD ◦ Flannel: Devium ◦ Hat: Resistol
In spite of the challenging economic conditions, the Ciardullos continue to push forward as they expand their acreage and herd. It’s up to the rest of us to do our part by supporting small businesses while fighting for our own American dream.
“Every sunrise is a new trail to ride; make it count.”
“Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah 4:14
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Beautiful pistol, I like the subtle engraving on the slide, nice classic touch on a modern pistol.