Reticle Up Podcast hosted by 3GunKenzie

Are you a knife person? Then this podcast is for you! T.C. Barnette is THE knife guy and the face of the popular tourist destination Smoky Mountain Knife Works. He also manages content production and media for Smoky Mountain Guns & Ammo. You might have seen his face a time or two on their social media platforms, at Blade Show, and at other knife events! T.C. shares his background of being a singer/songwriter in Nashville and how he made the move to Eastern TN and found his dream job at SMKW. In this episode, he shows off the blades he carries and talks about different knife designs and what purpose each one serves. We had a blast filming this episode, and if you plan to be at SHOT Show, Blade Show, or visit SMKW, be sure to look for T.C.! Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. To learn more about 3GunKenzie, read her articles, or listen to her on various podcasts as a guest, visit 3gunkenzie.com/portfolio. Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

2024 officially marks my 10-year anniversary of being a competitive shooter. It also represents 10 years since I've legally been able to and have carried a gun daily. This milestone is something I'm proud of and something I really wanted to talk about. In this episode, the roles are reversed, and I get interviewed by Dave Hartman of Prep And Press. We talk about my journey in shooting sports, what I've learned along the way in terms of gun and gear maintenance, how to prep for matches, and how to navigate the world of firearms ownership. It's been a wild ride that has led me to start the Reticle Up podcast, managing brands online, shooting all across the country, going to SHOT Show for the first time, and more! I never imagined any of this would lead me here, so I'm excited to share about my 10 years in the firearms world! I'd love to hear what you thought of this episode, so be sure to send me any comments or any questions you may have for me! Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. To learn more about 3GunKenzie, read her articles, or listen to her on various podcasts as a guest, visit 3gunkenzie.com/portfolio. Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

This educational episode is with Zach, the Owner of ZR Tactical. In this episode, Zach shares how he started in the gun world making 1911s and 2011s, began manufacturing aftermarket parts slowly, and eventually founded ZR Tactical. He shares his knowledge about the best aftermarket springs to run depending on if you shoot snappy 115/124 grain 9mm, or say 147/150 grain 9mm bullets. He shares his passion for Land Cruisers and other all-terrain vehicles, as well as his dream car. We talk about how many legal firearm and firearm accessory companies are blocked from using basic business platforms such as payment processors, website builders, and how much social media has banned his content from being shown. This episode is eye opening into what it takes to be an entrepreneur in the gun world. Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. To learn more about 3GunKenzie, read her articles, or listen to her on various podcasts as a guest, visit 3gunkenzie.com/portfolio. Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Frank Melloni and I met through our mutual work as writers in the firearms industry. To give you a long overview, Frank has been published in American Rifleman, Guns & Ammo Magazine, Gun Digest Magazine, Ballistic Magazine, On Target Magazine, Shooting Illustrated, Shooting Sports USA, American Hunter, NRA Family, Guns.com, Personal Defense World Magazine, Tactical Life Magazine, and Shoot-on.com. What led Frank to start Renaissance Firearms Instruction was out of a need for proper firearms training in New York, and it has expanded. RFI is a company dedicated to teaching a wide variety of shooting skills and practices to the modern shooter. Courses are designed to help people of all skill levels and backgrounds. For more information, visit https://renaissancefirearmsinstruction.com In this episode, Frank talks about how RFI filed one lawsuit and joined another in an attempt to demonstrate the unconstitutionality of the repercussions that do nothing to stop crime and only hinder vital safety training. To donate to the cause, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/restore-1st-and-2nd-amendment-rights Frank has also shared some helpful links if you're interested in the Reloading Zone or obtaining an NRA Membership.NRA Membership Discount Link: https://membership.nra.org/recruiters/join/XI043320 Reloading Zone: https://www.athlonoutdoors.com/article/video-reloading-zone Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. To learn more about 3GunKenzie, read her articles, or listen to her on various podcasts as a guest, visit 3gunkenzie.com/portfolio. Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

My dear friend Brooke Proskovec is one brave soul for diving right into 3 Gun competitions by showing up to shoot with just an inner belt of her own. Brooke shared with me that she wanted to get into 3 gun competitions but didn't have any of the gear of her own to really sign up and shoot. As a Steel Challenge and USPSA shooter, Brooke knew her way around a pistol, but her first love was iron sights. I convinced Brooke to sign up and shoot the 2023 Zoo City Fall Brawl 3 Gun match and also convinced her she would want to shoot a pistol with a red dot optic on it specifically because of how challenging the match is for pistol shots. Brooke and I shot one local Zoo City 3 Gun match before both competing in Open Division to work through Brooke learning all three platforms and also for me to get used to my new Genesis Arms Shotgun. Brooke shares how Open Division made it as easy as possible for her to compete in 3 Gun vs. trying to learn the shotgun and quad loading technique in Tac Ops Division. Interested in shooting 3 Gun with us? Send us a message. We are signed up for the 2024 Battle for the South 3 Gun Championship and would love to get more people into the sport of 3 Gun! Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. To learn more about 3GunKenzie, read her articles, or listen to her on various podcasts as a guest, visit 3gunkenzie.com/portfolio. Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Who is Ammoman? In this episode, I interview my friend Kenneth, aka Ammoman, to discuss his journey into the firearms world, how Boy Scouts impacted his life, and how he ended up becoming Ammoman. Kenneth shares a lot about how he views being the "gun guy" in his group of friends, how people just starting out shouldn't put so much pressure on themselves to create perfect content, and more wisdom from what he's learned so far. Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. To learn more about 3GunKenzie, read her articles, or listen to her on various podcasts as a guest, visit 3gunkenzie.com/portfolio. Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Blake Cremeans wears many hats at LOK Grips. He helps drive innovation and product development at the company and works in Sales & Marketing. In this episode, we talk about all the aftermarket accessories from LOK Grips that you can install on some of your favorite firearms. We also dive into some prototyped items and what's coming soon and talk about the behind-the-scenes process of bringing a new product to market.Shop online at https://lokgrips.com and use the code 3gunkenzie for a discount! Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. To learn more about 3GunKenzie, read her articles, or listen to her on various podcasts as a guest, visit 3gunkenzie.com/portfolio. Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Christian is one busy man who is hard to track down and get on a podcast. Luckily, we made it happen! In this episode, Christian shares how he turned his passions into a career in the firearms industry. We talk about Dead Air Silencers and what's new for them this year. We also talked about how he landed on the Pro Staff team at CVA and what he does with BuckVentures! Learn more about Dead Air at https://deadairsilencers.com To check out CVA rifles, shop https://bpioutdoors.com/cva Be sure to check out BuckVentures at http://www.bvotv.com and on the Outdoor Channel! Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. To learn more about 3GunKenzie, read her articles, or listen to her on various podcasts as a guest, visit 3gunkenzie.com/portfolio. Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

How did the name RapidFireRachel come to be? In this episode, I sit down with Rachel to learn more about how she got into firearms, shooting machine guns, and started working in the firearms industry. She shares some insights into connecting with industry people and her journey from where she started to where she is now! We also shared a little bit about our filming time in Georgia and what we collaborated on. Let us know what questions or comments you have for Rachel! Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. To learn more about 3GunKenzie, read her articles, or listen to her on various podcasts as a guest, visit 3gunkenzie.com/portfolio. Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

If you haven't heard of Tactical Kinetics, I can just about guarantee you own one of their gun barrels already. They are the largest OEM barrel manufacturer you've probably never heard of. They are located in Knoxville, TN, and manufacture both pistol and rifle barrels. I sit down with Jeff Kaplan, Sales Manager, and John McCracken, Plant Manager, in this episode to talk about how they started the business, what it took to go from making 200 barrels to hundreds of thousands of barrels, and what's next for them coming soon. Check out https://tacticalkinetics.com to shop and learn more about their business. I'm sure they've got a barrel you've been meaning to buy, AND the best part about their pistol barrels is they are offered in non-threaded and threaded versions, so you can shoot suppressed! Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online, and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Jason Day of Unit Solutions sits down to talk to me about the Unit4 non-lethal training rifle. From active shooter response to close-quarters combat, the UNIT4 will vastly improve your tactical training efforts. This non-lethal training rifle is great for dry fire training with blanks, marking, and non-marking rounds. We talk about how this training rifle is effective for LEO and military applications, as well as with the newest gun owner, competitive shooter, or firearm instructor. Jason also shares his experience as a father teaching his kids how to shoot guns from an early age and how this training rifle makes for a safe and effective training tool. Visit https://unitsolutions.com and use the code 3GunKenzie at checkout when you order a Unit4 training rifle to get 600 FREE rounds of non-marking rounds. You MUST add a TPAK to your cart for the code to work. Shop TPAK's at https://unitsolutions.com/collections/tpaks Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Tomas is the ultimate knife master. He has a passion for martial arts and has years of experience wielding blades. In this episode, we dive into how he got into knives, what some of his favorite blades are, and what scouting has taught him along the way. We discuss some of the different purposes of specific blades and why a person may carry or use one. We also dive into some of Tomas's fun content and get an inside look at what it takes to film, edit, and upload even just one video. Be sure to follow  @tacticaltavern  and check out his social media for more fun content! Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Allen goes by @sumnlikeaboss on Instagram and is an awesome content creator, gun influencer, and writer in the industry. Allen comes from an EMT background and shares how he found himself "influencing" on the internet. In this episode, Allen and I discuss how showing up to event after event has been the greatest connector to people we now can't imagine not having in our lives. He shares his story of taking a bet on himself and working full-time in the firearms industry. He shares some of his EDC recommendations, from belts to holsters and the tactical fanny pack! Allen also works with some major brands in the industry and shares how he got started working with them, managing their social media platforms, and more! Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online, and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Caleb Savant, aka @baron_von_savant, is the face of Brownells and a gunsmith. In this lighthearted episode, we talk about his journey from customer service to the Photo/Video Supervisor at Brownells. He shares how little involved he was on social media pre-Brownells and how he now gets recognized in public as "Caleb from Brownells." He shares a hysterical yet mean comment he just recently received on YouTube and how he deals with the good, bad, and ugly comments. We also talk about what it was like being a guest judge on the Build Box TV Show, what he thought of winning Most Dapper Influencer at this year's Gundies Awards, and more! The Reticle Up is produced in partnership with AmericanFirearms.org. American Firearms' mission is to recommend what works. We believe everyone deserves access to unbiased, helpful information about firearms -- and our buying guides, product reviews, and learning resources are designed to help real people find the stuff that will work best for them. Check us out at www.americanfirearms.org Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Where to begin with all the things Sofia does? Sofia is the Host of the She Shield Podcast, where she talks about concealed carry, combatives, and training with firearms. She Shield is your one-stop pod for all things personal safety. Sofia's goal is to help educate women and men on concealed carry, martial arts, and all topics of self-defense. Sofia is also a positive 2nd Amendment influencer and publishes some extremely valuable and helpful content on how to train with firearms, what guns and gear she uses to carry concealed, as well as her dry fire routines. She's on TikTok and Instagram as @Fit4Fia and is also a personal trainer, and goes by @fia__fitness on IG. Sofia is now working with the Live Fire App and talks about how she uses the app, and there's much in store yet from Live Fire soon to come! Check out Sofia's Linktr.ee for all the links to follow along with her journey, check out the She Shield podcast, and more! https://linktr.ee/fit4fia The Reticle Up is produced in partnership with AmericanFirearms.org. American Firearms' mission is to recommend what works. We believe everyone deserves access to unbiased, helpful information about firearms -- and our buying guides, product reviews, and learning resources are designed to help real people find the stuff that will work best for them. Check us out at www.americanfirearms.org Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Ever wonder what it's like to work in Hollywood as a gun armorer? My friend Justin Taylor joins me on the Reticle Up Podcast to talk about what it's like to work with actors, some sets he's worked on, and even his own experience being thrown into a show as an actor. We also discuss being a firearms instructor, CA carry laws, and how important medical training is as a gun owner. Justin has lived quite the life, and his experience and insight into being an armorer, an instructor, and an everyday gun carrier, is helpful for everyone to hear. The Reticle Up is produced in partnership with AmericanFirearms.org. American Firearms' mission is to recommend what works. We believe everyone deserves access to unbiased, helpful information about firearms -- and our buying guides, product reviews, and learning resources are designed to help real people find the stuff that will work best for them. Check us out at www.americanfirearms.org Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Adam Litke joins me on this episode to talk about all things AK! We chat about the different AK Matches he's shot as well as the AK Masters match, where he brought his whole family to come out and shoot the match! We also chat about shooting 3 Gun and our experience on a 3 Man 3 Gun team. Adam is also on the Holosun Pro Staff, and we chat about the new 507Comp optic, the SCS and SRCS, and what's next for Holosun. We chat about the different reticles, the benefits of using them on specific guns, and the different setups we both use. We also dive into working in the industry, working with photographers and videographers, what it's like to shoot professionally for brands, and more. The Reticle Up is produced in partnership with AmericanFirearms.org. American Firearms' mission is to recommend what works. We believe everyone deserves access to unbiased, helpful information about firearms -- and our buying guides, product reviews, and learning resources are designed to help real people find the stuff that will work best for them. Check us out at www.americanfirearms.org Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online, and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Dave Hartman is the Host of Prep & Press Podcast, formerly known as the 3 Gun Show. In this episode, Dave and I talk about what's changed in the podcasting landscape, why he rebranded his company, and the keys to podcasting success. We also talk about his 3 Gun shooting career and what's it been like working in the industry. He gives advice on how to get started or dive into the firearms industry - and it's more simple than you think! We also discuss how he's built relationships with sponsors for the show and for matches/events. Follow Dave at  @prepandpress  or visit prepandpress.com to learn more! The Reticle Up is produced in partnership with AmericanFirearms.org. American Firearms' mission is to recommend what works. We believe everyone deserves access to unbiased, helpful information about firearms -- and our buying guides, product reviews, and learning resources are designed to help real people find the stuff that will work best for them. Check us out at www.americanfirearms.org Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Gabby Franco is an Olympian and Professional Competitive Shooter on Team Walther Arms and Primary Arms Optics. She joins me to talk about her journey in shooting sports, how she mentally prepared for Carry Optics Nationals with her ACL recovery, and her thoughts on the Second Amendment.⁠⁠ Photo Credit: Forrest MacCormack The Reticle Up is produced in partnership with AmericanFirearms.org. American Firearms' mission is to recommend what works. We believe everyone deserves access to unbiased, helpful information about firearms -- and our buying guides, product reviews, and learning resources are designed to help real people find the stuff that will work best for them. Check us out at www.americanfirearms.org Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support

Brennan Brennecke is a full-time firearms instructor at Vortex Edge and a competitive shooter. Brennan and I sit down to discuss what Vortex Edge is all about, how he got into instructing, and what his day-to-day looks like. We talk about the dry fire and live fire drills he has done to improve his shooting ability. We talk about the simplicity of his gear and Smith & Wesson gun he uses to compete in the Carry Optics division of USPSA. Brennan and I also dive into concealed carry and how competitive shooting has helped him in his EDC life. The Reticle Up is produced in partnership with AmericanFirearms.org. American Firearms' mission is to recommend what works. We believe everyone deserves access to unbiased, helpful information about firearms -- and our buying guides, product reviews, and learning resources are designed to help real people find the stuff that will work best for them. Check us out at www.americanfirearms.org Be sure to subscribe to the Reticle Up Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. Leave us a review online and be sure to follow us on social media! Follow the host at @3gunkenzie on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mckenzie-fitzpatrick/support