TFB Behind the Gun Podcast

Merry Christmas from all of us here at TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast! In our fifth year, we're grateful to have you both as an audience and as our direct supporters. Today, I've brought on TFB Editor in Chief Josh Centers and long-time TFB writer Rusty S. for a fun but pointed discussion on a few important topics to close out 2025. First and foremost is TFB's ongoing Christmas movie debate — which film will come out on top as the quintessential "Gun Guy Christmas Movie"? We also take some time to talk about the new Gun Rights Office being added to the Department of Justice and what that means. Of course, we share what we'd like to see happen in our own pursuits and across the wider gun industry for our Christmas wishes, then close out the year by previewing what we're looking forward to bringing you from SHOT Show 2026, just around the corner. Thanks as always for listening, and Merry Christmas from all of us here at The Firearm Blog!

Today, I'm pleased to bring on a fellow content creator I met at a recent trip out to the nice new Smith & Wesson facility out in Tennessee. Ben Webb is the owner of the GoldenWebb YouTube channel, which specializes in exactly my kind of firearms tomfoolery (or redneck science). In addition to his rather fun-oriented YouTube channel, Ben is also an active duty law enforcement officer and weapons instructor/armorer based in London, Kentucky. He combines his professional law enforcement experience with his firearm channel, where he tests and reviews guns and gear. This professional background informs his content and expertise, making him a respected figure both in his law enforcement career and his role as a family-friendly firearms YouTuber. Today, we'll be talking all about his process and how he got into doing this right here on TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast. GoldenWebb on YouTube GoldenWebb on Instagram GoldenWebb Reviews Website  

In today's episode, I've brought on Jason B, the owner of Bakcup Tactical. While Backup Tactical started its life off as an aftermarket parts manufactuer for glocks and Sigs, Jason quickly expanded his product profile from simple magazine extensions and release to now having his own line of high quality aftermarket threaded barrels, compensators that follow the contours of the host gun, and even a new line of OTF pocket knives through a recent partnership with Andre De Villiers, of ADV Tactical knives. Today, Jason and I will talk shop, from his beginnings as a shooter and a New Yorker to his new adventures and life as a Florida Man and Purveyor of great, forward-thinking aftermarket pistol parts and knives. Check out a full listing of Jason's parts below, along with his new line of OTF knives, including the Stinger and Fat Butcher.  Backup Tactical Website Backup Tactical on Instagram

On today's episode, we're welcoming back our good friend Dave from Hi-Point Firearms to talk about upcoming competitions, fun season-appropriate movies, and what Hi-Point has planned for the weeks leading up to and including SHOT Show 2026. Dave has been with the company for years and is deeply involved in marketing while staying closely connected to the rest of the team in Mansfield, Ohio, which makes him a great source for what's new behind the scenes.​ Even though he works for a brand known for budget-friendly firearms, Dave's personal tastes could not be more different from his day job, so we'll also dig into what one of Hi-Point's finest is actually running at matches and on range days. By the end of the episode, you'll have a better look at both Hi-Point's upcoming offerings and the gear that keeps Dave excited when he steps up to the line. http://livefire-media.com/ - Dave's Podcast @livefirem @hipointfirearms @fullforgegear

Today on the TFB Behind the Gun Podcast, we've got Josh Centers, who leads The Firearm Blog, one of the most respected platforms in the firearms community if we do say so ourselves. Known for their apolitical, in-depth reviews, news, and industry insights, TFB has a high focus on the products themselves and their practical use, with objectivity being at the core of their mission. Under his editorial leadership, the blog has built a reputation for honest, no-nonsense content, including hands-on product testing and expert interviews that keep enthusiasts informed and engaged. Josh's expertise and steady guidance ensure that these sites continue to serve and grow a diverse and passionate audience. In addition to his core role at TFB, Josh contributes to outdoor lifestyle content such as bowhunting and prepper resources, enhancing the connection between firearms and broader outdoor interests. In this Thanksgiving special, we get a chance to hear from the man himself, Mr. Josh Centers, Editor in Chief of The Firearm Blog.  Articles By Josh Centers on TFB Josh's Personal Website Josh's Videos on TFB-Side TV  

We've welcomed "Hammy" on the podcast before, and he's also made a guest appearance on TFBTV Show Time. Now that summer is winding down and people are settling indoors for cooler weather, hobbies naturally shift with them. Today, we're diving back into the world of 3D printing with none other than Hammy, a true innovator in this space. We'll explore the cutting-edge developments shaping the 3D printing industry, where this niche is expanding, and the hurdles it faces to keep pace in such a competitive market. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Hammy of Hammy3DPrints, and be sure to check out his impressive lineup of American-made, expertly crafted 3D printed mounts and accessories for firearms, magazines, and gear. hammy3dprints.com @hammy3dprints TFBTV Show Time - Hammy3DPrints  

If you're familiar with this channel, you probably know Blue Alpha Belts—a brand closely connected to the TFBTV YouTube community. Founded by Kurt and Jessie in 2015, just a year after TFBTV launched, their partnership didn't start with a formal meeting but grew organically over time. Today, Kurt is here to share the fascinating origin story of Blue Alpha Belts and the nearly decade-long collaboration we've enjoyed with them. Please join me in welcoming Kurt back from Blue Alpha Belts, and a big thank you once again for their continued support.    Learn more about Blue Alpha Belts at their official website: Blue Alpha Belts Check out their Instagram for the latest updates and new products: Blue Alpha on Instagram Follow their YouTube channel for in-depth gear insights and demos: Blue Alpha YouTube And keep connected with their community on Facebook: Blue Alpha Facebook

Today, I'm excited to welcome a long-time friend of both the blog and the TFBTV YouTube Channel, Žiga Polajnar, CEO of Polenar Tactical. Despite the restrictive gun laws in much of the EU, Žiga has built a successful business that delivers tactical training, produces high-quality firearm media content, and sells premium tactical gear, including scopes, holsters, backpacks, and even custom t-shirts. Polenar Tactical also serves as a key hub for European shooters, offering top-tier training courses and running one of the continent's largest gun-related media channels. Beyond the business, Žiga has organized the Slovenian-grown "Lynx Brutality," a physically demanding 2-gun tactical shooting competition that challenges competitors with intense physical and mental tests amid tactical stage designs. This brutal-style match combines marksmanship with endurance, sprinting, climbing, and carrying heavy loads, attracting shooters from across Europe and beyond. In this episode, Žiga and I will dive into what it takes to run Lynx Brutality, share memories from this year's Swedish "Viking Brutality" competition, and discuss how these events build and unify the tactical shooting community. https://polenartactical.com/ Lynx Brutality  Polenar Tactical YouTube

In today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we've brought back Joe from the YouTube Channel Desk Pop to talk a bit about one of the hottest topics currently circulating around in the firearm industry - Forced Reset Triggers and Super Safeties. These clever devices have been all the rage with virtually every type of shooter - at least if you can get them to run properly. Today, Joe will share some of his learned wisdom with us, some of what he's been up to, and, of course, his thoughts on what FRTs and the like have done for the gun industry so far, and what he thinks it means going forward. Please give a warm welcome back to our returning guest, Joe from Desk Pop!  Desk Pop on YouTube Desk Pop on Instagram  

In this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, I sit down in person with Alex Whiteside to talk about anything and everything TANDEMKROSS. TANDEMKROSS was founded in the early 2010s by its cofounders and has since grown to be one of the nation's top rimfire aftermarket parts suppliers. While TANDEMKROSS does strongly cater to the competitive shooting crowd, they are also starting to lean heavily into their growing manufacturing capacity by starting the process of selling complete in-house TANDEMKROSS 10/22 style firearms that can still be customized to meet your specific needs. Today, Alex and I will talk about the company's founding, its goals, and what we can expect around the bend from one of my favorite rimfire-centric companies in the industry. Please give a warm welcome back to Alex Whiteside from TANDEMKROSS. Apologies for the audio on this one, technical difficulties!  https://tandemkross.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tandemkross https://www.facebook.com/Tandemkross/ https://x.com/tandemkross https://www.youtube.com/tandemkross

In this episode, I'm happy to have not just one, but two awesome guests, both with powerful stories and real connections to American military life. Today, Darwin N from the blog will be joining me as a co-host, as he's a huge fan of the works of Chris Kyle and is excited to finally be able to speak to our guest in person about some of his questions. Our guest today, Colton Kyle—son of the legendary "American Sniper," Chris Kyle—sits down with us to talk about his dad's legacy, growing up in that shadow, and what it means to carry that name forward in his own way. Chris Kyle's story is one most of us know, likely through his books, as well as a fairly popular movie, but hearing from Colton gives it a strikingly human side. He also shares a look into the charity work connected to the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation (now TACK-F), which helps military and first responder families stay strong and connected when life gets tough.  Together, the three of us dig into stories of resilience, family, and the kind of purpose that goes way beyond the range, and also take a chance to talk about the direction that the young Colton Kyle is taking his family's business, and use it as a force for good among the Veteran and 2A community. Today's episode is not only fun but also a genuine, grounded talk about carrying a legacy, helping others, and finding meaning in the hard stuff—told by a young, enterprising man whose also got a wedding just around the corner!  American Sniper Website WX JAKL – American Sniper Brand Signature Series The Taya and Chris Kyle Family Foundation  Kerry & Colton's Wedding Registry

Today on this episode of TFB's behidn the Gun podcast, we're back in the studio with the founder of HUSH Holsters, Specner Gottleib, to talk about some of his newest products and a massive expansion of his company into new territory. HUSH started a number of years ago as a dream of Spencer's to create a more practical and sensible holster for use with pistols that have suppressors attached to them. Seeing no good solutions that did what he wanted already on the market, he set out to 3D print his own, which eventually led to the first iteration of the HUSH Holster. After a short year-long hiatus, Spencer is back in the holster business again, along with new talent, and has a whole new generation of Universal Suppressor Compatible Holsters, along with a whole suite of aftermarket parts for the legendary SKS rifle. Today, Spencer and I will talk about all that and more to bring you guys up to date on the latest from HUSH Holsters.  HUSH Holsters Website HUSH Holsters on YouTube HUSH Holsters on Instagram HUSH Holsters on Facebook

This week on TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, returning guest Bryce from The Carry Handle Podcast shares insights into some exceptionally rare and fascinating firearms he's recently encountered. Thanks to his new position at a local auction house, Bryce has gained hands-on experience with an array of unusual and collectible guns, ranging from creatively converted machine guns to authentic, legally registered destructive devices. His day-to-day work not only exposes him to an impressive spectrum of rare firearms but also provides plenty of colorful stories and unique details, which he brings to the podcast for an in-depth discussion. Listeners will get to hear about recent auction highlights and the ongoing appeal of firearms collecting, plus the challenges and surprises that come with handling such rare pieces in a professional setting.

Thunder Ranch stands out as one of the top choices for practical, in-depth firearms training, thanks to its highly skilled instructors, real-world course design, and unique atmosphere. Living nearby gave me the perfect chance to join Jordan from Meprolight for their Urban Precision Rifle class, where I tested the new MVO 1-8x28 LPVO in typical Thunder Ranch conditions. While today's story isn't about optics, it focuses on Jordan's first carbine course experience, sharing lessons from instructors like Jack Daniel and first impressions of Thunder Ranch's facility and training approach. Jordan also reflected on using Meprolight products under hard-use conditions, offering fresh insights into their performance and utility. Thunder Ranch Links Website: Thunder Ranch Instagram: @thunderranchinc Meprolight Links Website: Meprolight Instagram: @meprolight LinkedIn: Meprolight LinkedIn YouTube: Meprolight YouTube Channel

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun podcast, we welcome back Jonathan Wild from Wild Arms Research and Development to discuss his latest—and fastest—rocket project to date: the Hypervelocity Rocket. Unlike conventional anti-aircraft munitions that rely on explosives, the Hypervelocity Rocket is designed to incapacitate targets through sheer kinetic energy, traveling at speeds exceeding 10,000 feet per second (approximately Mach 9). To bring this project to life, Jonathan has undertaken extensive research, including submitting official Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to uncover details about this once-classified initiative that has remained dormant in sealed government archives for years. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey through the research, development, and testing of the Hypervelocity Rocket, and gives us a preview of his forthcoming book on the subject. Wild Arms Research and Development on YouTube Wild Arms Research and Development Books (Amazon) Wild Arms Research and Development on Instagram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MatoQ9hNsEM  

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun podcast, I'm joined by Alex Whiteside and Luke Diamond of TANDEMKROSS. Known for their huge lineup of over 250 aftermarket parts for competitive and recreational shooters, TANDEMKROSS is stepping up their game with the new ADX receiver. This receiver is a game-changer, letting DIY builders put together a complete 10/22-style rifle using only TANDEMKROSS parts. It's ambidextrous with a patent-pending left-hand charging handle that locks in place, making reloads faster and easier, plus it's built tough with a steel insert and a durable Teflon-infused finish to make it an actual upgrade instead of just another receiver.  We talk about how the ADX receiver fits into the bigger picture of TANDEMKROSS's product range and what both Alex and Luke bring to the team behind these innovative designs. The receiver also features a quick-release rear cap for easy cleaning and maintenance, and it includes an integral Picatinny rail ready for optics. With pricing expected under $300 and release planned for later this year, it's sure to appeal to rimfire competitors and DIY builders alike. This episode is packed with insight on how TANDEMKROSS is helping shooters build better, faster, and with more customization than ever before. TANDEMKROSS Website TANDEMKROSS on YouTube TANDEMKROSS on Instagram TANDEMKROSS on Facebook

Today's episode of TFB's behind the podcast features Kevin and Bryce from The Carry Handle Podcast, as well as a new guest, Scout Trooper. Today we'll be talking about something that is right up Scout Trooper's alley - movie, TV, and video game guns. Many of our generation who grew up watching 80s action movies, playing early shooter video games, and soaking up all of the great cop TV shows that the 90s had to offer love guns because of these things. Today we'll be discussing our favorite media representations of guns, our least favorite, and, of course, everything in between when it comes to the intersection of our favorite pastimes.    The Carry Handle Podcast Scout Trooper  

Today on TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we've brought back on Mr. Mike Slack from Engaged Industries to talk about some new developments, testing, and news he's got from his virtually brand new suppressor company. Mike's flagship suppressors, Operator 5.56 and Recon 7.62, use the unique VLB25 baffle system, which uses vacuum expansion design to help reduce the amount of gas coming back to the shooter. In addition, Mike's suppressors can also use his unique StealthLOK QD system, which eliminates carbon lock, is much quieter than other locking mechanisms, and also requires barely a ½ twist to be locked in tight. Today, Mike will share some of his latest developments from some testing he did with Pew Science, and also announce his huge 30% off sale for Military and Law Enforcement personnel, in addition to his already reduced prices on both of his flagship suppressors. Please give Mike a warm welcome back to the show!  https://engagedindustries.com/ Suppressor Engineer YouTube Channel https://www.instagram.com/engaged_ind/ https://rumble.com/c/EngagedIndustries https://www.youtube.com/@EngagedIndustries/videos

On today's episode of the TFB Behind the Gun Podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with Firearms Historian Mr. Mike Helms. Mike specializes not just in firearms history, but has also been an expert witness in several court cases, and he's also appeared in a couple of episodes of the TV Show Swamp People, of course, for his firearms expertise. Today, Mike is going to share a slightly longer and more detailed version of a presentation he's given before on the history of Smith & Wesson. Today, we'll dive into the history of one of America's oldest and longest-running firearms companies, in addition to a very neat history on one of the rarest firearms I've had the pleasure of handling - Mike's personally owned Smith & Wesson Model 1 - serial number 5. For all you history and S&W nerds out there, this is one great episode in what I hope will be many with Firearms historian Mike Helms.  https://mikehelms.org/ https://www.instagram.com/firearmshistorian/ https://twitter.com/FirearmsHistory https://www.linkedin.com/company/michael-helms-firearms-historian https://youtube.com/@Firearms_Historian  

Suppose you've ever wanted to get your hands on a G36, or at least something that almost perfectly clones a G36. In that case, you'll be interested to hear that Bo and his team over at S5 Tactical are carrying the torch for fans of one of H&K's most popular unobtainium rifles. S5 Tactical is a firearms manufacturer that produces G36-style receivers under the product name SG-36. While this isn't really anything new, the receivers previously sold by another company, DEF, are now being made with the years of injection molding expertise that Bo and his team have to offer. Today, Bo and I will talk about anything and everything G36, as well as his thoughts on what the future of more H&K clones like the currently offered SG-36, and "SMP Rifle" (UMP Rifle Clone) might look like.  S5 Tactical Website S5 Tactical Facebook Page S5 Tactical Instagram Page