PODCAST · sports
A Break in the Action
by Ryan Doughty
Our days are busy. Professional, family and personal obligations fill our schedules. You’re invited to take A Break in the Action of your day and escape to a place filled with sights of highly figured walnut and rich, vibrant case-color hardening. Intoxicating scents of wood smoke from a perfectly laid fire and spent shotshells fill the air. The only deals we broker are for new-to-us shotguns and our only appointments are for chilly mornings and impatient bird dogs. Here, our currency is memories and we consider ourselves wealthy. The goal here is simple, to provide a place to escape, a place to learn, a place to reminisce, and a place to relax - be it through our podcast or social sites. Our focus will reliably be on vintage and modern shotguns, best-in-quality gear, accessories, and experiences that complement the sporting lifestyle. Our days are busy… take A Break in the Action.
Episodes
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Beretta at 500: Sixteen Generations, One Extraordinary Legacy
In 1526, Bartolomeo Beretta supplied 185 arquebus barrels to the Republic of Venice. Five centuries later, the Beretta family still makes firearms in the same Italian valley—and celebrates a milestone virtually unmatched in the history of gunmaking. In this special episode of A Break in the…
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Gun Dogs: How they changed the hunt.
Audio Article Why does a pointer point? Why does a spaniel flush? Why are retrievers asked to wait patiently until the shooting is over, while versatile dogs are expected to do a little bit of everything? In this episode of A Break in the Action, Ryan explores how centuries of selective breeding...
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The Best Days Aren’t About the Shooting
What makes a great day in the field truly memorable? Ryan speaks with longtime friend Jake Woolf for a wide-ranging conversation about British shooting traditions, gundogs, hospitality, friendship and the experiences that matter long after the guns are put away. Jake also shares the story behind...
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Listen While You Still Can
After decades of shotguns, sporting clays, bird hunting, and other noisy pursuits, Ryan finally listened to his wife and visited an audiologist. The diagnosis: measurable hearing loss—and a realization that protecting your hearing is about far more than simply being able to hear the next bird...
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Just ONE Shotgun?
If you could own just ONE shotgun... what would it be? It's one of the oldest—and most debated—questions in the shooting sports. Should it be a 12-gauge or a 20? A semi-automatic or an over-and-under? Twenty-eight-inch barrels or thirty? How much should it weigh? Which features actually matter…
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From Rolex to Rizzini: How a watch enthusiast found wingshooting
What do fine shotguns and mechanical watches have in common? It turns out, quite a lot. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Christian Zeron, founder of Theo & Harris and one of the most recognizable voices in the world of mechanical watches. Christian recently found himself drawn into an…
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Is the 12 gauge dead?
For more than a century, the 12 gauge has been the default answer in the shotgun world. It was the gauge that did everything—quail, pheasants, waterfowl, rabbits, and just about anything else a hunter might pursue. But today, sub-gauges are more popular than ever. Twenty gauges, twenty-eights…
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The Traveling Wingshooter: Building The Ultimate Bird Hunting Rig
In this episode of A Break in the Action, Ryan takes listeners inside the process of building what he believes is the ultimate modern bird hunting rig (for the way he hunts) — not as a showcase of gear for gear’s sake, but as a thoughtful system shaped by years of traveling to hunt upland birds...
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A Sporting Weekend at The Preserve
In this episode of A Break in the Action, Ryan travels to western Rhode Island to experience one of America’s most unique sporting destinations: The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences. More than simply a luxury resort with outdoor activities, The Preserve is a true sporting-first destination…
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American Bests
When people hear the phrase American Best, it’s natural to think of a comparison— specifically to the traditional best guns of the London trade. And in some ways, that comparison makes sense. The British defined the term. They built the guns that set the standard, and their influence still shapes...
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Forgotten British Gunmakers with Simon Reinhold
In this episode of A Break in the Action, I sit down with Simon Reinhold of Holt’s Auctioneers for a deep dive into the history of the British gun trade and the remarkable craftsmen whose names have faded from common conversation. While makers like Purdey, Holland & Holland, and Boss are widely...
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Reviving a London Gunmaking Legend: Frederick Beesley
In this episode, I sit down with Bradley Davis of The London Gun Company to explore the legacy and revival of Frederick Beesley—one of the most influential yet often overlooked figures in British gunmaking. From Beesley’s groundbreaking self-opening action to the careful resurrection of his name…
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The Story behind the Stories: Shooting Sportsman magazine
I’ve been reading Shooting Sportsman for more than twenty years. For a long time, I assumed the magazine was the product of careful planning by fully staffed departments and committees responsible for long-range strategies mapped decades into the future. But the more I’ve learned about the people...
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Safe Queens (and why they’re OK)
There’s a tendency—especially among hunters—to feel a little uncomfortable about the guns we own but don’t use, as if a shotgun that isn’t carried in the field is somehow failing its purpose. Or worse, that we’re failing it. I like to think that January has a way of softening that…
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Between Flushes: Chris P.
We can probably all agree that most of what we love about wingshooting doesn’t actually happen when the birds are in the air… it comes in the preparation, in the walking, and in the listening pauses. In the quiet moments between flushes—when the gun is open, the dog is working, and there’s time…
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Stuff and Things 2025
Shotguns usually have the limelight on A Break in the Action, but today’s episode is dedicated to the unsung heroes of the hunter, and not just what you carry into the field, but also the well-made pieces that fit into the rest of your life. The kind of items that earn their place over time: a...
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Hit or Miss with Jonny Carter
If you look back through the history of the double-barreled shotgun, nearly every significant step forward — every design change that eventually became a standard — started out as something that at first might have looked or sounded a little odd. When the first hammerless actions appeared,...
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America's Wingshooting Traditions: Ruffed Grouse
Today, we are discussing grouse hunting —specifically in the Upper Midwest—where a century of wingshooting tradition runs deep. If you drew a map around America's prime grouse cover, it would definitely include a huge swath stretching from northern Wisconsin across northern Michigan and the Upper...
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CÆSAR GUERINI with Wes Lang
My guest today is Wes Lang, President of Caesar Guerini. I am excited to bring you this fascinating story of Wes’s background, some of his philosophy, and ultimately what led to the creation of such an impactful and popular brand. Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons...
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Wild Game: From Field Care to Flavors with Hank Shaw
Hank is a great ambassador for wild food and his books serve as a good reminder that from field care to flavor, cooking wild game can be just as thoughtful, meaningful, and rewarding as the pursuit itself. If you haven't already, check out all of his great books. A perfect gift to yourself or…
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Buying Shotguns at Auction
You may have heard me mention Guyette and Deeter as a sponsor throughout the year. Today, I am joined by Jon Deeter and Josh Loewensteiner to guide us through the auction buying and selling process. We’ll learn how they settle on lots that will be included, the inspection and description process,...
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Shotgun Stories VI: Will Primos
Will Primos is an icon in the outdoors industry, but as you’ll hear, it didn’t come without a massive amount of hard work, focus, and a solid work ethic. Will did more than build a brand - he educated, outfitted, and entertained. Today, Will is enjoying the fruits of his labor - but he hasn’t...
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Modern Side by Side Buyers Guide (and I bought a new gun - actually, two!)
Whether you’re new to bird hunting or have been chasing birds for decades, there’s no denying the timeless appeal of a side-by-side shotgun. This episode covers six of what I believe are the most interesting, mid-priced, modern side-by-side shotguns available today. Our lineup includes guns from...
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Shotgunning and a Secret Bunker at The Greenbrier Resort
We are right at the front edge of summer, and whether you’ve already got your summer travel plans set or are looking for a new idea, I think you will like this episode. This is now the third time that I have brought you a destination where you can break out your shotgun and shoot challenging...
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On Location: The 2025 Southern Side by Side
I am excited to be outside of my home studio for this episode. A few weeks back, we heard all about the Southern Side by Side at Deep River Sporting Clays in Sanford, NC. I am hoping that you made it a point to be there - if not, you are really missing out. A Break in the Action tried something…
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A Guide to the Gauges
A listener requested an episode about the origins of common shotshell gauges, and I thought it was a fantastic idea. However, did you know that there are also several lost gauges? In this episode, we will explore the shotshell gauges we are familiar with and discover others that have been lost to...
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Shotgun Stories V: Reid Bryant
This next installment in our Shotgun Stories series features Reid Bryant. Reid is the director of wingshooting services at Orvis and hosts the Orvis Hunting and Shooting podcast. He has contributed numerous articles to popular magazines such as Shooting Sportsman, Gray's Sporting Journal, and...
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The 26th annual Southern Side by Side Championship and Exhibition - you need to be there!
The Southern Side by Side Championship and Exhibition is undoubtedly a must-attend event for shotgun enthusiasts. Now entering its 26th year, this event has become not just a regional but a national success. In this episode, I am joined by Bill Kempffer and Ed Strickland. Bill was instrumental in...
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Shooting driven and walked-up birds in England
It has been a dream of mine to shoot driven birds in the UK for years. Last year, I checked that off the bucket list (twice actually)! In this episode I recount my December visit to the wonderful Branches Park Estate in Suffolk, England and the full week of shotgun sights and experiences that I…
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A history of Beretta SO shotguns + introduction to Beretta's Shotgun of the Year
Beretta first released their over and under shotgun design in 1933 named in the catalog as Mod. S1 Fucile da Caccia Sovrapposta. Sovrapposta is Italian for "overlapped" and refers to the barrel arrangement, think over/under or superposed. The newly released S1 featured a true sidelock design with...
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An exciting and unique shotgun announcement with Rich Cole
Rich Cole joins me to announce a unique new shotgun project! Rich Cole is a key figure in fine shotguns and precision gunsmithing. From his early days at Beretta to establishing himself as an authority in the field, Rich has devoted his life to repairing, building and customizing exceptional...
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Shotgun Stories IV: Jonny Carter
In this episode, we get to know popular YouTuber Jonny Carter of TGS Outdoors. I've known Jonny for a few years now. I am an enormous fan of his content, where he shares information about shotguns and shooting in an approachable, informative, and interesting way. Jonny is modest about his vast...
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MacNab Challenge
John Buchan’s 1925 adventure novel, John MacNab is the story of three friends who have lost the zest for life. They hatch a plan to, under the collective pen name of 'John Macnab', write three landowning neighbors informing them of their intention to kill a stag or catch a salmon on their land...
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London Best: Holland and Holland
We are further exploring best guns in this episode and today we highlight Holland and Holland, where craftsmanship, heritage, and passion come together to create some of the finest shotguns and rifles in the world. In this episode, we’ll explore the remarkable rise of the gunmaker, from its…
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Anthony Matarese Jr and Will Primos discuss their new book 'Straight Shooting for Hunters'
Anthony, one of the world's best competitive shooters, and Will, one of the most famous hunters in the US share their secrets to finding more success in the field. Straight Shooting for Hunters is a comprehensive reference for hunters of all skill levels. From practical advice to true stories…
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Dove hunting at Hollywood Farms and review of the Rizzini Venus
By far what I love and look forward to the most when dove season comes in is the time in the field that I spend with my dad, my daughters, my wife, and good friends. We hunt near and often. It’s an informal affair and each hunter can be as serious or as social as they choose. It is also a perfect...
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London Best: James Purdey and Sons
How do we define a BEST shotgun maker? Obviously, they need to be capable of producing best guns but the definition doesn’t stop there… They need to only produce best guns. Their lineup of models shouldn't include entry level or mid-tier models, these aren’t in the DNA of a BEST gun maker.…
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Shotguns, sporting clays and steaks at Nemacolin Resort
There is a place in the Allegheny Mountains outside of Pittsburgh that began as a private grouse hunting and fishing retreat but over the past 35+ years has transformed into a world-class resort. Nemacolin Resort has a list of activities and amenities too long to list here - but of special note…
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Shotgun Stories III: Larry Potterfield
This next installment of Shotgun Stories is a very special one. I knew Larry Potterfield was a 'gun guy' but was delighted to discover how deep his appreciation for shotguns and wing-shooting was. In this episode we learn about the early shotguns in Larry's life, some of the shotguns he shoots…
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A weekend with Griffin and Howe at the Hudson Farm Club + Longthorne Victory Sporter shooting review
This feature episode begins by tracing the company's origin and its nearly 50-year association with Abercrombie & Fitch. The Griffin and Howe company's story didn't end with the closure of A&F - instead, it allowed them to add volumes to it. Griffin and Howe at the Hudson Farm Club in New Jersey…
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Shotgun Stories II: Dania Vizzi
My guest today is champion skeet shooter, Dania Vizzi. In just a few weeks, she will represent the United States Olympic shooting team in Paris. Shooting sports of one variety or another have been part of almost every Summer Olympic Games since 1896, with the current shotgun events being Olympic...
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Beretta DT11: A six month review + recap of our listener's event
The Beretta DT11 is a serious, built-for-purpose competition shotgun. In this episode, we will look at its features and heritage and I share my DT11L shooting experiences now six months in. In the second half of this episode, we will recap our first ever A Break in the Action Listener's Event - a...
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The legends in your sporting library with Steve Smith
This episode is going to be my attempt to check off another repeat listener request - Do an episode on your favorite books and favorite authors. Steve Smith is an accomplished outdoor writer, editor, publisher, TV host, and hunter. Over the years he has worked with and called friends many of the...
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Humbled by helice at Prairie Wildlife
The clay target shooting sports are generally very linear games. Targets leave the machine and, for the most part, follow a set trajectory to the ground. There are variations of course, trap introduces an oscillator or wobble, skeet has the shooter move to vary the angle and necessary lead, a...
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Best double-barrel shotguns $1,000 - $3,000
Listener requested! An overdue sequel to the 'Best Shotguns <$1,000' from a few years back - in this episode I have pulled in two pros from the Orvis Gunroom, Greg Carpiniello and Connor Carson. The three of us offer up 20-30 new and used shotgun models that you should be sure to check out if you...
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John Rigby and Co.
Here are two things you might not know about the legendary shotgun and rifle maker John Rigby and Co. The company is actually older than the United States of America and originally hailed Dublin, Ireland. My guest today is Marc Newton. Marc has been the managing director for John Rigby since…
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Flying with your shotgun
Getting away to hunt can be as easy as hitting the other side of your state, maybe a road trip or, flying to the other side of our country or beyond it’s borders. We are going to spend some time on this last version today. Experienced travelers develop special skills when they are frequently in…
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Shotgun Stories I: AJ DeRosa
'What friends I have, what days I treasure most, what places I think about and smile… they are because shotguns are. Without them I would have been empty. They have made my life full.' -Gene Hill Shotguns are woven into almost every aspect of my life. They have connected me with some of my…
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Used shotgun buyers guide with Gregg Elliott and Phil Bourjaily
There is one question that I get asked more often than any other. Listeners want help or advice on buying used shotguns… Is it smart to buy a shotgun online? Is it safe to buy from an individual? What should I look for in determining a used shotgun's condition and what red flags should I be aware...
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What's in my shooting bag?
In this episode, I lay out what gear I take for a day shooting. Two bags and a case filled with everything I need for a day shooting sporting clays, skeet, or maybe some new adventures trying out FITSC or helice. Making sure that I have everything I need ensures I have a good time and can stay…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Our days are busy. Professional, family and personal obligations fill our schedules. You’re invited to take A Break in the Action of your day and escape to a place filled with sights of highly figured walnut and rich, vibrant case-color hardening. Intoxicating scents of wood smoke from a perfectly laid fire and spent shotshells fill the air. The only deals we broker are for new-to-us shotguns and our only appointments are for chilly mornings and impatient bird dogs. Here, our currency is memories and we consider ourselves wealthy.
The goal here is simple, to provide a place to escape, a place to learn, a place to reminisce, and a place to relax - be it through our podcast or social sites. Our focus will reliably be on vintage and modern shotguns, best-in-quality gear, accessories, and experiences that complement the sporting lifestyle.
Our days are busy… take A Break in the Action.
HOSTED BY
Ryan Doughty
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does A Break in the Action have?
A Break in the Action currently has 77 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is A Break in the Action about?
Our days are busy. Professional, family and personal obligations fill our schedules. You’re invited to take A Break in the Action of your day and escape to a place filled with sights of highly figured walnut and rich, vibrant case-color hardening. Intoxicating scents of wood smoke from a perfectly...
How often does A Break in the Action release new episodes?
A Break in the Action has 77 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to A Break in the Action?
You can listen to A Break in the Action on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts A Break in the Action?
A Break in the Action is created and hosted by Ryan Doughty.
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