TFB Behind the Gun Podcast

Aryan, known online as Mocka or @mockashoots, joins me on this week's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun for a conversation about competitive shooting, content creation, and what it's like owning and shooting firearms as a civilian in the UK. We talk through his background across his competitive shooting career, then dig into his other, newer role in the sport: commentary. Aryan has breathed some new life into shooting sports in the way of live commentary for major matches, including Polenar Tactical's Lynx Brutality, and has real opinions on what's missing from most shooting-sports commentary compared to how other sports handle the play-by-play.  Follow Mocka: Instagram  YouTube

In this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, I'm happy to welcome Evan Murdoch, founder of Murdoch & Co, the first company producing a fully stamped, one-to-one semi-auto version of Britain's L85/SA80 in the United States. Evan grew up in England wanting to own an SA80 of his own, and when he couldn't buy one, he built one instead, founding Murdoch & Co in 2022 and working with Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum, to verify the EM-85 against original service rifles. We dig into the EM-85's use of genuine Ministry of Defence and Enfield-made parts, why that scarcity caps the Collector Series at 100 rifles for $12,000 apiece against a $4,500 base EM85A3, the engineering fixes addressing the SA80's early reliability problems, the A1, A2, and A3 configurations tracing the rifle's real service history, and where Murdoch & Co is headed next with Cadet and Light Support Weapon variants in development. Murdoch & Co website: https://murdochandco.com Murdoch & Co on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdochandco  

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, Russell Phagan — founder of FAST and a longtime fixture of the Brutality match series — joins us again to talk about FAST's newest addition: the Auto-Rifle Division. It's the first division of its kind in a mainstream two-gun series, built specifically for NFA machine guns and FRT-equipped rifles, with belt-fed and heavy-barrel setups finally getting a place to compete. We get into how the division came together, what equipment and stage requirements competitors need to know before showing up to the Parma, Idaho debut this October, and what it says about where practical shooting competition is headed now that FRTs have cleared federal court. Learn more: KE Arms: https://www.kearms.com XTech Tactical: https://www.xtechtactical.com Red Right Hand: https://redrighthandllc.com FAST Matches: https://www.fast-matches.org

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we sit down with Derrick Ratliff, founder of Horizon Firearms and VP of Kaspar Outdoors — the same conversation that started on the range at this year's Relentless Rifleman. Derrick's name is tied to the .22 Creedmoor and a reputation for custom long-range rifles, but Horizon is just the entry point into a bigger operation that includes iota Outdoors and, through Kaspar, brands like Circle Y Saddles. We get into how the .22 Creedmoor came to be, what it's like running a saddle company and a precision rifle company side by side, and Derrick's read on Relentless Rifleman as a first-time competitor — plus what it's actually like to talk shop with the guy who built the rifle you're about to shoot a match with. Learn more: Horizon Firearms: https://horizonfirearms.com iota Outdoors: https://iotaoutdoors.com Kaspar Outdoors: https://www.kasparoutdoors.com  

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we sit down with Ian and Will of Stuff & Things Inc. (STIncUSA) — familiar faces from TFBTV's GunCon coverage, now getting the full interview treatment. This one's a behind-the-scenes look at how a small outfit like STIncUSA came together and how they operate: the origin story, the day-to-day of designing and building products most companies wouldn't bother with, and how they've turned that approach into some of the more talked-about releases in the firearms space. We also get the first real details on their still-early ST-579 — a modular, serialized chassis/lower design in 5.7x28mm and .22 variants that they've been showing in prototype form at GunCon. If you've only seen their gear in action, this is the conversation that explains how it gets made and what inspired all of it. Follow Stuff & Things Inc.: Website: https://stincusa.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stincusa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Stuff-and-Things-LLC-100076393565629/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuffandthingsinc/

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we welcome back Jonathan Wild, founder of Wild Arms Research and Development, to talk about his newest venture: Wild Arms Solutions. Johnny built his name on meticulously researched DIY launcher builds and the companion books that came with them — now he's taking that expertise into military contract work, developing drone-threat countermeasures through the new outfit. We dig into how that opportunity came about, what skills transfer from replica weapons research to active defense programs, and what he's able to tell us about where counter-drone technology is headed. Wild Arms on YouTube Wild Arms on Instagram

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, I'm happy to welcome back Harrison Benson, founder of Double Tap Coalition, a USCCA-certified firearms training organization based in Stockbridge, Georgia. Harrison and Double Tap's mission is straightforward: educate, train, and empower responsible gun owners of all backgrounds and skill levels, from first-time shooters to those looking to sharpen advanced skills. Since his last appearance in episode 175, Harrison has been busy. Today we talk about his new range facility, how his training resume has grown, and he shares some candid thoughts on the current state of the training market, including what gear he's seeing students show up with and what that says about where the industry is headed. Double Tap Coalition: https://www.doubletapcoalition.com Double Tap Coalition on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doubletapcoalition  

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, I'm happy to welcome Earle Pope, founder and owner of Chestnut Mountain Manufacturing, a new company out of Brevard, North Carolina. Earle founded Chestnut Mountain in 2024 with a goal of bringing well-vetted, quality-controlled versions of hard-to-source products to market, starting with their OKP-7 reproduction optic. The OKP-7 is a faithful recreation of the classic Russian-pattern reflex sight, built for real AK-platform rifles and pistols, available in Picatinny and dovetail mount configurations and two reticle options. Today Earle and I talk about how Chestnut Mountain got started, what went into sourcing and vetting the OKP-7, and what the company has in the pipeline next. Chestnut Mountain Manufacturing: https://www.chestnutmountainmfg.com Chestnut Mountain on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChestnutMtnMfg Chestnut Mountain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestnutmountainmfg/  

In this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, I'm happy to welcome Jeremy Hammons and Drew Markel, the founder and co-owner of One Horse Firearms, a 100% American-made AR-15 manufacturer out of Brownstown, Indiana. Jeremy is a U.S. Army veteran with over a decade of experience in engineering, machining, and firearms industry leadership, while Drew brings a background in sales, strategy, and supply chain. Together they've built One Horse around a simple premise: no imported parts, no corner-cutting, no excuses. We dig into the One Horse origin story, what drove them to launch a domestic rifle manufacturer in 2025, and cover the current lineup, including the OH-15 and the recently announced One Horse Express, a factory-built rifle built around the Atrius Forced Reset Selector. One Horse website: https://theonehorse.com One Horse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonehorsefirearms  

This week, Dave and I dig into how the Safariland and Haley Strategic partnership actually works behind the scenes, and he shares some stories from a recent media event held at the Haley Strategic facility where the recently released IncogXS got its first real public outing. We also get a few hints from Dave about some exciting upcoming holster projects in the pipeline at Safariland that we think you'll want to keep an eye out for. Learn more about the IncogXS and Safariland's full holster lineup:  Safariland IncogXS: https://safariland.com/products/incog-xs-iwb-holster  Haley Strategic Partners: https://haleystrategic.com  

Scott Ergas of Petersen's Hunting joins the show this week to recap the NRL Hunter Leupold Relentless Rifleman match in Madras, Oregon, break down North American hunting, and discuss how precision rifle sports create better hunters while inspiring the next generation. He also takes some time to share some thought-provoking experiences from teaching his daughter to hunt and some reflections from his childhood before looking ahead at the challenges facing hunters and Second Amendment advocates nationwide. Scott Ergas on Petersen's Hunting Petersen's Hunting official site Follow Petersen's Hunting on Instagram NRL Hunter official site  

Born from a drive to build upon the success and fun of the original NRL Series, the NRL Hunter is a national series focused on real hunting skills, time management, and gear familiarity that is not only fun but also actively helps you become a better hunter and marksman. Today, Travis shares the story behind NRL Hunter, important gear and information to have before your first match, explains the various participation divisions, and what's next for the rapidly growing sport in the coming years. Find NRL Hunter Matches Near You: https://www.nrlhunter.org/matches/hunter NRL Hunter official site: https://www.nrlhunter.org/ NRL Hunter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlhunter/ NRL Hunter Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nrlhuntercommunitygroup The NRL Hunter Podcast NRL Hunter YouTube Channel  

Vladimir Onokoy returns to Behind the Gun to discuss his new book From Balkans to Babylon: Zastava AKs of Yugoslavia, Serbia, and Iraq — and more importantly, the personal story behind writing it. From his extensive field experience to the inspirations that drove him to document this rich Kalashnikov lineage, Vlad encourages others to act on their own instincts to share hard-won knowledge like he intends to do in his new book coming out soon. Vladimir Onokoy on The Firearm Blog: https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/author/vladmir-o/ Safar Publishing (pre-order the book): https://www.safar-publishing.com/product-page/from-balkans-to-babylon-zastava-aks-of-yugoslavia-serbia-and-iraq Vladimir Onokoy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/machaksilver Vladimir Onokoy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vladonokoy/ Contact Vladimir: [email protected]

Emmanuel Barron of American Steppe, Kyle (@molasses_marmot), and Kalen of Rotating Bolt Industries (Colorado FFL and boutique AK builder) sit down for an enthusiastic, no-holds-barred conversation on the AK platform—its global variations, real-world performance, and how the Kalash compares to everything else out there. From classic ComBloc guns to modern custom builds and all of the AK offshooots, the trio dives into reliability stories, design insights, gunsmithing perspectives, and why this rifle continues to earn such dedicated fans. American Steppe Gear: https://americansteppegear.com/ Kyle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molasses_marmot/ Rotating Bolt Industries: https://rotatingbolt.com/

Adam from Freedom Ordnance joins us this week to discuss the company's background and the rise of their FM-9D. The FM-9D, a recent addition to the Freedom Ordnance lineup, is a closed-bolt, disintegrating-link 9mm belt-fed upper built for standard AR-15 lowers. Today we talk about the product's pre-FRT roots and discuss the increased popularity and legal status of forced-reset triggers, which helped transform it from a niche novelty into a genuinely fun (but still kind of expensive) practical shooter for regular citizens who don't want to jump through all of the NFA hoops.  Freedom Ordnance official site: https://freedomordnance.com/ FM-9D product page: https://freedomordnance.com/product/fm-9d/ Freedom Ordnance on Instagram: @freedom_ordnance

Jarrod "Box" Grove from Caldwell Shooting Supplies joins us after Plinka Palooza at Range Ready Studios, where he put on a clinic with the new Claycopter Surface-to-Air Launcher. We talk about Box's serious shotgun skills and where he got them, the engineering and inspiration behind the claycopter design, and how Caldwell grew from humble shooting rests and bags into a more innovative player in the rapidly growing shotgun subculture within the greater firearms industry. Please give Box a warm welcome to the show!  Caldwell Shooting official site: https://www.caldwellshooting.com/ Follow Caldwell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caldwellshooting/ GunTalk Media / Range Ready Studios: https://www.guntalk.com/

Caleb Giddings joins us on this episode of TFB Behind the Gun for a wide-ranging conversation about competition shooting, training, gear, and what it takes to keep improving in the firearms industry, no matter what you're doing. We, of course, also take some time to talk about Taurus' new product lineup, how Caleb's time at the company has deepened his appreciation for firearms, and some of his opinions on a few of the trends shaping the firearms world right now. X / Twitter: https://x.com/radicaleb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicaleb/ YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/@MrRevolver/videos Substack: https://radicaleb.substack.com Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/caleb.giddings.14/ Personal bio / mentions page: https://firearmsnation.com/caleb-giddings/

We're excited to bring back Dave K. from Hi-Point Firearms for some genuine shop talk on their innovative DMLS 3D-printed suppressors, plus whatever else is on the table. Just four months after introducing the Hush-Point suppressor lineup, Hi-Point has launched their first direct metal laser sintered (DMLS) models in titanium and Inconel, raising the bar for lightweight, rugged sound suppression. Dave breaks it down today, from how Hi-Point entered the suppressor market well before the 2026 hype, to the advanced tech driving these new, fairly affordable 3D-printed units. We also share thoughts on our current firearm passions and touch on Moons Out 2026, and our future competition plans. Be sure to check out Dave's Live Fire Media Podcast, where he covers guns, gaming, and more. Great option if you're looking for fresh listening material.   Hi-Point Website Hi-Point on Instagram Dave on Instagram Dave's Podcast - Live Fire Media The NEW Hush-Point Family of Suppressors from Hi-Point

In this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast we have brought on Les Winner of Pegasus Tests to talk about a Night Vision Carbine match I recently attended, Moons Out 2026, hosted by Forgotten Weapons and sponsored by Nocturn Industries. As Polaris Logistics owner specializing in firearms shipping and international gun transport for competitors, Les covers his event performance, role as Range Master and Match Director, yearly match improvements, and some of his best and worst moments from the epic night vision carbine match which is often the highlight of my shooting experiences every year. Got Gear? Sign up for a Match in 2027! Forgotten Weapons Nocturn Industries Varusteleka Lima Six Pegasus Tests (Polaris Logistics) Magpul Atrius Development CTF Photonics T.REX ARMS Virginia Citizens Armory Expeditionary Training