Whiskey and Windage

The world of holographic optics continues to evolve, and DOT USA is bringing a fresh perspective to an industry where performance, reliability, and innovation matter. In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, Mike and Matt sit down with the team from DOT USA to learn more about the company, the technology behind its holographic sights, and its vision for the future of firearm optics. We explore th...

The VZ58 looks like an AK. It isn't. And the Czechs made damn sure of that. During the Cold War, while the rest of the Warsaw Pact embraced Soviet firearms designs, Czechoslovakia went its own way. The result? Some of the most distinctive and misunderstood firearms ever produced. This week on Whiskey & Windage, Mike and Matt are joined by Vak, owner of VZ58 USA and VZ61 USA, to break down...

Can a $4,900 striker-fired pistol really compete with the best 2011s on the market? This week on Whiskey & Windage, Mike and Matt sit down with David Petta of Zermatt Arms to get an inside look at the all-new Waltz 9, a premium 9mm pistol designed to challenge some of the biggest names in high-end handguns, including Atlas Gunworks and Staccato. Known for precision rifle actions, Zermatt Arms...

Few names in the firearms industry carry the history, influence, and reputation of Beretta. In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Beretta to discuss the company's legendary heritage, its iconic pistol lineup, and the innovations shaping its future. From the unmistakable Beretta 92 series to the latest 92X, 94X, and B22 pistols, we explore the evolution of one of the world&...

What happens when two engineers look at an established product and decide there’s still room to make it better? This week, Mike and Matt sit down with Austin Menard, co-founder and CEO of Sentry Manufacturing, to talk about how the company went from an idea in 2023 to developing products and working with some of the biggest names in the firearms industry. Austin takes us through the story behind S...

FPS Kenny joins Mike and Matt for a conversation about what it’s like coming up as part of the next generation of the firearms community. From creating content and competing to traveling overseas and experiencing a completely different side of shooting culture, Kenny talks about the path that built FPS Kenny and where he wants to take it next. The conversation also turns toward the firearms indust...

Three college friends. Agriculture backgrounds. No traditional engineering experience. And an idea that eventually became Front of Rifle Systems. Co-founder and CEO Brady Decker joins Whiskey & Windage to tell us how the company went from an idea around a dining room table to a growing name in the firearms industry. We talk about the early days of the business, teaching themselves new skills,...

CVA has been known for muzzleloaders for decades but that’s only part of the story today. Tony Smotherman from CVA Firearms joins us to talk about how the brand has evolved, from the Cascade bolt-action rifle lineup and Scout single-shots to some pretty wild advancements in modern muzzleloader technology. We get into why the 7 PRC has taken off, what makes a single-shot rifle a different hunting e...

Rick Elder, CEO of HUXWRX Safety Co., joins Whiskey & Windage for a deep dive into suppressor technology, human exposure, engineering, and where the industry is headed next. Rick walks us through his background in the military and U.S. Special Operations Command, how he became involved with OSS, and why he ultimately replatformed the company into HUXWRX Safety Co. From there, we get into the r...

What does it take to make a great firearm even better? This week on Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Langdon Tactical to talk about the experience, philosophy, and relentless attention to detail behind one of the most respected names in the firearms industry. We dive into Langdon Tactical’s approach to improving proven platforms and ask what makes a firearm a good candidate for the Langdon...

In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Silencer Shop CEO Dave Matheny to discuss the latest court ruling involving suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs)—and what it could mean for the future of the National Firearms Act. Dave breaks down the ruling, how we got here, and what it means for consumers, dealers, manufacturers, and the firearms...

In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Derick and Bernardo from Eitri’s Enhancements for a deep dive into the company, its products, and the philosophy behind everything they build. We get into how Eitri’s Enhancements got started, what inspired them to begin developing firearm upgrades, and how they identify opportunities to improve existing platforms. Derick and Bernardo brea...

In this episode of the Whiskey & Windage Podcast, we sit down with Josh Clark, founder of Unorthodox Suppression, to uncover the story behind one of the industry's most recognizable brands. While many people immediately recognize the company's signature hexagonal design, there's far more to the story than its appearance. We discuss how Unorthodox Suppression was founded, the engineering philos...

In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Tony Pignato of OA Defense to talk about the company, its growing pistol lineup, and the philosophy behind everything they do: “Serve Something Greater.” Tony takes us inside OA Defense and explains how that mindset influences the company’s culture, product development, and commitment to building firearms with a purpose beyond simply bring...

This week, we're joined by Jeremy and Drew from One Horse USA for a deep dive into the company's story, the philosophy behind its products, and the vision that's driving innovation in the firearms industry. We discuss the development of the One Horse Express, the collaboration that brought it to life, and how thoughtful engineering, practical features, and user feedback shaped the plat...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt and Kevin from MK3 Firearms to talk about their business, their passion for classic platforms, and the work that goes into restoring older firearms while bringing them into the modern era. Matt and Kevin walk us through several specific projects and explain how they approach each build from both a historical and practical perspective. We discuss the challenge...

Join us for an engaging conversation with the team from Meprolight as we explore the company's innovative approach to optics technology and the evolution of modern sighting systems. From red dot sights and magnified optics to night vision solutions and precision aiming technology, we discuss how Meprolight develops products for a wide variety of applications and users. In this episode, we cove...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Sean Curtis from Pew Pew Tactical as we explore the world of firearms education, responsible ownership, gear reviews, training, and the evolving shooting sports community. Sean shares his journey into the industry, what goes into producing trusted product reviews, and how Pew Pew Tactical has become a respected resource for new and experienced shooters ali...

What makes Taurus USA one of the most talked-about names in the firearms industry? In this episode of the Whiskey & Windage Podcast, we sit down with Caleb Giddings for an in-depth conversation about the company's history, product lineup, innovation, and vision for the future. We explore the evolution of Taurus, discuss how the brand has expanded its lineup, and take a closer look at some...

In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Stefan from WBP USA to explore one of the most respected names in modern AK manufacturing. From their roots in Poland to their growing presence in the American firearms market, WBP has built a reputation for producing high-quality AK-pattern rifles that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing standards. We discuss the h...

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Boardman from Vortex Optics for an in-depth conversation about one of the most recognized names in the optics industry. We explore the history of Vortex Optics, how the company grew from a family-owned business into a global leader in sporting optics, and the philosophy that has helped build a loyal following among hunters, competitive shooters, outdoor enthu...

In this episode of the Whiskey & Windage Podcast, we welcome Dalton Beachli, founder and CEO of BLK LBL, for a conversation about innovation, product design, and the evolution of modern rifle accessories. Dalton shares the story behind BLK LBL's integrated bipod technology, discussing how a simple idea grew into a product line that has attracted attention from hunters, competitive shooters...

This week on Whiskey & Windage, Jon Patton from The Gun Collective joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about GunCon, the firearms industry, and the products that have him most excited this year. We kick things off with a look at GunCon and how it has evolved into one of the most unique events in the firearms community. Jon explains who the event is for, what attendees can expect, and why...

This week on Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Jahred Gamez from SDS Arms for a deep dive into the company’s expanding lineup of firearms and brands. We break down the MAC, Tokarev USA, Inglis, and Spandau lines to discuss what makes each one unique, who they’re built for, and how they fit into today’s firearms market. From modern tactical rifles and competition-inspired platforms to heritag...

This week, we’re joined by Wayne Weber from Steyr Arms for a deep dive into one of the most iconic firearm manufacturers in the world. We talk about the history and continued popularity of the legendary Steyr AUG, why the bullpup platform still has a dedicated following, and how the AUG helped shape modern rifle design. Wayne also walks us through Steyr’s growing pistol lineup and explains why mor...