A Break in the Action

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 entirely new pursuit: hunting, wingshooting, and the sporting life. Together they discuss Christian'...

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, and even .410s have developed devoted followings, leaving some hunters to wonder: has the 12 gauge become...

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 with dogs. From choosing the right platform and topper to organizing equipment with a DECKED drawer sys...

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 built around driven pheasant shoots, walked-up upland hunting, sporting clays, fly fishing, fine gun...

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 how we think about fine sporting arms today. But the more time you spend studying American doubles, t...

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 recognized today, the development of the modern sporting shotgun was shaped by dozens of inventors,...

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 in a new line of bespoke shotguns, this conversation examines heritage, craftsmanship, and what it mean...

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 behind it, the more I’ve realized something else entirely. What exists between the covers of Shooting...

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 self-accusation.  Because when the season is over, and the pressure to choose is gone, you realize something important...

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 to notice where you are and who you’re with.  It happens when the day is finished and, with a tired dog...

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 knife that feels just right in the hand, boots that have stepped off almost as many miles as your dog, ha...

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, traditionalists thought they were unsafe. When over/unders began to replace side-by-sides on the gun line a...

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 Peninsula and into the timber country of Minnesota… Finding a good general area to hunt is prett...

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 Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Have a comment or suggestion?...

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 your hunting buddies. Find Hank's books here: www.honest-food.net Amazon.com Our Sponsors: The...

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, and the guaranteed accuracy they offer.  By the way, this is a particularly timely episode, as Guyette...

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 stopped giving back.  His mind is on conservation and awareness today—and with the same high level of fo...

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 Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing (CSMC), Fausti, Rizzini, Chapuis, FABARM, and Beretta.  My goal is...

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 targets on a beautiful course - but also fill the rest of your itinerary with endless enjoyable activities...

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 new at the Southern this year - we were all set up, and we had our own physical space.  Join me as we...

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 history. Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyet...

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 CoveyRise. Additionally, Reid has authored, edited, and contributed to several books. Despite his ce...

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 bringing this event to life back in 2000, and Ed is committed to ensuring it remains the can't-mi...

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 had with three traveling friends. Joining the discussion is Jake Woolf (Kudu River Gundogs/GunsOnPegs...

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 premium specifications. Beretta immediately went head-to-head with Browning, openly critic...