Built to Last with Brownells

Have you ever wondered why some gunsmithing tools become industry standards while others disappear? What does it take for a company known for supplying builders to begin designing and manufacturing its own firearms? In this episode of Built to Last, Tim and Jude sit down again with Pete Brownell, Chairman and CEO of Brownells. Pete shares the story behind Brownells' product philosophy and exp...

What separates a good handload from a great one? How do modern reloaders stay consistent when components, technology, and ammunition demands continue to evolve? In this episode of Built to Last, Tim and Steve sit down with Gavin Gear, founder Ultimate Reloader for a discussion into modern ammunition reloading and the tools to be successful. Gavin shares lessons learned from years of testing equipm...

What happens when you stop treating an AR-15 like a safe queen and start running it hard? Which parts fail first, and how can you spot the warning signs before they take your rifle out of the fight? In this episode of Built to Last, Tim and Jude sit down with Chad Albrecht, founder of the School of the American Rifle (SOTAR) for a deep dive into running guns hard and the wear and tear to look out...

What actually breaks on an AR in the real world? What can you fix at the range, and what needs a bench, proper tools, and patience? In this episode of Built to Last, Tim sits down with Brownells Senior Media Content Supervisor Caleb Savant for a deep dive into field repairs, practical firearm problem solving, and his experience as a gunsmith. The conversation also dives into overlooked firearm iss...

In this episode, we sit down and talk to KP Robinson of Grey Group, LLC. KP is a 22-year Senior Police Officer with the Des Moines Police Department and a 19-year Sniper Team Leader for the Metro STAR (SWAT) Team. He also served as a Metro Transit Police Officer in Washington, D.C., during the DC Sniper era, bringing operational experience from high-threat, high-visibility environments. We talk ab...

In this episode, Tim and Jude sit down with Michael Ware, owner of Controlled Chaos Arms in Baxter, Iowa. Michael started as a diesel technician before going into gunsmithing full-time. He's a self-taught gunsmith with years of experience as a machinist and received instruction from Gordy Gritters. We pick Michael's brain on being a gunsmith and his philosophy on life and working on fire...

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Estela, owner of Kevin Estela, LLC. Kevin is a professional fieldcraft and survival instructor with nearly two decades of experience. He’s the best-selling author of 101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods and Beyond the Field , a former Director of Training at Fieldcraft Survival, and a prolific contributor to hundreds of articles. Kevin teaches what wo...

In this episode Tim and Pete sit down with Jason and Steve Hornady, from Hornady Manufacturing to talk about their legacy, how they've had to adapt, and how they give back to the firearm community. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Please speak to a qualified firearm professional for any industry-related questions or decisions. The vi...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Ostrander, U.S. Marine Corp veteran, founder of Ostrander Defense, and program director of Gunsmithing Technology at Iowa Valley Community College. We talk about tools and resources for the 1911, whether you're a collector, competitor, or utilizing for home defense. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advi...

In this episode, Pete Brownell shares the legacy Brownells was built on.  This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Please speak to a qualified firearm professional for any industry-related questions or decisions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not reflect the official policy or posi...

In this episode, we sit down with Pete Brownell and discuss the importance of sharing knowledge in the firearms community. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Please speak to a qualified firearm professional for any industry-related questions or decisions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and gues...