TFB Behind the Gun Podcast

The AK might be one of the most recognizable rifles on the planet, but that does not mean it has to stay stuck in the past. On this New Year's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we are talking about what a modern, lightweight, competition-ready AK can look like when you throw tradition out the window and start thinking in carbon fiber. My guest is "Penny," the lone designer and driving force...

Merry Christmas from all of us here at TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast! In our fifth year, we're grateful to have you both as an audience and as our direct supporters. Today, I've brought on TFB Editor in Chief Josh Centers and long-time TFB writer Rusty S. for a fun but pointed discussion on a few important topics to close out 2025. First and foremost is TFB's ongoing Christmas movie debate — which...

Today, I'm pleased to bring on a fellow content creator I met at a recent trip out to the nice new Smith & Wesson facility out in Tennessee. Ben Webb is the owner of the GoldenWebb YouTube channel, which specializes in exactly my kind of firearms tomfoolery (or redneck science). In addition to his rather fun-oriented YouTube channel, Ben is also an active duty law enforcement officer and weapons i...

In today's episode, I've brought on Jason B, the owner of Bakcup Tactical. While Backup Tactical started its life off as an aftermarket parts manufactuer for glocks and Sigs, Jason quickly expanded his product profile from simple magazine extensions and release to now having his own line of high quality aftermarket threaded barrels, compensators that follow the contours of the host gun, and even a...

On today's episode, we're welcoming back our good friend Dave from Hi-Point Firearms to talk about upcoming competitions, fun season-appropriate movies, and what Hi-Point has planned for the weeks leading up to and including SHOT Show 2026. Dave has been with the company for years and is deeply involved in marketing while staying closely connected to the rest of the team in Mansfield, Ohio, which...

Today on the TFB Behind the Gun Podcast, we've got Josh Centers, who leads The Firearm Blog, one of the most respected platforms in the firearms community if we do say so ourselves. Known for their apolitical, in-depth reviews, news, and industry insights, TFB has a high focus on the products themselves and their practical use, with objectivity being at the core of their mission. Under his editori...

We've welcomed "Hammy" on the podcast before, and he's also made a guest appearance on TFBTV Show Time. Now that summer is winding down and people are settling indoors for cooler weather, hobbies naturally shift with them. Today, we're diving back into the world of 3D printing with none other than Hammy, a true innovator in this space. We'll explore the cutting-edge developments shaping the 3D pri...

If you're familiar with this channel, you probably know Blue Alpha Belts—a brand closely connected to the TFBTV YouTube community. Founded by Kurt and Jessie in 2015, just a year after TFBTV launched, their partnership didn't start with a formal meeting but grew organically over time. Today, Kurt is here to share the fascinating origin story of Blue Alpha Belts and the nearly decade-long collabora...

Today, I'm excited to welcome a long-time friend of both the blog and the TFBTV YouTube Channel, Žiga Polajnar, CEO of Polenar Tactical. Despite the restrictive gun laws in much of the EU, Žiga has built a successful business that delivers tactical training, produces high-quality firearm media content, and sells premium tactical gear, including scopes, holsters, backpacks, and even custom t-shirts...

In today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we've brought back Joe from the YouTube Channel Desk Pop to talk a bit about one of the hottest topics currently circulating around in the firearm industry - Forced Reset Triggers and Super Safeties. These clever devices have been all the rage with virtually every type of shooter - at least if you can get them to run properly. Today, Joe will sha...

In this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, I sit down in person with Alex Whiteside to talk about anything and everything TANDEMKROSS. TANDEMKROSS was founded in the early 2010s by its cofounders and has since grown to be one of the nation's top rimfire aftermarket parts suppliers. While TANDEMKROSS does strongly cater to the competitive shooting crowd, they are also starting to lean heavily...

In this episode, I'm happy to have not just one, but two awesome guests, both with powerful stories and real connections to American military life. Today, Darwin N from the blog will be joining me as a co-host, as he's a huge fan of the works of Chris Kyle and is excited to finally be able to speak to our guest in person about some of his questions. Our guest today, Colton Kyle—son of the legendar...

Today on this episode of TFB's behidn the Gun podcast, we're back in the studio with the founder of HUSH Holsters, Specner Gottleib, to talk about some of his newest products and a massive expansion of his company into new territory. HUSH started a number of years ago as a dream of Spencer's to create a more practical and sensible holster for use with pistols that have suppressors attached to them...

This week on TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, returning guest Bryce from The Carry Handle Podcast shares insights into some exceptionally rare and fascinating firearms he's recently encountered. Thanks to his new position at a local auction house, Bryce has gained hands-on experience with an array of unusual and collectible guns, ranging from creatively converted machine guns to authentic, legally re...

Thunder Ranch stands out as one of the top choices for practical, in-depth firearms training, thanks to its highly skilled instructors, real-world course design, and unique atmosphere. Living nearby gave me the perfect chance to join Jordan from Meprolight for their Urban Precision Rifle class, where I tested the new MVO 1-8x28 LPVO in typical Thunder Ranch conditions. While today's story isn't ab...

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun podcast, we welcome back Jonathan Wild from Wild Arms Research and Development to discuss his latest—and fastest—rocket project to date: the Hypervelocity Rocket. Unlike conventional anti-aircraft munitions that rely on explosives, the Hypervelocity Rocket is designed to incapacitate targets through sheer kinetic energy, traveling at speeds exceeding 10,0...

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun podcast, I'm joined by Alex Whiteside and Luke Diamond of TANDEMKROSS. Known for their huge lineup of over 250 aftermarket parts for competitive and recreational shooters, TANDEMKROSS is stepping up their game with the new ADX receiver. This receiver is a game-changer, letting DIY builders put together a complete 10/22-style rifle using only TANDEMKROSS p...

Today's episode of TFB's behind the podcast features Kevin and Bryce from The Carry Handle Podcast, as well as a new guest, Scout Trooper. Today we'll be talking about something that is right up Scout Trooper's alley - movie, TV, and video game guns. Many of our generation who grew up watching 80s action movies, playing early shooter video games, and soaking up all of the great cop TV shows that t...

Today on TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we've brought back on Mr. Mike Slack from Engaged Industries to talk about some new developments, testing, and news he's got from his virtually brand new suppressor company. Mike's flagship suppressors, Operator 5.56 and Recon 7.62, use the unique VLB25 baffle system , which uses vacuum expansion design to help reduce the amount of gas coming back to the shoo...

On today's episode of the TFB Behind the Gun Podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with Firearms Historian Mr. Mike Helms. Mike specializes not just in firearms history, but has also been an expert witness in several court cases, and he's also appeared in a couple of episodes of the TV Show Swamp People, of course, for his firearms expertise. Today, Mike is going to share a slightly longer and...

Suppose you've ever wanted to get your hands on a G36, or at least something that almost perfectly clones a G36. In that case, you'll be interested to hear that Bo and his team over at S5 Tactical are carrying the torch for fans of one of H&K's most popular unobtainium rifles. S5 Tactical is a firearms manufacturer that produces G36-style receivers under the product name SG-36. While this isn't re...

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with Phillip Jones from GAIM Virtual Shooting. Like ACE VR, GAIM is a peripheral-enhanced virtual reality shooting simulator that has a heavy emphasis on training. However, unlike ACE, which is almost entirely focused on practical handgun shooting, GAIM is instead focused on the broader aspect of firearms training...

On this week's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we have an opportunity to talk to one of the product developers from Leupold Optics. Based here in my home state of Oregon, Leupold Optics helped pioneer both weatherproof hunting scopes, as well as tactical military scopes and red dots. Our Guest today, Nic, shares some of that rich Leupold history with us, as well as helps me walk through s...

Today, long-time friend of the blog and podcast and current TFB contributor, Kirk, joins us to talk about one of his favorite subjects - Shotguns. Shotguns are an often underloved sector of the firearms industry these days, and today we're going to take some time to talk about what's new in the world of shotguns. I'll be discussing some recent experience I've had with some semi and pump-action sho...

Today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast features Harrison Benson of Double Tap Coalition. Double Tap is a full-service firearms training and advocacy organization aimed at bringing essential and foundational training to those living in the greater Atlanta area. Today, Harrison shares his origin story with us, from ammunition selling to now owning and operating an entire company that not on...