The Big Tex Ordnance Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Rick Olson's path from crafting architectural metalwork for the homes of tech billionaires to revolutionizing firearms manufacturing exemplifies American innovation at its finest. In this candid conversation, Rick pulls back the curtain on the precision engineering that sets his barrels apart from anything else on the market. With remarkable transparency, Rick shares how he t...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine having a skill that weighs nothing, costs little to learn, and could provide access when you need it most. Pat from Uncensored Tactical reveals the fascinating world of tactical lock picking—a discipline that's simultaneously practical, accessible, and surprisingly ethical. With over a decade of law enforcement and Coast Guard experience, Pat has developed a curriculu...

Send us Fan Mail This candid and humor-filled conversation takes you behind the scenes at Shot Show while delivering practical wisdom every gun owner needs to hear. We sit down with Craig Summers of  Templar Defense https://www.templardefense.com/ and Ben DeWalt from On Sight Firearms training ( https://oftllc.us/) while they share the physical realities of working the massive firearms industry ev...

Send us Fan Mail "When you got a barrel of monkeys, you put a gorilla in charge." With these words, a drill sergeant forever shaped Michael Megan's understanding of leadership – wisdom he now passes to the next generation of military officers at Texas A&M University. Megan brings over 13 years of experience from the prestigious 75th Ranger Regiment to his role as Senior Enlisted...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you reach for your gun in a life-threatening moment only to realize you don't actually know how to use it? This raw, honest conversation with firearms instructors Michelle Waldran and Bonnie Lanzarini reveals how their own terrifying encounters transformed them from casual gun owners into passionate advocates for proper training. Michelle shares her heart-st...

Send us Fan Mail What if the future isn't just about starships and laser battles, but also about confronting the ethical complexities of artificial intelligence and interstellar governance? Inspired by sci-fi classics like Star Trek, we delve into these questions and more.  Aaron talks about his journey as an author and discusses his novels including the latest Sci-Fi series. Support the show...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an enlightening session with Aaron Cowan from Sage Dynamics, as he shares his remarkable transition from the military to law enforcement, and finally to the world of firearms instruction. methods, enhancing self-defense shooting techniques for his students. Discover the challenges and triumphs Aaron faces in revolutionizing advanced firearms training. Our conversation...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for Episode 106 of the Big Tex Ordnance podcast featuring Scott "Jedi" Jedlinski of Modern Samurai Project. In this episode, Scott discusses competition shooting, red dot optics, teaching methodology, and his journey in the firearms training industry. With over 100 classes taught annually, Scott offers valuable insights on everything from gear selection to the im...

Send us Fan Mail Travis Wilson, a retired Green Beret and founder of Alpha Elite Performance, joins the Big Tex Ordnance Podcast to discuss his work with the Green Beret Foundation and his supplement company. Travis shares his journey from Special Forces to entrepreneurship, details the Foundation's crucial support for Green Berets and their families, and discusses his company's innovati...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 104: Competitive Shooting and Training with Santiago Lopez Join us as we sit down with Santiago Lopez of Coast to Coast Tactical to discuss his journey from casual shooter to competitive shooter and firearms instructor. Santi shares his experiences in USPSA competition, his approach to teaching, and his passion for helping others improve their shooting skills. With his inf...

Send us Fan Mail In this special Veterans Day episode, the BTO Podcast hosts sit down with Dr. Tony Brooks, former Army Ranger and author of "Leave No Man Behind." Dr. Brooks shares his powerful firsthand account of Operation Red Wings and the recovery mission following the tragic Chinook crash in Afghanistan. From his post-9/11 decision to join the military to his current work as a chir...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 102 - Hunter Freeland & Matt McGuire join the BTO Podcast to discuss training philosophy, industry changes, and their new venture with Onus Group. Hunter announces his transition to Hunter Freeland Shooting in 2025, while Matt shares his experiences as Director of Training for Green Ops in Texas. The duo also unveils their new mounting plate system under Onus Group, de...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for Episode 101 of the Big Tex Ordnance podcast featuring Douglas Greig of Greig Performance Shooting, a 24-year military veteran turned firearms instructor. Doug shares his journey from military service to becoming a "gateway instructor," focusing on teaching fundamental skills to new shooters and church security teams. The conversation explores topics like mode...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 100 of the Big Tex Ordnance podcast features Kerry Davis from Dark Angel Medical, returning as the first-ever guest to discuss the latest in tactical medicine, training, and gear. Kerry shares insights on the importance of medical training, everyday preparedness, and the evolution of medical technology. The conversation ranges from the dangers of everyday life to the futur...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 99 of the Big Tex Ordnance Podcast features Kenneth Stretz of Stretz Tactical, a mobile firearms training company. Kenneth, a veteran law enforcement officer with over 27 years of experience, shares insights on police training, the evolution of firearms technology, and the challenges facing modern law enforcement. The conversation covers topics ranging from patrol rifles a...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an in-depth discussion about Quantified Performance (QP) shooting matches with special guests Ash Hess, Lloyd, and Preacher. Learn about the philosophy behind QP, upcoming changes for 2025, and get insider tips for your first match. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights and entertaining stories fro...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Chris and Ike as they sit down with Kawa Mawlayee from 2Alpha Training Group to discuss his remarkable journey from Afghanistan to the U.S. Special Forces. Kawa shares insights on tactical training, his experiences in the military, and his current ventures in the firearms industry. Timeline: 00:00:00 - Introduction and casual conversation 00:05:00 - Kawa's backgrou...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 96: From Iguanas to Night Vision - A Wide-Ranging Chat with Jon Dufresne Join the Big Tex Ordnance team as they sit down with Jon Dufresne of Kinetic Consulting for a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from hunting iguanas in Florida to the latest in night vision technology. Detailed Timeline: 00:00:00 - Introduction and casual conversation about Jon's travel...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 95 of the Big Tex Ordnance Podcast, hosts Ike and Chris welcome special guests Mike Barker, founder of Intrepid Care, and Bo Sandoval from Texas A&M Athletics. Join us for an inspiring conversation about supporting veterans through outdoor activities, sports, and community events. Learn about Intrepid Care's mission, upcoming fundraising events, and how you can...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the Big Tex Ordnance team sits down with Christopher Clay, author of "Renegade Immortality." Clay discusses his journey from military service to law enforcement and writing, sharing insights into his creative process and the inspiration behind his characters. He also talks about his experience with hybrid publishing and his love for firearms. Find the bo...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 93 of the Big Tex Ordnance Podcast features special guest Brent Trucker, founder of First Responder's Coffee & Cigars (FRCC) and co-host of The Antihero Podcast. Brent, a former Green Beret and Delta Force operator, shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship and podcasting. He discusses the challenges of starting FRCC, his mission to support firs...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an engaging conversation with Brennan Brennecke of Gateway Defense as we dive deep into the world of competitive shooting, training, and firearms instruction. Brennan shares his journey from novice shooter to lead pistol instructor at Vortex Optics, and now running his own training company. We discuss the benefits of competitive shooting for skill development, the impo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Chris and Ike from Big Tex Ordnance sit down with Scott Howell, owner of Red Dot Fitness gym and host of the Iron Sights Podcast. Scott shares his fitness and business background, how he pivoted his gym during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his journey into firearms training and the 2A community. The guys discuss building customer relationships, meeting people at even...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 90 of the Big Tex Ordnance Podcast features guests Mike Mihalski from Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW) and Brandon Hernandez from the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA). Mike and Brandon discuss SOLGW's role as the title sponsor for the TTPOA conference, the importance of their partnership, and how both organizations have grown over the years. They al...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Big Tex Ordnance Podcast, hosts speak with Ben DeWalt and Rachel Maloney from OnSight Firearms Training based out of upstate New York. Ben and Rachel discuss their journey into the firearms training world, the challenges of being traveling instructors, and the logistics behind scheduling over 300 classes a year across the country. They also share their exper...