TFB Behind the Gun Podcast

Latest Episodes:

TFB Behind the Gun #180: The S&W Story w/ Firearms Historian Mike Helms Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

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 more detailed version of a presentation he's given before on the history of Smith & Wesson. Today, we'll dive into the history of one of America's oldest and longest-running firearms companies, in addition to a very neat history on one of the rarest firearms I've had the pleasure of handling - Mike's personally owned Smith & Wesson Model 1 - serial number 5. For all you history and S&W nerds out there, this is one great episode in what I hope will be many with Firearms historian Mike Helms.

TFB Behind the Gun #179: Cloning Germans w/ Bo from S5 Tactical Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

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 really anything new, the receivers previously sold by another company, DEF, are now being made with the years of injection molding expertise that Bo and his team have to offer. Today, Bo and I will talk about anything and everything G36, as well as his thoughts on what the future of more H&K clones like the currently offered SG-36, and "SMP Rifle" (UMP Rifle Clone) might look like.

S5 Tactical Website

S5 Tactical Facebook Page

S5 Tactical Instagram Page

TFB Behind the Gun #178: Phillip w/ GAIM Virtual Shooting Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

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 and familiarization. Interestingly enough, GAIM was originally developed by Aimpoint as a red dot training simulator for rifles and pistols. Today, combined with the Meta Quest VR system, GAIM makes use of a combination of Bluetooth trigger groups, Quest controllers, rifle or handgun handsets, and a lot of finely tuned software to give you one of the most realistic shooting simulators out there. GAIM covers everything from basic shooting on the flat range to competitive shooting like Steel Challenge, and virtually any type of hunting scenario you can think of. In addition to hunting, sport shooting, professional training, and casual enjoyment, GAIM also has real-world partnerships across the globe with prominent hunting, sport shooting, and firearms associations that help develop interactive online leagues you can compete in, as well as training for up-and-coming hunters and competitive shooters. Today, Phillip is going to help us get into the weeds of this incredibly complex software that I think has some impressive value for those who take their shooting and training seriously.

GAIM Website

GAIM on Instagram

GAIM on Facebook

TFB Behind the Gun #177: Behind The Glass w Nic of Leupold Optics Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

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 some of Leupolds current and past products, with the aim of cluing us in on what's coming out next from Leupold - an entirely new generation of red dot optics. So if you've ever been curious about what Leupold as a company is all about, or you're already a fan and just love to hear about some of the lesser known history of the company, join me and Nic as we get a look behind the glass at Leupold Optics.

https://www.leupold.com/

https://www.instagram.com/leupoldoptics/

https://www.youtube.com/user/LeupoldOptics

TFB Behind the Gun #176: Much Ado About Shotguns w/ Kirk Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

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 shotguns at Thunder Ranch, and Kirk brings his decades of expertise with shotguns to shed some light on what some of the best (and worst) examples of shotguns are in the modern firearms era. Please give Kirk a warm welcome back to the show as he joins us on his ferry commute home!

Follow Kirk on Instagram here

TFB Behind the Gun #175: Harrison w/ Double Tap Coalition Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

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 only trains people how to use firearms but also equips them with the best firearms and accessories available to them. Harrison and I also talk a bit about some of his favorite guns to have at the range, what he typically recommends to people who are looking for a first gun, and also some of the craziest things he's seen during his time as a firearms instructor. Please give Harrison of Double Tap Coalition a warm welcome to the program!

Double Tap Website - Class Info and Dates

Double Tap on Facebook

Double Tap on X

Double Tap on Instagram

Double Tap on YouTube

TFB Behind the Gun #174: Craking The Amazon Code with XTech Tactical Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, I have the unique opportunity to talk with someone who is not only a businessman and entrepreneur in the firearms industry but has also brought plenty of successful products to market in other industries as well. Jeremy Deadman is the CEO and founder of XTech Tactical, a company focused on bringing "legacy" products for pistols and rifles into the industry at a reasonable price to the consumer. Today, Jeremy and I will discuss his past business history, what XTech offers today, and how XTech is trying to pioneer a marketplace in which firearms companies are typically discouraged from participating. From everything from how Amazon accepts and adds new products to its marketplace, to how XTech is trying to expand that, get buckled in for a great podcast with a guest who's got a lot to say about how things are currently run, and can be run inside the gun industry.

XTech Tactical Website

XTech Tactical on Instagram

XTech Tactical on Facebook

XTech Tactical on YouTube

TFB Behind the Gun #173: Gravity's Pull with Safariland's Dave Higginbotham Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we sit down with Safariland's Dave Higginbotham to talk about the slick new Gravity holster! This new OWB optics-ready passive retention holster is turning heads with its customizable Cordura wraps, optics compatibility, and a wallet-friendly $65 price tag. In this episode, Dave gives us an inside look at what went into designing this EDC-friendly holster, from its rugged SafariLaminate build to the paddle mount that also fits in the Safariland QLS environment. We'll dig into Safariland's legacy, swap stories about real-world gear use and use cases for Safariland's holsters, and even get Dave's take on what he wants to see come out next from Safariland's expanding product lineup.

The Safariland Gravity Holster

TFB Behind the Gun #172: Skills & Drills w/ The Carry Handle Crew Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Happy summer, everyone, and welcome back to another episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast. Today, we're talking all about building skills and drills while we're out there enjoying this amazing summer weather. Today I've brought on both Bryce and Kevin from The Carry Handle Podcast to chit chat about our favorite skills and drills to work on at the range. As firearms owners, I think we must have more than just a rudimentary understanding and proficiency with our firearms - we should all be good! Today, Kevin, Bryce, and I will tell you all about our favorite drills, what skills they help you build, and how you can do more at the range for less!

The Carry Handle Podcast on YouTube

The Carry Handle Podcast on Spotify

The Carry Handle Podcast RSS

The Carry Handle Podcast on Instagram

TFB Behind the Gun #171: No More NFA Tax? w/ Bryce from The Carry Handle Podcast Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we're joined once again by Bryce from the Carry Handle Podcast as we go through some of the industry's latest news and trends. Up first we talk a bit about a recent post from Calvin of FirepowerUnited asking some important questions about the intersection of competition and military firearms. However, our biggest topic of the day is of course in refrence to the "Big Beautiful Bill" and some recent changes made to it by the Senate Finance Committee. Today Bryce and I will share our own interpreation of the changes made to the bill, and what we think it might mean for the the country in terms of opening up a lot of new doors for people when it comes to firearms ownership.

The Carry Handle Podcast on YouTube

The Carry Handle Podcast on Spotify

The Carry Handle Podcast RSS

The Carry Handle Podcast on Instagram

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