TFB Behind the Gun #202: The Vortex “Skunkworks" NPD Division
Release Date: 01/29/2026
TFB Behind the Gun #218: New Beginnings w/ TCHP's Kevin & Bryce
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
Kevin Moore and Bryce Bishop from The Carry Handle Podcast return to Behind the Gun to talk new beginnings. Kevin dives into launching The Carry Handle Range to put their podcast discussions into real-world video form, while Bryce opens up about leaving high-end firearms auctions for a brand new role at BOE Suppression. The conversation also turns to the tough news surrounding long-time firearms community figure and friend, Dugan Ashley, and ways to support his family during his ongoing legal situation with the federal government.
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TFB Behind the Gun #217: A Chat With Caleb Giddings
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
Caleb Giddings joins us on this episode of TFB Behind the Gun for a wide-ranging conversation about competition shooting, training, gear, and what it takes to keep improving in the firearms industry, no matter what you're doing. We, of course, also take some time to talk about Taurus' new product lineup, how Caleb's time at the company has deepened his appreciation for firearms, and some of his opinions on a few of the trends shaping the firearms world right now. X / Twitter: Instagram: YouTube : Substack: Facebook profile: Personal bio / mentions page:
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TFB Behind the Gun #216: Hush-Points, Hot Dogs & Hand Grenades
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
We're excited to bring back Dave K. from Hi-Point Firearms for some genuine shop talk on their innovative DMLS 3D-printed suppressors, plus whatever else is on the table. Just four months after introducing the Hush-Point suppressor lineup, Hi-Point has launched their first direct metal laser sintered (DMLS) models in titanium and Inconel, raising the bar for lightweight, rugged sound suppression. Dave breaks it down today, from how Hi-Point entered the suppressor market well before the 2026 hype, to the advanced tech driving these new, fairly affordable 3D-printed units. We also share thoughts...
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TFB Behind the Gun #215: Moons Out 2026 w/ Pegasus Tests | Les Winner
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
In this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast we have brought on Les Winner of Pegasus Tests to talk about a Night Vision Carbine match I recently attended, Moons Out 2026, hosted by Forgotten Weapons and sponsored by Nocturn Industries. As Polaris Logistics owner specializing in firearms shipping and international gun transport for competitors, Les covers his event performance, role as Range Master and Match Director, yearly match improvements, and some of his best and worst moments from the epic night vision carbine match which is often the highlight of my shooting experiences every year. ...
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TFB Behind the Gun #214: Rafael Del Valle of Bersa Firearms
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
On this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, Rafael Del Valle from Bersa Firearms breaks down their evolving lineup. For decades, Bersa Firearms has produced very popular and reliable firearms for Militaries, Law Enforcement, and civilians, offering everything from compact Thunder 380 pistols for concealed carry, to newer high-capacity TPR9 duty guns with threaded barrels, striker-fired BP series micros and full-sizers like the new BP9FS and BP13, double-stack B1911 and M2XI 1911s with bull barrels and 20+ round mags, plus new American Kennesaw-built BAR15 AR rifles and BAR9 pistols—all...
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TFB Behind the Gun #213: Jordan Vinroe - CEO of Gideon Optics
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
In today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast we get to hear the origin story of Gideon Optics, what actually goes into designing and testing a pistol red dot, and how Jordan thinks about trust, warranty, and long‑term support for customers who rely on their gear. Whether you’re optics‑curious, brand‑loyal, or still skeptical of newer or foreign-manufactured names in the space, this episode will give you a clearer picture of who Jordan is, what Gideon stands for, and why more shooters are starting to give them a serious look over legacy optics brands when it comes to every day...
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TFB Behind the Gun #212: Riley Hart of Romeo Hotel Engineering
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
In this episode of TFB’s Behind the Gun podcast I’ve brought on Riley Hart, a previous guest on , current design Engineer at Heckler & Koch USA and founder of Romeo Hotel Engineering, about bringing the to life for the , as well as his recent release of the unique Gyro Brake and other “unconventional” firearms concepts. Riley walks us through the real world engineering trade offs of suppressing a 12 gauge pump action, the challenges of adding gyroscopic stabilization as a recoil and muzzle climb reduction system, and how working inside a major OEM shapes the way he thinks...
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TFB Behind the Gun #211: The Proving Grounds Returns
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
On this episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, Matt and Dan from The Proving Grounds return for an in-depth discussion. The Proving Grounds hosts a lineup of 2-gun competitions blending 70% marksmanship—rifle targets from 1 to 700 yards, rapid carbine transitions, and pistol stages—with 30% fitness elements like rugged obstacles, heavy plate carrier carries, and ruck marches constrained by 90-120 second par times. The diverse formats include Tactical Sniper series events, "Moons Out, Goons Out" nocturnal matches, Ruck divisions, regional showdowns, and specialty courses testing gear...
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TFB Behind the Gun #210: XTech's Expansion w CEO Jeremy Deadman
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
Catch the full, unfiltered return of Jeremy Deadman, CEO of XTech Tactical. Today, we break down the SHOT Show 2026 official launch and giveaway of the LDR2000 loaders, 2,000 freebies that hada lot of people coming by the booth to try out the new product risk-free. We also take some time ot talk about the company’s first acquisition with Creature Grips, and the transition of the brand name to Thru-Flo Rail Covers. Jeremy also shares some fun facts behind what numbers and data drive his decisions, what he’d rather be doing if XTech didn’t exist, and, of course, how he’s become one of...
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TFB Behind the Gun #209: Ryan w/ Atrius Development Group
TFB Behind the Gun Podcast
Join us this week on TFB’s Behind the Gun Podcast for a fun, technical deep dive with the CEO of Atrius Development Group, Ryan Spadafore, as we unpack how their forced reset selector fire-control systems are changing the way shooters think about semi-auto performance. We cover how these selectors work with different rifle setups, what matters most for reliability and safety, and a simple checklist for diagnosing issues like poor reset or inconsistent cycling. If you’re building or tuning a rifle with enhanced selectors in mind, and want to stay clearly on the right side of federal...
info_outlineOn today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we get to pick the brains of the guys behind the latest and greatest that comes out of the doors of the Vortex Optics New Product Development group. The literal "Skunkworks" of their company, the New Products Development team gets to imagine, test out, and develop everything from the very affordable budget-oriented red dots and scopes you know and love, to the extremely secretive and currently still classified XM157 Fire Control optic that has been a part of the U.S. Army's NGSW Program. Today, we'll have the opportunity to speak with Ben and Connor, both engineers who work within the NPD division, and they will share with us some of the what and why behind their newest products of 2026 so far. We're of course talking about the brand new Civilian variant of the Vortex AMG 1-10x24 LPVO, the Vortex Triumph 1-10x42 Relay equipped rangefinding binoculars, and the brand new Vortex Ace portable weather station. These new products further flesh out the Vortex Relay system, giving the end user a simple yet extremely capable ranging and weather data suite that allows them to take more informed and accurate shots, regardless of the number of components used.