"Setting personal goals, both in training and in life, fuels growth and resilience."Episode Summary

In this episode, I was joined in the studio by Rachel Maloney from Night Fision and Glow Rhino, filling in for Big Keith, who was on vacation. We kicked things off with some fun banter about keeping up with our kids and how humbling it is to realize the next generation can run circles around us at the gym or pool.

We covered a lot of ground, starting with current happenings in the firearms industry, like the overwhelming topic of the SIG P320 and ongoing debates about product safety and consumer trust. Rachel shared her unique perspective on firearms training, emphasizing the importance of mental “software” over chasing hardware benchmarks.

On the news front, we dived into California’s ammo background check ruling, reflected on the impact of suppressor tax changes, and how new state laws keep making life challenging for responsible gun owners—especially in states like NY and CA. Rachel also gave us a deep dive on Night Fision’s new optic plate and sight system, breaking down how they’re simplifying the “co-witness” confusion for everyday defensive shooters.

For Top Gear, I reviewed the Q Sling from Flatline Fiber Co., and Rachel did a brilliant hands-on walkthrough of the new Night Fision optic plates. We laughed over a unique gin and tonic from my local farm stand, and wrapped up the show highlighting “good guy with a gun” stories, plus off-topic news like the return of the flip phone summer.

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Key Takeaways

• Firearms training progresses from chasing numbers to mastering mindset—the “software” matters more than split times or draw speed.
• The SIG P320 controversy remains a hot topic; everyone wants closure and meaningful solutions for consumer safety.
• New York and California gun owners face relentless legislative hurdles—any “win” in court (like CA’s ammo background check reversal) is met with more laws.
• Responsible gun ownership includes staying vigilant in the courts and supporting organizations like SAF, GOA, and FPC.
• Quality gear matters: the Flatline Fiber Co. Qela Sling offers an intuitive, minimalist design, while Night Fision’s new plate-and-sight combos make the co-witness game simpler and more reliable.
• Nutrition and self-care for shooters is just as important—whole foods, real meals, and planning ahead support both physical and shooting performance.
• Real-life “good guy with a gun” situations highlight the importance of training—ownership doesn’t equal skill.
• The next generation is rediscovering the value of less screen time (flip phone summer!) and more real-world presence.

Guest Information

Rachel Maloney is a firearms instructor, industry pro, and works with both Glow Rhino (tritium keychains and tools) and Night Fision (tritium night sights and now optic plates). She’s an experienced trainer, passionate about simplifying firearms ownership and empowering responsible shooters at every level. You can find more about her work at nightfision.com and glowrhino.com.

Keywords

Firearms podcast, Rachel Maloney, Night Fision, Glow Rhino, Flatline Fiber Co., Keela Sling review, SIG P320, suppressor tax, ammo background check, California gun laws, New York gun laws, Second Amendment Foundation, firearms training, co-witness sights, optic plates, good guy with a gun, gun news, 2A advocacy, nutrition for shooters, Swig, shooting sports, practical gun gear, self-defense, gun community, podcast summary