Working in this industry full–time and hosting this podcast I get to talk to a lot of interesting characters, but I don't often get to meet them in person very often. SHOT Show is one of the few times during the year that I finally get to meet people in person that I've only ever known online. This year, I caught up with Emmanuel—owner and operator of Ares Combat Systems as well as American Steppe Gear—who helped put one of the coolest 5.56 AKs I've ever tested into my hands and is one of the only companies in the US to produce hunting gear specifically designed for school-aged children. A U.S. Army veteran, Emmanuel has worked on everything from soft goods to firearms and is now shifting his sights to the night vision world with his new Helios solar-charging battery pack. We discussed his transition from military service to gun industry entrepreneur, along with the origins and development of Helios—designed to be a powerful, portable solution for on-the-go charging for night vision and thermal devices.

Ares Combat Systems Website

Ares Combat Systems Instagram

American Steppe Gear Website

American Steppe Gear Instagram