Happy New Year everyone and welcome back to another episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast. Throughout the year I've had the opportunity to experience firearms in many new ways through training classes and various media events. DMRs and Shotguns are still by far the firearms that I touch the least, and today the guys from The Carry Handle podcast are coming on the show to discuss how each of these very different platforms might be more similar than you'd initially assume. Our guests today, Kevin and Bryce, will share their thoughts with us on this subject as well as what they're anticipating most from this year's SHOT Show 2025 taking place in just a couple of weeks. Be sure to check out The Carry Handle Podcast on Spotify for the latest episodes from Kevin and Bryce! 

The Carry Handle Podcast on Spotify

The Carry Handle Podcast on Instagram

On today's episode of TFB’s Behind the Gun Podcast, we're joined by a special guest from the U.S. Army: Colonel Julian T. Urquidez. As the Director of Operations for the United States Army Futures Command—a department dedicated to modernizing the Army’s tools— as a result, Colonel Urquidez is also actively interested in weapons development, implementation, and modernization which also fuels his passion for his projects in the civilian world. We first crossed paths at TriggrCon 2024, where he and the other owners of the now-defunct Trigger Empire introduced me to their “Kono Trigger.” In the wake of Trigger Empire’s closure, Colonel Urquidez intends to offer its former customers a new product: the Texas Triggers “Diablo” AK Forced Reset Trigger. Today, he takes us through the entire story—from how this journey started to his vision for the future of this exciting new venture.

Col. Julian T. Urquidez - LinkedIn

Col. Julian T. Urquidez - Instagram 

In this week’s episode of TFB’s Behind the Gun Podcast, we’re going to have both old and new guests on the show. Today we’re talking about The Proving Grounds Competition now that our guests have had a chance to put themselves through it. Held annually at The Sawmill Training Complex in Laurens, South Carolina—a sprawling 240-acre training facility known for its top-tier tactical courses—The Proving Grounds thrusts competitors into an intense two-day gauntlet. Built around rifle, and pistol shooting, the match doesn’t just test your marksmanship; it tests grit, stamina, and mental fortitude by weaving in climbing, running, weighted carries, and other physically punishing obstacles in addition to many odd shooting positions. 

Open to both novices and diehard multi-gun veterans, The Proving Grounds has become infamous for pushing shooters to their limits. Successful participants don’t just demonstrate accuracy; they also learn to adapt quickly and maintain focus under stress. Beyond the adrenaline rush, it’s a camaraderie-driven event, with seasoned pros mentoring newcomers in everything from proper gear selection to advanced shooting techniques and even providing gear for those who really want to try, but just might not think they have the proper set of tools yet. 

Now that this year’s match has wrapped up, we’ve invited a few familiar faces to share their thoughts. Joining us for a post-game debrief are returning Stage ROs Matt and Dan, second-place finisher Austin, and Timmy—a fresh face to the competition scene, who served as Stage 1 RO. Together, they’ll shed light on the behind-the-scenes prep work, the most challenging courses, and what it takes to thrive in an environment designed to push your skills to the brink.

Check Out Austin’s Match Coverage Here

• https://theprovinggroundscompetition.com/

• The Proving Grounds Facebook

• The Proving Grounds On Instagram

• The Proving Grounds On YouTube

Sponsors of The Proving Grounds:

• ZRODelta

• US Optics

• Lynx Defense

• Hunters HD Gold

• KCI

• Krate Tactical

• C&H Precision

• Herrington Arms

• Rx Plates

• Ammo Inc

• Brave Castle

In today's episode, I've brought on fellow podcaster Bryce from The Carry Handle Podcast to talk about his show and some hot topics currently being discussed and debated in the firearms world. Bryce has been producing firearms-related content for a long time with his roots on YouTube spanning back to his days reviewing airsoft guns. Fast forward to today and he and his buddy Kevin (the Co-Host of The Carry Handle Podcast) have started a new podcast that discusses everything from the firearms industry to more practical applications and use cases for firearms, gear, and components often found in video games. Today Bryce and I will discuss not only his podcast but also the upcoming Gundie Awards (the firearm industry's version of the Oscars), as well as some shop talk about the firearm that was recently used in the assassination of a United Health Care CEO. Please sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode featuring Bryce of The Carry Handle Podcast.

The Carry Handle Podcast on Spotify

The Carry Handle Podcast on YouTube

The Carry Handle Podcast on Instagram

The Carry Handle Podcast on Facebook

In this episode of TFB’s Behind the Gun Podcast, I’m happy to bring back TFB Writer Sam S and TFBTV’s Hop to talk all about Silver Screen Wheel Guns. The revolver holds a special place in American culture, thanks in no small part to its starring role in the Western genre. These stories, with their dusty landscapes and iconic heroes or anti-heroes, helped cement the wheel gun as more than just a firearm—it became a symbol of resilience and self-reliance. Even today, revolvers continue to bring in both seasoned shooters and new enthusiasts alike, not just for their simplicity and reliability but for the way they embody a bygone era where survival was an art and justice was often self-served at the hands of regular everyday citizens. From their unmistakable silhouette to their storied presence on the silver screen and in real-life American history, revolvers remain a timeless reminder of the independence that shaped the American West. It’s a legacy that still sparks lively debates and shared admiration among revolver fans, whether at the range, in a conversation about classic films, or in their sometimes less-than-accurate representations in said films. Today we hope you’ll join us in celebrating this specific genre of guns, and the films we often get to know them by. 

Welcome to today’s episode of TFB’s Behind the Gun Podcast! I’m thrilled to have Rob Gearing on the show—a lifelong shooter, hardcore hunter, and the founder of Spartan Precision Equipment. Rob has a fascinating background, and today, he’s here to share not only his personal journey but also the story of Spartan and how it’s shaking up the world of shooting gear.

Spartan Precision started with just one product: the Javelin Bipod. It was designed with hunters in mind—lightweight, practical, and built to last. But Rob and his team didn’t stop there. Over the years, Spartan has grown into a powerhouse, making not only bipods for backcountry hunters but also adaptable tripods and bipods that fit perfectly into tactical and competition roles. They’ve stayed true to their hunting roots while keeping an eye on what shooters need now and in the future.

In this episode, Rob and I dig into what makes Spartan tick, why their gear is becoming more popular here in the U.S., and—get this—he even gives us a little teaser about what they’re unveiling at SHOT Show 2025. If you’re a gear junkie or just curious about bipods, you’ll definitely want to check out Spartan’s free resources on their website and their new educational videos on YouTube.

So, sit back, relax, and let’s get into it. Please join me in welcoming Rob Gearing of Spartan Precision Equipment to the podcast!

• Website: https://javelinbipod.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spartanprecision/

• Rob Gearing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spartan_mrg

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spartanprecisionequipment/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpartanPrecisionEquipment

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/spartanprecision

The Proving Grounds isn’t just another 2-gun competition; it’s a proving ground in every sense of the word. Hosted at The Sawmill Training Complex in South Carolina, this event pushes competitors to their limits, combining technical shooting stages with physical challenges that make you earn every single shot on target. Think of it as part tactical trial, part personal crucible, and all-around gritty fun with a healthy and encouraging competition environment to boot. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a new shooter with something to prove, The Proving Grounds is where skills get sharpened and legends get made and our guests Matt and Dan want you to be there with them.

What’s cool about this competition is how it embraces virtually any type of pistol-rifle combo you can think of. For instance, Matt and Dan thought future competitions could lean into Cold War vibes. If you’re a fan of iconic films like Red Dawn or GoldenEye, you already know that these firearms aren’t just cool movie props; they’re cultural artifacts from a time when geopolitical tension oozed into pop culture and transformed everyday gear into legendary symbols.

The talk of a possible Cold War theme down the road got us all waxing poetic about the guns that hooked us on the hobby in the first place. If you’re the kind of person who dreams about running an East German MPi-KM or a classic FAL while pretending you’re in some secret desert firefight from the 1980s, The Proving Grounds is your playground, and Matt and Dan are here to guide you through it with some of their favorite Cold War era firearms.

• https://theprovinggroundscompetition.com/

• The Proving Grounds Facebook

• The Proving Grounds On Instagram

• The Proving Grounds On YouTube

Sponsors of The Proving Grounds:

• ZRODelta

• US Optics

• Lynx Defense

• Hunters HD Gold

• KCI

• Krate Tactical

• C&H Precision

• Herrington Arms

• Rx Plates

• Ammo Inc

• Brave Castle

In episode 140 of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we've brought back competitive shooter Wade Reed to discuss the expanding firearms community specifically in the realm of competitive shooting. In addition to that, we'll also go over Wade's more recent contributions to the firearms industry including some new rimfire ammo, as well as some new variants of his extremely cool Mark IV Carbine - a lightweight upper that converts any Mark IV lower into a quick and nimble carbine for steel challenge shooting. We'll also talk a bit about topics such as the increasing popularity of competitive shooting, the benefits of more involvement from inexperienced shooters, and the role of social media, the youth, and public perception in connecting enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Reed shares insights into how newcomers can engage with the community and the positive impact of such participation based on experiences in his own life being a competitive shooter, as well as a father to young children. This episode is a doozy so buckle up and please give a warm welcome to Competitive Shooter Wade Reed. 

• Facebook

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

In today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we're bringing on Matt and Dan of The Proving Grounds to discuss what makes their competition special. The Proving Grounds is an athletically focused two-gun match that incorporates elements of 3-gun style target engagement and movement, along with some more athletic firearms competitions like The Tactical Games. Set to take place in two weeks, The Proving Grounds typically is held in the South Carolina Region, specifically at The Sawmill Complex and the Clinton House where competitors are allowed to shoot virtually any caliber of firearm they're comfortable with, and get a chance to engage targets beyond the confines of a pistol bay for that extra added challenge. Today Dan and Matt will share what they love about shooting how they got involved with The Proving Grounds, and why they think you should participate. Please give a warm welcome to Dan & Matt of The Proving Grounds.

• https://theprovinggroundscompetition.com/
• The Proving Grounds Facebook
• The Proving Grounds On Instagram
• The Proving Grounds On YouTube

Sponsors of The Proving Grounds:

• ZRODelta
• US Optics
• Lynx Defense
• Hunters HD Gold
• KCI
• Krate Tactical
• C&H Precision
• Herrington Arms
• Rx Plates
• Ammo Inc
• Brave Castle

Today on the podcast I've brought on fellow gun enthusiast and YouTube Joe from the channel Desk Pop to talk shop about some recent struggles we've both noticed in the YouTube gun creator space, as well as some of our most recent projects and favorite firearms. Joe is in the midst of somewhat of a rebranding right now as he, like other people who produce firearms content on YouTube, has seen a significant decline in the revenue generated by each video, as well as a general lack of support from companies who typically benefit from the creator/manufactuer relationship. While YouTube may be pretty harsh when it comes to their demonization and throttling of YouTube videos related to firearms, Joe is determined to press on anyway he can which is why he's happy to announce his new YouTube venture "UpShots" which aims to not only provide a new creative outlet for Joe, but also help fund his primary focus on Desk Pop. 

"We are so back baby, REAL hardcore testing, making content entertaining and not taking ourselves too serious while seriously treating serious operator gear (seriously). Hit the subscribe button and strap in."

Desk Pop On Instagram

Desk Pop On YouTube