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Happy New Years everybody! In this episode of The Shooter’s Apprentice Podcast, Daniel looks back at the guns that followed him home in 2025 — the good ideas, the questionable decisions, and the ones that instantly earned a permanent spot in the safe.

This isn’t a “top ten list” or a spec-sheet rundown. It’s a year-end conversation about what caught his eye, why certain guns spoke to him at that moment, and what each purchase says about where his shooting interests are headed. Some were practical, some were nostalgic, some were projects, and a few were bought purely because they were too cool to leave behind.

If you enjoy honest gun talk, personal stories, and the kind of conversations that usually happen leaning against a workbench or sitting around the shop after hours, this episode is for you.

Pull up a chair and let’s talk about the guns of 2025.

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This week I sit down and discuss some very interesting findings that I found while experimenting with powder coated cast bullets vs traditionally lubed cast bullets. If you're a reloader or love experimenting with different stuff this is the episode for you!

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In this episode, we dive into the wild and underestimated history behind the Interarms Virginian Dragoon.

What starts as a simple look at a single-action revolver quickly turns into a journey through CIA front companies, Swiss engineering, American manufacturing, and one of the most overlooked wheelguns of the 20th century.

From Sam Cummings’ shadowy beginnings to Interarms’ rise as the largest privately owned arms dealer in the world, we trace how the Virginian Dragoon came to be — and why it might be one of the most underrated big-frame revolvers ever made.

Tune in, grab your favorite wheelgun, and let’s get into it.

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In this episode of The Shooter’s Apprentice Podcast, Daniel sits down to dive deep into one of the coolest wheelguns Ruger ever produced — the GP100 chambered in .44 Special. Whether you’re a revolver nerd, a handloader, or just a fan of classic big-bore cartridges, this episode delivers a breakdown of why the .44 Special is still a awesome all around cartridge.

We also get into one of Daniel’s favorite parts of the shooting life: casting bullets and reloading. You’ll hear  firsthand experiences with molds, alloy selection, powder choices, load development, and what actually performs in the 44 special. Whether you’re new to bullet casting or a longtime reloader, this segment lays out the real-world process, the mistakes, the victories, and the satisfaction of rolling your own perfect .44 Special loads.

From mild cowboy-level plinkers to warm defensive loads, we break down how versatile the .44 Special can be  and why it’s still beloved by shooters who appreciate its accuracy, controllability, and character.

If you love revolvers… if you love the smell of hot brass and cast lead… or if you’re just curious why so many shooters are rediscovering the .44 Special, you’re in the right place.

Tune in, grab your favorite wheelgun, and let’s get into it.

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What's going on everybody, welcome back to The Shooters Apprentice Podcast. This week we are talking about buying cheap used guns and talking about 3 guns that I have picked up recently that each cost $300. If you enjoy collecting firearms on a budget you will want to hear this one!

On this episode we touch on the three purchases I made featuring a Rossi 44 magnum pistol, a Kimber 338 Win Mag rifle and a Colt 1917 project chambered for 357 Magnum.

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Big bore nostalgia meets modern hand loading in this week’s episode. I dig into the world of lever-action .45-70s—why this century-old cartridge still sings true for hunters, shooters, and romantics alike. 

I also get into the reloader’s rabbit hole: developing heavy .45-70 loads specifically for lever actions, the quirks that separate them from trapdoor-safe ammo, pressure considerations, bullet selection, and chasing performance in a levergun.

And to top it off, I share first impressions of my newest toy—the Henry .45-70—how it handles, what surprised me, and where it fits in the stable. Smooth actions, big bore thumps, and the kind of grin-inducing shooting that leaves a bruise and a memory.

If you like wood and steel, reloading benches, and cartridges that existed before your great-grandfather, this one’s for you.

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Sometimes you’ve just gotta slow down and shoot the breeze—and that’s exactly what we do in this episode. We break down a few recent firearm acquisitions, talk through what’s coming next, and dive into the chaos of moving my reloading gear over to the trucking shop. If you’re into guns, gear, and good conversation, this is your kind of episode.

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In this episode of The Shooter’s Apprentice Podcast, Daniel dives deep into the history, design, and evolution of one of Smith & Wesson’s most beloved revolvers — the Mountain Gun. From its origins in the late 1980s to the brand-new 2025 re-release in 10mm, this episode covers it all.

You’ll hear how top shooters like Tom Campbell and Ross Seyfried helped shape the concept, why the Mountain Gun became a backcountry favorite, and how it’s earned a cult following among revolver fans to this day. Daniel also shares personal stories about his own Mountain Guns — from vintage .44 Magnums to the brand-new 610 — and what makes each one special.

Along the way, you’ll get updates from the range, a few new gun pickups, and a mid-show word from our friends at Simply Rugged Holsters and Skinner Sights.

If you love revolvers, old-school craftsmanship, and stories from the trail, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Topics Covered:

• Origins and development of the Mountain Gun
• How Tom Campbell and Ross Seyfried shaped the design
• A look at rare variants and modern reissues
• Daniel’s personal range reports and experiences
• The return of no-lock Smith & Wessons

📍Follow Daniel on Instagram [@theshootersapprentice] for behind-the-scenes photos, range clips, and more.

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In this episode of The Shooter’s Apprentice Podcast, Daniel dives deep into the ongoing saga of his Springfield Range Officer 1911 in 9mm — a gun he wanted to love, but that had other plans.

From out-of-the-box disappointment to DIY tuning trials, it’s been a long road of spring swaps, trigger jobs, grip mods, and match-day letdowns. But through the frustration came hard-earned lessons in setting up a single stack gun for USPSA the right way… and sometimes the wrong way first.

Daniel shares everything — the tech specs, the problems, the fixes, the mental game, and what finally (maybe) made this gun run right. If you’ve ever had a gun fight you every step of the way, this one’s for you.

📦 Plus:

• Why he chose 9mm over .45 ACP
• The truth about power factor in Single Stack division
• Moving the reloading bench and what it means for future projects

🔧 Gear Mentioned:

Springfield Range Officer 1911

Wolff Springs

EGW Ambi Safety

Dawson ICE Magwell

VZ Grips

Wilson Combat Guide Rod

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In this episode of The Shooter’s Apprentice, we’re diving deep into the gritty, no-nonsense world of the snub-nosed revolver. From smoky jazz bars and trench coats to front pockets and ankle rigs, the snubby has carved out a lasting legacy.

You’ll hear the history of how the snub-nosed revolver came to be, what made the J-frame so iconic, and how my own journey with pocket carry went from “no way” to “never leave home without it.” I’ll also break down some of the key models, talk ammo choices, gear setups, and how my wife’s Taurus Model 85 led me down a rabbit hole that ended with a S&W 340 in my pocket.

We’ll finish with a challenge: take on the Snubby Super Test — and let me know what your favorite snub-nose is.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

• The history of the J-frame and the Colt Detective Special
• Why I carry a snubby as a backup gun
• Simply Rugged Holsters (mid-show sponsor)
• The Snubby Super Test drill
• My evolving views on ammo selection
• Listener question of the week

📬 Your Turn:

What’s your favorite snub-nosed revolver — and why? Send your stories to [email protected] or hit me up on Instagram @theshooersapprentice. I’ll read a few in the next episode!

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