Whiskey and Windage

In this episode of the Whiskey & Windage Podcast, we welcome Dalton Beachli, founder and CEO of BLK LBL, for a conversation about innovation, product design, and the evolution of modern rifle accessories. Dalton shares the story behind BLK LBL's integrated bipod technology, discussing how a simple idea grew into a product line that has attracted attention from hunters, competitive shooters, precision rifle enthusiasts, and firearm builders alike. We talk about the advantages of integrating a bipod directly into a handguard, the challenges of bringing a new concept to market, and how innovation continues to drive the firearms industry forward. We also explore real-world applications for integrated bipods, including hunting, long-range shooting, competition use, and general range applications. Along the way, Dalton provides insight into product development, engineering, customer feedback, and what future advancements may look like as shooters continue to demand lighter, more versatile equipment.

If you're interested in rifle accessories, firearm innovation, precision shooting, hunting equipment, product design, entrepreneurship, or the future of shooting sports technology, this episode offers a fascinating look inside one of the industry's most unique companies.

Follow Whiskey & Windage for weekly conversations with manufacturers, innovators, competitors, and personalities from across the firearms industry.

This week on Whiskey & Windage, Jon Patton from The Gun Collective joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about GunCon, the firearms industry, and the products that have him most excited this year.

We kick things off with a look at GunCon and how it has evolved into one of the most unique events in the firearms community. Jon explains who the event is for, what attendees can expect, and why it continues to attract enthusiasts, manufacturers, media personalities, and industry professionals from across the country.

From there, we dive into the current state of the firearms industry, discussing market trends, innovation, consumer expectations, and the challenges companies face in a rapidly changing environment. As someone who regularly gets hands-on experience with new products before they reach the public, Jon also shares his thoughts on the firearms, optics, suppressors, accessories, and emerging technologies that have caught his attention recently.

Whether you're planning to attend GunCon, curious about where the industry is headed, or simply enjoy hearing behind-the-scenes perspectives from one of the most recognizable voices in firearms media, this episode delivers plenty of insight, laughs, and honest conversation.

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This week on Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Jahred Gamez from SDS Arms for a deep dive into the company’s expanding lineup of firearms and brands. We break down the MAC, Tokarev USA, Inglis, and Spandau lines to discuss what makes each one unique, who they’re built for, and how they fit into today’s firearms market.

From modern tactical rifles and competition-inspired platforms to heritage-driven pistols and precision-focused shotguns, Jahred explains the vision behind each brand and how SDS Arms approaches product development for different types of shooters. We also get into current industry trends, consumer demand, innovation, and how the shooting sports world continues to evolve.

If you’re into tactical firearms, range guns, sporting shotguns, or simply enjoy hearing how companies position products for different shooting styles, this episode is packed with insight and conversation from inside the firearms industry.

Sit back, pour a drink, and enjoy another episode of Whiskey & Windage.

This week, we’re joined by Wayne Weber from Steyr Arms for a deep dive into one of the most iconic firearm manufacturers in the world. We talk about the history and continued popularity of the legendary Steyr AUG, why the bullpup platform still has a dedicated following, and how the AUG helped shape modern rifle design. Wayne also walks us through Steyr’s growing pistol lineup and explains why more shooters are starting to take notice of their unique ergonomics, engineering, and performance. From carry pistols to duty-ready options, we discuss what separates Steyr from the competition in today’s crowded handgun market. We also touch on Steyr’s bolt action rifles, precision manufacturing, hunting applications, and the company’s direction moving forward in the U.S. market. If you’re into rifles, pistols, bullpups, firearm innovation, or just want to hear the story behind one of the industry’s most respected brands, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

This week on Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Jared Yanis for an unfiltered conversation about the current state of the firearms industry, politics, and the Second Amendment. We dive into the newly appointed ATF Director and discuss what the change in leadership could mean for gun owners, manufacturers, content creators, and the future of firearm regulation in America. Jared also breaks down the ongoing redrawing of political districts across several states and why those shifts could have a major impact on future elections, legislation, and the balance of power surrounding 2A issues. Beyond the headlines, we talk about the culture behind the firearms community itself — the responsibility of creators and manufacturers to educate the next generation, the challenges of navigating modern media platforms, and why conversations around the Second Amendment have become bigger than just firearms alone. From industry insight to political discussion and real world perspective, this episode covers a little bit of everything. If you follow the firearms industry, care about constitutional rights, or just want to hear a candid conversation about where things are heading, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Tony Smotherman from Bergara USA to take a deep dive into one of the most respected names in precision rifles right now. We break down the full Bergara lineup from the incredibly popular B-14 Series to the higher end Premier Series and talk through what actually separates these rifles in terms of performance, build quality, and real-world use. Tony walks us through caliber options, use cases, and why Bergara barrels have earned such a strong reputation among shooters and hunters alike. We also get into the current state of the industry, how crowded the market has become, and where Bergara fits into it all. To end, we touch on their newest suppressor and what it brings to the table for modern rifle setups, both on the range and in the field.

If you’re into precision shooting, hunting, or just want to understand what makes a rifle worth your money, this episode delivers straight insight from inside the industry.

In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, we dive headfirst into some unpopular opinions about the firearms industry and the things most people don’t say out loud. After years of talking with manufacturers, creators, and insiders, we’ve got a pretty good view of what’s actually going on, and it’s not always what it looks like from the outside. We get into whether “innovation” is really innovation anymore, if the industry is feeling the pressure right now, and what things look like behind the scenes when the cameras aren’t rolling. We also talk about oversaturation in certain categories, how brands are trying to stand out, and whether that’s helping or hurtingthe space overall. On top of that, we touch on content creators, reviews, and how authentic things really are across social media. Plus, we wrap things up with some of the coolest experiences we’ve had since starting the show.

In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, we welcome back Chris Graham from Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) to break down everything they’ve been working on since his last appearance. We dive straight into the new Victra 12ga and 20ga line of suppressors, the ever-popular R9, and how the rest of the YHM lineup continues to evolve in a fast-moving industry. Chris gives us an inside look at their design philosophy, how they approach durability and performance, and what goes into bringing new products to market. We also get into the reality of today’s suppressor space—where more brands and options than ever are competing for attention. With so many choices, customers can struggle to separate real performance from marketing, and Chris shares his perspective on how to cut through the noise. We talk about why YHM continues to hold its ground in a crowded field, what they prioritize when developing new products, and why they believe their lineup deserves a serious look from both new and experienced shooters.

If you’re into gear, innovation, and understanding what actually matters when choosing equipment, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

This week on the Whiskey & Windage Podcast, we’re joined by Dave Wollman from Laugo Arms to dive deep into one of the most talked about handgun platforms in the industry: the Alien series. We break down the full lineup of Alien models and get into what makes each one unique. From its incredibly low bore axis and fixed barrel design to the way it handles recoil and tracks during rapid fire, the Alien brings a completely different shooting experience to the table. Dave walks us through the engineering decisions behind the platform and how Laugo Arms set out to challenge traditional handgun design. Beyond the product lineup, we also talk about innovation in the firearms industry, what it takes to stand out in a competitive market, and how Laugo continues to push boundaries with new ideas and technology. If you’re into high-performance firearms, competition shooting, or just want to hear how a truly different platform came to life, this episode delivers.

Pour a glass, kick back, and enjoy another episode of Whiskey & Windage—where the firearms industry comes to talk.

In this episode, we sit down with Nic Lenze from Swampfox Optics and get into everything they’ve been building—and why people are paying attention. We start with their pistol optics like the Sentinel II, Justice II, and Liberty II, then move into red dots like the Liberator II and Kraken. From there, we get into prism optics including the Raider, Trihawk, Blade, and Saber before diving into their rifle scopes and LPVOs like the Tomahawk, Warhorse, and Arrowhead, plus longer range setups like the Patriot, Warhawk, and Kentucky Long. But this one isn’t just a product rundown. We talk about how Swampfox approaches design, what they’re doing differently than legacy brands, and where they see the optics world going next. If you’re into gear, performance, and seeing how a newer company competes at a high level, this is a solid one.