In this episode of The Gun Experiment, Big Keith and I team up for another round of Chopping It Up, joined by our returning guest, Todd Meeks, CEO of Spartan Armor Systems. We kick things off with some lighthearted stories before diving deep into the world of body armor, ballistic helmets, and evolving safety solutions for civilians, first responders, and law enforcement. We cover industry trends, product innovations, and relevant 2A news, as well as some wild stories about modern espionage, tech surveillance, and an epic Revolutionary War history lesson. Whether you’re a firearms enthusiast, law enforcement officer, or just want to stay informed on personal protection and news, this episode has something for you.

1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Youtube 4. Grab some cool TGE merch 6. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com 5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.

• HSM Ammunition – Reliable ammo with a broad selection, including defensive and cowboy action rounds.

• Kings River Customs– Hand-built, reliable, and beautiful 1911 pistols from Arkansas, the 1911 capital of the world.

• The prevalence and necessity of body armor isn’t just for the military; civilians and first responders are increasingly recognizing its value.

• New product developments at Spartan Armor include ultra-lightweight ballistic helmets made in the USA, thanks to a partnership with Armor Source.

• Expiration dates on body armor are real, especially for ceramics and composites, particularly under extreme temperature conditions.

• The civilian body armor market is slowing down, with more focus shifting to government, law enforcement, and first responder contracts.

• News on 2A rights: Possible changes in USPS handgun shipping regulations and an active DOJ civil rights campaign for the Second Amendment.

• Concerns about modern surveillance technology, including insect-like drones, highlight the ongoing importance of personal privacy and freedom.

• An intriguing look at Revolutionary War history, including the Hudson River Chain, showcases American ingenuity and defense.

Todd Meeks CEO, Spartan Armor Systems Industry leader in body armor and ballistic protection Focused on solutions for civilians, law enforcement, and first responders. Learn more and see Spartan products at spartanarmorsystems.com

gun podcast, body armor, Spartan Armor Systems, Todd Meeks, ballistic helmet, personal protection, ceramic plates, steel plates, 2A news, Second Amendment, USPS handgun shipping, DOJ assault weapons ban, law enforcement, first responders, civilian safety, Kevlar, tactical gear, made in the USA, Kings River Customs, HSM Ammunition, modern surveillance, China espionage, bug drone, Revolutionary War history, Hudson River Chain, civil unrest, home defense.

In this episode, we sit down once again with our friend Ben DeWalt from On Sight Firearms Training. We dive deep into the ongoing challenges every shooter faces—grip, sights, and trigger control—and why diagnosing your own problems on the range is so critical. Ben talks through the difference between trends and fundamentals in the firearms world, why optics and weapon lights are here to stay, and shares his candid takes on what needs to die a bloody death in training circles. We also break down the most recent 2A news, from Tennessee’s deadly force expansion to body armor bans and other firearm's news. And of course, rapid-fire Q&A and some personal stories about moving south, bad travel etiquette, and whether or not we’re really about that running-with-the-bulls life.

1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Youtube 4. Grab some cool TGE merch 6. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com 5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.

• HSM Ammunition – Reliable, accurate, and trusted for training, hunting or self defense. Find them at hsmunnition.com

• Spartan Armor Systems – Comfortable, NIJ certified body armor for those who never want to leave their defense to chance. Visit spartanarmorsystems.com

• Fundamentals like grip, sights, and trigger control remain essential regardless of equipment or trends (16:13)

• Quality instruction means ongoing education—for both students and instructors (18:18)

• Trends like putting optics on everything and white lights on home defense guns are positive for the shooting community, while bad terminology around triggers needs to go

• Legal changes around self-defense and firearms laws create confusion but rarely stop bad actors—they mostly impact law-abiding citizens (45:09)

• Testing and vetting instructors is a must, as not all certifications indicate great teaching

• The importance of humility—good trainers demo every skill, and aren’t afraid to admit mistakes (21:01)

• Real-world scenarios (like teaching through stress or odd situations) matter more than just theory

Ben DeWalt Founder and lead instructor at On Sight Firearms Training. Ben specializes in defensive shooting, safety education, and continuous personal development for shooters of all experience levels. Find classes and more at: oftllc.us

• Firearms training, Defensive shooting, Gun safety, Gun laws, Body armor ban, Fundamentals of marksmanship, Optics on pistols, Self-defense law Tennessee, Firearms instructors, Striker-fired vs DA/SA pistols, Rapid-fire Q&A, 2A news, Second Amendment, Shooting drills, On Sight Firearms Training, HSM Ammunition, Spartan Armor Systems, Concealed carry, Home defense

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Gun Experiment, I sit down with Big Keith and our special guest, Rob Godek, the Director of AceTac Gear. We dive deep into the origins of AceTac, from its humble roots in a garage to becoming a respected name in modular and adaptable tactical gear. Rob opens up about the importance of balancing affordability, reliability, and innovation for everyday Americans and professionals alike. We also share stories, review some killer gear (like the low-profile plate carrier and skeleton placard), and unpack the realities of starting and growing a gear company in today’s competitive landscape. Expect laughs, honest feedback, and plenty of behind-the-scenes wisdom for both new shooters and seasoned operators.

Call to Action: 1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Youtube 4. Grab some cool TGE merch 5. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com 6. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They’re a big part of making the show possible.

Show Sponsors:

• HSM Ammunition: Official ammo sponsor, tested and recommended by us for reliability and performance.

• Onsite Firearms Training (OFT): Our go-to for responsible gun ownership and hands-on, real-world defensive training.

• New York Tac Defense: Offering prepaid legal plans for self-defense—peace of mind when you need it most.

Key Takeaways:

• AceTac Gear is about making purpose-driven, affordable tactical equipment without sacrificing function or quality.

• Rob Godek’s journey illustrates the power of persistence, honest customer feedback, and staying true to the roots—especially supporting everyday Americans and first responders.

• Not every innovation means reinventing the wheel; often, it means listening to users and perfecting what works.

• The firearms and tactical gear community thrives on transparency, supporting new shooters, and embracing the “climb” rather than just chasing high-end gear.

• Modularity, affordability, and durability are at the heart of great EDC and tactical gear.

• The customer experience at AceTac goes beyond just sales—offering a genuine lifetime warranty and community engagement.

• Balance your gear needs with honest self-assessment; sometimes a good “middle ground” product outperforms luxury when it comes to real-world use.

Guest Information: Rob Godek is the Director and CEO of AceTac Gear. With a background in law enforcement, NASCAR engine building, and a passion for hands-on innovation, Rob brings a no-nonsense, customer-focused approach to tactical gear. AceTac is dedicated to empowering users with modular, reliable kits—ensuring “Gucci” quality is accessible to all, not just the elite. Find AceTac at AceTacGear.com and on Instagram for the latest updates.

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In this episode, we are joined by Zeke Stout. We dive into everything from the Nashville food scene and trade shows, to the serious side of firearms marketing, Second Amendment culture, and current events impacting gun owners. Zeke Stout brings a wealth of experience in the firearms industry, offering insights on marketing best practices, gun industry trends, and the impact of innovation versus tradition. We also discuss controversial legislation in Virginia, the future of gun culture, and the intersection of AI and health. We finish things off with some fun—talking cars, rapid-fire questions, and some thoughtful debate on "who are the people?" protected by the Second Amendment.

1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: InstagramYoutube 4. Grab some cool TGE merch 6. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com 5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.

Show Sponsors

• HSM Ammunition – Reliable, quality-made ammunition for training, hunting, and self-defense.

• Flatline Fiber Co – American-made, simple, effective, and warranty-backed shooting gear. Use code TGE10 for 10% off your order at FlatlineFiberCo.com.

• Marketing vs. Sales: Zeke Stout emphasizes the crucial difference between marketing and sales and why trust-building (not just immediate sales) is vital in the gun industry (10:01–13:21).

• Print Media vs. Digital: Print ads are less effective than podcasts, YouTube, and social media, especially for gun culture. The audience values authenticity and real voices over marketed hype (14:41–15:30).

• Current Trends: Innovation is finally happening with magnetic recoil reduction via Frytech, and Zeke Stout sees appetite for real technical advancement (21:13–23:11).

• Gun Culture Authenticity: The community wants genuine, passionate representation—not corporations pretending tactical experience they don’t have (16:25–18:40).

• Second Amendment Culture: The fight for gun rights is being lost due to infighting and politicization—the community needs unity across political lines (24:08–25:20).

• Education over Legislation: We agree that education about firearms safety beats new restrictive laws—and that knowledge, not fear, saves lives (34:01–38:36).

• AI in Healthcare: Medical AI tools can be helpful, but they're also dangerous if used as a substitute for professional advice—nothing replaces a real expert (59:48–01:04:20).

Zeke Stout

• Firearms industry veteran, consultant, and long-time marketer

• Well-known for marketing expertise, industry advocacy, and passion for innovation

Nashville gun trade show, Zeke Stout, firearms marketing, gun industry trends, Flatline Fiber, HSM Ammunition, recoil innovation, Frytech, magnetic recoil, AR-15 upgrades, Second Amendment culture, gun legislation Virginia, educational firearm safety, gun podcast, digital marketing for gun companies, print media vs. digital, authenticity in gun industry, social media for firearms, mental health and AI, pro-gun unity, rapid fire gun questions, car investments, Porsche, Corvette value, podcast summary, The Gun Experiment

Don’t forget to leave a review and share The Gun Experiment with your friends—see you next week!

"Freedom must be taught, protected, and passed on to the next generation—it’s not inherited, it’s earned."

Episode Summary In this jam-packed episode of The Gun Experiment, Big Keith and I sit down with Keith Davis, better known as “2A Dad,” to dive deep into passing down freedom, responsibility, and gun safety through our families. We explore the evolution of the 2A Family and how the journey started with simple trips to the range and became a mission to inspire and equip the next generation. If you’ve been thinking about how to get your kids interested in firearms, raise responsible citizens, or just want to learn more about the intersection of parenting, homeschooling, and the Second Amendment, this one’s for you. Plus, we talk about overcoming haters, handling the social media spotlight, and juggling family, training, and business.

Call to Action 1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: InstagramYoutube 4. Grab some cool TGE merch 5. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com 6. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They’re a big part of making the show possible.

Show Sponsors

• HSM Ammunition: American-made reliability, accuracy, and performance for every shooter.

• Onsite Firearms Training: The go-to place to level up your gun skills responsibly and effectively.

• Swig Protein: Not a show sponsor today, but a personal favorite—reach out for samples or use code TGE20 for 20% off.

Key Takeaways

• The importance of demystifying firearms for kids starts at home with education and respect, not fear.

• Homeschooling provides flexibility for life skills—from shooting sports to running a small egg business.

• The real dangers our kids face are ignorance and indoctrination—not responsible gun training.

• Social media can be a tool for positive change, and it’s okay to control what your kids see.

• Sometimes you need to be louder and more direct as a conservative parent—don’t shy away from teaching your values clearly.

• It’s bigger than guns: it’s about raising capable, resilient citizens who preserve freedom for all of us.

Guest Information Keith Davis—known as the “2A Dad”—is the father and mentor behind the “2A Family,” as well as the driving force in the growth of the 2A Boys and Girls. The family's passion for responsible firearm ownership, training, and the outdoors was born out of their desire to raise strong, knowledgeable defenders of freedom. Based in Florida and powered by faith and the homeschooling spirit, you’ll find them on Instagram @the2aboys,@the2agirls and at the2aboys.com

Keywords Gun safety, family training, 2A community, homeschooling and firearms, youth shooting sports, parental responsibility, conservative parenting, social media and kids, raising responsible children, freedom, Second Amendment, Keith Davis, HSM Ammunition, Onsite Firearms Training, Swig Protein, self-sufficiency, outdoor life, US gun influencers, teaching kids to shoot, passing down freedom.

"Purpose-driven choices lead to better gear and growth in the sport."

In this episode, we chop it up with Roy Hill, Senior Editor and Brand Copy Manager at Magpul Industries. We talk about shooting sports for kids, new innovations from Magpul, the importance of modularity, and how to approach building your AR-15. We also dig into the recent news involving Second Amendment rights, military carry, birthright citizenship, and a little space travel. Roy shares personal stories from his career, including his move to Texas, and gives us insider perspective on gun industry trends.

1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: InstagramYoutube 4. Grab some cool TGE merch 6. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com 5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.

• HSM Ammunition: Official ammo sponsor, providing precision performance and dependability.

• Kings River Customs: Makers of functional and beautiful 1911 pistols.

• Roy Hill’s journey back into the gun industry and move to Texas with Magpul.

• The importance of not just owning guns but actively shooting and training—especially for new owners.

• Magpul’s DAKA Grid system: a modular solution for gun case organization.

• The Ruger RXM and Magpul’s enhanced handgun grips for modular firearms.

• Mistakes people make when buying their first AR: purpose-driven builds matter.

• News updates: military base carry rights, restoration of Second Amendment rights for nonviolent felons, and Supreme Court arguments on citizenship.

• Kid Rock’s Apache flyover and opinions about government waste versus patriotic moments.

• Lunar missions, privatized space travel, and the future of space exploration.

Roy Hill Senior Editor & Brand Copy Manager Magpul Industries based in Austin, Texas

Magpul, Roy Hill, AR-15, modularity, DAKA grid, Ruger RXM, shooting sports, gun industry, firearm training, Texas move, Second Amendment, HSM ammunition, Kings River Custom, military carry, birthright citizenship, gun case innovation, NRA show, open carry, gun accessory, space exploration, Kid Rock, Supreme Court, podcast, gun culture, firearm news, the gun experiment

"Be a man of your word, don’t be a hypocrite."

Episode Summary In this episode of The Gun Experiment, we chopped it up with Frank Riess, owner of Wallkill River Small Arms and our favorite recurring guest co-host. We dove into the current state of the firearms industry, the surprising resurgence of first-time buyers, and the ever-persistent confusion around New York gun laws. We also tackled the ammo supply crunch, the great red dot vs. iron sight debate, and the looming legal impacts of new rules—straight from gun shop trenches.

From the history of pre- and post-'64 Winchester rifles to the ridiculous proposals of serialized ammo and government overreach, Frank didn’t hold back. We got frank (pun intended) about how quality, craftsmanship, and common sense regulations all play into being a responsible, well-informed gun owner—and citizen. The episode wraps up with some laughs about New York politics, government hypocrisy, and the most unbelievable quadriplegic cornhole story you'll ever hear.

Call to Action 1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Youtube 4. Grab some cool TGE merch 6. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com 5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.

Show Sponsors

• HSM Ammunition: Trusted, American-made ammo for training, hunting, and self-defense. Visit hsmammunition.com for confidence in every shot.

• Flatline Fiberco: Top-quality, American-made gear with a lifetime warranty. Use code TGE10 at flatlinefiberco.com for 10% off.

Key Takeaways

• Frank has seen a return of first-time gun buyers lately, especially new transplants from the city, preppers, and those looking for added security.

• Despite industry assumptions, most 2020 "COVID gun owners" kept their firearms instead of selling them back.

• The great ammo shortage is back: 9mm is nearly impossible to keep in stock, echoing the "toilet paper effect" from the pandemic.

• New gun owners are better informed than expected, but still trip up on New York's confusing rifle endorsement laws.

• The fit and finish in older firearms (pre-'64 Winchesters) far surpass mass-produced models—know what you’re buying!

• A balance of quality, function, and budget is key in gun buying; sometimes a Glock 19 really is the best bang for your buck.

• The team debates the pitfalls of government overreach, the necessity of cash, and the fine line between law and common sense.

• Fun rapid-fire questions, candid debates, and a jaw-dropping cornhole quadriplegic story wrap things up.

Guest Information Frank Riess – Owner of Wallkill River Small Arms, firearms history buff, and fan-favorite co-host. Frank is your go-to for gun shop insights, historical gun wisdom, and blunt, real-talk advice for both new and seasoned gun owners.

Keywords firearms podcast, gun industry trends, first-time gun buyers, New York gun laws, Walk Hill River Small Arms, gun shop stories, ammo shortage, 9mm ammunition, pre-64 Winchester, firearms history, FPC lawsuits, serialized ammo law, pistol brace rule, self-defense, concealed carry, gun ownership, rapid-fire questions, HSM Ammunition, Flatline Fiberco, gun rights, Second Amendment, gun experiment podcast

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