Guns & Ammo Buzz Podcast

Knox Williams joins Guns & Ammo Buzz to discuss suppressor litigation, the National Firearms Act, and the questions still awaiting answers. Host Keith Wood and Williams explore the Texas district-court ruling discussed in the episode, the difference between taxing-power and Second Amendment arguments, and uncertainty surrounding Form 4, Form 4473, dealer procedures, state laws, and interstate travel. Williams also discusses ASA's work with federal regulators and lawmakers, why he believes congressional action and stronger court precedent matter for lasting change, and his outlook for suppressor policy. The conversation closes with Williams' path from a college internship at AAC to the American Suppressor Association and his reflections on 15 years of education, partnerships, and advocacy. This conversation reflects the discussion at the time of recording. Legal requirements and agency guidance may change; this episode is not legal advice.

Guns & Ammo Buzz host Keith Wood sits down with renowned 1911 gunsmith Rob Schauland of Schauland Performance to trace his career from growing up near Springfield Armory to building some of today's most meticulously hand-fit custom pistols. Schauland discusses his early years at Springfield Armory, learning the craft at Les Baer Custom, founding Alchemy Custom Weaponry, his years working with Cabot Guns and ACW, and eventually launching Schauland Performance. The conversation dives deep into the art and business of custom 1911 building, including hand-fitting barrels and bushings, parts sourcing, polishing and finishing, DLC and chromium nitride coatings, traditional versus modern manufacturing methods, and why craftsmanship and problem-solving still matter. Rob also introduces the Schauland Performance 1994, a retro-inspired double-stack pistol influenced by the early days of the 2011 platform, and explains why he believes the firearms market may be ready for a return to cleaner, more traditional designs. Plus, Rob talks about building a business around his name, training gunsmiths, balancing craftsmanship with production, playing guitar in bands while working at Springfield Armory, and why personally inspecting every pistol remains important to him.

In the final chapter of our four-part series with legendary pistolsmith Paul Liebenberg, Guns & Ammo's Keith Wood explores the creation of Pistol Dynamics and the craftsmanship, engineering and philosophy behind Liebenberg's custom 1911s. After leaving the Smith & Wesson Performance Center, Liebenberg moved to Florida and returned to building handcrafted pistols. He explains what separates a truly scratch-built custom gun from one assembled from finished components and walks through some of the distinctive features of his work, including grip geometry, hand checkering, external extractors, slide and barrel timing, spring balance and his unique approach to practical handgun design. Liebenberg also discusses his commitment to keeping Frank Pachmayr's Combat Special alive, how Pistol Dynamics will evolve for the next generation, and why the era of completely bespoke, one-off custom pistols may be coming to an end. The conversation also looks at the resurgence of the 1911 and 2011 platforms, the challenges facing traditional custom gunmakers and Liebenberg's ambitious book project documenting five decades of work, innovation and firearms history. It's a fitting conclusion to our series with one of the most influential pistolsmiths of the modern era.

The Smith & Wesson Performance Center changed the firearms industry—but few people know how it really began. In Part 3 of this exclusive series, legendary gunsmith Paul Liebenberg joins Guns & Ammo's Keith Wood to tell the inside story of building the original Performance Center from an empty hangar into one of the most influential custom firearm shops in America. Paul explains the politics inside Smith & Wesson, the development of the .40 S&W platform, the creation of the Performance Center's legendary PPC pistols, the innovative .356 TSW competition cartridge, the company's early 1911 projects, and the handcrafted FBI 1076 pistols that became legendary for their reliability. In this episode: How the Smith & Wesson Performance Center was created Developing the .40 S&W platform Building championship-winning PPC pistols The story behind the .356 TSW cartridge Early Smith & Wesson 1911 development The handcrafted FBI 1076 project Internal politics and innovation at Smith & Wesson Rare behind-the-scenes stories from one of the industry's greatest pistolsmiths If you're a fan of custom firearms, competitive shooting, or Smith & Wesson history, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In Part 2 of our conversation with legendary gunsmith Paul Liebenberg, we dive into one of the most influential periods in custom handgun history. Paul shares what it was like working at Pachmayr during the golden era of the custom 1911, the development of the famous Combat Special, and the innovations that forever changed competition and defensive pistols. He explains the engineering behind wide-link barrels, spherical bushings, and the modular pistol concept, while also recounting his experiences pioneering electronic red-dot sights on handguns long before they became mainstream. The discussion also covers Paul's friendships with legendary shooters and Hollywood technical advisors, the transition from Pachmayr to Pistol Dynamics, the development of early 10mm and .40 S&W pistols, and the events that ultimately led him to establish the Smith & Wesson Performance Center. Whether you're a collector, competitive shooter, historian, or simply fascinated by the evolution of the 1911, this episode offers a rare firsthand look into one of the most innovative eras in firearms history. In this episode: The real story behind the Pachmayr Combat Special Building custom 1911s during the industry's golden age Early Aimpoint red-dot pistol development Competition shooting innovations Pistol Dynamics and custom handgun evolution The origins of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Stories from California's legendary gunsmithing community If you enjoy conversations with the people who shaped the modern firearms industry, be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you won't miss Part 3.

Step inside the world of Benelli as Eric Poole, Steve Gould, Nick Andrews and Bret Maffett travel to Urbino, Italy — the birthplace of Benelli's legendary "Art of Performance." From Renaissance history and artistic inspiration to cutting-edge robotics, AI-driven manufacturing, cryogenic barrel treatment and advanced shotgun engineering, this episode takes you behind the scenes of one of the most fascinating firearms factories in the world. The crew explores Benelli's innovative approach to firearm design, including: Advanced Impact barrel technology BE.S.T. surface treatment Cryogenic barrel processing Virtual reality product development 3D printing and rapid prototyping Precision manufacturing and robotics The balance between craftsmanship, ergonomics and performance Along the way, exhibition shooter Steve Gould shares how seeing legendary shooter Tom Knapp inspired his own career, while the team discusses the future of firearms manufacturing and why Benelli continues pushing boundaries in innovation and design. This is more than a factory tour — it's a look at how Italian heritage, engineering and passion come together to create some of the most respected shotguns in the world.

In Part 1 of this exclusive interview, legendary pistolsmith Paul Liebenberg sits down to discuss his remarkable journey from South Africa to becoming one of the most respected names in the world of custom handguns and practical shooting. Paul reflects on his upbringing in Johannesburg, his background in industrial design, and how a passion for ergonomics, machining, photography, and competition shooting unexpectedly led him into the firearms industry. Along the way, he shares incredible stories from the early days of IPSC competition, the evolution of the 1911 platform, and the groundbreaking innovations happening in South Africa during the 1970s and early 1980s. The conversation dives deep into: • Early practical shooting and combat matches in South Africa • Developing custom 1911 modifications before the internet era • Influential figures like Dave Sheer and Dale Getz • The rise of compensators, magwells, beavertails, and long-slide pistols • Training with legendary American shooters including Ross Seyfried, Ray Chapman, and others • Competing at the Bianchi Cup and World Shoots • His path to Pachmayr Gun Works and eventually building some of the most respected competition pistols in the world This is a fascinating deep dive into the roots of modern practical shooting and the craftsmen who helped shape the custom handgun industry as we know it today.

The NRA Annual Meetings 2026 in Houston delivered a mix of innovation, controversy, and some seriously interesting firearm trends—and the Guns & Ammo Buzz Podcast crew breaks it all down. From the unconventional Tokarev TSG-12 "butt pump" shotgun to the rise of slimmer, concealed-carry-friendly 2011-style pistols, this episode covers the products everyone's talking about—and a few that raised eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. We dive into: The most talked-about shotgun at the show (and why it's controversial) The evolution of compact, high-capacity 2011-style pistols The growing demand for roller-delayed PCC platforms Why 10mm continues to surge in popularity across platforms New releases like the Taurus RPC, HK VP9 CC, and Ruger Red Label III The return of classic designs with modern manufacturing Practical insights on carry setups, recoil systems, and real-world performance You'll also hear some strong opinions on carry methods, caliber debates, and what actually matters when choosing a firearm—based on decades of combined industry experience. Whether you're tracking industry trends, looking for your next purchase, or just enjoy honest, unfiltered gun talk, this episode delivers.  

Long Description: In this episode of the Guns & Ammo Buzz Podcast, publisher Chris Agnes and editors Eric Poole and Jack Oller discuss the rise of Watchtower Defense with its founder Jason Kolosky. From his background as a U.S. Marine in Force Reconnaissance and a DoD contractor for the Pentagon, he recalls the motivations that led him to create an all-American-made firearms company. Learn the story behind Watchtower's mission, its commitment to craftsmanship, and the philosophy that drives its growing lineup of rifles, pistols, and suppressors. The conversation covers: Why Kolosky's opinion on a "do-all" cartridge, The inspiration behind Watchtower's military-rooted branding, How to build a premium firearm without "racing to the bottom," The expanding 60,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, The importance of training, responsibility, and Second Amendment advocacy, And what may be next for Watchtower Defense, double-stack .45s, suppressors, SBRs, and more!   Plus, G&A's staff considers Watchtower's "tribe" of customers, its "Made-in-America" message, and how the media and storytelling are fueling the brand's growth in the firearms industry despite market trends. If you're serious about firearms, craftsmanship, and the future of American manufacturing — don't miss this conversation on The Guns & Ammo Buzz Podcast.

In this episode of Guns & Ammo Buzz Podcast, we sit down with legendary gunsmith Bruce Gray and Nick Bowles of Grayguns to break down one of the most unique custom pistols ever built—the SIG P210 "Bruiser." What started as a great factory pistol turned into a 7-year passion project. The result? A no-compromise, hand-built handgun with refined ergonomics, a completely reworked trigger system, and precision craftsmanship at a level most shooters never get to see. We dive into: Bruce Gray's 50+ year journey in gunsmithing How the "Bruiser" project came to life What's changed inside the gun (and why it matters) The reality behind custom gun pricing Why only 51 of these pistols exist This isn't just about one pistol—it's about the mindset of true craftsmen. The kind of people who build not because they have to… but because they can't help it. If you're serious about firearms, custom builds, or the art of mechanical perfection—this is one you don't want to miss. 👉 Learn more: https://grayguns.com