Special Guest: Nate the Blademaker & It's Not Complicated | SOTG 1345

Wanna hear the FULL Episode? Sign up for the Grad Program today! Welcome to a new episode of SOTG Radio. We have a special guest interview, Nate Summers, aka Nate the Blademaker. Jarrad sat down with Nate to pick his brain about knife making, being a small business owner and more.  During our Tech Talk from EOTech Inc. we'll take a quick look at the latest pistol optic. Did you get your own EFLX CE yet? Also, Paul will revisit a previous question from our buddy, Ryne.  In this week's Coffee Corner from Studentoftheugun.com/Blackout we will take a look at what people are saying about the new book from Nicholas Orr, "A Pipe Hitters Guide to Red Dots and Optics on Handguns."  Finally, for our SOTG Homeroom from SOTGU.com we will consider what it means to live in a "safe area" or a "quiet little town." There was quite the dust up in a small town in Wyoming, a place where you might not think that you need to carry a gun. TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: EFLX CE Sold Out Coffee Corner - studentofthegun.com/blackout [Use Code: STUDT20] TOPIC: [New Book Review] A Pipe Hitters Guide to Red Dots and Optics on Handguns www.amazon.com SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Deadly Shooting In Baggs, Wyoming: Deputy Injured, Shooter Dead cowboystatedaily.com Nate the Blademaker has joined us today - natetheblademaker.com Wanna hear the FULL Interview? Sign up for the Grad Program today!

Wanna hear the FULL Episode? Sign up for the Grad Program today! We are joined today by our special guest, Louis Caras, the co-author of the new book "A Pipe Hitters Guide to Red Dots and Optics on Handguns". Paul and Louis will consider the significance of the new book and how it might help both new and experienced shooters alike. During our Tech Talk from EOTech Inc. Professor Paul will discuss a new article published that features the EFLX CE optic. Louis was one of the first to take a close look at that. What is so special about this red dot? There was a desk pop at the gun shop. We report on a negligent discharge that took place at a large sporting goods store in Ohio last week. Both gentlemen will consider the details of the incident and examine how and if the negligent discharge could have been prevented. TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee [0:3:23] EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: Gear Review: EOTECH EFLX CE Red Dot Sight www.opticswire.com [0:18:54] Coffee Corner - studentofthegun.com/blackout [Use Code: STUDT20] TOPIC: A Pipe Hitters Guide to Red Dots and Optics on Handguns amzn.to/3RLwv8G [0:47:41] SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: One hurt in shooting at local sporting goods store fox8.com

Wanna hear the FULL Episode? Sign up for the Grad Program today! We have a very special episode of Student of the Gun Radio for you. This was recorded live in front of a studio audience. Next, we could not be more excited to bring you the news of the new EOTech EFLX CE "closed emitter" pistol mounted optic. Both Paul and Jarrad put hundreds of rounds down range using the new optic and will share their opinions and impressions with you. During our Coffee Corner from www.studentofthegun.com/blackout (Code STUDT20), we are pleased to announce that a brand new book is on the way from our friend Nicholas Orr. This one is called A Pipe Hitters Guide to Red Dots and Optics on Handguns. It is available as a pre-order as this show drops. For our SOTG Homeroom from www.SOTGU.com we will consider the concept of the Super Lab for firearms training. What are the qualifications for a Super Lab? What are some historical examples of the Super Lab being put into practice? TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: EFLX CE - First Report shoot-on.com Coffee Corner - studentofthegun.com/blackout [Use Code: STUDT20] TOPIC: PH Guide to Red Dots and Optics on Handguns amzn.to/4e1k1SU  SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Super Lab History: Fairbairn and Sykes www.shootingnewsweekly.com

Wanna hear the FULL Episode? Sign up for the Grad Program today! Most long-range shooting myths are just that—myths. What you really need to hit long-distance targets isn't a fancy laser level or a digital wind meter; it's practical knowledge, quality gear, and consistent training. If you're tired of wasting money on gadgets that promise perfection but deliver distraction, this episode is your wake-up call. Professor Paul dismantles the obsession with high-tech accessories, revealing how you can shoot confidently at a thousand yards with simple tools—like a solid scope, reliable ammunition, and disciplined practice. No more chasing the latest "must-have" gadgets that distract from what truly matters. Instead, learn how to leverage real skill over shiny gear, and why the person behind the rifle is the ultimate variable. We break down: The truth about scope leveling and why analog bubbles and digital laser levels are often overkill The matching importance of wind at the shooter and target, and how flags can deceive even seasoned shooters How to avoid the trap of automatic reflexive firing by engaging your brain—because safety and accuracy depend on purposeful decisions The misconception that extensive gear equals better performance and how training and mindset are the real game changers Why you — yes, you — can shoot farther and more precisely than you think, with less money and fewer gadgets You'll discover the critical importance of mental focus, deliberate training, and understanding your own physiology—especially the role of the prefrontal cortex and habit formation—in long-range shooting success. Ignoring this leaves you vulnerable to complacency, missed opportunities, and even deadly mistakes. TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee [0:03:33] EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: What gear do you truly need for long-range shooting? EOTECH Vudu 3.5x18 Professional Grade Wizardry  www.shootingnewsweekly.com Central Fixation Bias: jov.arvojournals.org [0:25:22] Coffee Corner - studentofthegun.com/blackout [Use Code: STUDT20] TOPIC: Train Your Brain to Make Ballistic Problem Solving Automatic www.shootingnewsweekly.com [0:43:55] SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: No Self-Defense Allowed in Parks www.shootingnewsweekly.com

Wanna hear the FULL Episode? Sign up for the Grad Program today! How does human vision actually work and should the sights on our guns work with or against the natural tendencies of our eyes? Once more we are joined by our friend Louis Caras for a deep discussion about pistol sights. During our Tech Talk from EOTech Inc. Professor Paul considers the recent history of GWoT and how it affected and changed the firearms industry. Also, how did things change after GWoT? For this week's Coffee Corner Paul and Louis will consider the book, Guns of the Cold War. How did we move from the steel and hardwood firearms of WWII to the aluminum and polymer firearms that we have today?  Three Dot sights suck and here is why. Paul recently ruffled the feathers of soy-fed mangina taking up space in the gun community. It's not enough to understand that 3 Dot sights are pointless and stupid, we need to consider the actual science behind why they are such. TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: VUDU 3.5-18x50mm rifle scope www.shootingnewsweekly.com Coffee Corner - studentofthegun.com/blackout [Use Code: STUDT20] TOPIC: Guns of the Cold War www.ShopSOTG.com SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Human Vision and 3 Dot Sights www.shootingnewsweekly.com

Wanna hear the FULL Episode? Sign up for the Grad Program today! We once more welcome our good friend, Louis Caras, to discuss sights, training, handguns, recommended reading and much more. During our Tech Talk from EOTech Inc. we will consider both sights; good and bad as well as discussing a handgun that as many people seem to hate as they do love.  For our Coffee Corner from Blackout Coffee, Paul and Louis will examine the Thomas Cleary translation of the Book of Five Rings as well as the bonus material included in that book called "Family Traditions on the Art of War."  We have an SOTG Homeroom brought to you by www.SOTGU.com.  Having just come out of a full week training course entitled "No Games", Louis will tell us about what that training program entailed as well as some of the lessons learned from it. TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: One to argue about; SA XDM 3.8 www.shootingnewsweekly.com Coffee Corner - studentofthegun.com/blackout [Use Code: STUDT20] TOPIC: The Book of Five Rings & Family Traditions on the Art of War, Thomas Cleary SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Shoot, Move, Communicate article www.shootingnewsweekly.com

This week we have another special guest; Buel Collins, owner operator of www.Faktory47.com. Buel will join us to give an update on the company and assure you all that, yes, they are still in business. Mr. Collins sticks with us for the entire public show to discuss other matters. During our Tech Talk from EOTech Inc we will consider just how it is that we can realize the benefits of having an optic on a handgun or a rifle. Also, we discuss the importance of color choice. For our Coffee Corner segment from Blackout Coffee Paul and Buel will discuss the new "Book of Five Rings Study Guide" by Nicholas Orr. What can we take from this new work from our friend Nick?  Also, during our SOTG Homeroom from www.SOTGU.com the Professor and Mr. Collins will discuss shooting robots and how we can, and should, make an effort to NOT turn our students into reflexive shooting robots.  TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: How do you realize the true benefit of optics? Coffee Corner - studentofthegun.com/blackout [Use Code: STUDT20] TOPIC: Book of Five Rings Study Guide by Nic Orr https://amzn.to/3OqDym7 SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Building Shooting Robots – NOT! shoot-on.com

Wanna hear the FULL Episode? Sign up for the Grad Program today! During today's show we have Louis Caras as our special guest. Louis just participated in a training class entitled "Fight Like a Girl" and he will share with us what that entailed. Paul and Louis will trade stories about what it is like to be pepper sprayed which leads the Professor, a OC instructor, to discuss the pros and cons of that defensive tool.  For our Tech Talk from EOTech Inc. we will consider the magic circle or the donut of death and how the circle and/or dot reticle can make a difference in both optics that are designed for rifles and pistols.  Also, during this week's Coffee Corner, we have more hippo news. Yes, after decades of half-measures and liberal hand-wringing, the government of Columbia is finally having to make a hard choice regarding the spawn of Pablo Escobar's famous hippos. TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: The Magic Circle, Rifles and Pistols Coffee Corner - studentofthegun.com/blackout [Use Code: STUDT20] TOPIC: Colombia to euthanize dozens of "cocaine hippos" linked to drug lord Pablo Escobar in bid to control population www.cbsnews.com SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Carry Everywhere: Woman Shot After Kidnapping, Slashing Toddler in Omaha Walmart www.shootingnewsweekly.com

Wanna hear the FULL Episode? Sign up for the Grad Program today! Most service members have been denied their right to carry privately owned firearms on military bases until now. A landmark memorandum signed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth finally empowers troops to exercise their Second Amendment rights during off-duty hours, transforming military installation policies that treated soldiers like second-class citizens for decades. In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the profound implications of this policy change. Hear the inside story of how years of bureaucratic mindset have now shifted to favor personal protection for those who voluntarily serve our nation. We explore the deep-rooted issues of disarmament, officers' elitism, and the dangerous mentality that Army and Marine Corps troops cannot be trusted with firearms, an outdated outlook that still lingers in many ranks. Discover how the Department of Defense's internal culture has historically suppressed the individual's right to self-defense, and how the new memo aims to correct that injustice. TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: Ultimate Load Out www.eotechinc.com Coffee Corner - BlackoutCoffee.com TOPIC: Increase retention and recall of what you learn The Pizza Story: Colonel Robert K. Brown, Editor of Soldier of Fortune, and Dave Biggers SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Finally… Hegseth Authorizes Service Members To Carry Firearms on Base www.shootingnewsweekly.com

Wanna hear the FULL Episode? Sign up for the Grad Program today! Most firearms trainers emphasize shooting faster, but what if that very rush is what's killing your skills? In this eye-opening episode, Prof. Paul, Jarrad Markel, and Louis Caras crack open the myth that speed alone makes you effective under stress. They reveal that rushing your shot not only leads to bad habits but can directly cause negligent discharges and deadly mistakes. Discover why mindset, tactical awareness, and deliberate skill-building outweigh mere speed. Learn how the brain perceives time differently in high-pressure moments and why training your body to automate actions is crucial for survival. The guys break down the hidden dangers of focusing on shot times and how to develop true decision-making 'white space', the mental bandwidth vital for shooting accurately when it counts. You'll explore practical tactics for retaining knowledge, confronting bad training habits, and using pressure tests, force-on-force drills, and cue-based instruction to elevate your performance. Plus, get an inside look at the latest optics innovations, like the new EOTech EFLX CE, and how to zero your sight for real-world use. TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Blackout Coffee Louis Caras joins us today! EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: Circle vs Dot? Coffee Corner - studentofthegun.com/blackout [Use Code: STUDT20] TOPIC: New Book Release: Book of Five Rings Study Guide from Nic Orr SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Speed Kills; Think before you shoot shoot-on.com