Episode 634: Black Friday Hauls, 10/22 Builds, and the “14 SKS” Myth

This week on Slam Fire Radio, the hosts recover from their Black Friday spending sprees and dive into winter projects. Tony is deep into the weeds of 10/22 customization, comparing receiver options and dealing with stiff charging handles. Kyle reviews his massive haul of parts, including a PSA upper and a new carbon fiber handguard, while recapping a malfunction-heavy shotgun match.

In the main topic, Dustin shares a frustrating correspondence with his MP regarding the Liberal “buyback” program, dissecting the government’s misleading use of the word “voluntary” versus “mandatory”. The crew also roasts a recent government report claiming there are only 14 SKS rifles in all of Canada.

Episode Highlights:

  • What We Did in Guns:
    • Tony: Cooking deer stew, sourcing parts for a 10/22 race gun build (including an SBI receiver), and picking up a stock 10/22 for parts.
    • Kyle: An update on the Timney Calvin Elite trigger redesign, reviewing a PSA stainless upper, and testing a new 360-degree camera for match footage.
    • Dustin: Celebrating a birthday with laser tag and discussing firearms props for a TV show table read.

  • Politics & Rants:
    • Dustin breaks down an email response from his MP’s office, highlighting the linguistic gymnastics used to describe the confiscation program.
    • The “Nation Building” argument: How destroying the firearms industry hurts the Canadian economy.
    • The absurdity of the government’s “14 SKS” registry statistic.

  • News & Gear:
    • Lockhart 15 barrels for sale and the Taylor & Co 9mm Lever Action restock.
    • Updates to the Sulun shorty shotgun line (SS-214).
    • Deals on surplus poncho liners and upcoming match announcements.

  • Listener Feedback: Discussion on budget competition gear, using neoprene slings, and drone defense shotguns.

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Episode 633 – Black Friday Deals 2025

In this episode, the hosts (Dustin, Adriel, and Kyle) kick off with what they’ve been doing in guns—mostly Black Friday shopping, building rifles, and hunting.

Topics Covered

1. Black Friday Purchases & Rifle Builds

  • Kyle did a lot of spending: JP ultralight BCG, Smoke Composites carbon handguard, XLR buttstock, Brownells uppers, RifleSpeed gas block, lots of small AR parts, flats of shotgun slugs, and a batch of Timney triggers/safeties for upcoming rifle builds.
  • Adriel continues hunting every weekend, bought a muzzleloader, primers, a Glock 17 slide (to compete in Production), and various surplus parts. Debates which red dot to mount on his pistols.
  • He also bought a Chiappa .22 lever gun with a birds-head grip, mostly as a fun toy.
  • Discussions about optics for Mystery Mountain, pros/cons of Aimpoint Pro vs. Holosun with hold-over dots.

2. Hunting Stories

  • Dustin went on a hunting trip with a coworker’s brother. Didn’t get a deer but enjoyed the camping, fire, and being outside.
  • Lots of talk about working long hours and getting ready for a TV series where he’ll be doing gun-related props work.

3. Match & Build Logistics

  • A debate about multiple competitors sharing a single rifle at a major match—consensus: two people is manageable, three is a nightmare due to heat, reliability, timing, and ammo matching.

4. Upcoming Events

  • A late-season Maple Seed event in BC.
  • Adriel running an evening PAL course.
  • Winter hiatus for most three-gun matches.

5. News

Several firearm-related news items:

  • A hunter shot a deer wearing a GPS collar… the battery exploded.
  • Canada’s “volunteer force” plan as a way to pad NATO spending numbers.
  • Federal gun buyback delays and speculation about why (possible contractor or political issues).
  • Saskatchewan and Alberta still refusing to authorize federal confiscation.
  • More SIG P320 accidental discharge incidents.
  • High-fence hunts potentially coming to Alberta.

6. New Gun Stuff

A huge list of new or unusual guns and gear:

  • Vortex Race Sport rings.
  • Tactical Imports’ wild revolver-carbines (short-barreled .45 versions and longer models).
  • MDT’s “Hand Cannon” rubber-band launcher chassis (yes, really).
  • Short-barreled Turkish M4-style shotguns.
  • The Benelli “AI Drone Guardian” shotgun (marketed as anti-drone—mostly hype).
  • British side-by-side shotguns.
  • Bullpup chassis for bolt guns.
  • Blue composite 10/22 chassis.

7. Black Friday Deals

A long rundown of sales across Canadian retailers:

  • Cheap lever .22s.
  • Shooting mats.
  • Budget semiauto .22s.
  • Very cheap pump shotguns.
  • Charles Daly, Stevens, Durya shotguns.
  • Clearance surplus rifles and shotguns.
  • Discounts on Vortex optics, Holosun red dots, Remington 700s, Ruger 10/22s, primers, etc.

Overall Tone

A casual, humorous episode packed with:

  • Gear talk
  • Hunting stories
  • Political commentary
  • Black Friday gun deals
  • Wild, oddball firearms
  • Friendly ribbing among the hosts

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Episode 632 – Hunting Rifle Rests

Adriel, Tony, Kyle, and Dustin are on to talk about hunting rifle rests. Monopods, bipods, tripods, quadpods, shooting sticks, trigger sticks, and more. The team plans for Shot Show 2026, Dustin talks about working the CCFR table, Kyle’s debating a 2011, and Adriel buys a muzzleloader that Tony was looking at.

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Episode 630 – Taylor Reich, IPSC Pistol World Shoot in South Africa

Tony, Adriel, and Dustin are joined by Team Canada pistol shooter Taylor Reich to discuss the ISPC Pistol World Shoot 2025 that was put on in South Africa. We talk about the stages, competition, enduring the marathon, and dealing with “TIA”.

Follow Taylor on Instagram @the.albertan.

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Episode 629 – Adam Riser from On the Perf

Dustin, Kyle, and Tony are joined by Adam Riser from On the Perf Podcast. They talk 3 gun, Hodgdon’s new load development service, sighting in for hunting, Shot Show 2026, the new Valor holster and more.

Listen to the On the Perf podcast on

  • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-perf/id1782567618
  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1mU1Y1UdYVR1eKualcLljY

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A Canadian Firearms Podcast