Episode 650 – Texas 3-Gun, USPSA Nationals & That Antler Grind Smell

In this episode of Slam Fire Radio, the crew is back with a mix of competition talk, range stories, and the kind of behind-the-scenes chaos you’d expect—starting with the unmistakable smell of freshly ground antler.

Kyle just got back from the Texas 3-Gun Championship near Austin and breaks down the match, weather conditions, stage design, and overall experience shooting in hill country. He also talks about locking in his registration for USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals and what he’s expecting heading into the season.

The hosts dive into what they’ve been up to in shooting sports, including gear, travel, and the realities of balancing competition with real life (and maybe a donut stop or two). As always, it’s a mix of practical shooting insights, laid-back banter, and a few laughs along the way.

If you’re into 3-gun, USPSA, or just enjoy hearing about real-world match experiences, this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:

  • Texas 3-Gun Championship recap
  • USPSA Nationals registration
  • Match conditions and weather challenges
  • Travel and competition logistics
  • What we’ve been doing in guns

Episode 649: Are We F***ed?

In this episode, the crew covers competition shooting, gear updates, industry news, and a deep discussion on the current direction of Canadian firearms policy. It is a mix of practical shooting talk and serious concerns about what may be coming next.

What We Did in Guns

  • Sherwood Park 3-Gun match recap
  • Texas 3-Gun preparation with backup rifle decisions and gear issues
  • Reloading updates, including a Hornady ammo plant win and .45-70 considerations
  • Gun room builds and workspace upgrades
  • Rimfire setups, optics adjustments, and shotgun gear experimentation
  • Trapdoor Springfield purchase and discussion on safe loading practices

Canadian Gun Politics

  • Floor crossing by a Conservative MP and implications for gun owners
  • Discussion on potential future bans, including the SKS
  • Supreme Court developments and the possibility of an injunction
  • Media narratives around confiscation and public perception
  • Predictions on where policy may go over the next few years

Industry and Gear News

  • Black Creek Labs reportedly acquired by Next Dynamics
  • Shadow Systems entering the AR market
  • Sierra bullet line rebranding and naming changes
  • Review of MDT Oryx bipod and mounting system
  • New revolving carbine platforms in .45 Colt and .410
  • Lee Precision expanding Load-All presses to include .410 and 28 gauge

Episode 648 – Media Spin, Gun Confiscation Fallout & Gear Talk from the Range

In this April 1st episode of Slam Fire Radio, Tony, Dustin, and Kyle dive into a packed week of shooting, gear testing, and the fallout from Canada’s firearm confiscation program deadline.

Tony breaks down his recent appearance on CBC, including how media editing can shape narratives and how community pushback actually forced corrections.

The team also digs into the final declaration numbers, what they really mean, and why the government’s messaging doesn’t quite line up with reality.

On the range side, Tony tests different ammo through his M1 Garand, while Dustin experiments with optics, chronographs, and a restored Eaton’s Ranger rifle. There’s also plenty of discussion on reloading challenges, shotgun upgrades, and budget vs modern optics.

Plus:

  • The truth behind “136,000 guns” and other government claims
  • Why media framing matters and how listeners can push back
  • New rifle procurement for the Canadian military (and the eye-watering price tag)
  • Upcoming matches, events, and training across Canada
  • Listener questions on lever guns for hunting
  • Gear talk: optics, stocks, ammo, and more

Whether you’re into competitive shooting, hunting, or just keeping up with Canadian firearms news, this episode covers it all with the usual mix of insight and chaos.

What We Talked About

  • CBC interview experience and media editing realities
  • Firearm confiscation program results and analysis
  • Government and media narratives vs actual data
  • Reloading fixes and chronograph testing
  • Optics discussion: budget vs modern features
  • Shotgun upgrades and competition gear
  • Canadian military rifle replacement program
  • Upcoming matches (3-Gun, Steel Challenge, Maple Seed)
  • Listener Q&A: best lever-action for whitetail

Episode 647 – Mystery Mountain 3-Gun & The Last Week of the Confiscation Declaration

Episode Summary

This week, the crew covers the trip to Arizona for the massive Mystery Mountain 3-Gun match, including travel logistics, gear setups, and how Canadian shooters stack up against top U.S. competitors. Back home, the team discusses reloading projects, range time, and the latest developments in Canada’s ongoing firearm confiscation efforts—plus a major update as the Supreme Court agrees to hear the challenge.

What We Did in Guns

  • Reloading projects and experimenting with .303 and alternative bullet options
  • Precision rifle builds and gear upgrades
  • Studio and filming setup improvements for YouTube content
  • Range days, club involvement, and new shooter outreach
  • Toronto Sportsman Show recap and community engagement

Mystery Mountain 3-Gun Match Recap

  • First-time experience traveling to the U.S. with firearms
  • Border crossing tips (Form 6, ATT, documentation)
  • Match scale: ~360+ competitors
  • Stage design: technical, movement-heavy, execution-focused
  • Extreme heat (40°C) and its impact on performance
  • Gear breakdown:
    • Handgun, shotgun, and rifle setups
    • Magazine capacity differences vs Canada
    • Lessons learned on belt setup and equipment
  • Match performance:
    • Adriel places 3rd in Limited Division
    • Close margins and key mistakes that made the difference
  • Total trip cost breakdown (~$2700 CAD all-in)
  • What to improve for next year

Gear & Builds

  • Savage Model 12 FV precision rifle pickup
  • Rimfire accessories and loaders (Speed Beez vs others)
  • AR builds and tuning challenges (gas systems, reliability issues)
  • Shotgun upgrades and high-capacity magazine discussion
  • The never-ending pursuit of “perfect” competition gear

Lessons Learned

  • Importance of stage planning vs “gaming”
  • Why reliability beats optimization
  • Heat, hydration, and gear prep matter more than you think
  • Don’t cheap out on prep—or overcomplicate your setup

Canadian Firearms News

  • Final phase of the firearm confiscation declaration approaching
  • Community concerns and uncertainty
  • Supreme Court agrees to hear the challenge
    • Potential implications for OIC use
    • Possible timelines (18–24 months)
    • What it could mean for gun owners

Episode 645 – Noah Schwartz: The Truth About Canadian Gun Politics

In this episode of Slam Fire Radio, the hosts sit down with political scientist Dr. Noah Schwartz, author of Targeted, to talk about the realities of gun ownership and gun policy in Canada.

  • 00:00 Intro
  • 00:39 What we did in guns
  • 26:42 Upcoming Events
  • 38:28 New Gun stuff
  • 46:04 Main Topic- Noah Schwartz
  • 1:23:21 Listener Feedback

Schwartz, a professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, joins the show to discuss his new research into Canada’s gun community and the political forces that shape firearm legislation. Drawing from nearly 100 interviews with gun owners across the country, he explains why Canadian gun culture is fundamentally different from that of the United States, and why those differences are often misunderstood by the media, policymakers, and the public.

The conversation explores:

  • Why Canadians own firearms—and how those reasons differ from Americans
  • The role of hunting, sport shooting, and community in Canadian gun culture
  • Misconceptions about gun ownership and licensing in Canada
  • The evidence (or lack of it) behind recent firearm policies
  • Why storytelling—not statistics—is often the most powerful way to change minds

Schwartz also shares insights from his academic research into recent government gun control measures, what the data actually says about their effectiveness, and why the debate around firearms in Canada is often driven more by politics than evidence.

Whether you’re a firearms owner, policy watcher, or just curious about how gun politics really work in Canada, this episode offers a thoughtful and data-driven look at a topic that’s often misunderstood.

Episode 644 Quebec Stands Up: Inside the Gun Confiscation Protest with Tracey Wilson & Sophie Belen

In this episode, we’re joined by Tracey Wilson and Sophie Belen from the CCFR to break down the massive Quebec City protest against the federal gun confiscation program.

With thousands of Canadians rallying in freezing rain outside the National Assembly, we discuss how the protest came together, why Quebec became the focal point of resistance, and what impact the rally is already having on municipalities and provincial leaders. Sophie shares her firsthand experience organizing the event and confronting hostile media coverage, while Tracey explains why political pressure from everyday Canadians is forcing officials to walk back their positions.

We also dive into:

  • How the Quebec government is distancing itself from federal confiscation efforts
  • Why municipalities are refusing to participate in the buyback
  • The role of public pressure in changing political narratives
  • Media bias, misinformation, and standing your ground
  • What’s next for the movement across Canada

This is an inside look at one of the largest firearm rights protests in Canadian history—and why organizers believe Quebec could be where this policy finally collapses.

Episode 643 – The Tony Show

This week, Tony hijacks the show and runs a mostly solo episode, starting with listener feedback before diving into gunsmithing projects, Canadian firearms news, upcoming events, and a huge batch of new gun gear and sales.

Listener Feedback

  • Discussion on CZ and their stance on the confiscation program
  • Semi-auto shotgun inertia systems and stock weights
  • Philosophical debate: does buying guns fill the hole in your soul?
  • PRS rifle weight limits and modular handguards
  • Follow-up to Lawrence’s hunting rifle question: .308 vs 6.5 Creedmoor vs .30-06
  • Ethical hunting distances and recoil comparisons
  • Copper vs lead hunting projectiles

What We Did in Guns

  • Troubleshooting a pistol optic that won’t hold zero
  • Adapter plates, screw length, and threadlocker application
  • Cleaning Loctite residue (spoiler: acetone didn’t help much)
  • Installing a Magpul extended magazine release
  • Torque specs (or lack thereof) and tool frustrations
  • General cleaning and prep during “gunsmithing weekend”

Upcoming Events

  • HGG Farm Training PAL courses (Sherwood Park)
  • 3gun.ca match schedule
  • Maple Seed events still pending — call your range board!

New

  • Assault-Style Firearm Compensation Program issues for deployed CAF members
  • Reports of PAL renewals being blocked without buyback declarations
  • West Virginia proposing state-run machine gun sales
  • YouTube pulling competition-related firearm content
  • BC political comments blaming international students for shootings

Club & Match Talk

  • Kyle remains club president (whether he likes it or not)
  • Ideas for growing club membership and outreach
  • Match performance struggles and classifier woes
  • Trigger freeze and gear differences between platforms
  • VR training space needs (10×10 minimum!)

New Gun Stuff

  • Tactical Imports TR-4 revolver “rifle”
  • Canuck/O’Dell Engineering expanding into .30-30 lever guns
  • Turkish O/U shotgun deals with free ammo
  • Mossberg shotgun and rifle sales
  • Hi-Point Homesteader PCC availability
  • Wheeler/Caldwell armorer tool kits
  • Lead-free shotgun slugs
  • Lever-action shotguns
  • Bass Pro/Cabela’s deals
  • Costco now selling rifle cases

Listener Emails

  • Fixing last episode’s left-channel-only audio
  • Mark from Manitoba shares how he stacked gift card promos and discounts to score a Stoeger Condor O/U at a massive savings — and how it’s holding up after 750+ rounds

Final Thoughts

A chaotic but packed episode covering:

  • Gun politics
  • Gear failures and fixes
  • Match shooting realities
  • Canadian market weirdness
  • Listener wins
  • And a whole lot of Turkish shotguns

Episode 642 (Fixed Audio): Antique Shotguns, New Gear, and What Our Listeners Actually Bought

In Episode 642 of Slam Fire Radio, the crew is back with travel stories, winter woes, and a jam-packed show covering everything from antique firearms to modern gear and ammo deals.

Adriel shares updates from recent PAL and RPAL courses, range time with new shooters, and his latest firearm pickups including Turkish lever actions and several unusual and historic shotguns. The hosts break down what makes these old guns interesting (and sometimes sketchy), plus what’s involved in keeping them safe and usable.

Tony dives into reloading tips, including better ways to use Lee resizing lubricant, and answers questions about PAL renewals without retaking the course.

The team also covers upcoming matches and training events, plus a quick hit of Canadian firearms and political news.

In this episode:

  • Rare and antique shotgun finds PAL & RPAL training updates
  • Glock clone troubleshooting
  • Reloading tips and case lube hacks
  • CCFR “Raining Guns” fundraiser
  • New shotgun models and gear
  • Ammo and surplus rifle deals
  • Binoculars, muzzle brakes, and magazine sales
  • What listeners bought using the show’s sponsor links
  • Listener emails: first hunting rifle advice & upgraded shotgun light review

Send your questions to slamfireradio@gmail.com Listen on your favorite podcast app Support Canadian firearms advocacy and training

Episode 641 – Behind the Scenes, Gear Updates & Canadian Firearms News

In this episode, the Slam Fire Radio crew catches up on a busy week in guns, gear, and politics.

Dustin kicks things off with a behind-the-scenes look at his recent work in film and television firearms training, including blank-fire sessions with actors, first-time shooters, and even a machine gun “maiden voyage” for the season. He also shares his experience meeting with his MP and the frustration of trying to get clear answers on firearms policy.

Kyle updates listeners on new gear arrivals, including a Real Avid barrel nut tool kit, MDT slingshot, and new Savior rifle bags that impress with their slim profile and storage capacity. He also discusses upcoming match prep and the growing pressure on gun owners in New Mexico as new semi-auto legislation advances.

Tony reports in from BC after visiting Italian Sporting Goods, picking up discounted parts and brass, and testing equipment at a recent Steel Challenge match. He also talks about optic mounting issues, reload experiments, and returning to competition shooting.

The hosts then run through upcoming training courses and matches across Canada before diving into the news. Topics include:

  • Lockhart Tactical cancelling plans for a semi-auto MRA conversion
  • Alberta’s CFO pushing back on the federal buyback program
  • Government redactions released through Access to Information requests
  • A data breach affecting millions of Canadian firearms license holders
  • Evidence of Gen 6 Glocks appearing in Canadian crime scenes
  • Ongoing U.S. legislative battles over semi-automatic rifle bans

The episode closes with discussion around the tragic mass shooting in northern BC, the failures in mental health intervention, and concerns over how future policy responses may unfold.

A wide-ranging episode covering training, equipment, competition, and the evolving political landscape for firearms owners in Canada and beyond.

A Canadian Firearms Podcast