Recorded live on February 4, 2026, the “Ontario Crew” (Kelly and Dave) reunites with Adriel, Tony, and Dustin for a packed Episode 640. The team catches up on a long hiatus, sharing hunting success stories, technical gear headaches, and the evolving landscape of Canadian firearms advocacy.
What We Did in Guns
Adriel’s Range Day: Convinced his wife to shoot for the first time in a decade; she favored the semi-auto .22.
The Glock Headache: Adriel diagnosed reliability issues with an optics-ready slide, discovering he had used screws that were too long, interfering with the extractor.
Dave’s First Deer: After seven years of hunting, Dave harvested his first deer (a spike horn) using a Lee-Enfield with iron sights.
Tony’s DIY Grip: Experimented with 3M Safety Walk tape as a rubberized, less abrasive alternative to skateboard tape for handgun frames.
Kelly’s “Core” Training: Assisted correctional officer recruits with pistol drills to help them qualify for their service requirements.
The News Desk
RCMP Inventory Issues: Discussion on the Halifax RCMP losing service carbines for three months, only to find them at the wrong detachment.
FRT Prohibitions: The Charles Daly N-Force G-III bullpup shotgun has been moved to the prohibited list as a “variant”.
The “Buyback” Stall: The hosts analyze the latest federal confiscation numbers, noting that declarations seem to have plateaued around 20,000–25,000 firearms.
Political Shifts: Discussion on the Conservative leadership review and the NDP’s shifting (and often confusing) stance on firearms policy.
Gear & Tech
Vortex “Relay” & GeoBallistics: Tony breaks down the new Vortex ecosystem, including the ACE Ballistic Weather Meter and the integration of GeoBallistics software for long-range shooters.
Stock Swap Woes: Dave warns about the different versions of the Magpul Hunter stock for the Ruger American, noting that the AICS version does not always play nice with Magpul’s own PMAGs in certain configurations.
Community & Advocacy
She Shoots Update: Kelly announces that the “She Shoots” podcast is now an independent entity, no longer under the CUSF banner, and is launching its own YouTube channel.
MP Outreach: Dustin shares his strategy for an upcoming meeting with his Member of Parliament to discuss the financial and social impact of recent firearms bans.
The hosts—Adriel, Kyle, Dustin, and Tony—return from SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas to discuss the latest industry trends, their range day experiences, and the unfolding situation regarding the Canadian firearms “buyback” (confiscation) program.
SHOT Show 2026 Highlights
Range Day Experience: The crew attended the Staccato Range Day, testing Staccato’s, full auto rifles and shotguns, and suppressed everything.
Standout Gear & Firearms:
Suppressed M2 .50 Cal: Tony got to see a full-auto, suppressed, belt-fed M2.
Briley Shot Shell Caddies: Adriel showcased magnetic caddies designed for quad-loading.
Vortex Defender CCW: Tony discussed using the 6 MOA dot on an RMR footprint.
Savior Equipment: Kyle scored a new 3-liter/5-liter sling bag and discussed their Friday floor deals.
Core Essentials: A new competition belt system featuring a ratcheting inner belt and a V-mount style holster release was highlighted.
Applied Ballistics Quantum App: Discussion on new binoculars that communicate with teammate wrist pads and Kestrels to sync match data and mover timings.
Canadian Firearms News
CCFR’s “It’s raining guns” Giveaway: The Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights is giving away 100 guns (valued at $90,000) to raise funds for legal and advocacy efforts.
The “Buyback” Program: The federal government’s gun confiscation compensation program went live recently. The hosts noted that only 22,000 firearms have been declared so far out of an estimated 1 to 2 million prohibited items.
Jurisdictional Resistance:
Participating: Currently, only Quebec, Winnipeg, and Halifax are actively partaking.
Refusals: Alberta and Saskatchewan are actively opposing the program, while various other provinces (Yukon, Manitoba, NWT, Newfoundland) and major police forces (OPP, Toronto Police) have stated they will not participate.
Political Commentary: The hosts discuss that the program is politically motivated to secure votes in Quebec and may not change with a lead into a spring election.
Listener Questions & Gear Talk
First Rifle Debate: A discussion on the TM-22 versus the classic Ruger 10/22 for new shooters.
Derya 9mm: The hosts expressed interest in the new Derya 9mm bolt and pump-action firearms seen at the show.
Holster Concerns: A brief debate on the safety and utility of speed/race holsters versus traditional locking holsters for competition.
The team gears up for SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas!
This episode covers the hosts’ recent range trips, a DIY vintage rifle restoration, and a deep dive into the newest gun industry announcements leading up to the world’s largest shooting sports trade show.
What We Did in Guns
Adriel’s Restoration: Adriel shares his progress on restoring two .22 rifles: an Eaton’s Ranger and a Mossberg 36C. He details using a PVC tube with rust remover to un-seize a frozen bolt and his plans for a boiled linseed oil finish on the stocks.
Tony’s Match Struggles: Tony discusses recent issues with his ST-22 at a match, including slam fires and extraction failures. He also shares his experiences testing Sierra bullets and their seating depth.
Kyle’s SHOT Prep: Kyle focuses on dry fire practice and technical preparation for Las Vegas, including a new Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 lens for better video coverage.
Industry News & Canadian Updates
RCMP License Oddities: Adriel discusses how the RCMP may be swapping out the old purple licenses for blue ones, even before they expire.
Buyback Program Discrepancies: Tony highlights a “bait and switch” regarding the federal buyback pilot program in Cape Breton, where some participants reported receiving less compensation than expected for lower receivers.
Distributor Changes:Odell Engineering (Canucks) has ended its 10-year partnership with Derya Arms.
Expansion:Korth Group is reportedly expanding its distribution presence into Eastern Canada.
SHOT Show 2026 Sneak Peek
The hosts discuss several new products they plan to investigate on the show floor:
Ruger: The “New” 10/22 featuring a BX trigger, M-LOK slots, and a match bolt release.
Palmetto State Armory (PSA): Updates on the Saber bolt gun, the modular shotgun, and the .50 cal project (which may be on hold due to ammo costs).
Vortex: The high-end, compact Razor Gen III 1-10x LPVO (codename “Eleanor”) built for the British Royal Marines.
Holosun: A new optic featuring built-in IR/Visible lasers and target-based brightness sensors.
In this episode, the hosts reflect on their achievements over the past year and lay out their ambitious plans for the future of the show and their personal hunting goals.
2025 Year in Review
The team looks back at a successful year marked by consistency and growth:
Production Milestones: The show successfully maintained its weekly schedule, releasing 50-ish episodes in 2025.
Audience Growth: The podcast saw a significant increase in downloads and overall reach.
Matches: the hosts shot at many shooting competitions
Hunting Success: The hosts celebrated a productive hunting season
Goals for 2026
The hosts outline several key objectives for the upcoming year:
Expanded Content: Plans are in motion to increase video content production and improve the quality of their YouTube presence.
New Hunting Frontiers: The team aims to explore new hunting territories and pursue different species, including a planned moose hunt.
Community Engagement: A major focus for 2026 is to increase interaction with the audience through more live streams and listener-driven segments.
Personal Development: Individual goals include refining long-range shooting skills and improving physical fitness for backcountry excursions.
The Vision Ahead
The episode concludes with a commitment to providing high-quality, authentic content for the Canadian firearms and hunting community, emphasizing the importance of setting clear, actionable goals.
Adriel’s 2025 targets:
50-ish podcasts
Actual 45-47?
500 students PAL/RPAL
Actual: 331 (plus a bunch I helped at)
10-ish Mapleseeds
Actual: 8
6-ish 3 gun matches
Actual: 5
20 YT videos
Actual: 56
10 articles if that
Actual: 45 (about 5 in draft)
Vote in a federal election (DISAPPOINTED!)
Adriel’s 2026 targets:
45ish podcasts
400 students PAL/RPAL
Strat: more PAL than RPAL, remote communities, trying to find a more local spot to teach
8-ish Mapleseeds
4-ish 3 gun matches (4 majors): including 1 in the US, BOA, Rimfire Madness, MP3G
50 YT videos
40 articles
Mentor more new hunters (some AHEIA, some on my own)
Kyle’s 2025 goals:
6 majors
Dry fire once per week
Earn a spot on team USA for shotgun to go to world’s
Make Class A with Pistol and PCC
Do much better with content creation like at Shot Show
Kyle’s 2026 goals:
Assemble a bunch of AR’s for Canadians
Be the exclusive arms supplier for temporary Americans (Canadians)
6 majors
Break through the 60% of division plateau
Better with the content creation
6 videos (1 for each major)
4 gear reviews
Post 50 posts to Instagram
Dustin’s goals for 2025:
30 podcasts
Make 4-6 videos for the ccfr
Launch one of my YT projects (probably gonna be the political one)
Distribute double the amount of flyers for the ccfr election push
Shoot 5 – 3 gun matches
Explore getting my PAL/RPAL instructor Certification
Make sure at least 5 of our new MPs know my name after the election
Shoot my AR15… in the bush legally? Stay tuned!
Buy a Sig 320 FLUX legion
Start an ammo business, move to america, freedom!
Dustin’s Goals for 2026:
40 Podcasts
Do some work on shorter Slamfire video content
Shame my MP
Shoot more 3 gun matches then last year
Actually launch the first video that youtube project – just start doing it dummy
In this year-end episode of Slam Fire Radio, recorded on December 17, 2025, hosts Adriel, Kyle, Tony, and Dustin gather for a final 2025 recap and a look at the uncertain future of Canadian firearms legislation
The crew balances holiday cheer with technical talk, range reports, and a deep dive into international “gun ban” trends following recent events in Australia
Inside the Episode
Guns in the Wild: The hosts share their recent experiences, from Adriel’s struggle with a finicky new Glock slide and a loud Savage 11 Scout to Tony’s hunt for Remington 597 magazines. Dustin also shares his ongoing battle with the CFO to certify a temporary storage space for a film production.
The Main Topic – Speculation & Trends: Following a high-profile shooting in Australia, the team discusses the likelihood of even stricter bans overseas and how those might influence Canadian policy. They speculate on whether straight-pull rifles, pump shotguns, or magazine capacities for bolt-action rifles will be the next targets for domestic legislation.
The “Buyback” Reality: The team reviews a story from a pilot program participant who received significantly less compensation than promised for his lower receivers, highlighting the frustrations and lack of transparency in the current government program.
Gear & Tech: A look at Real Avid tools on sale at Bass Pro, the merits of stainless steel muzzleloaders for easy cleaning, and Dustin’s new obsession with the Mantis X10 Elite dry-fire system.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The show wraps up with a round of heartfelt shout-outs to the listeners who have stuck by the community through a year of legal and political “punches”. The hosts look forward to seeing each other—and some of you—at SHOT Show in January.
In this episode, the crew catches up on a busy week of gun builds, new jobs in the film industry, and competition results. They break down the latest firearms news, including the Firearms Advisory Panel report, and wrap up with a discussion on what they hope to find under the Christmas tree this year.
1. What We Did in Guns
Kyle’s Shopping Spree: Kyle is in full “hoarder” mode, receiving shipments from Timney, an Aero upper, and a JP ultra-low mass bolt carrier. He also picked up Briley chokes and a belt, Sidio cases for mag storage, and found a military surplus Pelican case capable of holding 12 rifles.
Tony’s Competition & Build: Tony placed 2nd overall at the BTSA Dynamic Shotgun Challenge using his Winchester SXP. He is currently struggling through a 10/22 build that is suffering from light strikes and slam fires. On a positive note, his CWD results for his deer came back negative.
Dustin’s Work: Dustin officially started his new role, giving firearms presentations to production executives. He imported high-end airsoft gas guns from Japan and got to handle a “unicorn” prop gun from the movie Deep Rising: a Calico modified with a functional spinning barrel mechanism.
Adriel’s Inventory Update: Adriel bought a Federation Firearms “Daria” over/under, a BCL MRX Bronco, and a Charles Daly tactical pump. He continues to teach sold-out PAL courses.
2. News & Current Events
Firearms Advisory Panel: The re-established panel released a report recommending bans on all semi-automatic shotguns and rifles with detachable magazines, citing them as “bad” based on Liberal definitions.
Municipal Victory: Charlottetown Council voted unanimously against participating in the federal firearms confiscation program.
Hunting Controversy: TJ Schwanky (Outdoor Quest TV) faced backlash for taking a whitetail deer with a .223, sparking a conversation about caliber ethics and infighting within the community.
Product Announcements:
PSA: Teased a lower kit for the Jackal bullpup.
Glock Gen 6: Announced with no MOS system, new barrel fitment (incompatible with previous gens), and a flat-faced trigger.
True North Arms: Releasing “D-grade” cast aluminum chassis for the SKS.
3. Main Topic: Christmas Wishlists
The hosts discuss their personal wishlists and give gift recommendations for gun owners.
Dustin: A spring election, a Mare’s Leg lever action, or the Deep Rising Calico prop gun.
Tony: A spring election, a TRP 1911, or an Atlas pistol.
Kyle: A receiver set and more parts for his builds.
Range Gear: Savior Equipment range bags, chamber flags, and bore lights.
Ammo: A brick of .22LR (federal auto match recommended).
Accessories: Shooting rests (e.g., Lead Sled), clay throwers, and extra magazines.
4. Listener Feedback
Eddie: Provided tips on stacking ammo rebates and suggested a Timney trigger for Tony’s troubled 10/22 build.
Aiden: Emailed regarding political strategy, suggesting support for the gun industry be framed as meeting NATO commitments and following the Swiss/Finnish models of civilian marksmanship.
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.
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).
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.
