Episodes

  • Why Do We Still Love 1911s?

    Why Do We Still Love 1911s?
    Feb 12 2026
    On this episode of the 2nd Best Gun Podcast, Alexander and Chris hash it out over John Browning's most recognizable creation, the 1911 Government Model and its descendants.Few handguns have garnered as much interest in the firearms community, and the guys try to figure out the factors behind their longevity and reputation. This one goes long, guys, touching almost 45 minutes, so clear some space, it's worth it.

    Here are a few timestamps if you want to skip ahead.

    00:20 The All-American Handgun (back-to-back world war champ)
    01:40 The Davinci of gun design (or maybe Gretzky)
    03:50 What makes it so special?
    05:20 So that's what that loop is for!
    07:30 It even has an air-to-air kill (possibly).
    08:50 GWOT 1911 rebuilds
    13:20 Railguns and keeping it new
    15:10 10 mike-mike makes it magic (and don't forget .38 Super)
    17:40 And, yes, for some reason, they make it in 9mm as well.
    19:20 Give me what you love about the 1911
    21:20 Can we give it up for Para-Ordnance, man?
    22:50 Giving up trigger crisp for drop safety
    25:50 The competition shooters of the 1980s are the brands of today
    31:10 What is the 3011 going to look like?
    34:01 Favorite 1911s today
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    43 mins
  • Vaporware Guns

    Vaporware Guns
    Feb 5 2026
    Chris and Alexander have covered lots of ground when it comes to gun lore over the past few years, and on this episode of the 2nd Best Gun Podcast, they talk about guns that should have been. Vaporware is a term borrowed from the computer industry for a product that has been advertised but either never made it past the concept phase or is still somehow "coming soon" even years later. We know a bunch of guns like that.

    Here are some timestamps if you want to jump ahead:

    01:04 Teddy Roosevelt and M1903 suppressors.02:40 Alex pines for the AN-94 (yup, his commie gun obsession shines through early).
    04:05 Stoner 63 and StG-44 Sporters (and good American AKs).
    08:30 Magpul, quit playing with our emotions, man. We're fragile. (The FDP is now shipping, tho).
    15:40 Kraut space magik.
    17:20 Gyrojets, the Dardick, and the unobtanium WA2000.
    18:30 Please make the Bushmaster Arm Pistol work.
    19:40 Can we get a Sedgley Glove Gun? Fedorov Avtomat? FG-42? New SVT?
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    22 mins
  • SHOT Show 2026: Day 3

    SHOT Show 2026: Day 3
    Jan 23 2026
    With bags packed, tired feet, and full hearts, the Guns.com crew hung around to bring you one last podcast episode from SHOT Show 2026. The guys hit the ground running for Industry Day at the Range on Monday and haven't stopped since, so there's lots to recap from their adventures in Vegas. It's a good Friday evening to take it easy and hear about what's new in the gun world, so get comfortable and tune in as we wrap up a hectic and exciting week. We still have lots more post-event coverage to come, so don't forget to check in with Guns.com next week for the latest firearms news.
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    25 mins
  • SHOT Show 2026: Day 2

    SHOT Show 2026: Day 2
    Jan 22 2026
    The Guns.com gang is back on the airwaves, a little the worse for wear a few days into SHOT Show 2026 coverage, but nonetheless excited to share more discoveries from the show floor. Alexander and Chris give a rundown of their favorite products they found yesterday, and (spoiler alert) Flux Defense features prominently in this episode. There's still more to come, so stay tuned for tomorrow's episode as the guys wrap up the week in Vegas with their final reflections on the big event.
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    19 mins
  • SHOT Show 2026: Day 1

    SHOT Show 2026: Day 1
    Jan 21 2026
    Alexander and Chris are back with our second daily dispatch from SHOT Show 2026, bringing you the hot goss on the latest and greatest finds from the show floor. If you're interested in combating drones, sick AK builds, and SCAR suppressors ... stay tuned. From the big new releases to surprise finds, the Guns.com crew has everything you need to know from SHOT, so kick back with a cold – or hot – one and enjoy the show.
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    16 mins
  • SHOT Show 2026: Range Day Recap

    SHOT Show 2026: Range Day Recap
    Jan 20 2026
    The Guns.com crew laid hands on a lot of new guns at the SHOT Show 2026 Industry Range Day on Monday, and Alex and Chris are here with the tea on the guns they liked and loved.
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    15 mins
  • Winter Carry: Should You Change your EDC?

    Winter Carry: Should You Change your EDC?
    Jan 15 2026
    With the chill in the air and coats out of storage, Alexander and Chris sat down for the latest 2nd Best Gun Podcast to discuss the phenomenon of "winter carry" and whether you should bother to rotate your EDC.Here are some timestamps if you want to jump ahead:

    0:25 Breaking out the white tape for the FALs
    2:19 Winter carry?
    3:01 I still don't know why we did that
    5:10 The mighty Minx
    6:19 That's a beefy boy
    8:58 The importance of lead equity with any choice
    11:20 Pocket carry to the gym
    14:01 That's a nice junk sack, ma'am.
    16:50 One mag is no mag.
    18:30 The Hemsworth "Red Dawn" doesn't exist in this timeline
    19:20 Putting the "pistol" back in PCCs
    21:15 Why are they so short, man?
    26:05 Modular carry with protein-rich options.
    30:40 Self rescue a la carte.
    34:01 Alex used to Mex carry a C96 Bolo.
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    39 mins
  • Unsung Hero of Vietnam: The Stoner 63

    Unsung Hero of Vietnam: The Stoner 63
    Jan 8 2026
    Dialing it back to the 1960s in this week's 2nd Best Gun Podcast, Alexander and Chris weigh in on Mr. Eugene Stoner's most oft-forgotten child. While Stoner will always be remembered for the AR-7, AR-10, AR-15, AR-18, and SR-25, his Model 63 has slipped through the cracks. But why?

    Here are some timestamps if you want to jump ahead:

    00:30 The Father of the Black Rifle
    01:28 Forgotten Weapons call out before the two-minute mark
    03:00 The name we are looking for is Cadillac Gage (kinda)
    03:30 Stoner 62
    04:40 Stoner 63/63A
    05:10 Even used different links, man
    07:40 Different bolts for different folks
    08:30 Modularity, of a sort
    11:10 Stoner 63, is that you?
    13:10 Never officially adopted twinkies
    14:45 SCAR predecessor
    15:20 Enter Robinson Armament and the semi-auto S63
    17:10 Forgotten Weapons call out redux
    19:30 Can we get a 10-pound belt-fed LMG, man?
    21:40 If someone could just give it a chance
    23:15 The KAC LAMG
    24:40 Eger zones out on DA/SA double-stack 9mm pistols for some reason
    27:00 Alex brings it back to the Stoner 63 and lands the plane (then invokes Ian McCollum again).
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    30 mins