The Gun Experiment

Show Notes – The Gun Experiment: "Stereo Mix" with Clint Smith Episode Maxim "Technology will not make up for technique." Episode Summary Welcome to another episode of The Gun Experiment! Big Keith and I are joined by the legendary Clint Smith—a Marine Corps veteran, former law enforcement officer, and foundational icon in the world of firearms training. In this episode, we talk about transitions in life, the importance of mental conditioning in gunfighting, what keeps Clint coming back to the range, and his philosophy on gear versus technique. From lessons learned at Thunder Ranch to adapting to smaller, more intimate classes in Wyoming, Clint shares wisdom on being a lifelong student, the responsibility of gun ownership, and why our brains are the most important weapon we have. If you’ve ever wondered how to age gracefully in this industry, how to stay relevant, or what it really takes to prepare for the unexpected, this is a can’t-miss conversation. Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share The Gun Experiment with your friends. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify to keep the conversation going. Drop us a review or comment, and let us know what topics or guests you want to hear next! Show Sponsors HSM Ammunition: Serious ammo for serious shooters, made in the USA. Check out hsmammunition.com. OFT Firearms Training: Ben, Rachel, and the OFT crew offer top-notch training. Visit OFTLLC.us to find a class near you. Key Takeaways Tool vs. Technique: Technology and new gear can’t replace solid fundamentals and continued practice. Teaching as a Lifelong Purpose: Sharing knowledge and seeing students’ lightbulb moments keep veteran instructors like Clint Smith returning to the range. Mental Conditioning: The most critical factor in surviving a violent encounter is the space between your ears. Practicing verbal skills, scenario planning, and keeping calm under pressure are just as important as marksmanship. Preparedness over Ego: Humility, logic, and self-reflection are vital both in life transitions and self-defense situations. Community Unity: The biggest threat to the Second Amendment is infighting and lack of solidarity within the firearms community. Stay united, whether your interest is sporting clays or AR-15s. Continuous Growth: There’s no room for laziness—keep learning, adapting, and contributing, no matter your age or stage in life. Guest Information Clint Smith is a Marine Corps veteran, former law enforcement officer, and legendary firearms instructor. He spent decades leading Thunder Ranch and now teaches in Cody, Wyoming through his Clint Smith Signature Series classes. Clint is also a prolific author, historian, and lifelong advocate for responsible gun ownership and training. Find his current class schedule and updates at the Clint Smith Signature Series website (check the show notes for links). Keywords Clint Smith interview Thunder Ranch firearms training gun safety gunfight mental conditioning Second Amendment AR-15 training handgun training personal protection gun experiment podcast HSM Ammunition OFT Firearms Training gun self-defense tips responsible gun ownership Cody Wyoming shooting classes firearms instructor advice gear vs. technique situational awareness self-defense preparedness

"True gun culture isn't about what you own—it's about how you welcome, respect, and learn with others on the journey."Episode SummaryIn this episode of The Gun Experiment, Big Keith and Mike kick things off chatting about mushroom coffee, new gear, and some funny family moments. We have a big announcement—HSM Ammunition is now our official ammo sponsor! Most importantly, we're chopping it up with one of our favorite people in the gun industry: Chris Blau.Chris joins us to break down what's new at SHOT Show (hint: suppressors are everywhere and 3D-printed tech is getting wild). He shares his thoughts on industry trends, his decision to step back from 1911 Syndicate, and a sneak peek at his exciting new project that fuses gun reviews with on-the-range, long-form conversations with some of his friends from the military and law enforcement.We dive deep into the "gun guy" culture—discussing the elitism, the myths, and why it’s time to drop the gatekeeping and welcome everyone. We play a couple of rapid-fire games, hit on some hot topics in the 2A world, including the recent Minnesota shooting and SCOTUS updates on Hawaii’s “vampire” law, before closing with some well-earned levity about hot tent camping and snowblowing robots.Call to Action1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Youtube4. Grab some cool TGE merch6. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.Show SponsorsA huge thanks to our new ammo sponsor: HSM Ammunition—check them out at hsmammunition.com. If you spot them at your local sporting goods store, grab a box and support those who support us!Key TakeawaysSHOT Show Trends: Suppressors are the current hotness, with tons of innovation thanks to advances in 3D printing and muzzle device integration.Innovations in Suppressors: Modern CNC and 3D printing allow for amazing geometric baffling, improving both performance and customization."Gun Guy" Stereotypes: Gatekeeping hurts the community. You don't need 20,000 rounds a year, night vision, or a revolver collection to be a "real" gun guy.Chris’s New Project: Look for a hybrid format of live-on-range stories and long-form interviews with real-world experts—coming soon.Big 2A News: We break down the Minnesota shooting, SCOTUS arguments about the Hawaii “vampire” law, and the wild hypocrisy in political circles from “The View” to Capitol Hill.Winter Fun: Hot tent camping is a game-changer for the season, and AI-powered snowblowers might be the best use of robotics yet.Guest InformationGuest Co-Host:Chris BlauFormerly of the 1911 Syndicate, Chris is now rolling out his own media project, focusing on honest reviews and real conversations with connections across military and law enforcement.For the latest on his new channel and projects, follow his appearances here and keep an eye on his instagram.KeywordsSHOT Show 2024, Gun community, Gun guy culture, Suppressor innovation, 3D printing firearms, HSM Ammunition, 2A news, SCOTUS Hawaii vampire law, Minnesota shooting protest, Gun rights advocacy, Podcast guest Chris Blau, 1911 Syndicate, Modern suppressors, Gun review podcast, Gun industry news, Hot tent camping, Robotic snowblowersDon't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation!

“Context is everything—whether you’re training to protect yourself or chasing the thrill of competition, know why you’re doing what you’re doing.”Episode SummaryIn this episode, Keith and I are joined in studio by our longtime friend Sean Martin, AKA Pink Shirt Tactical, media manager for Night Vision and pro shooter for Onsite Firearms Training. We dive deep into the world of competitive shooting, the crossover between defensive and performance skills, and how social media and gear trends impact gun culture. We talk bourbon collections, body armor, and run through some rapid-fire games testing Sean's opinions on overrated and underrated gear. We also chop up the latest 2A news, from NY anti-3D print gun legislation and USPS shipping rules, to geopolitical happenings like the Artemis moon launch and America’s defense might.Call to Action1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Twitter Youtube Facebook4. Be a part of our growing community, join our Discord page!5. Grab some cool TGE merch6. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.Show SponsorsSpartan Armor Systems—American-made, NIJ-certified body armor, with options for both steel and ceramic plates, and accessible pricing for responsible citizens. Check them out at SpartanArmorSystems.comKey TakeawaysSean Martin achieved Grandmaster status in USPSA—shooting from concealment with his everyday carry, not a race gun.There’s real value in crossing over between defensive pistol training and competitive shooting; stress inoculation and skill development happen under pressure.Social media drives gear trends—like grip tape and stippling—sometimes for function, sometimes just for aesthetics.Just because something’s “cool,” like compensators or aftermarket triggers, doesn’t mean it’s always necessary.Bigger issues like NY’s fight against 3D printed guns and cross-state shipping highlight how politicians try (and fail) to control gun culture.America's defense and technological edge are unmatched, especially with the Artemis mission and global military moves.Guest InformationSean MartinMedia Manager, Night VisionPro Shooter, Onsite Firearms TrainingFollow Sean @pinkshirttacticalKeywordsGun experiment podcast, Sean Martin, competitive shooting, USPSA Grandmaster, Night Vision, Onsite Firearms Training, concealed carry, stress inoculation, gun gear trends, grip tape, body armor, 2A news, NY gun law, 3D printed firearms, Artemis moon mission, American military, pro shooter, Spartan Armor Systems, shooting drills, firearm training, Second Amendment, gun collection, bourbon club, shooting accuracy, podcast show notesFor listeners and fans of firearms, tactical training, and pro shooting culture, these notes recap everything you need from this episode!

“There’s no substitute for pressure testing your skills—whether on the range or in life, the ability to adapt under stress is what sets you up for success.”Episode SummaryIn this episode, Big Keith and I (Mike) sit down with Matt Little aka “Gray Beard Actual”—retired Army Green Beret, former SWAT officer, USPSA grandmaster shooter, and host of “The Way is Training” podcast. We chop it up about competition shooting vs tactical defense, decision-making under stress, how to physically and mentally train for gunfights, and what key habits can help you win in both shooting and everyday life.We swap stories on Christmas gifts (from shotgun upgrades to custom sword canes), talk about building new training routines for the New Year, and geek out on topics from gunfight decision-making to the best ways to inoculate stress. Plus, we tackle recent Second Amendment news and the wild side of Florida Man shenanigans.Whether you’re a competitive shooter, prepping for self-defense, or just want to level up your training mindset, this conversation has key tips, real talk, and tactical insight for everyone.Call to Action1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Twitter Youtube Facebook4. Be a part of our growing community, join our Discord page!5. Grab some cool TGE merch6. Ask us anything at AskMikandKeith@gmail.com5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.Show SponsorsSwig: Fuel your training with clean, healthy supplements. Use code TGE20 for 20% off at swig.com.New York Tac Defense: Prepaid legal defense for New York gun owners. Use code thegunexperiment2023 at newyorktacdefense.com for a discount.Key TakeawaysCompetition Shooting vs. Defensive Mindset: Shooting matches are fantastic for developing hard skills, speed, accuracy, and stress inoculation, but don’t substitute for real-world tactics and decision-making under unpredictable pressure.Train for Adaptation: You need a baseline of speed and proficiency before decision-making skills can shine. Task stacking and random, complex drills help you build automaticity and slow your brain down, even as you move fast physically.Hard Truths About Gunfights: Decision-making under stress and understanding how to triage priorities matter more than style or strict rule-following—safety and winning require adaptability.Gear and Tools: Dry-fire is king for 90% of shooters, red dots are legitimate game changers, and medical training is just as important as shooting ability. Don’t overhype the gear—focus on the fundamentals.Mindset from Special Forces: Mental resiliency, disciplined task prioritization, and strategic planning are universally valuable—not just for Green Berets, but for anyone serious about self-improvement or survival.Guest InformationGuest: Matt LittleFormer Army Green Beret, SWAT Officer, USPSA GrandmasterHost of “The Way is Training” PodcastSocial: [Gray Beard Actual] on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTokNotable guests on his podcast include Tony Blauer, Chuck Pressberg, and Tim Heron.Keywordscompetition shooting tips, tactical training, USPSA vs IDPA, decision making under stress, concealed carry training, gunfight preparation, pressure testing skills, firearms safety, mental resilience for shooters, The Way is Training podcast, Gray Beard Actual, prepping for emergencies, self-defense shooting advice, dry fire practice, red dot pistol, medical training for shooters, Second Amendment news, New York Tac Defense, gun owners legal protectionLet us know what you think! Reach out, train hard, and stay safe.