Brian and Jake sit down with Christian Sailer fresh off his seventh USPSA Open Nationals title. Christian walked through his approach to the match despite only having about 2,000 rounds through his open gun since the last World Shoot and only five practice sessions leading in, explaining how he balances a full-time job with elite-level competition. He broke down his mistake on the first stage, his recovery strategy across the following days, and the four-stage push he needed at the end to seal the win. Christian detailed his training philosophy, splitting focus between fundamentals and specific stage execution drills built from a running document of mistakes he reviews after every match. The conversation shifted to IPSC Nationals, where Christian confirmed he'll be shooting Limited Optics on Squad 301 alongside Eric Grauffel, JJ Racaza, Aaron Adams, and others, setting up the long-awaited head-to-head matchup he's been calling for since 2019. He shared his frustration with the equipment failure at Carry Optics Nationals 2024 that cost him that first showdown, and his respect for Grauffel's accomplishments alongside confidence in his own preparation. Other topics included the shift in super squad culture from chirpy and cutthroat to collaborative and honest, his gratitude for John Bliger's second-place finish while simultaneously vending JV Training Accessories in the Hunters HD Gold tent, feedback on stage design (no gimmicks, no fixed time, no Virginia count), and strong advocacy for enforced super squad policies with defined criteria. Christian closed by sharing what really drives him now: training American military and law enforcement, which he considers as meaningful as his own competition, with his next big goal being October 2-4 at IPSC Nationals.

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Discover the world of competitive shooting sports through the eyes of industry leaders, top athletes, and match directors in the Behind the Lens Podcast, hosted by Brian Conley of Hunters HD Gold. Delve into captivating conversations that reveal the passion, dedication, and skill that define the shooting sports community. Brian, a steadfast supporter of the shooting sports, brings unique insights and expertise to each episode. Uncover the latest trends, techniques, and stories from the people who shape the shooting sports landscape. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of competitive shooting, the shooting industry, and the remarkable individuals who make it all possible.

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Brian sits down with Alicia Garcia for a powerful conversation about her Second Amendment activism in Colorado. Alicia grew up shooting with her father in southern Colorado, and after he passed away in 2015, her uncle stole the family firearms. The sexist treatment she encountered rebuilding her collection sparked the creation of Boomstick Babe LTD and pushed her into teaching and activism. She walked through her seven-plus years of testifying at the Colorado State Capitol, learning the process alone, and eventually breaking through by speaking from the heart. Alicia is now the plaintiff in Garcia v. Polis, suing the state over its three-day waiting period, represented pro bono by Mountain States Legal Foundation. Her original attorney Barry Arrington left to join the DOJ, where he's now suing Colorado over its magazine and assault weapons bans. She's also a founding director of the Colorado Federal Firearms Licensee Association (CFFLA.org), which built its own AI called Umbrella to counter biased gun violence data, and she's launching Colorado Cares for Safety, a nonprofit focused on free safe storage, de-escalation training, mental health resources, medical training, and scholarships to help lower-income Coloradans navigate the state's new permit-to-purchase scheme. She shared the retaliation she's faced, including an FBI watch list holding up her suppressor purchases and employers refusing to hire her, along with the childhood story that shaped her toughness. Alicia teaches 30 to 50 students a week through Concealed Carry Classes of Denver and the United States Firearms Training Academy, and is one of fewer than 100 USCCA Defensive Pistol Program instructors nationwide. Brian closed by pledging to donate all of August's premium subscriber funds to Alicia's nonprofit efforts.

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Discover the world of competitive shooting sports through the eyes of industry leaders, top athletes, and match directors in the Behind the Lens Podcast, hosted by Brian Conley of Hunters HD Gold. Delve into captivating conversations that reveal the passion, dedication, and skill that define the shooting sports community. Brian, a steadfast supporter of the shooting sports, brings unique insights and expertise to each episode. Uncover the latest trends, techniques, and stories from the people who shape the shooting sports landscape. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of competitive shooting, the shooting industry, and the remarkable individuals who make it all possible.

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United States Practical Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://uspsa.org

Steel Challenge Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://scsa.org

Metal Madness Official Eyewear: https://...

Brian sits down with Mark Redl for a look at his journey from running a family auto salvage business to becoming one of the longest-tenured figures on the Colt shooting team. Mark got his first handgun in 1981 and discovered competition shooting as a way to keep his defensive skills sharp. Nineteen years ago, a conversation at SHOT Show led to him shooting for Colt, and eleven years ago Paul Patale brought him on full-time as product manager. Over the years he served as law enforcement manager, worked closely with engineers on the return of the snake guns (Cobra, Python, King Cobra, and Anaconda), and became the primary firearms tester at Colt's facility, once putting 1,000 rounds through an Anaconda in a single day. Mark walked through how the new snake guns kept the retro exterior while modernizing the internals with a V-spring action, better metallurgy, and a machine-fitted hand that produces consistent trigger pulls. He also discussed Colt's transition after the CZ UB acquisition, which brought financial stability, new machinery, and modernization while leaving Colt's leadership, heritage, and Hartford location intact. Other topics included his years running the shooting team (from Maggie Reese through Wyatt Gibson and the Williams sisters), Colt's relationships with law enforcement agencies like NYPD ESU and LAPD SWAT, the manufacturing of the M4 (he recently held serial number 1,000,000), Academy graduation 1911s, single action army production tied to SASS, and the challenges of finding shooters willing to run single-stack 1911s. Mark also shared thoughts on the state of competition shooting, the aging demographic in USPSA, and the need for organizations like NSSF to develop a "first competition" program alongside their first shot initiative. He closed by confirming interesting things coming across all three product lines at the next SHOT Show and offered to send the Colt Python giveaway directly to the winner's FFL.

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Discover the world of competitive shooting sports through the eyes of industry leaders, top athletes, and match directors in the Behind the Lens Podcast, hosted by Brian Conley of Hunters HD Gold. Delve into captivating conversations that reveal the passion, dedication, and skill that define the shooting sports community. Brian, a steadfast supporter of the shooting sports, brings unique insights and expertise to each episode. Uncover the latest trends, techniques, and stories from the people who shape the shooting sports landscape. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of competitive shooting, the shooting industry, and the remarkable individuals who make it all possible.

Hunters HD Gold Links:
Website: https://huntershdgold.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntershdgold/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBWH4kOqaX-x34uYOviQ-tg

United States Practical Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://uspsa.org

Steel Challenge Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://scsa.org

Metal Madness Official Eyewear: https://...