"Be a man of your word, don’t be a hypocrite."

Episode Summary
In this episode of The Gun Experiment, we chopped it up with Frank Riess, owner of Wallkill River Small Arms and our favorite recurring guest co-host. We dove into the current state of the firearms industry, the surprising resurgence of first-time buyers, and the ever-persistent confusion around New York gun laws. We also tackled the ammo supply crunch, the great red dot vs. iron sight debate, and the looming legal impacts of new rules—straight from gun shop trenches.

From the history of pre- and post-'64 Winchester rifles to the ridiculous proposals of serialized ammo and government overreach, Frank didn’t hold back. We got frank (pun intended) about how quality, craftsmanship, and common sense regulations all play into being a responsible, well-informed gun owner—and citizen. The episode wraps up with some laughs about New York politics, government hypocrisy, and the most unbelievable quadriplegic cornhole story you'll ever hear.

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Key Takeaways

Frank has seen a return of first-time gun buyers lately, especially new transplants from the city, preppers, and those looking for added security.
Despite industry assumptions, most 2020 "COVID gun owners" kept their firearms instead of selling them back.
The great ammo shortage is back: 9mm is nearly impossible to keep in stock, echoing the "toilet paper effect" from the pandemic.
New gun owners are better informed than expected, but still trip up on New York's confusing rifle endorsement laws.
The fit and finish in older firearms (pre-'64 Winchesters) far surpass mass-produced models—know what you’re buying!
A balance of quality, function, and budget is key in gun buying; sometimes a Glock 19 really is the best bang for your buck.
The team debates the pitfalls of government overreach, the necessity of cash, and the fine line between law and common sense.
Fun rapid-fire questions, candid debates, and a jaw-dropping cornhole quadriplegic story wrap things up.

Guest Information
Frank Riess – Owner of Wallkill River Small Arms, firearms history buff, and fan-favorite co-host. Frank is your go-to for gun shop insights, historical gun wisdom, and blunt, real-talk advice for both new and seasoned gun owners.

Keywords
firearms podcast, gun industry trends, first-time gun buyers, New York gun laws, Walk Hill River Small Arms, gun shop stories, ammo shortage, 9mm ammunition, pre-64 Winchester, firearms history, FPC lawsuits, serialized ammo law, pistol brace rule, self-defense, concealed carry, gun ownership, rapid-fire questions, HSM Ammunition, Flatline Fiberco, gun rights, Second Amendment, gun experiment podcast

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