If you could own just ONE shotgun... what would it be?
It's one of the oldest—and most debated—questions in the shooting sports.
Should it be a 12-gauge or a 20? A semi-automatic or an over-and-under? Twenty-eight-inch barrels or thirty? How much should it weigh? Which features actually matter, and …
A Break in the Action
by Ryan Doughty
Our days are busy. Professional, family and personal obligations fill our schedules. You’re invited to take A Break in the Action of your day and escape to a place filled with sights of highly figured walnut and rich, vibrant case-color hardening. Intoxicating scents of wood smoke from a perfectly laid fire and spent shotshells fill the air. The only deals we broker are for new-to-us shotguns and our only appointments are for chilly mornings and impatient bird dogs. Here, our currency is memories and we consider ourselves wealthy. The goal here is simple, to provide a place to escape, a place to learn, a place to reminisce, and a place to relax - be it through our podcast or social sites. Our focus will reliably be on vintage and modern shotguns, best-in-quality gear, accessories, and experiences that complement the sporting lifestyle.Our days are busy… take A Break in the Action.
Latest Episodes
What do fine shotguns and mechanical watches have in common? It turns out, quite a lot.
In this episode, Ryan sits down with Christian Zeron, founder of Theo & Harris and one of the most recognizable voices in the world of mechanical watches. Christian recently found himself drawn into an entirely …
For more than a century, the 12 gauge has been the default answer in the shotgun world. It was the gauge that did everything—quail, pheasants, waterfowl, rabbits, and just about anything else a hunter might pursue.
But today, sub-gauges are more popular than ever. Twenty gauges, twenty-eights, and e…
In this episode of A Break in the Action, Ryan takes listeners inside the process of building what he believes is the ultimate modern bird hunting rig (for the way he hunts) — not as a showcase of gear for gear’s sake, but as a thoughtful system shaped by years of traveling to hunt upland birds with…
In this episode of A Break in the Action, Ryan travels to western Rhode Island to experience one of America’s most unique sporting destinations: The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences. More than simply a luxury resort with outdoor activities, The Preserve is a true sporting-first destination built …
When people hear the phrase American Best, it’s natural to think of a comparison— specifically to the traditional best guns of the London trade.
And in some ways, that comparison makes sense. The British defined the term. They built the guns that set the standard, and their influence still shapes ho…
In this episode of A Break in the Action, I sit down with Simon Reinhold of Holt’s Auctioneers for a deep dive into the history of the British gun trade and the remarkable craftsmen whose names have faded from common conversation. While makers like Purdey, Holland & Holland, and Boss are widely reco…
In this episode, I sit down with Bradley Davis of The London Gun Company to explore the legacy and revival of Frederick Beesley—one of the most influential yet often overlooked figures in British gunmaking. From Beesley’s groundbreaking self-opening action to the careful resurrection of his name in …
I’ve been reading Shooting Sportsman for more than twenty years. For a long time, I assumed the magazine was the product of careful planning by fully staffed departments and committees responsible for long-range strategies mapped decades into the future. But the more I’ve learned about the people be…
There’s a tendency—especially among hunters—to feel a little uncomfortable about the guns we own but don’t use, as if a shotgun that isn’t carried in the field is somehow failing its purpose. Or worse, that we’re failing it.
I like to think that January has a way of softening that self-accusation. …
We can probably all agree that most of what we love about wingshooting doesn’t actually happen when the birds are in the air… it comes in the preparation, in the walking, and in the listening pauses. In the quiet moments between flushes—when the gun is open, the dog is working, and there’s time to …
Shotguns usually have the limelight on A Break in the Action, but today’s episode is dedicated to the unsung heroes of the hunter, and not just what you carry into the field, but also the well-made pieces that fit into the rest of your life. The kind of items that earn their place over time: a knife…
If you look back through the history of the double-barreled shotgun, nearly every significant step forward — every design change that eventually became a standard — started out as something that at first might have looked or sounded a little odd. When the first hammerless actions appeared, traditio…
Today, we are discussing grouse hunting —specifically in the Upper Midwest—where a century of wingshooting tradition runs deep. If you drew a map around America's prime grouse cover, it would definitely include a huge swath stretching from northern Wisconsin across northern Michigan and the Upper P…
My guest today is Wes Lang, President of Caesar Guerini. I am excited to bring you this fascinating story of Wes’s background, some of his philosophy, and ultimately what led to the creation of such an impactful and popular brand.
Our Sponsors:
The Beretta Galleries
B&P Shotshells
Delaney & Sons
Ne…
Hank is a great ambassador for wild food and his books serve as a good reminder that from field care to flavor, cooking wild game can be just as thoughtful, meaningful, and rewarding as the pursuit itself. If you haven't already, check out all of his great books. A perfect gift to yourself or your…
You may have heard me mention Guyette and Deeter as a sponsor throughout the year. Today, I am joined by Jon Deeter and Josh Loewensteiner to guide us through the auction buying and selling process. We’ll learn how they settle on lots that will be included, the inspection and description process, an…
Will Primos is an icon in the outdoors industry, but as you’ll hear, it didn’t come without a massive amount of hard work, focus, and a solid work ethic. Will did more than build a brand - he educated, outfitted, and entertained. Today, Will is enjoying the fruits of his labor - but he hasn’t stop…
Whether you’re new to bird hunting or have been chasing birds for decades, there’s no denying the timeless appeal of a side-by-side shotgun. This episode covers six of what I believe are the most interesting, mid-priced, modern side-by-side shotguns available today. Our lineup includes guns from C…
We are right at the front edge of summer, and whether you’ve already got your summer travel plans set or are looking for a new idea, I think you will like this episode. This is now the third time that I have brought you a destination where you can break out your shotgun and shoot challenging target…