Pioneers and Legends of the Gun Industry: Bill and Ken's List - Gun Guys Ep. 36
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- John Moses Browning. Colonel Jeff Cooper. Armand Swenson. Eugene Stoner. Elmer Keith. These are names of but some of the men that have had a profound impact on the evolution of the firearms industry and made innovative and groundbreaking developments for shooters everywhere. In this episode, Bill Wilson and Ken Hackathorn discuss their lists of the top contributors to the gun culture.
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ABOUT BILL WILSON
Bill Wilson has always been infatuated with guns. Originally trained as a watchmaker, he has been in the firearms industry since 1974, starting out with a retail store called Sportsman's Headquarters in Berryville, Arkansas. Since that humble beginning, he has built Wilson Combat into the largest and most successful custom firearms company in America. Since 1977 Wilson Combat has been the leading innovator in high-performance, custom 1911 handguns, tactical long guns and accessories.
A Wilson Combat product’s unmatched level of exceptional reliability and peerless craftsmanship is only equaled by our legendary customer service. Wilson Combat is proud to service all levels of local and State law enforcement including The Department of Homeland Security, US Border Patrol, HQ SOCOM, US Marshal's Service, US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Diplomatic Security Service, Texas Rangers and many more elite law enforcement and military units worldwide. We are also pleased to support the needs of thousands of law-abiding private citizens in the United States and in many other countries abroad.
ABOUT KEN HACKATHORN
Ken Hackathorn has served as a US Army Special Forces Small Arms Instructor, Gunsite Instructor, and NRA Police Firearms Instructor. He is currently an FBI Certified Firearms Instructor, and an SRT member and Special Response Team trainer. Ken has trained US Military Special Operations forces, Marine FAST and SOTG units and is a contract small arms trainer to FBI SWAT and HRT. Ken has provided training to Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and been active in small arms training for the past 25 years. He has written firearms related material for Guns & Ammo, Combat Handguns, Soldier Of Fortune, and currently American Handgunner and contributed to at least six other gun/shooting journals. Ken was also a founding member of IPSC and IDPA. - Спорт
You two are pretty influential yourselves, Ken with training and shooting, Bill with customizing and shooting. This was a great episode. Thanks
These two dudes are on everyone else's list.
So true.
Absolutely!
Yes they are!
Now THIS is what we NEED! The Southern gun culture is a cultural beacon for patriotism for the whole world!
This is what sets this channel apart. These two gentleman (and they are) know where all the bodies are hidden. Anytime accomplished people take time out to express admiration and appreciation for others in their field, we all can learn. The humility in this is a good model for the rest of us.
Massad Ayoob, probably had the most influence on keeping me alive as a LEO, and teaching me critical information.I thought for sure when you made the swollen head coment you were going to say Jerry Micholek?
That was the name that I thought of as well.
Massad is the best, I really like his talks.
@patrick henry too close!
Dude
Can’t get enough Elmer Keith stuff…and Bravo for including Mr. Peterson for his massive contribution!
Fastest man alive, Bob Munden, RIP.
I am y'all's age and grew up in Texas on my Dad's ranch in Kaufman County and my Grandfather's ranch outside the metropolis of Evant. The one store in Evant sold used super hero comic books and gun magazines. My Dad said those books were how I learned to read. Most of what I know about guns and shooting I learned from the old gun writers. They were the best.
I remember reading about all of them. I'm 60. Breath of fresh air. Thanks.
Nice rundown of our heroes. Perhaps legends like Fairbairn, McGivern and Miculek fits this bill too.
Perhaps Rex Applegate too
Definitely. Good additions
Really look forward to these Wilson Combat collaboration videos! The level of expertise, skill and wisdom of the presenters is amazing. The men in these videos are most assuredly tomorrow's legend. Introducing new shooters to the legends and legendary shooters and pioneers of the past is essential to promoting our freedoms and the gun industry in the future. We most surely stand on the shoulders of giants.
PS to the above: For those who may be new(er) to firearms, I highly recommend reading the writings & books written by and about many of the legends cited by Ken and Bill in this video, particularly Jeff Cooper, Bill Jordan, Elmer Keith, Ed McGivern, Skeeter Skelton and many more. These men weren't just gun writers. They were men who had TRULY "been there and done that" - they had lived the lives of cowboys, lawmen, soldiers, Marines, etc who had learned from their own experience and that of many, many others. Their writings are essential education regarding the history and development of firearms & all things shooting related in the 20th century.
I was a kid - in the 70's. I bought Guns&Ammo magazine - from the shop in middle of our city. It was below the - Adult magazines, The shopkeeper realized his mistake in a second, when I had G&A in my hand and not the Play-gent of the month. Elmer was a heavy influence. Cooper and Massad.
Sadly - so of my hero's never made it past the 2000's. As a 20 year old - I practiced hitting 12 Ga shotshells at 25 yards. Then 50 yards. One spring - I laid down at the 400 yd berm and started dancing bullets into a snow bank at the 0 yr berm. Now - 40 years older, I am back to start my path back to shooting. I am 60 now. Keep shooting! Cheers!
I wish I knew 1/4 as much about shooting and guns as these two men .
I would like to propose a slogan for the Wilson Combat channel; Wilson Combat: Let’s face it.
Elmer Keith was my boyhood hero especially after reading Hell I was there in '79. Never so excited to purchase a book in my life and still have it today.
Great list but lets not forget Wayne Novak, Jesse Briley, Ernie Hill, Jimmy Clark, Steve Nastoff, Chip McCormick, The two of you, and Jerry Miculek
I know it's a personal list, but hot damn am I ever sad that there was no love for ol' Skeeter Skelton. Always love an inside story about the man.
Would love to see Bill and Ken do a 'Review' of some of the guy's iconic personal firearms.
Yes i was surprised Skeeter was not on the list.
Legends in the gun world also ken hackathorn, Bill Wilson, Mass Ayoob! I had heard of you guys before I ever even knew what you looked like absolute legends and major influencers in the firearms world
Easily my favorite channel to watch, thank you so much for taking the time to not only educate us but entertain us as well.
I must be old I knew all those guys plus a few more including Bill and ken
Likewise 😎
Glad you fellas mentioned Mr. Cooper... Stay safe and stay blessed... #SemperFi 🇺🇸
That was fun, being a younger guy, it was a good history lesson.
Who’s going to fill their shoes?
@@chief137mike That's a good question, haha. Somewhere out there is a high school kid shooting bullfrogs and water moccasins at a farm pond w/ a 10/22 that will be the next speed shooting champ, another is signing paperwork for the Armed Forces right now that will become the next Jeff Cooper/Clint Smith type trainer, etc. You never know who's going to be the next industry giant, probably someone standing at a gun shop counter staring at a AR or maybe a Browning X Bolt thinking that he/she would really like to own one one day. Just following the legacy the original gun guys got started. There time has come and gone now they are sitting around a campfire in the hereafter telling tall tales of hunts and deeds of daring do, Charlie Askins, Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton, Bill Jordan, etc. Sitting telling stories watching the campfire flames jump and dance and hear the wood crack and pop as they enjoy that great Elk/Deer camp in the sky. There has to be someone to carry their torch, it would be a tremendous injustice to let their memory/heritage die.
@@willrowell3218 very well said, haven’t heard or seen some of those names you mentioned since I was a teenager.
Really enjoyed the list by two of the greats. Thought we might see Parker Otto Ackley (king of wildcats) on the list. A gunsmith, a barrelmaker, a teacher, a writer, a hunter and a wildcatter.
Not a Glock fanboy, but surprised you didn't mention Gaston Glock, he revolutionized pistols with the invention of the Glock 17.
Good call best Handgun in the world for the money
I own Glocks , but own other American Brands too...This was a total dis..
I'm 49, agree on ALL of your picks. BUT. what about WILLIAM BATTERMAN RUGER?!
I mean, COME ON!
I met him once, he was a grumpy old fart for sure.
Gotta respect him for keeping his original partners name on the company for so long.
He died after only the first two years but his name was kept first in line: Sturm Ruger & Co.
In my prime it's Massad Ayoob, Louis Awerbuck, Jan Libourel, Bill Wilson, Ross Seyfried, Brian Enos John Bianchi, Bob Milek, Jerry Mickulek (spelled wrong), Jerry Ahern, John Taffin, Mike Ventorino and all the others of the '80s and '90s.
Most are still with us, happy to say. For those that have left for the great shooting range in the sky; YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!!!
Absolutely!! You're talking my era. Reading all that they wrote is critical to the "know."
Bill seemed more talkative than normal. Great to see. Awesome topic and great overview.
Great conversation, I think Jerry Miculek would be a nice fit into that list...
And uncle Gaston.
I think the same thing.
As a car and gun guy, I've read many of Petersen's magazines. The car writers always say he was more of hunter than a Hot Rodder. His car, gun and trophy collections must have been epic. He was also a good friend of Mr Keith.
Also forgot to add Chuck Taylor and Leroy Thompson.
You two guys are immensely capable and worthwhile to our industry.
I have 3 or 4 Bill Rogers original myself holsters for a S&W mod 19 still in original packaging. My uncle left them to me. He was an FBI agent from 1951-1978. I still use one with my personal model 19, 3 inch.
Glad you mentioned Elmer Keith. John M. Browning was no slack either.
This is a wonderful channel: relaxed and rich in the LORE that we all need. Thanks for honoring those men! (And there are more -- 2nd edition maybe?)
Whem I grew up in the late 70's and 80's I spent many days reading articles. Front and back by a lot of those named. Sad a lot of the younger gun folks didn't have the same exposure to those stellar i individuals!
I enjoy watching this channel and learning from the Greatest shooters and innovators in gun world.
Great stuff. Please do another episode and share more of the gun culture story by naming some more of the key guys. Guys like Jerry Barnhart putting a red dot on his pistol, winning it all and starting a trend that is still building. So many great stories that need to be told. Thanks again.
Just want to say I’ve read your stuff and invisioned what I thought about y’all for 20 years but I’m loving this UA-cam channel cause I can see ya. Keep rocking!
Enjoyed the trip down memory Lane very much. Thanks!
I love your channel. It is unique, fun, and always informative.
I agree with many of the things both of you have said about many shooters and people in evolved with firearms industry. However you left off the most influential person in my opinion since Elmer Keith and that is Ross Seyfried. IPSC World Champion, Professional African big game guide / hunter and most of all the finest firearms writer to have ever scribed in our magazines of choice. I have spoken to Ross by phone twice and always found him to be a gentleman and interested in issues I was having. If I sound Like a big fan of Ross Seyfried, I am. Hopefully someday he will write a book.................................
Yes. Seyfried has been immensely valuable to my learning. A man of accomplishment.
As Always thank you for all your sharing of information, please don't be so humble the 2 of you have remarkable careers, I have learned so much from watching you both keep up the fantastic work.
Absolutely awesome 20 minutes of history!
Fascinating episode. Gentlemen, thank you.
Fun stories about some great people. Thx for sharing them!
Totally agree that the AR15/M16, has had a well deserved impact. However, as far as US military small arms go, I’m pretty sure the 1911 has been in service for a longer period of time. In reference to Ken’s remark on Stoner.
Another great episode!
Chip McCormick and Brian Enos need to be on that list somewhere. So does Jerry Miculek.
Yeah...there are a few people they left out. Doug Koenig for one. I agree Jerry Miculek should have been there too. I'd bet a months wages he'd smoke Leatham with revolvers!
Clint Smith is number one on my list.
Several other great ones.
Bob Munden
Bill Jordan
Elmer Keith
Mas Ayoob
Jerry Miculek
Jim Clark
Bill Davisi
Rob Latham
Ken Hackathorn
Larry Vickers
Bill Wilson
Frank Pachmyr
Armand Swenson
Ted Yost
Jason Burton
Stan Chen
Many, many others.
Your both on my list for sure. My Wilson AR’s are simply magnificent
Jerry Miculek????
Great show. Thank you again
Legends talking about legends.
Very interesting. Thanks!
I rented Rob's videos in the 80's. They were awesome.
Great video - thanks.
Brian Enos and his forums must be worthy of the list
A nod to Chip McCormick who recently passed.
Skeeter Skelton !
I'm with you there, he's my number 1 pick.
Great episode!
Speaking of Bill Jordan of the US Boarder Patrol, Bill invented the forward canted holster in the 1990s. Why it is now called a “FBI Cant” is beyond me.
This was a GREAT Video.. Lots of memories. I am just slightly behind you 2 age wise.
As a Texan, I'd like to throw in the names of Virgil Tripp and Sandy Strayer; creators of the 2011 platform. I'd also add, Jim Fuller (AK guru), Larry Vickers (consulting and design) and Angus Hobdell (gunsmithing); and the late, Glyn Bindon (Founder of Trijicon).
Bill Rogers made the first Kydex holster? Maybe so, but I have a Snick Kydex holster I got from Mike Harries in the early 1980's! I've been to API twice and met the Colonel, even had Jim Hoag work on one of my 45's! Heck, I go back about as far as you guys! I got my first revolver, an S&W 66, on Bill Jordan's recommendation...loved the stories he and Skeeter Skelton used to relate about their adventures down on the border! Yep these guys, and others, had an effect on me and many more.
Glad you mentioned Armand...good call.
I considered Elmer Kieth and Jeff Cooper as Guru's...read all there stuff. Richard Hienie should be honorable mention on this list.
Always look forwaard to these guys also.Love to listen to Hackathorn,also would like to add Vickers.
I could happily listen to you fellows - and all the “Gun Guys” videos - for many, many hours. It’s great stuff, especially (I suspect) for those of us are in our seventies, with about 60 years of shooting experiences (however, I certainly do NOT suggest that my proficiency, expertise, experiences or anything else is REMOTELY like Ken’s and Bill’s). GREAT VIDEO, gentlemen, and THANK YOU.
And, while I am reluctant to do so, I’ll add two candidates for your Legends category:
> Gaston Glock: I do not especially flavor Glock autoloaders; their ergonomics, triggers, sights and precision-accuracy really are not good for me (obviously, they are for millions, so I’m clearly a distinct minority). Glock was not the first designer of a practical, reliable, durable, safe and reasonably accurate polymer frame,/sticker fired semiautomatic - H&K did so long before Glock - BUT (like it or not) his basic design revolutionized autoloaders. If “imitation is the sincerest form of praise,” then the countless “derived designs” from many other manufacturers plus the ubiquitous nature of Glocks may merit his designation as a “Legend.”
> Jerry Miculek: I believe Jerry’s humor and “common touch,” combined with his incredible skills, breadth of experience, and innovativeness, have both enhanced the community’s design perspective and have served as a fine example to the non-firearms world of the fun, safe practices, and non-harmful character of shooting. In addition, his advocacy and his attainments with revolvers continue to do much to keep them relevant and visible, in an increasingly “sticker fired / polymer framed” handgun market place.
THANKS AGAIN for this great series of video . . . and especially for this one.
Great video.
Fun stuff. Having been squadded with Robbie a few time I can attest to the fact that he's a hoot.
Oh Bill, Hush your mouth. Nobody ever packed a 44mag case with powder and smashed a SWC bullet in it. Mine, If I didn't have to tighten screws after a day of shooting, It wasn't hot enough. After years, 44 spec was a pleasure to shoot. Bill Jordan was who I looked up to as I started my LEO Career in the mid 70's. Practice, practice, practice. Dillon's Square Deal loader was the icing on the cake for me. Lee products for melting and casting SWC bullets, sizing and lubing too. Jim Clark and his sharp ? Shark/Tiger tooth stippling. DNA shedder. LEO Competition shooters from the 70/80's
While Rob Leatham is great, Ernest Langdon out shot him in competition twice. Rob used his 1911 and Ernest used a Beretta 9mm and Sig Sauer 220 in 45.
I think if I remember correctly both guns were stock as well. Ernest is a great shooter, he doesn’t have the record Rob has but he is still a great shooter.
@@theprepperrevelator you are correct, sir!
I love you Guys !!!
Honorable mention to Roy Weatherby & Gaston Glock
To add to the Bill Jordan comments. Bill J said about combat shooting, "take your time... but be quick about it". LOL... important words. His book No Second Place Winner is a must read for all shooters. A bit "dated" but solid rock solid reading.
Bill Jordan’s “No Second Place Winner” is one of the first books I read on self-defense shooting. I remember seeing him on TV many decades ago doing a fast draw exhibition and wish I could find a video of it. I think he could draw and hit a target in something like 0.27 seconds or something crazy like that. They say you don’t draw on a drawn weapon, and that is sound advice for we mortals, but I think Bill could have drawn on a drawn gun and won.
Ross Sigfried. World Champion, big game hunter, magnum revolver development with John Linbaugh. Just a fan. Everyone else, but of course!
Ross Seyfried.
Hi, I enjoy a lot of WC video; especially GunGuys. Anyway, is it possible to have Ken and Bill to share their thought on : 1. What is their favorite single stack 1911, from WC, to carry? 2. What are the reasons? Thanks.
On the LE and writing side the late Jim Cirillo, and your buddy Massad Ayoob are worth mentioning. And I agree with other commenters that you two should take a bow yourselves, though neither of you are the type. Thanks
I have Bill and Ken on my list, as well as Larry Vickers too.
I think Mikhail kalashnikov deserved an honorable mention? The ak47 he invented is used more around the world than any other rifle! I prefer the ak over the ar for it's simplicity of operation as well the caliber it uses 7.62×39. But just my opinion..
Jerry Miculek and Taran Butler are two that make my list.
Not sure if all the people you talked about have books, but if they do, maybe you can add that to the video description for folks to look up and read if they want.
Wow legends talking about legends.
Jeff Cooper
Browning is the inventor of the slide as a thing
Yep! Brownells is very Very Good!
#Defund the Politicians
I can't get enough of listening to these guys talking. Especially Ken, Bill is cool too though.
Chuck Taylor and 2 in the video 🇺🇸
John Moses Browning Above All Else, Pietro Beretta, Samuel Colt, Gaston Glock, Eugene Stoner, Mikhail Kalashnikov, and of course Elmer Kieth are the Best for too many reasons
I was searching the comments for someone that mentioned John Moses Browning. The rest of the people on your list are awesome, too. Well done!
Bill Ruger dagnabit!
Bill you could have, but didn't toot your own horn. You should be very proud.
Georg Luger, Ludwig Vorgrimler, Edmund Heckler, Theodor Koch, Alex Seidel
And let’s not overlook Mikhail Kalashnikov.
Gaston Glock
When I was a kid I read every article written by Jack O'connor that I could get my hands on. His articles about hunting all over the world kept my friends and I occupied for hours reading about his adventures. What I learned from his articles I have been able to use in my outdoor photography.
Cant forget about Gil Hebard
Rob Leatham , living legend .
The "Right Hand of The Free World" a nickname that is historically and practically as appropriate to Stoners' AR15 as much as it is to FN FAL...(How many battle Streamers does the AR15/M16 have to its credit?: Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Grenada, Nicaragua,
El Salvador, Panama, P.I., 1st Gulf War, Chiapas, Somalia, The Balkans, 2nd Gulf War, Afghanistan, And now?...The 2nd Cold War against Marxism for the The United States of America...) the AR15 hit the ground fighting Commies and Despots and has not let up to this day...literally or politically...
Ron Power Power custom
John Bo Clerke!!
Townsend Whelen
That stash kinda right side heavy ain’t it