A Break in the Action

Ryan Doughty
  • 4.9 (106)
  • Sports
  • Monthly

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.

  1. 2d ago

    The Wingshooter's Roundtable: Will Primos, Reid Bryant and Joe Schwenke

    Some of the best conversations about bird hunting happen long after the guns are put away and the dogs are fed. In this episode of A Break in the Action, I bring together three familiar voices from the sporting world for an unscripted conversation about the pursuit that has become such an important part of their lives. Joining me are Will Primos, founder of Primos Hunting; Reid Bryant, host of the Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast; and Joe Schwenke, host of the BirdCamp Podcast. Drawing on decades of experience, we will explore how their perspectives on hunting have evolved, the importance of habitat and conservation, the influence of social media, and the responsibilities that come with sharing the sporting life with others. Along the way, they exchange stories of memorable days afield, lessons learned from fellow hunters, and the people and dogs who have shaped their experiences. What begins as a lively conversation among friends eventually turns to something more personal: the passing of traditions from one generation to the next, the influence we have on others, and the memories that remain long after a hunt is over. The episode concludes with a particularly moving story from Joe about his late father, Ed, and the unexpected role Will Primos played in their family's hunting traditions. Four hunters. Four different perspectives. And one shared appreciation for everything that makes the sporting life worth pursuing. Pull up a chair and join us for The Wingshooter's Roundtable. Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Castellani USA Gordy & Sons ARMUR.org Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

  2. Oct 13

    Beretta at 500: Sixteen Generations, One Extraordinary Legacy

    In 1526, Bartolomeo Beretta supplied 185 arquebus barrels to the Republic of Venice. Five centuries later, the Beretta family still makes firearms in the same Italian valley—and celebrates a milestone virtually unmatched in the history of gunmaking. In this special episode of A Break in the Action, host Ryan Doughty sits down with two guests who offer very different perspectives on what it means to carry that legacy forward. First, Carlo Gussalli Beretta, representing the 16th generation of the Beretta family, discusses the responsibilities of inheriting a 500-year-old family business, the lessons passed down through generations, and the challenge of balancing tradition with innovation. Then, Irene Ferlito, Product Manager for P. Beretta Selection, takes listeners inside the fascinating world of bespoke Beretta gunmaking. From selecting wood and commissioning engraving to meeting the craftsmen in Gardone Val Trompia, Irene walks Ryan through the process of creating a truly personal shotgun—and explains why centuries-old craftsmanship remains essential in an age of modern manufacturing. Together, these conversations explore something far more interesting than how Beretta survived for five centuries: how each generation builds on the knowledge of those who came before, and what it takes to keep that legacy going. Special thanks to Travis Haglin and the Beretta Galleries for helping make this episode possible. Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Castellani USA Gordy & Sons ARMUR.org Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

  3. Sep 14

    Gun Dogs: How they changed the hunt.

    Audio Article Why does a pointer point? Why does a spaniel flush? Why are retrievers asked to wait patiently until the shooting is over, while versatile dogs are expected to do a little bit of everything? In this episode of A Break in the Action, Ryan explores how centuries of selective breeding shaped the different types of gun dogs—and how the birds, terrain and hunting traditions behind them helped define the way we hunt today. From pointers and setters to spaniels, retrievers, versatile breeds and a few unusual specialists, the episode looks at the jobs these dogs were created to do and why one type of dog can create a completely different hunting experience from another. It also becomes a more personal reflection on what hunting with dogs means over time. As Ryan’s own dogs, Guido and Klaus, begin to slow down, the episode turns to trust, companionship, aging and the difficult realization that there are only so many seasons together. Because a gun dog doesn’t simply help us hunt. The dog changes the hunt. Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Castellani USA Gordy & Sons ARMUR.org Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

  4. Sep 5

    The Best Days Aren’t About the Shooting

    What makes a great day in the field truly memorable? Ryan speaks with longtime friend Jake Woolf for a wide-ranging conversation about British shooting traditions, gundogs, hospitality, friendship and the experiences that matter long after the guns are put away. Jake also shares the story behind his Twenty10 Club and the new Fish and Game podcast—and why creating opportunities for others to experience the sporting life has become so important to him. Plus, Josh Loewensteiner of Guyette & Deeter joins Ryan to explore a handful of standout sporting guns and other fascinating lots from the firm’s upcoming Fine Sporting Arms Auction. In the end, this episode is a reminder that the shooting may bring us together—but the people, dogs, places, and stories are what we remember. In this episode: Kudu River Gun Dogs Branches Park Estate Twenty10 Club Fish and Game Podcast Side Country Network Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Castellani USA Gordy & Sons ARMUR.org Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

  5. Aug 10

    Listen While You Still Can

    After decades of shotguns, sporting clays, bird hunting, and other noisy pursuits, Ryan finally listened to his wife and visited an audiologist. The diagnosis: measurable hearing loss—and a realization that protecting your hearing is about far more than simply being able to hear the next bird flush. In this episode, Ryan talks about the warning signs he ignored, what he learned during his hearing evaluation, the growing research linking untreated hearing loss with cognitive decline and dementia, and why his own family history made that connection impossible to dismiss. He also gets candid about the role vanity played in putting off hearing aids, his decision to finally get them, and his experience with SoundGear Phantom electronic hearing protection designed specifically for shooters and hunters. If you're 35 and think this episode is for someone older, it may be especially important that you listen. We spend a lot of time protecting our shotguns. Maybe it's time we spent a little more effort protecting the ears behind them. In this episode: Starkey Hearing SoundGear Phantom Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Castellani USA Gordy & Sons ARMUR.org Shooting Sportsman Magazine Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

  6. Jul 16

    Just ONE Shotgun?

    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 which are simply a matter of personal preference? In this episode of A Break in the Action, Ryan Doughty tackles that question from a different perspective. Rather than asking what shotgun an experienced collector would buy, he asks a more practical question: If you were buying your very first—and perhaps only—shotgun today, what should it be? Drawing on decades of experience with fine shotguns, sporting clays, upland hunting, and conversations with gunmakers, guides, instructors, and lifelong wingshooters, Ryan builds his ideal all-around shotgun one characteristic at a time. From gauge and action type to barrel length, weight, choke tubes, and the features that truly matter, he explains not just what he recommends—but why. Finally, he names the new production shotguns that would be at the top of his list across three different price ranges, from around $1,000 to $5,000. Whether you're shopping for your first shotgun, helping a friend or family member get started, or simply enjoy discussing the finer points of shotgun design, this episode offers one thoughtful answer to a question every sportsman eventually asks. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why a 20-gauge over-and-under gets Ryan's recommendationThe ideal barrel length and weight for an all-around shotgunWhy fit and balance matter more than brandThe features every versatile shotgun should haveRyan's favorite new-production over-and-unders in three price categoriesOne shotgun. A lifetime of memories. Which would you choose? Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Castellani USA Gordy & Sons ARMUR.org Shooting Sportsman Magazine Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

  7. Jun 22

    From Rolex to Rizzini: How a watch enthusiast found wingshooting

    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 new pursuit: hunting, wingshooting, and the sporting life. Together they discuss Christian's introduction to hunting, what he thought hunters were like before he became one, and the surprising realities he discovered after entering the community. They explore why so many watch enthusiasts seem drawn toward fine shotguns, the importance of mentorship and tradition, and how social media can introduce new audiences to hunting and shooting sports. The conversation also ventures into collecting, craftsmanship, family, heritage, and the objects we choose to keep for a lifetime. And then things get interesting. Ryan and Christian attempt to answer a question that has been months in the making: If the world's great shotgun makers were watchmakers, who would they be? Whether you're passionate about watches, shotguns, both, or neither, this episode is ultimately about something bigger: discovering meaningful pursuits, finding community, and preserving traditions worth passing along. Guest: Christian Zeron, Theo & Harris Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

  8. Jun 12

    Is the 12 gauge dead?

    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 even .410s have developed devoted followings, leaving some hunters to wonder: has the 12 gauge become more gun than most of us actually need? Joining me to explore that question is Gregg Elliott of Dogs and Doubles. Gregg is a dedicated grouse and woodcock hunter, student of vintage shotguns, and unapologetic advocate for the 12 gauge. Along the way, our conversation drifts well beyond gauge selection. We discuss why lightweight 12 gauges may be among the most underrated upland guns ever built, how modern ammunition has changed the conversation, the economics of vintage shotgun collecting, whether marketing has influenced the popularity of sub-gauges, and why some classic British and American 12 gauges represent tremendous value in today's market. We also dive into gun fit, barrel dimensions, stock design, and one of the strangest—and most interesting—Greener shotguns I've ever seen. Whether you're a dedicated sub-gauge enthusiast or firmly in the 12-gauge camp, this is an enjoyable conversation about shotguns, bird hunting, and the enduring appeal of a gauge many hunters may have overlooked too quickly. Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

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4.9
out of 5
106 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Doughty
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Break in the Action, LLC
  • Show Website
    A Break in the Action

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