The King Is Back, on Sons of Guns

The King is back! Elvis had his pistol featured on Sons of Guns this last week. For some reason, they could not discuss who the gun was once owned by. But they hinted about it enough. The scoop:

Red Jacket is put to the test when a 70-year-old, $150K, full auto 40mm Bofors cannon, with over 500 parts, breaks down 4 days prior to its sale. Also, the crew resurrects an 1855 Volcanic Pistol. Then, a rockin’.38 Special’s secret markings reveal its royal lineage.

That Bofors was a magnificent beast. Every Navy division should have one. Or two.

I would not be a blogger if I did not mention the custom Orange County Chopper that Will and the Red Jacket boys  (and Stephanie) are raffling off to benefit the troops:

CUSTOM OCC CHOPPER GIVEAWAY AT RED JACKET, SONS OF GUNS

Want a preview on the upcoming show? Can do:

Red Jacket Firearms redefines armored cars when they conceal fully automatic M-16s and Claymore mines in an armored Porsche for a client that needs protection as well as the ability to fight back. Meanwhile, Steph goes rogue and builds a custom AR behind Will’s back. And Jesse James returns to Red Jacket with his engraved BAR parts. The team assembles his gun and together they take it to the range where Jesse fires the custom-built weapon.

An armored Porsche, on Sons of Guns? Count me in. And Jesse James? Mm, okay.

Sons of Guns, the Best TV Show on Weapons

Guess who’s back? If you are thinking Santa Claus, you are right, although only partially. Think similar body type, with a love for guns. Will Hayden? You got it! He is a prior Marine who works as a master armorer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Will Hayden, Sons of Guns, Prior Marine, Master Armorer

Back for a third season, Discovery Channel’s “Sons of Guns,” seems ready to explode. The first episode finds:

Will and the Red Jacket crew restore a 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and twin 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns aboard the World War II destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) for an explosive Fourth of July air show. Meanwhile, Steph designs a line of ladies Saiga 5.45 rifles — with fashionable custom paint jobs — much to Will’s chagrin.

There exists simmering tension between Will and his 25 year-old daughter Stephanie‘s new boyfriend, Kris. Will had given Kris Ford the ultimatum, either work at Red Jacket and don’t date Stephanie. Or find another job. We find out in the first episode that he is still working at Red Jacket and dating Stephanie. Perhaps I misunderstood how the last season ended? Or is Kris craftier than he appears?

Stephanie Hayden, Sons of Guns, Discovery Channel 

If you have never watched the show, check it out. Be prepared to hum the theme song, Shelter Me by Buddy Miller, though. It is catchy. (Hmmm, the Yahoo link says: The song is “Shelter me” by Tab Benoit, written by Julie and Buddy Miller, performed by Tab Benoit.)

The crack staff at Navy Times asked Will as to his favorite gun movies. Here is his list:

Last of the Mohicans: “Beautiful work with a musket, a long rifle and a war club.”

Predator: “For a purely fun gun movie, it’s just badass.”

Red Dawn: Remains to be seen if the remake will be any good, but the original is timeless gun-lovin’ glory.

True Grit: “There’s a new one? Sorry, any movie called ‘True Grit’ has got John Wayne in it.”

All Quiet on the Western Front:“I’m looking at a Springfield and an early Enfield here in my office right now.”

Full Metal Jacket and Platoon:“Every war or gun collection has to have those two.”

What no Dirty Harry? Still, good choices. . .