Welcome to the Official Podcast for the Firearms Industry, unofficially. Whiskey & Windage is where the firearms industry comes to talk. Unlike traditional gun podcasts that recycle surface-level topics, Whiskey & Windage pulls back the curtain on the brands, builders, innovators, and creators who actually drive the firearms industry forward.
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Can a $4,900 striker-fired pistol really compete with the best 2011s on the market?
This week on Whiskey & Windage, Mike and Matt sit down with David Petta of Zermatt Arms to get an inside look at the all-new Waltz 9, a premium 9mm pistol designed to challenge some of the biggest names in high-end handguns, including Atlas Gunworks and Staccato.
Known for precision rifle actions, Zermatt Arms is stepping into the pistol market with something completely different. But with a starting price around $4,900, the Waltz 9 has already sparked plenty of debate.
David takes us behind the scenes of its development, from his original DC9 project built in a small garage to a completely redesigned striker-fired platform featuring a straight-pull trigger, patent-pending roller locking block, Glock-pattern magazines, and precision-machined components.
We get into the details that matter:
Striker-fired vs. 2011: Can a striker-fired trigger actually match or outperform a high-end 2011?
The $4,900 question: What makes the Waltz 9 worth the money compared to an Atlas or Staccato?
Engineering innovation: How Zermatt's roller locking block addresses barrel fit, friction, and long-term wear.
Reliability and durability: The unexpected failures, redesigns, and testing challenges encountered during development.
Competition shooting: Where the Waltz 9 fits into USPSA divisions and what could come next.
Modularity and maintenance: Why interchangeable components and user-serviceable parts were priorities from day one.
The future: Could Zermatt eventually bring this technology to a more affordable pistol?
David doesn't shy away from the tough questions, including whether the industry actually needs another expensive handgun and why he believes the Waltz 9 offers something existing platforms don't.
Is this the next evolution of the competition pistol, or has the premium handgun market reached the point of diminishing returns?
Would you spend $4,900 on a striker-fired pistol, or would you stick with a proven 2011?
Join the conversation and tell us what you think.
Whiskey & Windage — Where the Firearms Industry Comes to Talk.
#WhiskeyAndWindage #ZermattArms #Waltz9 #2011 #StrikerFired #CompetitionShooting
14 Oct 2026
Legends Never Fade | Beretta USA
Few names in the firearms industry carry the history, influence, and reputation of Beretta.
In this episode of Whiskey & Windage, we sit down with Beretta to discuss the company's legendary heritage, its iconic pistol lineup, and the innovations shaping its future.
From the unmistakable Beretta 92 series to the latest 92X, 94X, and B22 pistols, we explore the evolution of one of the world's most recognized firearms manufacturers. We also discuss the growing popularity of 2011-style pistols, changing consumer expectations, and how a company with nearly 500 years of history continues to compete in today's market.
Whether you're a longtime Beretta enthusiast or simply interested in the engineering, design, and history behind modern firearms, this conversation offers an inside look at an industry icon.
7 Oct 2026
Challenging the Standard
What happens when two engineers look at an established product and decide there’s still room to make it better?
This week, Mike and Matt sit down with Austin Menard, co-founder and CEO of Sentry Manufacturing, to talk about how the company went from an idea in 2023 to developing products and working with some of the biggest names in the firearms industry.
Austin takes us through the story behind Sentry, the development of the DeadLock and GasLock charging handles, and the engineering decisions that separate their designs from what was already on the market. They get into durability, gas mitigation, product testing, manufacturing, and how relationships with companies like Daniel Defense helped shape Sentry’s growth.
They also talk about OEM manufacturing, the challenges of bringing new products to market, and what Sentry has planned for the future.
It’s a conversation about engineering, problem-solving, and refusing to accept “that’s just how it’s always been done.”
Who has been a guest on Whiskey and Windage
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Kevin "KJ" Jarnagin
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Allison Mitchum
Johnathon Gober
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