Send us a text

The wind is up, the birds are moving, and your shotgun is about to get tested. We sit down with gunsmith Grayson Katka of Field and Range Solutions, located in the back of Kittle’s Outdoor in Colusa to unpack what actually keeps a duck gun safe, reliable, and deadly when the weather turns and the hunts get real. From quick, same-day fixes to full tear-downs, Grayson explains how he diagnoses “my gun won’t cycle” the right way—firing, extraction, ejection, and feeding—so you stop guessing and start solving.

We dig into brands and platforms with a candid eye: why some designs tolerate neglect better than others, where modern guns truly improved recoil and ergonomics, and which hidden parts (like steel recoil tubes) become rust traps if you ignore them. Then we get practical about shotshells and patterns. Chasing 1450 fps can shred patterns and beat up guns; a heavier payload at 1250–1300 fps often prints cleaner and anchors birds more ethically. We talk choke choices, patterning basics, and the difference between flashy marketing and meaningful geometry.

If you hunt in the rain, this is your checklist. Grayson lays out a minimalist field kit—tiny oil, multi-tool, cotton swabs, toothpicks, and a pocket can of compressed air—and the no-drama routines that keep guns alive during season. We cover what to do after a dunk, why you should never fire through doubt, and the simple upgrades that pay off in the blind: extended controls, easier loading mods, proven choke tubes, and Cerakote finishes that protect and personalize. Most important, we make the case for shotgun fitting. Adjusting cast, drop, and length moves the pattern to your eye, tightens hits, and reduces cripples—think rifle zero for shotgunners.

You’ll also hear unforgettable shop stories—from red Loctite disasters to bulged barrels—that double as cautionary tales for anyone who hunts hard. Ready to keep your shotgun running when the birds finally show? Listen now, enter our giveaway, and if you found value here, subscribe, share with your blind crew, and leave a review to help more waterfowlers find the show.