Advertise on podcast: Going Ballistic with Ryan Cleckner

In this episode, Ryan sits down with friend Nishan Campbell for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up around firearms, serving as a Marine Corps officer, building businesses, raising children, and learning to carry responsibility well. Nishan shares how hunting and shooting became part of his life at an early age, beginning with family trips, single-shot shotguns, dove fields, and the lessons his father taught him about firearms. Ryan and Nishan compare their early experiences with guns, hunting, competition, and the different paths that eventually led each of them into the firearms industry. The conversation then turns to Nishan's entrepreneurial journey and the creation of Gunfighter Canyon. He explains how an unconventional idea became a shooting experience built largely for tourists and first-time shooters, why understanding the customer matters more than simply selling products, and how removing physical, mental, and emotional barriers can completely change someone's experience with firearms. Ryan and Nishan also discuss the realities of operating a firearms business, building genuine relationships with customers, surviving difficult periods such as the COVID shutdowns, and resisting the temptation to build a business around inventory, ego, or industry stereotypes. Later in the episode, Nishan reflects on September 11, his decision to pursue military service, his career as a Marine officer, and the lasting influence of military leadership and responsibility. The conversation expands into fatherhood, raising capable children, learning from failure, accepting accountability, and trying to pass meaningful lessons to the next generation. This episode is about much more than guns. It is a candid conversation about service, entrepreneurship, friendship, family, and what it means to become someone others can rely upon. Topics Discussed Nishan's upbringing in Arizona Learning to shoot and hunt with his family Single-shot shotguns and early hunting memories Shotgun sports, competition, and firearms culture How Ryan and Nishan first met The origins of Gunfighter Canyon Creating a shooting experience for tourists and first-time shooters Understanding exactly who your customer is Removing physical, mental, and emotional barriers Why customers often make decisions emotionally Building trust instead of merely completing transactions The difference between a gun store and a genuine community Expanding a firearms business without overextending Adapting the business during COVID The realities of firearms regulation and ATF compliance September 11 and Nishan's decision to serve Life and leadership in the Marine Corps Responsibility, discipline, and personal accountability Fatherhood and preparing children for adulthood The lessons Ryan and Nishan hope to pass to their children Friendship, service, and finding purpose through responsibility About Nishan Campbell Nishan Campbell is a Marine Corps officer, entrepreneur, and the co-founder and CEO of Gunfighter Canyon, a group of shooting ranges and firearms retail businesses based in northern Arizona. His professional background also includes advertising, medical-device sales, and medical-device distribution. Connect With Nishan and Gunfighter Canyon Website: Gunfighter.com Instagram: @GunfighterCanyon Nishan on Instagram: @Gunfighter_6 Connect With Ryan Cleckner Website: RyanCleckner.com Instagram: @RyanCleckner Books: Search "Ryan Cleckner" wherever books are sold. Subscribe to Going Ballistic for more conversations about firearms, military service, business, leadership, and the lessons learned along the way.

Ryan (finally) releases the Advanced Long Range Shooting book!

Full explanation of the timeline, controversy, and my findings of the Sig P320. Referenced article here: https://gununiversity.com/sig-p320-review/

Kyle Lamb, former SFOD-D Sergeant Major, founder of Viking Tactics, and friend, sits down with Ryan to talk about how they met, some of their adventures together, knife making, and what he thinks it takes to be sucsessful as an entreprenuer.

Tactical Office Lady (AKA Anna Miller) started working at American Precision Arms one year ago knowing almost nothing about precision shooting.  She is learning how to shoot and picking up on all of the lingo.   She is a wife, a mother, and grew up the youngest of three girls. She grew up around musicals, dance recitals, lots of soccer, and needless to say - she is completely out of her element.

Ryan sits down with Chris Way of RifleKraft.com and The Straight Dope podcast.

Ryan sits down ith Dave Rhoden of Flagrant Beard to get the backstory on his beard (and his company's namesake), to see what he's working on with Vertx, and to shop-talk about shooting pistols.

Ryan returns (maybe) to update listeners on life, SHOT Show 2022, and the new 30 Super Carry round.

Amid the Coronavirus panic, we have seen RECORD firearms sales across the country. In fact, one of the most popular articles on Gun University is How To Buy A Gun Online. Ryan talks about his recent travels back to Arizona and his experience at the Southwest Airlines gate. Here's a spoiler: he didn't get away with hiding. For those that are new to firearms (more new shooters than ever before - 3.7 million firearm background checks were run in March),  PLEASE get training and be safe with firearms. And, for you gun-folks out there, make sure you are taking new shooters under your wing and showing them the way. If you'd like some resources for new shooters, check out Gun 101 - Guns for Beginners. Ryan has been getting lots of questions about whether people should get concealed carry insurance and if they should which ccw insurance is best. Whether you want to get CCW insurance is your choice, however, if you'd like some insight on the matter from an actual firearm attorney, check out his new best concealed carry insurance guide GunUniversity is really taking off and there's some new article for you to check out including: HK VP9-B Review, How to Adjust A Scope, a Vortex Razor Gen II Review, and How To Test Scope Tracking Indoors. Of course, don't miss the gun and gear giveaways and the free targets Ryan talked about on the show or a review of his new favorite IWI Tavor X95

From Ryan Cleckner: "I missed you all! I'm finally back and hoping to get this things going again - you can help encourage this by spreading the word about the podcast to friends. I'm considering this podcast turning into my general gun related podcast and starting a new podcast just for teaching and keeping Trigger Words for gun law stuff. Like that idea? Let me know!" Check out all sorts of updates on GunUniversity like: Best Concealed Carry Insurance Guns for Beginners Tennessee Online CCW Best AK-47s What is MOA? Multi-State Online CCW

Here's the final part of our hunting trip in Czech Republic with Sellier and Beloit ammunition and CZ Firearms. For some recent articles and updates, check out: Gun Giveaways Sig Cross Review Glock 44 Review Sling Weapons (Paracord Rock Slings) Goat Guns Review Gifts for Gun Lovers MP17 Review

The first (of two) parts of our AWESOME pheasant, wild boar, and deer hunting trip in the Czech Republic! S&B Paper Shotgun Shell Giveaway: Ammo Giveaway   Recent GunU reviews: Best Combat and Tactical Shotguns A400 Beretta Sporting Black Review Beretta 1301 Comp Review Gift Guide for Shooters

Here's the final installment of the Colorado elk hunt! Does Ryan make it?     Ryan's Projects: Class 3 License Info Veteran Beard Oil Gifts for Gun Lovers Gun Giveaways Benelli M4 Sig P365 Review What is MOA?

We continue with part 3 of the Colorado elk hunt adventure!   Here are some links to Ryan's firearm-related projects: Gifts for Gun Lovers Gun Giveaways 922r Compliance How to Get a Class 3 License Veteran Beard Oil Best Combat and Tactical Shotguns