Larry Vickers’ Background, Cancer Battle, and Century Arms Introductions
The discussion opens with introductions of Larry Vickers and Adam from Century Arms, framed by the hosts’ long-standing relationship with Larry and his influence in the firearms community. Vickers outlines his career path, from 15 years in Special Operations and Delta Force, retiring in 2003, to becoming a 1911 gunsmith under industry legends like Bill Wilson and Ken Hackathorn. He later expanded into pistol, carbine, AK, home defense, and CQB training, and co-authored high-end coffee table books on iconic firearms. Larry then addresses his recent fight with cancer, explaining how exposure to caustic chemicals from flashbangs and breaching charges in Delta has affected many unit veterans. He describes losing friends, his own treatment, and current remission, emphasizing a conscious decision to reduce travel and prioritize family while still hoping to re-engage with the industry and attend SHOT Show. Adam follows with his own background, from a previous chief marketing role at a major budget AR manufacturer to his current role at Century Arms and Canik, highlighting the AP5 program and the tight-knit nature of the firearms community.
Why the MP5 Still Matters and Century’s New Roller-Delayed Rifles
The conversation turns to Larry Vickers’ deep experience with the MP5 from his late-1980s Delta OTC CQB training, before the unit transitioned to CAR-15 carbines. He explains why the MP5 remains a benchmark compact automatic firearm: its roller-delayed blowback system, soft recoil, controllability, and reliability make it easy for new shooters to reach basic competency quickly. The hosts compare it to the Glock 19 as a “just works” standard in its category. They contrast the MP5 with modern options like the SIG Rattler in 300 Blackout, acknowledging 300 BLK’s ballistic superiority on paper but noting many shooters still prefer the MP5’s shooting characteristics. The discussion then shifts to Larry’s premature Instagram reveal of upcoming Century/MKE roller-delayed rifles in 5.56 (AP6) and 7.62x51 (often dubbed AP7). These rifles are produced in an HK-licensed MKE facility using HK tooling, metallurgy, and technical data packages, promising HK-level quality and parts interchangeability at more approachable prices. A test AP5 9mm is cited with roughly 15,000 rounds fired, minimal maintenance beyond lubrication, and strong reliability, with a note that suppression increases fouling and cleaning needs.
AP5 Variants, Suppression, Ballistol, and the Briefcase Gun Concept
The hosts expand on how suppressed firearms demand more attentive cleaning and lubrication than unsuppressed guns, as backpressure drives fouling into the action. They praise Ballistol as a versatile cleaner and lubricant that works on firearms, leather, and other gear, making it a go-to all-purpose product. The discussion then focuses on the Century AP5 series. The base AP5 configuration includes a polymer forend, no brace, iron sights, and a trilug flash hider, providing a faithful MP5-style platform at a lower price point. Classic Firearms offers upgraded packages with SB Tactical braces, different handguards and rails, and optics from brands like Riton and Shield, while still keeping total cost below original HK MP5-style guns. They emphasize that even around a thousand dollars is a serious purchase, so the goal is to deliver clear value with braced pistols, optic-ready setups, extra magazines, and furniture options. The AP5 variants are broken down: the full-size AP5, the AP5P (K-length with threaded barrel), and the AP5M (K-length with a non-threaded barrel), which serves both compliance markets and MP5K-style briefcase gun builds.
MP5K Briefcase Guns, Modern Discreet Carry, and Cabot 1911s
Attention shifts to the HK MP5K briefcase gun, a classic covert setup. The internal adapter, brass deflector, and spare magazine holder are described as well-engineered, but the commercial briefcase shell itself is considered cheaply made and prone to rapid wear under heavy use. The briefcase gun is characterized as a close-range, point-shooting “get off me” weapon, not a precision tool. In modern contexts, the group notes that a briefcase can be conspicuous, suggesting a satchel-based design would blend in better. They briefly digress into speculation about King Charles’ bearded bodyguard, debating whether his ever-present umbrella is a disguised firearm, a ballistic shield, or simply a sturdy impact tool. The conversation returns to handguns with praise for Cabot 1911 pistols, highlighting their excellent machining, fit, and finish. They particularly favor a 9mm lightweight Commander-style 1911 configuration, noting that after Cabot’s early learning curve, these guns now offer refined performance and appeal as high-end, carryable 1911s.
AP5M Briefcase Fit, Home Defense Setup, and MP5 Ergonomics
The hosts explore a James Bond-style AP5M briefcase build, confirming that the AP5M’s dimensions and HK-spec adherence allow it to fit original MP5K briefcases and similar accessories. They compare older AP5/SP5 grip modules with molded finger grooves and thumb swells to newer, smoother grips, suggesting the change improves adaptability for different hand sizes and preferences. Classic MP5 lower receiver details are discussed, including the SCF lower, later 0-1 markings, and a selector designed to resist over-travel past “safe,” enhancing reliability and safety. The AP5 is framed as an excellent home defense or truck gun thanks to its light weight, compactness, 30-round magazines, and reliable function with a range of ammunition, including Federal HST hollow points. Recommended upgrades include adding a brace or stock (after Form 1 SBR approval), a quality red dot sight, and a good sling, with a white light as an optional but valuable addition. They express a preference for collapsible or foldable stocks and braces to maintain maneuverability in confined spaces.
Stocks and Braces, MP5 Recoil, and Vickers’ Favorite Platforms
Discussion continues on collapsible and foldable stocks and braces for MP5-style firearms, including various aftermarket options from companies like Safety Harbor and SB Tactical. They touch on the idea of importing MKE retractable buttstocks as limited accessories, weighing potential demand against NFA hurdles and cost. The roller-delayed MP5 design is praised for its exceptionally soft recoil compared to direct-blowback 9mm pistol caliber carbines, which can feel surprisingly “thumpy” despite using the same cartridge. Larry Vickers then shares his favorite firearms platforms. For pistols, he names the 1911, recommending Wilson Combat, Colt, and Springfield Armory, including the double-stack Springfield Prodigy. For long guns, he favors the M4/AR-15 platform, highlighting BCM while acknowledging other solid manufacturers such as Colt and Daniel Defense. They contrast the maturing quality spectrum of AR-15 makers, including well-known budget brands, with the relative scarcity of consistently good American-made AKs. Vickers stresses that AKs are far more complex and engineering-intensive to manufacture correctly than their crude reputation suggests, joking about worn AKs and even Mosins still being issued overseas.
Life After Cancer, Limited Classes, SHOT Show, and the Vickers Sling
The tone shifts to Larry Vickers’ personal health journey. He describes being diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, undergoing a stem cell transplant, and now being in remission with stable weight after a period of severe cancer-driven weight loss. His wife has encouraged him to slow down after decades of heavy travel, so any future training classes he offers will likely be limited and local to the Charlotte, North Carolina area. The hosts reminisce about friendships and events in the firearms industry, such as a Thunder Ranch shoot where they burned through roughly 6,000 rounds across several rifles, and a CMMG 20th anniversary event. Vickers explains that he skipped the previous SHOT Show due to COVID risks post-transplant but hopes to attend the next one, inviting viewers to say hello if they see him there. The segment closes with praise for the Blue Force Gear Vickers sling, which one host uses in the Marine Corps. Larry notes that the sling has been a long-running commercial and practical success.
Vickers Sling Design, HK Builder’s Guides, and NGSW/SIG Spear Discussion
The Blue Force Gear Vickers Sling is examined in detail. Larry Vickers and Ashley Burnsed refined a quick-adjust two-point design, evolving from machined aluminum hardware to molded polymer while keeping the core function intact. Multiple variants exist, including padded, non-padded, and thinner versions, but all share the same quick-adjust principle. A Marine host explains how modern quick-adjust slings aid Marine Corps rifle qualification, making transitions from standing to prone faster and improving weapon retention compared to older parade-style two-point slings and traditional arm-cinch methods. Vickers then outlines his publishing work, including an upcoming HK handguns volume in the Builder’s Guide series co-developed with James Williamson, to be followed by long gun and machine gun/special purpose weapon volumes, bringing his total book count near nine or ten. The conversation shifts to SIG’s dominance in recent military contracts, the 6.8mm NGSW cartridge, and the SIG Spear LT’s prospects versus the M4. Vickers offers technical commentary on short-stroke piston systems like the HK416 and MCX/Spear lineage from the AR-18, and clarifies that the AR-15 is effectively piston-driven, with the bolt acting as the piston, even though it is commonly labeled “direct impingement” to distinguish it from external-piston designs.
SIG M17/M18 Adoption and Canik Rival Features and Value
The hosts describe handling early prototype SIG 6.8 NGSW rifles during a photo shoot and recount a visit to SIG Academy and the new SIG Experience Center, noting its museum-like displays and significant investment. They then discuss the M17/M18 replacing the Beretta M9 as the U.S. military’s standard sidearm, emphasizing the inevitability of a polymer, striker-fired service pistol and the military’s demand for modularity. SIG’s design met these modular requirements, while Glock’s submission was seen as less flexible, and SIG’s aggressive pricing helped secure the contract. The conversation transitions to Canik pistols, highlighting their strong out-of-the-box performance, especially in triggers, ergonomics, reliability, and overall value. The Canik Rival receives particular attention as a competition-focused model featuring a crisp 90-degree aluminum break trigger, magwell, competition holster, and extra magazines with aluminum baseplates, all at an MSRP around $679. They note that the Rival has earned industry awards, including 2022 Gun of the Year, and tease additional new Canik models planned for later in the year and for SHOT Show.
Canik Trust, New U.S. Factory, and Firearms Industry Jobs
The speakers emphasize how shooters have embraced Canik pistols as both enjoyable range guns and serious defensive tools. Personal anecdotes underscore this trust, including family members such as a mother choosing to carry a Canik. They highlight the pistols’ standout trigger pull and reset, encouraging customers to dry fire them as a kind of “Pepsi test” against competitors. Canik offers a 50,000-round warranty on barrels and strong customer support for normal wear, reinforcing confidence in durability. The conversation then covers the construction of a new Canik manufacturing facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, expected to create over 100 U.S. jobs and produce American-made pistols alongside imports. This leads into a broader discussion of the firearms industry’s economic importance, with examples like CMMG, Fort Scott Munitions, Century Arms, and others sustaining local communities and supply chains, especially during COVID-related shutdowns. They also mention continued support for brace-equipped products despite political pressure, framing the industry as both economically and culturally significant.
Century Salutes, Veteran Mental Health, and AP5/Canik at Classic
The discussion highlights Century Arms’ role as an essential business supporting multiple companies in Vermont and New York, keeping manufacturing and related jobs alive. Larry Vickers recounts a grueling Delta Force training exercise on Mount Washington at 50 degrees below zero, emphasizing the difficulty of keeping weapons functioning in extreme cold and the value of such experiences. The focus then shifts to Century Salutes, a program partnering with veteran-focused charities. They spotlight Josh’s House in Vermont, a 24/7 facility offering gyms, games, acupuncture, massage, and other therapies to help veterans cope with PTSD and regain camaraderie. The hosts address the broader issue of veteran mental health and suicides, mentioning individuals like Josh Palata and Neil from Ready Gunner, along with others in the gun community who have lost their struggles. They stress the importance of honoring the fallen and actively supporting those still fighting. Near the end, they briefly return to products, confirming that Classic Firearms carries all three AP5 variants with different optic and brace configurations, and noting that Canik pistols are likely Classic’s number one selling handgun line.
Canik Popularity, Social Media Limits, US Palm ‘Alien’ Mags, and AP5 Setup
The final segment begins with more on Canik pistols, noting that Canik is a top-selling imported handgun line for both Century Arms and Classic Firearms. Models like the Rival, TP9 series, SFX, and SC earn praise even from shooters loyal to more expensive brands. The conversation shifts to social media challenges: Larry Vickers describes his frozen Facebook page and stalled Instagram growth, while the hosts explain how firearms-related content is constrained by rules against directly promoting gun sales, resulting in shadowbans and reduced reach for creators and advocacy groups like Gun Owners of America. They encourage viewers to follow official sites and channels such as Vickers Tactical, Vickers Guide, canikusa.com, and centuryarms.com, and mention associated brands like Red Army Standard and US Palm. A collaborative US Palm bright green “alien” AK magazine, sold exclusively through Classic, is unveiled, with its high visibility touted for drills and range use. They discuss the benefits of bright followers for quickly identifying empty magazines and reading witness holes, and note US Palm AK mags’ durability and affordability. The hosts close by describing their AP5/MP5 configurations—rear end cap Picatinny rails, Magpul handguards and selectors, top rails with Holosun optics, and even a binary trigger—while explaining that HK MP5 triggers feel mushy and heavy because HK designs civilian guns to meet strict military drop-test and bore-obstruction standards.
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