Behind The Scenes with the Sons of Guns

Stephanie and Will Hayden


Stephanie Hayden is standing by the printer. “Dad look at this,” she shouts holding up a list of rare guns, including an Uzi, from a prospective client. In a flurry of phone calls, e-mails, messages and wish lists, Owner Will Hayden pulls on a cigarette in his office. Through the vale of smoke to his left is a window that let's the boss see into his shop. Right now Vince Buckles, lead gunsmith, is welding a stock in the corner as gunsmith Glenn Fleming puts together a folding stock for a conversation kit. At the same time in the bustling lobby Kris Ford breaks out a box to show off a Desert Eagle for an upcoming “special top secret” project. The group's attention is soon gathered by a bright purple pickup in front of the building. The distinctive truck is sporting a bunch of Louisiana State University stickers and one other interesting item—a Civil War era mini cannon.


“This really happens every day,” Stephanie says with a grin. “It’s not just for the cameras.”


Welcome to Red Jacket Firearms. It’s a different kind of gun shop—the custom kind. But custom doesn’t quite do justice to the innovative firearms these guys and gals turn out. Will runs a shop where family comes first. That’s why, he says, his shop is unlike all the rest.  Oh, and they have a TV show.


“This show [Sons of Guns] isn’t about guns,” he says. “It’s about my family, and my crew. It would be the same if we sold ice cream or flowers. We’re just everyday people who build guns and love doing it.”


In the short three months since its debut, this inside look at one of the most innovative custom gun shops in the Nation, dubbed "Sons of Guns," has taken reality TV by storm. Fans have flocked to the show to see what crazy firearm Red Jacket can cook up next, and these gun-toting Bayou boys have proven they can do almost anything with a gun. Rifleman’s Reality Shots will be covering everything "Sons of Guns" in the weeks to come, but first up Will gives us an exclusive look at RJF's newest AR platform rifle.


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16 Responses to Behind The Scenes with the Sons of Guns

Scotty wrote:
October 19, 2012

You guys are so Kool I watch your shows when they come on and I was wondering if you could make me and m16A4 and an M4A1 Thanks guys.............

Capt. Antonello "Apila" Fois wrote:
August 23, 2012

best greetings from Sardinia - Ardauli Shooting team - dreaming red jacket weapons :-)

nate dogg wrote:
March 29, 2012

Your show is cool and all but the drama is getting dumb.All the cool guns what was catching my eye.

aussie no guns wrote:
March 11, 2012

Would be a great show without the slow talking, egotistical, arrogant and dull shop owner Will. Can't watch it

JAQUEBAUER wrote:
October 19, 2011

After viewing every show since the beginning I am convinced the owner of the business has severe psychological problems. He is passive-aggressive, exhibits extreme anger when things don't go his way, and behaves as a tyrant to his employees. Now-is this the TV persona, and Will is really a calm, professional business owner that treats his employees with respect ? If so, then he should dump the bad guy act and be himself. Additionally, the episodes are getting a bit zany. The recent designs and modifications are bizarre and would never see real world use, by sportsman or soldiers. How many flavors can you turn a Saiga shotgun, or an AR style rifle into ? The early shows offered some interesting people, military history, and practical weapon modifications. Bring back practical and useful designs, perhaps tell us about the firearms in use by today's soldiers -US and foreign, show more war heros's and veterans.

SonsFan wrote:
August 19, 2011

Not a show for everyone. I enjoy it and find the relationships in the shop a welcome change from the reality shows of the past few years. I also read that Will has tried to have more "paperwork" requirements made part of the show to demonstrate how difficult it is to work on or own some of the automatic weapons. DC found it boring and they do all the editing.

michael landis wrote:
April 21, 2011

I love the show. and the people on it. I wish I could visit LA someday and meet the guys and shoot the breeze and some guns. keep up the good work. watch some one cook if you dont like the show !

adshare wrote:
April 13, 2011

Oh look! Another hokey reality show! Love the idiot sheriff who brought in his PERSONAL Thompson to convert into a piece of junk. Then they decided he should do the paper work AFTER the conversion. All candidates for the Federal pen.

Gadget wrote:
April 10, 2011

I watched until the first time that I saw Will yelling like Boyd Coddington or Paul Teutel, and setting unreasonable due dates on projects. I'm not interested in watching that kind of stuff. There's too much 'reality' in our lives already. I guess I'll read accounts regarding the firearms that they create elsewhere. I just have no tolerance for the other stuff.

Asher S. Havens II wrote:
April 05, 2011

Absolutely love the show, How can I get a RJF teeshirt

Randy wrote:
April 04, 2011

Being relaxed in front of the camera is still a work in progress, but I do enjoy the show...I agree with Sean that as a boss he comes off as a jerk...and treating the noobs who walk in the front door with a stuck up nose sure doesn't help the "good ol boy" attitude that I hope we are getting away from in the shooting world

Adam Kemp wrote:
April 04, 2011

Sons of Guns already made my day by restoring an MG42. I love those to death. I've been around firearms since I was 7, and I thoroughly enjoy the ingenuity they come up with.

Sean P wrote:
April 04, 2011

What's a "conversation kit"?

Tom wrote:
April 04, 2011

They are hacks, and do not help AT ALL!

KatherynS wrote:
April 04, 2011

I love this show and wish I knew the Haydens and the staff. Stephanie is always fun to see and a huge congratulations to having your business become a reality show!!!

Sean wrote:
April 04, 2011

Awesome show!! I love watching it - looks like a great group of people, but I think Will would be hard to work for :)