ZERT Coffee & Chaos 147 – Post-SHOT Show & Minneapolis Unrest

This week on ZERT Coffee & Chaos, we’re blending the chaos of the streets with the latest from the firearm industry. First up: the fallout from Minneapolis — following two controversial officer-involved shootings by federal immigration agents, including the fatal January 24 shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti — the city has erupted in protests and heated clashes. Pretti’s death, coming just weeks after the January 7 killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent during an expansive federal immigration operation, has amplified calls for accountability, intensified civil unrest, and driven new operational guidance for ICE officers in the state. We’ll break down how law enforcement tactics shifted, how community and political leaders are responding, and what this means for federal-local relations in Minneapolis and beyond. Then we pivot to SHOT Show 2026 takeaways — because chaos in the street meets innovation at the range. This year’s industry buzz showcased an undeniable resurgence of 2011-pattern pistols, with manufacturers pushing the platform hard. From duty-ready double-stack builds to lightweight competition rigs, these modern 2011s are showing up across price tiers and performance envelopes, proving the category has matured well beyond its roots. Expect deeper discussions on triggers, ergonomics, modularity, and why 2011s are suddenly everywhere on the market. And of course, we’ll unpack that pistol everyone’s talking about — the Dragon from Rideout Arsenal. With its ultra-low bore axis, lever-delayed blowback system, and optics integration that turns heads, the Dragon represents a bold step in handgun design for competition shooters and enthusiasts alike. We’ll break down what makes it different, who it’s built for, and whether this trendsetter has legs beyond SHOT Show hype. Tune in for expert insights, unfiltered analysis, and the kind of conversation you won’t hear anywhere else — because in this world, there’s always coffee brewing and chaos unfolding. ☕🔥