People still talk about it. Even now, years after the cameras stopped rolling and the shop lights went dark in Baton Rouge, the drama surrounding the sons of guns cast remains a weirdly fascinating footnote in reality TV history. You remember Red Jacket Firearms. It was the place where "if you can dream it, we can build it" became a mantra for some of the most over-the-top weapon builds ever seen on Discovery Channel.
It wasn't just about the guns.
It was about the people—the loud, greasy, sometimes brilliant, often volatile personalities that made the show a massive hit before it all came crashing down in the most horrific way possible.
The Rise and Sudden Fall of Red Jacket
Let's be real: for a while, Red Jacket Firearms was the center of the tactical universe. The sons of guns cast became accidental celebrities. You had Will Hayden, the gruff founder; Kris Ford, the young apprentice who married into the family; and Stephanie, the daughter who basically ran the business side of things while keeping the "boys" in line.
The show premiered in 2011 and it was an instant success. It tapped into that specific American obsession with custom engineering and high-stakes deadlines. One week they were suppressed-firing a 1919 machine gun, and the next they were trying to mount a flamethrower on a boat.
Then 2014 happened.
💡 You might also like: Kiss My Eyes and Lay Me to Sleep: The Dark Folklore of a Viral Lullaby
The news didn't just break; it shattered the entire brand. When Will Hayden was arrested on multiple counts of aggravated rape and forcible touching involving minors—including his own daughters—Discovery didn't just cancel the show. They scrubbed it. They buried it. The sons of guns cast was effectively disbanded overnight as the legal system took over. Hayden was eventually sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years. He's currently serving that time in Louisiana, and honestly, that’s where his story effectively ends for most fans.
What Happened to Stephanie Hayden and Kris Ford?
For a long time, Stephanie Hayden-Ford and her husband Kris were the faces of the aftermath. It couldn't have been easy. Imagine your entire livelihood and family reputation being nuked by the actions of one person.
Stephanie was often the most relatable member of the sons of guns cast. She was the one dealing with the paperwork, the legalities of the NFA (National Firearms Act), and the constant stress of the shop’s chaotic environment. After the show ended, she and Kris tried to distance themselves from the Red Jacket name, which had become toxic.
They didn't just disappear, though. They’ve been active in various ways, mostly trying to rebuild a life out of the spotlight. They’ve faced their own legal hurdles over the years, including some widely reported arrests related to child cruelty charges that were later cleared or mitigated, depending on which court records you’re digging through. It’s been messy. Really messy.
Kris Ford has spent some time working on his own projects, often appearing at trade shows or doing guest spots on YouTube channels like Iraqveteran8888. He’s still a gun guy at heart. You can tell when he talks about builds that he actually missed the craft, even if he didn't miss the reality TV circus.
📖 Related: Kate Moss Family Guy: What Most People Get Wrong About That Cutaway
The Supporting Characters: Joe, Flem, and Charlie
This is where the real "talent" of the shop lived. If you watched the show for the actual builds rather than the scripted drama, these were your guys.
- Joe Meaux: Joe was the guy with the engineering mind. After the show folded, he didn't just give up on the industry. He continued working in the firearms world, eventually moving into the tactical gear and silencer space. He’s been involved with Aklys Defense, a company that actually does some high-end, legitimate suppressor work. He’s probably the most "successful" in terms of maintaining a professional career in the industry post-Discovery.
- Charlie Watson: The resident gunsmith who always looked like he’d rather be anywhere else but in front of a camera. Charlie was the old-school soul of the sons of guns cast. Fans loved him because he felt authentic. After the fallout, Charlie mostly retreated from public life. He went back to what he knew—fixing guns without a camera crew shoved in his face.
- Glenn "Flem" Fleming: Flem was the fan favorite. He was the guy who seemed like he could fix a tank with a paperclip and a piece of chewing gum. When he left the show during its run, people were bummed. He actually moved on to work with other shops and eventually stayed active in the custom build community. He didn’t get dragged down by the Hayden scandal as much because he had already put some distance between himself and Red Jacket.
The Brand That Wouldn't Die (But Probably Should Have)
One of the weirdest parts of the sons of guns cast legacy is what happened to the Red Jacket brand itself. For a while, the name was sold or licensed. Other people tried to keep the flame alive, selling Red Jacket branded lowers and parts.
It felt gross to a lot of people.
The industry eventually moved on. Newer shows came and went, and the "tactical" look changed from the messy shop aesthetic of the early 2010s to the slick, minimalist "operator" look we see today. Red Jacket became a cautionary tale about the dangers of building a brand entirely around a "big personality" without doing a deep dive into who that personality actually is when the cameras are off.
Why We Still Care About the Cast of Sons of Guns
It’s about the "what if."
👉 See also: Blink-182 Mark Hoppus: What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Comeback
If Will Hayden hadn't been a monster, where would that show be now? Would they be building railguns? Would they have moved into aerospace? The sons of guns cast represented a specific moment in cable TV history where "blue-collar expertise" was the hottest commodity on the market.
People liked seeing things blow up, sure. But they also liked the camaraderie of the shop. Even if half of it was scripted by producers for "tension," there was a core group of talented smiths there who genuinely knew their way around a lathe.
The Reality of Reality TV Legalities
The legal fallout wasn't just criminal; it was a mess of contracts and intellectual property. When a show like Sons of Guns gets nuked, the cast is often left in a lurch. They can't use the name. They might be under non-compete clauses. They might owe money back to production companies if certain benchmarks weren't met.
The sons of guns cast members who survived the best were the ones who had a trade to fall back on. Joe Meaux and Flem were craftsmen first, TV stars second. That’s the lesson for anyone entering the reality TV meat grinder: make sure you actually know how to do the thing you’re doing on screen, because the screen can go black at any second.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking back at this show or trying to follow the remaining members of the sons of guns cast, here is how to navigate that landscape today:
- Verify the Sources: A lot of "where are they now" articles about the Red Jacket crew are full of old info. If you want to see what Kris or Joe are up to, check their verified Instagram or Facebook pages. They occasionally post updates on new builds or appearances.
- Separate the Art from the Artist (if you can): Many people still own Red Jacket firearms. These are often well-made tools that were built by guys like Flem or Charlie. It’s okay to value the hardware while acknowledging the founder was a criminal.
- Support the Survivors: If you're a fan of the technical skill shown on the show, look into Aklys Defense or the various independent shops the former smiths now frequent. These guys are still out there doing the work, just without the Discovery Channel budget.
- Understand the NFA: If the show sparked an interest in the "cool stuff" like suppressors and short-barreled rifles, use that interest to learn about actual firearm laws. The show took a lot of shortcuts for TV; real-world NFA ownership involves a lot of waiting and $200 tax stamps.
The story of the sons of guns cast is a reminder that reality TV is rarely "real," and the consequences of real-life actions can't be edited out in post-production. The shop is closed, the founder is behind bars, but the impact they had on the "gun-entertainment" genre is still felt today in every YouTube channel that features a high-speed camera and a silhouette target.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
If you're interested in the technical side of what the Red Jacket team did, research the history of the Saiga-12 platform, which was their bread and butter. Look for builders who specialize in "conversion" work, as this remains the most enduring technical legacy of the show's era. Avoid the "Red Jacket" branded merchandise floating around secondary markets unless you're a collector of TV memorabilia; the actual value in the firearms world has shifted toward newer, more reputable manufacturers.