Karl Brugger of B&T Talks First Gun, Last Gun & What’s Next For B&T

We got to sit down with B&T’s founder, Karl Brugger, the “B” in B&T (Brugger and Thomet). Karl talked about his origin story, a leadership philosophy, a suppressed Uzi, a pocket carry gun, a Swiss hockey team, and more.

On this episode of First Last Next, Elliot sat down with Karl Brugger, founder of B&T, live from the Silencer Shop booth at SHOT Show 2026. If you know B&T, you already know the reputation: precision, innovation, and some of the coolest suppressed firearms on the planet. If you know Karl, you know he is not exactly the “sit in a tower and wave from above” kind of founder.

He is the guy walking the booth, talking with customers, helping the team, and still finding time to get to the range every week.

Karl described B&T as a team effort, not a one-man show. He also summed up his leadership style in a way only Karl could: make decisions, fix your mistakes, treat people fairly, and don’t work with jerks. Slightly more colorful language was used in the episode, but the philosophy was pretty clear.

The whole conversation had that perfect First Last Next mix: funny, honest, a little unexpected, and very, very gun-nerdy.

Karl’s First Gun: The Air Rifle That Started It All

Karl’s first gun was an air rifle he received when he was 11 years old. And yes, there is a story.

According to Karl, when he was a kid, he had a habit of going into his parents’ room at night. His father eventually got some advice: buy the boy an air rifle, shoot with him before bed, lock up the ammo, and let him keep the rifle in his room.

Apparently, it worked.

That air rifle gave young Karl confidence, independence, and maybe, just maybe, gave his parents their bedroom back. More importantly, it kicked off a lifelong relationship with firearms. Karl still has that air rifle today.

That is not just a “first gun” story. That is a full-blown origin scene.

His First Purchase: An Uzi Pistol, Because Of Course

Most people’s first gun purchase is something practical. Maybe a .22. Maybe a hunting rifle. Maybe a basic handgun.

Karl bought an Uzi pistol.

He was 18 years old, his father still had to sign for the gun license (yuck), and Karl walked into a gun shop and came out with one of the first Uzi pistols he could get his hands on.

Then he did what any totally normal 18-year-old apprentice machinist would do.

He built a suppressor for it.

At the time in Switzerland, Karl explained that building a suppressor for personal use was legally different than building one commercially. As long as he was making it for himself and not selling it, he could build it. So he drew it, machined it, had every part checked for tolerance, and assembled what he jokingly said may have been one of the best suppressors he ever made.

The final setup? A suppressed Uzi pistol with a homemade stock.

Was it pretty? According to Karl, no.

Was it cool? Absolutely.

And in true Karl fashion, he picked the Uzi because he thought it looked good. Simple as that.

From Apprentice Machinist to B&T Founder

Karl’s path into suppressors started early. He was already around engineering, machining, and firearms as a young man, and he was exposed to suppressed firearm projects during his apprenticeship. That hands-on background shaped the way he still thinks about B&T products today.

No corporate fluff. No pretending it was all part of some master plan.

Karl said B&T started with about $30,000, no bank backing, and no big strategic blueprint. He and his former partner simply started making suppressors. Over time, the company grew into a global brand by staying fast, practical, and focused on doing the work.

One of the best lines from Karl was his view on mistakes: he makes a dozen a day, fixes some, and tries not to repeat the others tomorrow.

That might be the most Swiss-machinist version of “continuous improvement” ever put on a podcast.

Karl’s Last Gun: A Kimber Carry Pistol

When Elliot asked about the last gun Karl picked up, Karl pulled up a photo of his newest carry gun: a Kimber.

More specifically, Karl said it was set up to become his everyday carry once he had the right holster and enough training time with it. That part matters. Even after decades in the industry, Karl’s approach is not “buy it and carry it immediately.” It is: get the gear, train with it, get good with it, then carry it.

That is very Karl.

He also mentioned that he has a soft spot for compact carry pistols and concealed carry guns in general. When he buys one, he does not just grab the gun. He gets the holster. He gets the magazines. He sets it up like something he actually intends to use.

As Karl put it, if he gets hit by a bus, his kids will have enough pistols to carry for the rest of their lives.

Not a bad inheritance plan, honestly.

Karl’s Next Gun: Whatever Comes Across the Table

When asked what he wants next, Karl did not give a polished collector answer. His answer was more Karl than that.

Whatever comes across the table.

He mentioned that B&T often receives firearms for testing suppressors, including guns from other manufacturers. Some are company-owned, some are there for evaluation, and some are simply there so the team can play with them, test them, and learn from them.

In other words, Karl’s “next gun” is less about checking a box and more about curiosity. If it is useful, interesting, or tied to a suppressor project, he wants to get hands on it.

That is the whole B&T vibe in one answer.

Karl’s Next Gun: Whatever Comes Across the Table

When asked what he wants next, Karl did not give a polished collector answer. His answer was more Karl than that.

Whatever comes across the table.

He mentioned that B&T often receives firearms for testing suppressors, including guns from other manufacturers. Some are company-owned, some are there for evaluation, and some are simply there so the team can play with them, test them, and learn from them.

In other words, Karl’s “next gun” is less about checking a box and more about curiosity. If it is useful, interesting, or tied to a suppressor project, he wants to get hands on it.

That is the whole B&T vibe in one answer.

More Than Guns: Hockey, Kids, and Giving Back

One of the best surprises from the episode had nothing to do with guns at all.

Karl talked about his passion for hockey and his involvement with a Swiss hockey organization. He helps support a program with hundreds of kids, and he has structured parts of his business relationships so that royalties and supplier contributions help fund the team.

For Karl, it is not just about creating future hockey players. It is about helping young people learn discipline, work ethic, teamwork, and responsibility.

That part of the conversation gave the episode a different kind of weight. Karl may be the founder of one of the most respected firearm companies in the world, but he clearly thinks a lot about what gets passed down to the next generation, whether that is a rifle, a skill, a company culture, or a set of values.

Final Shot

Karl Brugger’s episode of First Last Next is exactly why this podcast works.

You get the guns, sure. The first air rifle. The suppressed Uzi pistol. The Kimber carry gun. The prototype B&T projects. The PCC obsession.

But you also get the person behind the products.

Karl is humble, funny, blunt, deeply technical, and clearly still having a blast. After decades in the industry, he still goes to the range, still works with the team, still cares about the details, and still lights up when talking about what comes next.

And if that next thing happens to be an integrally suppressed .380 from B&T, well, we’ll be here quietly refreshing the page.