About This Episode
In today’s episode of Tactical Business, host Wade Skalsky sits down with Mark Kenton from Kenton Industries. Mark Kenton about his journey from shooting enthusiast to founder of Kenton Industries, a leader in custom bullet drop compensator (BDC) turrets that simplify long-range precision. Mark shares how he turned a passion into a thriving business, overcoming manufacturing challenges and expanding into scopes, accessories, and future firearm offerings. Whether you’re a hunter, shooter, or entrepreneur, this episode delivers insightful takeaways on innovation and growth in the 2A industry
Insights In This Episode
- Problem-Solving Innovation – Frustration with long-range adjustments inspired his custom turret design.
- Scope Partnerships – Collaborating with scope brands boosted credibility and distribution.
- Future Vision – Full rifle packages with mounted, zeroed scopes and custom turrets.
- Start Small – Early prototypes were handmade and tested at public ranges.
Today’s Guest
Mark Kenton | Kenton Industries
Kenton Industries crafts precision custom turrets for 1st/2nd focal plane scopes, eliminating complex calculations for long-range shooters. Just range, dial, and shoot—no holdovers or click charts needed. Maximize speed and accuracy by using your scope’s center crosshair, avoiding eye shadow and field-of-view loss from BDC reticles. Our proprietary ballistic calculator adjusts for altitude, temperature, and load variations, ensuring consistent performance from sea level to mountain peaks. Fast. Simple. Effective. Perfect for hunters and tactical shooters worldwide.
Featured on the Show
About Tactical Business
Tactical Business is the weekly business show for the firearms industry. The podcast features in-depth interviews with the entrepreneurs, professionals and technologists who are enabling the next generation of firearms businesses to innovate and grow.
Episode Summary
Episode Summary: Kenton Industries – Simplifying Long Range Precision Shooting With Tech
1. From Passion to Business: The Birth of Kenton Industries
Mark Kenton’s journey into the firearms industry began with a lifelong fascination with shooting and hunting. After working night shifts in law enforcement, he spent his free time at public ranges, where he noticed a common challenge: shooters struggled with quick, accurate long-range adjustments. This led him to develop custom bullet drop compensator (BDC) turrets, eliminating complex calculations by allowing users to simply range, dial, and shoot.
2. Solving a Critical Problem in Precision Shooting
- Traditional long-range shooting requires complex holdover calculations—Kenton’s turrets remove the math, letting hunters and competitive shooters focus on shot placement.
- Early prototypes were handcrafted and tested at local ranges before scaling production.
- The system works with 1st & 2nd focal plane scopes, maintaining accuracy at any magnification.
3. Scaling the Business: From Gun Shows to Industry Leader
- Bootstrapping Phase: Started with a laser engraver and a manufacturer friend, then expanded through trade shows like SHOT Show.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborated with major scope companies to offer branded turrets, boosting credibility.
- Diversification: Grew from turrets to selling scopes, accessories, and (soon) full rifle packages with mounted/zeroed optics.
4. Overcoming Challenges & Key Business Lessons
- Manufacturing Hurdles: No prior experience—relied on mentors, trial and error, and incremental scaling.
- Marketing Shift: Early reliance on in-person events (gun shows) now balances with digital outreach (podcasts, social media).
- Advice for Entrepreneurs:
- Start part-time to mitigate risk.
- Focus on one core product before expanding.
- Build relationships—manufacturers, distributors, and customers.
5. Future Vision: Training & Expansion
- In-Field Training: Plans to offer tactical and hunting courses, leveraging Tennessee’s pro-2A environment.
- FFL & Custom Packages: Adding rifle sales with pre-installed scopes and turrets for turnkey precision setups.
- Geographic Growth: Moved operations from California to Tennessee for tax benefits and industry-friendly policies.
6. Why Kenton’s Turrets Stand Out
- Speed Under Pressure: Critical for hunting scenarios where targets move unpredictably.
- Proprietary Ballistic Calculator: Adjusts for altitude, temperature, and load variations—ideal for diverse terrains.
- Customer-Centric Approach: Rush orders (3-day turnaround) and hands-on support set them apart in a niche market.
Final Takeaway: Kenton Industries exemplifies how identifying a pain point, relentless iteration, and strategic scaling can transform a hobby into a thriving business. For shooters and entrepreneurs alike, Mark’s story is a masterclass in innovation within the 2A space.