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CANCON, the world’s largest suppressed range day with try-before-you-buy opportunities, runs twice a year and always attracts a crowd. People come for the suppressors, the satisfying “ping” of rounds on steel, the gear, and the chance to get hands-on with rifles they usually only see in videos. Over time, the event has grown, shifted, and evolved. This year hit a new stride, with the November event in South Carolina drawing the largest crowd yet (estimated over 4,000!).
OFFGRID Basecamp stepped forward with its second iteration, drawing people from the suppressed noise of the firing line, and into a world of skills that reach far past a weekend of shooting.
Basecamp brings with it a great opportunity to mingle firearms enthusiasts with survival skills. People walked in curious and walked out with a plethora of new ideas. It became the part of the event where prepping questions turned into conversations, and strangers became students.
OFFGRID Basecamp Breakdown
Basecamp works because it never feels like a presentation. People flowed in and out all day, drawn by movement, gear on tables, or the sound of an instructor showing a small group how to solve a problem. Participants could practice packing a wound, run a rifle drill, or learn a variety of survival skills, all without leaving CANCON’s footprint. It felt like a small survival school tucked inside a larger festival.
The magic sauce was how Basecamp brought together instructors, authors, and makers who carried real-world backgrounds and years of training experience. Many had prior service as Green Berets or other military roles. Others came from wilderness survival, trauma medicine, or backcountry tracking. Their combined knowledge turned Basecamp into one of the most valuable parts of CANCON.
Alan Kay, winner of the first season of the History Channel’s popular “Alone” series set the tone with calm, grounded teaching. He offered survival insight shaped through real hardship and a lifetime outdoors. He also represented Knives By Hand, a small family-run Nepalese forging shop known for kukris and working blades. People drifted to his table for the steel and stayed for the instruction.
Gorilla Medical and Tactical Rifleman teamed up to teach TCCC, carbine fundamentals, and stress management. Their sessions gave people hands-on reps with tourniquets, wound packing, and movement under pressure. Students left each block with clear steps they could repeat on their own.
Angery American (Chris Weatherman) drew steady traffic with his well-known Survivalist Series. He talked through the mindset behind his writing and showed how stories can prepare readers to think with more intent.
Russ Sawyer brought his Hanging Creek Chronicles, which mixes fieldcraft, rural knowledge, and storytelling. His presence gave Basecamp a campfire feel minus the fire.
Pete Robertucci, author of the Sierra Hotel Tango Foxtrot (SHTF) series, rounded out the writing corner of Basecamp. His work explores conflict, loyalty, and survival through a perspective shaped by real-world experience, and many attendees walked away with signed copies.
Mountain Readiness used their space to share the culture behind their event, which focuses on preparedness, self-reliance, and family-centered training. They aren’t just promoting dates. They are building a community.
Brushbeater stood out with comms gear and their Khyber Optics line, which drew steady attention from shooters who wanted rugged glass without inflated price tags. The company was built by disabled veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq who understood what a dependable optic needs to survive. Their scopes use high-quality Japanese glass and a construction style meant to take abuse without losing zero.
Auxiliary Manufacturing displayed custom knives shaped through years of field knowledge. No display pieces. No wall hangers. Just hard-use blades built by people who know how to avoid failure in the field.
Black Armor Guns introduced attendees to their custom AR platforms built for sub-MOA accuracy. Their rifles stood out because they combined performance, reliability, and clean build quality without stepping into inaccessible price territory. Shooters appreciated the attention to detail and the fact that these rifles were built to run.
Troysgate set up a display at Basecamp that walked attendees through the science and physiology behind their patented live-fire training system. A monitor ran footage of real participants moving through controlled deadly-force scenarios inside Troysgate shoot houses. Viewers could watch how stress, decision-making, and loss of control unfold in real time when people face unpredictable conflict with live ammunition.
A group like this doesn’t appear often. Their shared experience gave Basecamp a depth that went beyond gear or marketing. People came to learn from men who had done the work for real, and it showed. By the end of each day, Basecamp carried its own small community of returning students who wanted more time with the instructors.
While the main range ran strong all weekend, Basecamp offered a space where people could slow down and focus. There was time to talk, practice, and think. It balanced out the action of the event and gave CANCON something that other shooting festivals often miss. Skills outlast a weekend. Gear comes and goes. The lessons learned at Basecamp stick long after the tents pack up.
VIP and Industry Day
VIP Day has become one of the most sought-after parts of CANCON. Only a small number of tickets are released, and they disappear within minutes. Those who manage to grab one get access to the entire range before the general crowd arrives. The pace is relaxed and every lane is open. It feels like having a private range with a few dozen like-minded shooters instead of a packed event.
The real benefit of VIP Day goes beyond the empty firing line. VIPs receive exclusive instruction from the OFFGRID Basecamp team. It sets a tone for the weekend and gives VIPs a chance to work closely with instructors before the rush of the main event.
Everyone walks away with a prize cache that turns heads. Each VIP receives a firearm, a suppressor, and a spread of quality swag that makes the ticket feel like a serious score. For many, the bag alone would be worth the price.
At CANCON South Carolina, we also hosted local and regional FFLs along with industry guests throughout the day. It created a relaxed place to connect, talk shop, share ideas, and build relationships without the noise of the weekend crowd.
VIP and Industry Day was brought to you by Master FFL, whose support helped make the experience smooth and memorable for everyone involved.
Pros vs Joes
One of CANCON’s most popular events, Pros vs Joes put everyday shooters up against seasoned professionals. The lane stayed busy all weekend. People jumped in to test themselves under stress while crowds cheered them on. Some walked away surprised at how quickly pressure changes everything. Others walked away hooked.
The prize table didn’t hurt either. Sponsors showed up with some serious gear, turning every run into a chance at something worth talking about on the drive home. Giveaway items included:
- BOE Suppression – MOD 1 suppressor
- CMMG – Dissent 300 BLK with matching CMMG suppressor
- HUXWRX – Flow Range 36 Kit
- Layer X Suppression – Strake 9 suppressor
- Loft Gear – Station 150 power unit
- LWRC International – LWRCI IC9
- Maxim – 9mm Maxim brace or stock (winner’s choice)
- Meprolight USA – M22 Pro sight
- PTR Industries – 9CT carbine
- Rearden Manufacturing – Five sets including muzzle device of choice and Atlas of choice
- SAR USA – SAR9 SOCOM Compact or Fullsize
- TiON Inc – TiON Minuteman .22 titanium suppressor
- Watchdog Tactical – Outside-the-waistband holsters for three winners
- Wilson Combat – Complete target stand with scorable silhouette
- Wolfpack Armory – Night Howler and Plan B HUB mount set
The lane stayed full of energy all weekend, and several shooters walked away with prizes that turned their run into a story worth telling. Winners included:
- 11:00 a.m. – Maxim Defense Winner #1: Luke Baxley
- 11:30 a.m. – Maxim Defense Winner #2: Brian Gregory
- 1:00 p.m. – Meprolight Red Dot Optic Winner: Steven Bowman
- 1:30 p.m. – LWRC International 9mm Rifle Winner: Devon Christie
Each name got a strong round of applause from the crowd, and every win added to the momentum of the event. It reinforced what Pros vs Joes is built on—regular shooters stepping up, taking a shot under pressure, and sometimes walking away with gear they never expected to own.
Barrett Mile Challenge
The Barrett Mile Challenge stayed busy throughout the weekend. Participants paid a small fee for the chance to take a single shot with a Barrett rifle chambered in .416 Barrett, at a target set a full mile (1760 yards) from the shooting platform. Anyone who made the hit earned a limited challenge coin that marked their place among the handful of shooters who pulled it off. It became one of the most talked-about attractions at CANCON because the format was simple, the stakes were clear, and the reward carried real bragging rights.
Gunwerks 1000-Yard Range
Gunwerks set up their long-distance lane and gave people the chance to stretch out further than they ever had. Shooters stepped up cold, dialed in with guidance from the crew, and made hits at distances that looked impossible from the staging point. It opened a lot of eyes to what precision shooting feels like when the tools and instruction line up.
The Proving Grounds
This course rattled people in the best way. Quick movement. Target transitions. Reloads without warning. It forced attendees to keep their heads on straight while moving through a short burst of chaos. Most came off the line with that same wide grin common to anyone who enjoys a challenge.
Blade Show Tactical (BTAC)
The Blade Show Tactical table stayed steady with people wanting to handle blades, talk steel, and learn what makes a working knife dependable. Makers explained geometry, heat treatment, and design choices without turning it into a lecture. Legendary bladesmiths featured their wares, and this year’s BTAC even had Forged In Fire judge Jason Knight greeting the crowd.
Gear and Vendors
The vendor areas always draw a crowd, and this year was no different. Suppressors, rifles, optics, armor, communications gear, and packs shaped the event. People drifted from booth to booth comparing setups and asking questions.
A serious thank-you goes out to Ammoman for providing ammunition support during the event, and to T&K Outdoors for their participation.
Looking Ahead
CANCON remains a major event for anyone interested in suppressed shooting, precision work, and new gear. OFFGRID Basecamp adds a layer that brings purpose to the weekend, and will continue to grow during this event. It’s always a bonus when people come to shoot, and leave with new skills!
For those wanting to attend the next CANCON, information and 2026 tickets will be available through the event page: https://canconevent.com/
Read More about CANCON
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