TFB Behind the Gun #212: Riley Hart of Romeo Hotel Engineering
In this episode of TFB Behind the Gun, I sit down with Riley Hart, Design Engineer at Heckler & Koch USA and the founder of Romeo Hotel Engineering. From designing the Thicc-Boi-12 shotgun suppressor for the Standard Manufacturing DP-12 to exploring radical concepts like his Gyro Brake, a gyroscopic style stabilizer intended to tame muzzle climb and recoil, Riley embodies the intersection of serious mechanical engineering and unapologetic gun nerd experimentation. We dive into how he balances OEM work at HK with running his own small shop design lab, what “unconventional firearms projects” really look like on the bench, and how his approach to suppression, stabilization, and platform-specific solutions challenges some of the industry’s stale assumptions. You can learn more about Riley’s work through his company’s website at Romeo Hotel Engineering – Unconventional Firearms Design ( https://www.romeohoteleng.com) and keep up with his projects and ideas on his social channels.
More TFB Behind the Gun Podcast Episodes:
TFB Behind the Gun #212: Riley Hart of Romeo Hotel Engineering
In this episode of TFB’s Behind the Gun Podcast, I’ve brought on Riley Hart, a previous guest on TFBTV Show Time, current design engineer at Heckler & Koch USA and founder of Romeo Hotel Engineering, about bringing the Thicc-Boi-12 double barrel shotgun suppressor to life for the Standard DP-12, as well as his recent release of the unique Gyro Brake and other “unconventional” firearms concepts. Riley walks us through the real-world engineering trade-offs of suppressing a 12-gauge pump action, the challenges of adding gyroscopic stabilization as a recoil and muzzle climb reduction system, and how working inside a major OEM shapes the way he thinks about reliability, user feedback, and the future of small-bore and niche firearms design.
Romeo Hotel Engineering – Unconventional Firearms Design
Romeo Hotel Engineering on Instagram
Romeo Hotel Engineering YouTube
Riley Hart on LinkedIn
Listen right here at TFB:
Listen to Behind The Gun on TFB – https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/podcast/
Listen on Apple Podcasts:
Listen on Spotify:
If you’ve said that buying a silencer is too expensive, too long of a wait, or that the paperwork is too confusing, you’re not alone. Buying a silencer is a big deal, and we don’t take it lightly either! But it’s the easiest it’s ever been!
Kimber – www.R7Mako.com
Kimber’s award-winning R7 Mako: the polymer-frame, striker-fired micro-compact with 14 rounds total capacity, and a trigger you have to experience to believe. Feed your appetite for something different at www.R7Mako.com.
VNSH Holsters – www.vnsh.com/behindthegun
The VNSH (pronounced Vanish) holster is quickly becoming one of the most popular holsters in America and thousands of customers say it’s the most comfortable holster ever. Because you’re a supporter of TFB’s Behind the Gun podcast you can go to www.vnsh.com/behindthegun to get a $50 discount on the vanish holster which normally retails for $130. Visit www.vnsh.com/behindthegun to claim your $50 discount today!
Reloader SCSA Competitor Certified Pilot Currently able to pass himself off as the second cousin twice removed of Joe Flanigan. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballisticaviation/
More by Luke C.
Comments
Join the conversation