SilencerCo Summer Camp: The World’s Greatest Man-Camp
Stephanie Kimmell
SilencerCo summer camp is officially in the books, and we’re closing out the season with a look at Zac Mertens’ experience. This last chapter in our Summer Camp series gives you a ringside view of his unforgettable ride.
Known for his sense of humor and full-throttle approach to adventure, Zac came in ready for anything and left with a whole new perspective — we’re pretty sure he’ll be telling these stories for a long time.
Who Is Zac Mertens?
Zac Mertens is a digital creator known for his lively presence and deep passion for automotive culture, showcased on his YouTube channel as well as his work with Burnout Wars and Hoonigan.
His approach combines automotive insight with an appreciation for live performances and motorcycle culture, creating a unique voice within the world of motorsports content.
Summer Camp the SilencerCo Way
Forget s’mores and campfire songs — SilencerCo’s summer camp turned up the heat with full-auto runs, night vision escapades, and the kind of shooting challenges that make you rethink the meaning of “fun.”
From long-distance precision shots at a thousand yards to a drive-by course set up on the spot — this is exactly the kind of high-octane adventure SilencerCo is known for.
Day 1: Clearing Pate Racks
The day kicked off with a tour through the rugged terrain of Highbar Homeland, complete with wildlife sightings and stunning views. The campfire range is just right for dialing in on targets and getting acquainted with night vision. And let’s not forget the encounter with Private Myers — spotted from a safe distance, of course.
The first competition of the week was clearing a plate rack with a bolt gun against the clock. Stakes were high: losers walked home, no shortcuts.
Day 2: Long Range, Pistol Red Dots, and the FDC-9
Training kicked up a notch on day two as Mat Gibson from Ballisticraft stepped in to teach Zac the art of serious long-distance shooting. The highlight? Zac crushing a 1,000-yard shot with a .308—pure science in action.
Then came a sweet surprise: a freshly delivered FDC-9, a short-barreled rifle from Zev Technologies and Magpul. The crew dove right into a timed competition with the FDC-9, which ran “like a sewing machine.” Zac captured the vibe perfectly: “Competition’s running deep here. Psychological warfare has been engaged. Boys are running hot.”
The day wrapped up with a pistol red dot course, followed by some clay shooting using the SilencerCo Salvo 12. When they ran out of clays, Zac took aim at Dirty Kid’s hat. “Now it’s a welding hat.”
Day 3: Driving Shooting Course and Fudd Skeet Shooting
Things really escalated on Day 3 with a driving shooting course Zac himself set up on the spot. “To be honest, I can’t believe they actually let me set up a drive-by shooting course on literally a moment’s notice. But we did it, and it was f***ing sick,” Zac said.
The mission was simple: Find out, “How accurate can we be firing full auto out of a moving vehicle going roughly 25-30 miles per hour on uneven terrain?”
Answer: not very, but they did it in the SilencerCo Polaris Defender, which caught a flat tire somewhere along the way. After an all-hands tire repair, the course continued, and Zac got his chance to fire from the rig.
From there, they moved to “Fudd” skeet shooting with airborne soda cans launched from an X Products Can Cannon, then clays with the Salvo 12, and finally, Zac took a blindfolded shot at a clay, muttering, “Hopes and dreams.” Almost had it.
Day 4: Long Range, Short Guns and Prairie Dogs
On the final day, they flipped things around: taking short-range guns to long-range targets. “Pretty mind-numbing, trying to figure out how to arc a bullet,” Zac admitted. The crew rolled out for a prairie dog hunt and, along the way, ran into a rattlesnake sprawled across the road — just right for a hellacious adrenaline kick.
Final Take
At the end of the week, Zac had one thing to say: “Probably the most fun week I’ve had—ever.” He gave a shoutout to Matt and Zac from Ballisticraft for the lessons and added, “If you ever get the chance, do yourself a favor. Go book a week at Highbar, get the boys from Ballisticraft to teach you a thing or two. Doesn’t matter where you’re at on the range, from beginner to absolute expert — It’s awesome.”
Catch the video to see the camp in action and see what it’s like for yourself.
Stephanie Kimmell
