Brandon Herrera, widely known as “The AK Guy,” is an American YouTuber, entrepreneur, podcaster, and political figure. He became famous for his firearm-related content on YouTube, where his mix of humor, education, and reviews of rifles, especially AKs earned him more than 3 million subscribers. He is also the face behind the AK-50 project, a .50 BMG version of the AK rifle that has gained cult status among gun enthusiasts.
Apart from his online presence, Herrera has built firearm businesses, co-hosts the Unsubscribe Podcast, and has entered politics, running for Congress in Texas’ 23rd District as a Republican. Known for his unapologetic humor and strong pro-Second Amendment stance, he has earned both admiration and criticism. As of 2025, Herrera is preparing a rematch campaign for the 2026 elections, while continuing to balance YouTube, business ventures, and podcasting.
Brandon Herrera Wiki/Bio
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Brandon Joseph Herrera |
| Date of Birth | November 20, 1995 |
| Age | 29 years (as of 2025) |
| Profession | YouTuber, Firearms Manufacturer, Podcaster, Political Candidate |
| Hometown | Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA |
| Current Residence | San Antonio, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| @realbrandonherrera | |
| X (Twitter) | @TheAKGuy |
Physical Details
| Field | Details |
| Height | 6’1” (185 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 78 kg (172 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
Table of Contents
Brandon Herrera Early Life
Brandon Herrera was born on November 20, 1995, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, into a military family. Both of his parents served in the military, which gave him discipline and sparked his patriotic outlook from a young age. Surrounded by firearms and mechanics, he developed a fascination with rifles early on, particularly with AK-style weapons.
He grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, living a fairly normal childhood but always drawn to the outdoors, gun history, and hands-on tinkering. By his teenage years, he had already set his sights on making firearms a central part of his future career.
Brandon Herrera Education
Herrera attended Campbell University in North Carolina, studying pre-law with an interest in advocacy. However, he left college around 2015 to pursue his passion for firearms full-time. Without a formal degree, he taught himself gun design and business, later founding The AK Guy Inc. and Stark Media Group.
He has often joked about his unfinished law degree but credits his decision to drop out as the move that allowed him to build his brand and businesses.
Brandon Herrera Family
Brandon Herrera generally keeps his family life private. His parents’ military service strongly influenced his values and his pro-Second Amendment advocacy. No details about siblings are publicly known.
He is married to Megan Bowles, though the couple keeps their personal life low-key. No children have been confirmed, and Herrera has expressed a preference for keeping family matters away from public controversy.
Brandon Herrera Career
Herrera launched his first YouTube channel, “TheAKGuy1974,” in 2014. Initially small, his channel took off in 2019 after his viral series “AR Guys VS AK Guys,” which showcased his comedic style while highlighting differences between firearms platforms. Today, he has over 3 million subscribers and hundreds of millions of views.
He is a licensed firearms manufacturer through The AK Guy Inc., and co-owns Stark Media Group, a digital marketing and content company. His most ambitious firearms project is the AK-50, a .50 BMG AK-style rifle that has been in development since 2019 and remains highly anticipated by fans.
In 2023, Herrera joined the Unsubscribe Podcast alongside Donut Operator, Eli Doubletap, and The Fat Electrician. The show has featured high-profile guests and raised money for charities supporting veterans and autism awareness.
Politically, Herrera ran for Congress in Texas’ 23rd District in 2023, endorsed by figures such as Matt Gaetz and Eli Crane. He came second in the 2024 Republican primary runoff, losing narrowly to Tony Gonzales. In August 2025, he announced he would run again in the 2026 elections. He is also the Texas state chair for U.S. Term Limits and has testified at hearings against ATF regulations and gun bans.
Career Milestones
| Milestone | Details |
| YouTube Launch | Started “TheAKGuy1974” in 2014; viral growth in 2019 |
| AK-50 Project | Began development of .50 BMG AK rifle in 2019 |
| Businesses | Founded The AK Guy Inc. and Stark Media Group |
| Podcasting | Joined Unsubscribe Podcast in 2023 |
| Congressional Run | Ran for TX-23 in 2023–2024; preparing 2026 rematch |
| Public Testimony | Testified on ATF overreach and gun bans (2023–2024) |
Controversies
Brandon Herrera’s outspoken humor and dark jokes have led to several controversies. In 2022, a video involving a parody with a WWII-era firearm drew criticism for being offensive, and a “pipe gun” video resulted in a YouTube strike. During his 2024 congressional run, PACs attacked him for “insensitive” content, contributing to his narrow defeat.
In August 2025, after a school shooting in Minneapolis where the suspect referenced him online, Herrera condemned the violence and offered to assist law enforcement. Despite criticism from political opponents, he denied any link and continued with his congressional ambitions.
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