I got the shooting bug at an early age, as many folks do, from dad. He was a competitive bullseye shooter and a hunter. I used to go with him while he practiced his pistol skills and chased his brass around the range as he shot.

My first shooting was with a 22-caliber bolt-action rifle. As I grew, so did my interest in shooting sports. As a teen, I hunted ducks and small game with my friends in the coastal swamps that in my town. After a short break for higher education, I picked up target shooting with friends, choosing a High Standard 22 like my dad used. I got involved with local club bullseye shooting, where I learned a great deal. During this time, I was lucky enough to be introduced to Don Hamilton, probably one of the best pistol shooters ever to compete. His record of 2668 still stands at Camp Perry, established in 1969.

Don took me under his wing, and he and I had a great relationship, like father and son, for 15 years until his passing in 1999. With Don’s coaching, I secured several NRA National Records in Bullseye and ISSF Olympic-style shooting during that time. I represented the US in world competitions for six years, leaving the global stage after the 1996 Olympic games to start a family.

Don also trained me in gunsmithing. I spent many evenings with him, learning the secrets of making the ‘1911’ pistol an accurate target pistol with his pistols highly regarded in the Bullseye community.

Since 1992 I have had my shop, with work focusing on Olympic-style pistols of European manufacture. As Don’s health failed, he started sending his clients for ‘1911’ work in my direction. From that point, I worked to blend Don’s old-school accuracy with modern ergonomics and esthetics to produce '1911’s with a blend of accuracy and art.

In 2016 I was nominated for membership in the prestigious American Pistolsmith Guild, representing the “best of the best” in pistol smithing. In 2019 I was honored with “Pistolsmith of the Year” for my craftsmanship and work supporting the craft. I am currently a columnist for American Handgunner magazine, focusing on pistol smithing.

The ‘1911’ is my shop’s primary platform, but I have taken my skills to many other types of pistols and revolvers.

I like to think I am still learning.