Product Development Lead - PRO SERIES

Erik started his professional shooting career in the United States Army in 2009, and deployed twice, once to Iraq, and once to Kosovo. He spent six years in active duty as a 19D Cavalry Scout and two years in the reserves as an 11B Infantrymen. 
A late friend and mentor saw his passion and drive for learning how to shoot handguns, and pushed him towards the competitive circuit, where he discovered USPSA and has been shooting matches regularly since May of 2021. While still relevantly new to competitive shooting, he has shown his capabilities as a shooter and attracted the eye of other high-level shooters that started mentoring him since late in 2019 and 2020. He is currently being mentored by two retired Special Operation Forces members, Todd VanLangen and Seanessey O’Dowd. 

Erikbelieves that shooting is not hard, and learning how to shoot is also not difficult, given one’s willingness to humble themselves, and relearn fundamentals they may have lost, or training scars they need to overcome. Currently, he is not only pursuing a fulltime career as a competitive shooter, but also learning how to become a firearms instructor. He will be the first to admit that the way the military teaches you how toshoot,is substandard, and needs massive improvement. His goal is to become a National Champion and USPSA Grand Master. He currently holds multiple top three placements at major competitions. His continued education also includes a firearms instructor development course from Kerry Dugan who owns andoperatesArchangel Defense, an established shooting school in Jefferson, Pennsylvania.

Currently,Erikis working as an armed professional for athree lettergovernment agency and holds the title ofDistinguishedExpert in the DHS/ICE-QT pistol qualification.He is currently sponsored by Anchor Point Holsters, Infinity Targets, War Horse Ordinance, Bootleg Bullets, and Gryphon Guardian Gear.

Women's Conceal Carry Specialist

While attending the United States Naval Academy, where she was recruited to compete on its top ranked rowing team, Grace suffered a near-fatal cardiac episode and was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. Her subsequent heart surgery, including an implanted defibrillator and pacemaker (at age 19!!) meant that she could not remain at the Academy and could no longer serve our great nation.
Through reliance on her faith, family, and mostly just pure grit, Grace found solace in her “never quit” attitude. During her recovery, she started spending more time at the range and eventually found an outlet for her athleticism and competitive mindset in USPSA. Though she was brand new to the sport and had a long path ahead, Grace pursued competitive shooting full time and chose to publicly share her journey in hopes of inspiring others to accept new challenges and to never quit.
Grace is now a highly competitive USPSA shooter, multi-gun athlete, firearms instructor, and a certified personal trainer. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Exercise Science and uses her knowledge of human anatomy, biomechanics, and neuromuscular function in her firearms training. Though she has been through the gauntlet, her journey is far from over. As with all things in her life, she will never quit.
#neverquit

I have been involved in shooting since I was young. I started in the competition world about 2 years ago. I dove head first into learning anything and everything I could. Since then I have reached master level shooter and am constantly grinding to become better… I am also heavily involved in the 2A community through being the mayor of a local town and fighting the fight at a local level. I also have a firearms training company where the focus is teaching LEO and civilians how to become better armed citizens

Jess Payne was born and raised in Arizona. His father, a law enforcement officer and firearms instructor, introduced him to shooting and the shooting sports at a young age. Jess competed on and off in the shooting sports since 4H. He currently shoots USPSA as “B class” in Carry Optics and Limited Division. He shoots Steel Challenge as “A Class” in Carry Optics. In 2022 he placed 2nd in the Arizona State Championship for his Division/Class. He also placed 2nd in the 2022 Area 2 Championship for his Division/Class earning him a slot at the 2023 USPSA National Handgun Championship. Jess finished 10th of 37 at the 2023 USPSA National Handgun Championship in Limited Division B Class. Jess is an active full-time Patrol Sergeant at a local Sheriff’s Office where he has been employed since 2010. He is a firearms instructor (handgun, shotgun, rifle), an active shooter response instructor, and much more. He has traveled across the state training other law enforcement officers on tactics and active attack response. When Jess isn’t on the range he enjoys spending time with his wife and four dogs. He enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking and anything else outdoors.