What’s In Your Range Bag, Brian Zins?

Brian Zins is a 12-time NRA National Pistol Champion. He set over 30 NRA National Records and basically won everything at Camp Perry Pistol there is to win. As a child, Brian plinked in the backyard with his dad’s old .22. His familiarization with a 1911 took place at Marine Corps Boot Camp, and consisted of a Primary Marksmanship Trainer yelling, ‘’Point it that way and pull the trigger five times.”

Brian’s actual pistol training came during Military Police School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. While there he received the Top Gun award.

Assigned to the Headquarters and Service Battalion Shooting Team for the Western Division Matches, Brian missed being in the medal bracket, (top 10 percent), by two points. Afterwards he became the Primary Marksmanship Instructor for the Battalion, returning the following year to the Western Division Matches. This time he medaled in pistol and went on to compete at the Marine Corps Championship in Camp Lejeune, NC. There Brian took a silver medal and was invited to compete and travel with the Marine Shooting Team for the summer of 1990.

When competing, Brian’s .22 is a Feinwerkbau AW93 with Lapua ammunition, and an Aimpont Micro red dot in 2 MOA. For center fire and .45, his 1911 (also with an Aimpoint Micro in 2 MOA) has been accurized by KC Customs. As a Bullseye shooter, (formally known as NRA Precision Pistol) Brian carries an On Target Top Gun box. It’s the perfect size, with plenty of room and not too heavy. He is able to carry all the gear he may need: ammo, tools, magazines, oil, screw drivers, batteries, spotting scope, staple gun and staples.

According to Brian, “Bullseye shooting is one of the toughest games around and also one of the purest in the fundamentals. Shooting a 3-inch ten ring at 25 and 50 yards with one hand is both challenging and rewarding.” Once you get bit by the bug, Brian suggests reaching out to him and attending one of his clinics.

Learning to shoot the correct way from the start will help you avoid frustration later. Brian Zins says, “Shooting is the most fun one can have with their clothes on. If it’s not, you’re doing it wrong. Win or lose, enjoy yourself or find another way to spend your time and money.”