Les’s love of the shooting sports began when he was a summer camper at age 8. This initial exposure consisted of rifle and advanced rifle training as well as participating in the NRA’s Junior Division activities. In subsequent camping years, shotgun training and shooting were introduced.

As a teenager, Les was introduced to tools and tooling. This training, given to him by a neighbor, Teddy Merz a retired machinist, has served him well as it was the basis for much of the intricate gunsmithing procedures he uses still today. Perhaps the most important lesson taken away from this relationship was to use the right tool for each step in completing the job without trying to take shortcuts.

While attending college Les was able to make the acquaintance of the owner of the largest gun store in the state of Ohio. What started as shooting clay birds one day a week turned into a multiple year lesson in guns, gun repair and how to build a successful gun business. This experience coupled with the college chemistry knowledge serve as the basis for turning the tool and tooling knowledge into the basis for a solid gunsmithing background. Les remembers fondly the kindness of Dorsey and Ruth Satterfield.

Upon graduation from college Les renewed his long running friendship with Deputy U.S. Marshal Stan Holland. Together they shoot hundreds of rounds each week of Les’s reloads experimenting with various powders and powder charges. This activity served not only as a shooting and reloading experience but provided Les with knowledge in ballistics.

During Les’s working career he gained knowledge of metals, their application and an understanding of the types of corrosion that lead to their failure. In both the industrial water treatment industry and nuclear power industry the failure of metal parts could be both costly and dangerous.

Les’s formal training in gunsmithing includes graduation with honors from gunsmithing school as well as the completion of numerous training seminars. He continues his ongoing learning experience as a member of the The American Gunsmithing Association and by membership in several other collectors associations.