Marty Kolodziej (pronounced Kowagee) was first acquainted with IPSC Shooting in 1992. He immediately realized that Practical Pistol Competition would be a lifelong interest. By 1996, at the age of 20, Martin had earned an Expert Pistol classification through the United States Marksmanship Academy. However, uncontrollable circumstances forced Martin to hang up his race gear for a while until 2002, when he enrolled in the Yavapai College Gunsmith Program in Prescott, AZ. While in college, Martin was a regular competitor in local IPSC 3-gun competitions. In addition, he explored other aspects of the shooting sports. For example, his handle of Wild Walter Dugan was a well known figure in the Cowboy Action Shooting scene of Prescott, AZ. Also, he was regularly involved in the local Trap & Skeet leagues as a competitor. “I feel that to be a good gunsmith, I need to explore many different disciplines of the shooting Industry.”

In 2005, Martin graduated from the Gunsmith Program at Yavapai College, with honors and has devoted his time to perfecting not only his gunsmith abilities, but also his proficiency as a competitive shooter. “I believe that being a regular competitor will keep me connected to the ever-changing advancement and technology of the sport from which my customers will reap the benefit.”