Hey everybody, we're starting a new series called "Meet the Sponsors". We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the people that help make our sport go round. Today we're interviewing Jim Stanis of Precision Airguns & Supplies.
Q. Hi Jim, tell us a little bit about you and Precision Airguns & Supplies?
A. We are located in Dryden, Michigan, about 75 minutes north of Detroit. We opened our doors in 2005 with a brick and mortar store and an online presence.
I've been an avid air-gunner almost my entire life. From those days of borrowing my dad's Daisy BB Gun to receiving my first real pellet gun (the Sheridan Blue Streak that was hidden behind the Christmas Tree just like Ralphie's in Christmas Story), air-gunning became a sport I still enjoy today. Growing up in the country, plinking in the woods behind my house as a boy was an everyday occurrence for me. Fast forward to the 1980's which brought competitive field target events into my life. Back in the day, I would have never thought punching paper would be as satisfying and fun as FT but now, bench rest is my first challenge of choice.
Many hobbies and interests have come and gone, but airguns have been the one hobby that I've never lost interest in. I've always enjoyed building challenging projects. As a teenager I built my own hovercraft, later I built and flew my own powered parachute
And recently I finished up a S10 drag race truck!
One hesitation in turning my airgun passion into a business was that it would become "just a job." Thankfully this has not become the case. I've had the pleasure of meeting so many great people in the airgun arena. Several local guys that started out as customers have become great friends and shooting buddies.
…
Q. Brrrr, I understand the Michigan winters can get pretty cold. So how do you keep busy when there’s snow on the ground?
A. The snowmobile and skiing days are behind me, so between the cold weather and snow in Michigan, winter is actually when I get to shoot my airguns the most. With it getting cold and dark at 5:00PM, we take full advantage of the 25-yard-indoor-range we have in the shop. Nancy and I also enjoy movies, so most nights you can find us enjoying our new home theater room. If Nancy chooses, we're watching black and white classics but if I choose, it's action packed winners playing. When we are not at home, we're most likely having dinner with our family or friends at the local Olive Garden.
…
Q. Who is Nancy & what role does she play at Precision Airguns & Supplies?
A. I'm proud to say Nancy is my wife and co-owner of Precision Airguns & Supplies. We've been happily married and working together for 35 years. From the days of Stanis Construction through Precision Airguns, she has been the office administrator. I've always said, "if you have a question related to office details or website concerns, Nancy is the person you would want to speak with." Thankfully all these years, I've been lucky enough to have her by my side and to proficiently handle all office tasks. I'm proud to say we still enjoy working with each other on a daily basis.
…
Q. Glancing over your website it looks like you carry some really fine airguns. What type of shooters are you targeting?
A. Today's market offers many choices and price points. We offer airguns for the customer who is looking for a true precision airgun. In other words, an airgun where accuracy is their first priority.
...
Q. Are you involved with any sanctioned and non sanctioned shooting events?
A. I always enjoy attending as many sanctioned shoots as time allows. In my younger days, I tried to compete in any competition that was available. Some of my most valued trophies are from the late 1980's when it was really something to just have a scope on an airgun. I remember stepping up from a 4X Bushnell to a 2-7 Tasco. Wow!
Having not competed in many years, it was exciting and fun to attend the ERB in 2015. It was challenging as this was my first time shooting at 100 yards, and in the desert winds. I was very happy to have placed in the Top Ten in all of the classes I shot in including 3rd placed in the FT Open Class.
The Nationals held in Michigan in 2016 were a blast. Here, I was lucky enough to tie for first place with master shooter Mike Niksch of Thomas Airguns. Congratulations go to Mike as he won the shoot off.
In past years Precision Airguns & Supplies has hosted several field target events as well as fun shoots.
Currently we host informal bench rest events as well as 10 meter rifle and pistol competitions. Occasionally, we go at it on the running bore set up which is a real hoot if you have never tried it
...
Q. What kind of advice do you have for someone who is interested in getting into airgun shooting but doesn’t know where to start?
A. I like to ask several questions with regards to the persons wants, needs, and desires:
Are you looking for Springer/PCP? Are you familiar with PCP?
What type of shooting do you plan on doing? Competition events, backyard/home plinking, small game hunting, pest control?
What is most important to you in a rifle? Shot Count, weight, length, caliber, wood-laminate-synthetic stock? Noise level?
We then move on to optics with questions regarding magnification: 1" vs 30mm tube, weight, price point, parallax and reticle choices.
Having answered these questions, we can zero in on rifle, scope, air supply, ammo, accessory choices, and price point options.
…
Q. Would you consider yourself more of a hunter or gatherer?
A . Fall in Michigan is my favorite time of year because to me fall means squirrel hunting. Squirrel hunting with a airgun is the best! Maximum precision with minimal power, stalking, and making that prestine shot is what it is all about.
Living in the country, we also gather. We totally enjoy watching and feeding the deer and other woodland creatures that arrive to greet us.
…
Q. What makes Precision Airguns & Supplies special?
A. We are proud to offer a walk-in store with brands like Air Arms, Daystate, FX, HW, Hawke, and Leapers. Customers tell us they are excited to be able to come in and see such an extensive displays of product. Having the ability to hold and test-fire the products have made their purchase decision much easier. They also tell us they appreciate my product knowledge and honesty. I tell people "I'm not a Salesman, I'm a man with a passion for airguns and 45 years of experience”. With the models we sell, once a customer has the chance to test-fire and experience the accuracy and quietness, the guns kind of sell themselves.
When approached to do this interview, I began looking back through some of the older airgun information, pictures, products we have throughout the shop. It's kind of a double-edged sword. At times I feel I have become the older airgun guy. It seems like yesterday I was the glossy-eyed kid looking up to some of the existing airgun guys: Roz Sumpter, Jerry Thomas of World Class Airguns, Dr.B eeman, and Robert Law from Air Rifle Headquarters. My internet of the day was US Airgun Magazine or the AAFTA News Letter. While we couldn't survive today without the internet, I still enjoy looking through the vintage magazines and product manuals.
…
Q. Pretend that we finish this interview & you step outside to find a lottery ticket worth $10 million dollars. What do you do with?
A. Oh wow! My first thought would be to retire. Nancy and I look forward to traveling the country. There are so many great states we have never been to. Having the time to really enjoy hobbies: Airguns, woodworking, ATV riding, fishing, going to the race track with my S10 Truck. That being said, since I was a young enough to push a broom for my father's construction business, I was instilled with a strong work ethic and have always worked long hours. While it sounds very attractive to retire, I believe there is a part of me that would miss the daily work force. With $10 million dollars we would also like to help family, friends and others to achieve their goals.
...
Thanks Jim!
Click on this LINK or their banner to contact Precision Airguns & Supplies
Q. Hi Jim, tell us a little bit about you and Precision Airguns & Supplies?
A. We are located in Dryden, Michigan, about 75 minutes north of Detroit. We opened our doors in 2005 with a brick and mortar store and an online presence.
I've been an avid air-gunner almost my entire life. From those days of borrowing my dad's Daisy BB Gun to receiving my first real pellet gun (the Sheridan Blue Streak that was hidden behind the Christmas Tree just like Ralphie's in Christmas Story), air-gunning became a sport I still enjoy today. Growing up in the country, plinking in the woods behind my house as a boy was an everyday occurrence for me. Fast forward to the 1980's which brought competitive field target events into my life. Back in the day, I would have never thought punching paper would be as satisfying and fun as FT but now, bench rest is my first challenge of choice.
Many hobbies and interests have come and gone, but airguns have been the one hobby that I've never lost interest in. I've always enjoyed building challenging projects. As a teenager I built my own hovercraft, later I built and flew my own powered parachute
And recently I finished up a S10 drag race truck!
One hesitation in turning my airgun passion into a business was that it would become "just a job." Thankfully this has not become the case. I've had the pleasure of meeting so many great people in the airgun arena. Several local guys that started out as customers have become great friends and shooting buddies.
…
Q. Brrrr, I understand the Michigan winters can get pretty cold. So how do you keep busy when there’s snow on the ground?
A. The snowmobile and skiing days are behind me, so between the cold weather and snow in Michigan, winter is actually when I get to shoot my airguns the most. With it getting cold and dark at 5:00PM, we take full advantage of the 25-yard-indoor-range we have in the shop. Nancy and I also enjoy movies, so most nights you can find us enjoying our new home theater room. If Nancy chooses, we're watching black and white classics but if I choose, it's action packed winners playing. When we are not at home, we're most likely having dinner with our family or friends at the local Olive Garden.
…
Q. Who is Nancy & what role does she play at Precision Airguns & Supplies?
A. I'm proud to say Nancy is my wife and co-owner of Precision Airguns & Supplies. We've been happily married and working together for 35 years. From the days of Stanis Construction through Precision Airguns, she has been the office administrator. I've always said, "if you have a question related to office details or website concerns, Nancy is the person you would want to speak with." Thankfully all these years, I've been lucky enough to have her by my side and to proficiently handle all office tasks. I'm proud to say we still enjoy working with each other on a daily basis.
…
Q. Glancing over your website it looks like you carry some really fine airguns. What type of shooters are you targeting?
A. Today's market offers many choices and price points. We offer airguns for the customer who is looking for a true precision airgun. In other words, an airgun where accuracy is their first priority.
...
Q. Are you involved with any sanctioned and non sanctioned shooting events?
A. I always enjoy attending as many sanctioned shoots as time allows. In my younger days, I tried to compete in any competition that was available. Some of my most valued trophies are from the late 1980's when it was really something to just have a scope on an airgun. I remember stepping up from a 4X Bushnell to a 2-7 Tasco. Wow!
Having not competed in many years, it was exciting and fun to attend the ERB in 2015. It was challenging as this was my first time shooting at 100 yards, and in the desert winds. I was very happy to have placed in the Top Ten in all of the classes I shot in including 3rd placed in the FT Open Class.
The Nationals held in Michigan in 2016 were a blast. Here, I was lucky enough to tie for first place with master shooter Mike Niksch of Thomas Airguns. Congratulations go to Mike as he won the shoot off.
In past years Precision Airguns & Supplies has hosted several field target events as well as fun shoots.
Currently we host informal bench rest events as well as 10 meter rifle and pistol competitions. Occasionally, we go at it on the running bore set up which is a real hoot if you have never tried it
...
Q. What kind of advice do you have for someone who is interested in getting into airgun shooting but doesn’t know where to start?
A. I like to ask several questions with regards to the persons wants, needs, and desires:
Are you looking for Springer/PCP? Are you familiar with PCP?
What type of shooting do you plan on doing? Competition events, backyard/home plinking, small game hunting, pest control?
What is most important to you in a rifle? Shot Count, weight, length, caliber, wood-laminate-synthetic stock? Noise level?
We then move on to optics with questions regarding magnification: 1" vs 30mm tube, weight, price point, parallax and reticle choices.
Having answered these questions, we can zero in on rifle, scope, air supply, ammo, accessory choices, and price point options.
…
Q. Would you consider yourself more of a hunter or gatherer?
A . Fall in Michigan is my favorite time of year because to me fall means squirrel hunting. Squirrel hunting with a airgun is the best! Maximum precision with minimal power, stalking, and making that prestine shot is what it is all about.
Living in the country, we also gather. We totally enjoy watching and feeding the deer and other woodland creatures that arrive to greet us.
…
Q. What makes Precision Airguns & Supplies special?
A. We are proud to offer a walk-in store with brands like Air Arms, Daystate, FX, HW, Hawke, and Leapers. Customers tell us they are excited to be able to come in and see such an extensive displays of product. Having the ability to hold and test-fire the products have made their purchase decision much easier. They also tell us they appreciate my product knowledge and honesty. I tell people "I'm not a Salesman, I'm a man with a passion for airguns and 45 years of experience”. With the models we sell, once a customer has the chance to test-fire and experience the accuracy and quietness, the guns kind of sell themselves.
When approached to do this interview, I began looking back through some of the older airgun information, pictures, products we have throughout the shop. It's kind of a double-edged sword. At times I feel I have become the older airgun guy. It seems like yesterday I was the glossy-eyed kid looking up to some of the existing airgun guys: Roz Sumpter, Jerry Thomas of World Class Airguns, Dr.B eeman, and Robert Law from Air Rifle Headquarters. My internet of the day was US Airgun Magazine or the AAFTA News Letter. While we couldn't survive today without the internet, I still enjoy looking through the vintage magazines and product manuals.
…
Q. Pretend that we finish this interview & you step outside to find a lottery ticket worth $10 million dollars. What do you do with?
A. Oh wow! My first thought would be to retire. Nancy and I look forward to traveling the country. There are so many great states we have never been to. Having the time to really enjoy hobbies: Airguns, woodworking, ATV riding, fishing, going to the race track with my S10 Truck. That being said, since I was a young enough to push a broom for my father's construction business, I was instilled with a strong work ethic and have always worked long hours. While it sounds very attractive to retire, I believe there is a part of me that would miss the daily work force. With $10 million dollars we would also like to help family, friends and others to achieve their goals.
...
Thanks Jim!
Click on this LINK or their banner to contact Precision Airguns & Supplies
