I was just a punk kid that appeared to have a future in pumping gas and cleaning windshields.
TAL:How did you get into law enforcement, and how long were you in LE?
Better grades resulted, and I was recruited by the National Park Service in Montana.
A former police officer and Top Shot competitor, Chris Cerino is now a full-time instructor at the Range Ready Studios.
That was 1992, and I was 22 years old.
At 30 years later, I wrapped up a very full career in a small town in Ohio.
TAL:What do you think kept you rising in the ranks as an LEO instructor?
The author recently had an opportunity to train with Cerino at the Range Ready Studios in Louisiana. Image: Michelle Cerino
CS:Right from the beginning I was able to shoot better than most.
TAL:How did the Top Shot television show opportunity come about?
CC:I was working for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy when Top Shot came about.
Range Ready Studios is a creation of the Gun Talk Radio team. Cerino is the Director of Training for Range Ready Training.
The History Channel was looking for ultimate marksmen with big personalities.
Dozens of friends bombarded me with these emails and said that I fit the bill and should apply.
I applied… and got in.
In his natural element, Chris Cerino works with students on the range to perfect their handgun skills. Shown is a special class held recently also featuring Springfield Armory’s Rob Leatham.
Its a long story, involving a few cocktails, a careless attitude and whole lotta luck.
That was in 2010.
It catapulted me into the firearms industry, inspiring me to start the Chris Cerino Training Group.
Chris Cerino shooting the Springfield Armory Hellcat pistol at Range Ready Training.
Ive never looked back.
TAL:Where did your skills come from to be able to participate in Top Shot?
I spent many weeks and thousands of rounds remediating agents who needed help.
This meant I had to learn to diagnose my own successes and failures to best impart knowledge.
It really all comes down to solid fundamentals, and beyond that… its grip, sights and trigger.
I applied what I had learned to every gun it’s possible for you to imagine in that position.
I had to teach precision rifle, AR-15, revolver, shotgun and submachine gun classes.
you might learn fast when you have no fear.
To teach is to learn twice.
TAL:What was the most difficult part of Top Shot?
CC:The most difficult part of Top Shot was learninghowto compete.
I knew how to shoot, but I had no idea what it took to compete.
So I just did my best.
I wasnt a cheater or a gamer, and Im still not.
I just want to have fun and do well.
Winning was never a motivator.
And, of course, I suck at archery, too!
TAL:How long have you been a firearms trainer?
There was no way I could say no because nobody else wanted to do it.
I personally owned three guns at the time.
TAL:What is it like to be the Director of Training for Range Ready?
I get to meet people, travel, make television and pass on knowledge.
And, they pay me to do it!
Now I get to do it full-time.
TAL:It seems as if you guys stay extremely busy at Gun Talk.
CC:We are constantly working at Gun Talk Media and Range Ready Studios.
Were constantly filming or recording something.
In addition to the classes on the range, we have the new TV show, Build Box.
Im actually really proud to be part of both of those, but training comes easily to me.
Being a producer on the Build Box show was a real treat.
TAL:What are some of your favorite Springfield Armory firearms, and why?
My favorite SA gun is a6 10mm TRP 1911.
Of course, theXD-M 10mmis equally awesome.
The accuracy is beyond comprehension.
With hard-cast bullets, its a true hog slayer.
TAL:Whom do you look up to in the firearms training community?
CC:The trainers I like, trust and generally agree with are mostly previous mentors of mine.
One man, in particular, was my instructor as a young cop.
A Vietnam vet and former Ohio State patrol officer, he was rough, demanding and unapologetic.
He said, the responsibility for preparing men and women for battle should never be taken lightly.
That applies to everyone I train because you never know what anyone may have to do.
TAL:What are you most excited about for the future of firearms training?
Personally, I look forward to teaching new students and mentoring future instructors.
Im always searching for the next person I can make as good or better than me.
Being an instructor/mentor has been my mission since around 2005.
TAL:Why do you train others to shoot?
The answer is, it doesnt!
I give everyone what they can absorb in a fashion that I believe they can handle.
Theres no advanced training, only advanced applications of the basics.
Men and women whove been in shootings days and years post-training impart stories of success and survival to me.
Thats why I train shooters.
Shooting can be a lifesaving skill.
But its also a skill that can be fun.
Its even more fun if youre good at it.
What drives you to see students succeed?
CC:Of course.
I do care about my students.
Its hard sometimes, but I usually get around to inspiring everyone in the end.
I give every student individualized attention, and I give the class 110% of my energy and enthusiasm.
TAL:Thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us.
CC:It was my pleasure.
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