A version of this previously appeared as part of the “Passion to Profit” series in the June/July 2018 Power Issue of South magazine, which details five entrepreneurs who have managed to turn their lifelong passions to careers.
Guns have always been a staple in Buck Holly’s life. From deer hunting as a kid to his nine-year stint in the Marines, there’s no doubt his fondness for firearms is more than just a passion. After years of different career choices—all involving guns, no less—he’s finally been able to start a business that allows him to make money, yet be with his family, while still actively pursuing his passion.
“When we had our third child, I wanted to be home more, travel less,” Holly says. “And that’s why I ended up forming my current rifle manufacturing company, so I could be at home building and shooting guns competitively. I wanted to turn my hobby into a profession that allowed me to be home more and enjoy the bene ts of that industry.”
He’s now the owner of C&H Precision Weapons, a successful and innovative custom rifle shop in Richmond Hill, Georgia. C&H Precision was Holly’s solution to having a passion for working with rearms and not being able to spend time with his family. The majority of the company’s business is building guns for the shooting enthusiast. The minority of the company’s business was designed after realizing a need for keeping the machinery in the shop running; upgrading pistols and other rearms became a way to not only evolve the company and strengthen their portfolio, but also help clients find interesting and innovative ways to tailor their rearms to their personal specifications.
Holly is no stranger to finding innovative ways to remedy firearm deficiencies. Six years after leaving the Marines, he began working for the Department of Defense as a contractor. When members of the military found issues with their weaponry, they would send a memo of the issue to Holly and his team, and he would develop a solution to the issue, whether that be a gadget for the weapon or an entirely new weapon altogether.
But the long and winding, firearm-fueled route (which included hog extermination and brand ambassadorship for Advance Armament Corporation) to the creation of Holly’s rifle manufacturing company has led him to one of the most successful ventures of his career.
“If you’re going to buy a racecar,” Holly proposes, “You can either buy it from a nationally ranked racecar driver or from some little shop that has no pedigree. People say they’ve built guns, but my team is trained.”
His team is made up of nine individuals from across the country, all nationally ranked and trained. Why do they do it, some may wonder?
“We do it not only because it’s fun,” Holly answers, “But because we’re good at it. It shows the quality of our workmanship. We must be doing something right.”
C&H Precision Weapons is located at 459 Edsel Dr., Richmond Hill, Ga. To find out more, visit chpws.com.
Cory Hott 