History Channel’s Top Shot marksmanship competition has now gone through four seasons, with an upcoming Season 5: All-Stars airing some time in 2013, according to Top Shot host @Colby_Donaldson on Twitter. If you’re curious what these Top Shots have been up to since, at this year’s SHOT Show many Top Shot marksmen and women were in attendance representing different companies. This is not an exhaustive list, but here we go (with relevant hyperlinks):

• Caracal: JJ Racaza (Season 1) is sponsored by Caracal and shoots their pistols in competition. JJ is a world champion competitive shooter, and a great guy. 
• RECOIL Magazine: Iain Harrison (Season 1 Champion) recently took the helm of RECOIL as its new editor. He will no doubt be shooting all of the coolest guns ever created.
• Cabot Guns: Brian “Gunny” Zins (Season 2) and William Bethards (Season 4) are now shooting for Cabot Guns who make 1911s. Gunny recently won his 11th NRA National Pistol Championship using a Cabot 1911. William also shot with Gunny for Team Cabot and they placed 3rd. This was Cabot Gun’s first national competition appearance.
• 5.11 Tactical: My good buddy Dustin Ellermann (Season 3 Champion) was with the 5.11 folks and all their great gear. He is similar to me, always happy to be wherever life happens to take him.
• Glock: Team Glock’s newest markswoman Michelle Viscusi (Season 4) was at the Glock booth signing autographs and chatting about everything Glock, from their GSSF competitions to life on the road as a Team Glock member.
• Black Rain Ordnance: Gabby Franco and Greg Littlejohn (both Season 4) were at the Black Rain Ordnance booth which was constantly busy throughout the week.
• Weatherby: Big game hunter Tim Trefren (Season 4) was at home with Weatherby’s vast selection of excellent hunting rifles.

It has been exciting to see many Top Shot competitors take advantage of being on an internationally televised competition and parlay it into something bigger and better. Just like everyone else, we’re all trying to improve our lot in life, and these Top Shots are sticking to their guns.

www.History.com/shows/Top-Shot.

Chris Cheng is History Channel’s Top Shot Season 4 champion. A self-taught amateur turned pro through his Top Shot win, Cheng very much still considers himself an amateur who parachuted into this new career. He is a professional marksman for Bass Pro Shops who shares his thoughts and experiences from the perspective of a newbie to the shooting community. www.TopShotChris.com.