Our Story
Short Action Customs was founded by Mark Gordon in 2009. As a one man shop, Mark worked hard to deliver solid services and products to the precision rifle community. In 2012 Short Action Customs expanded and relocated to a new facility. In 2015 Sarah Smith and Josh Howell joined the team. In Fall of 2017 we moved to our dream facility. With nearly 20 acres and a 860 yard shooting range on site, we can now perform the testing and evaluation of our rifles and products. We have an electronic target system set up at 600 yards to really test and evaluate what we are doing and to push the development of new processes and products. Short Action Customs is full CNC capable with a 2014 Haas TL-1 CNC lathe for our barrel, action and bolt work in addition to product development. We also have a 2018 Haas VF-4SS CNC Vertical Machining Center which will allow us to do just about everything in house and continue to develop our own products.
We will continue to serve the shooting community with match donations, donating to U.S. Military Veteran foundations, LEO/MIL discounts, Precision Rifle Series member discounts and sponsoring a team of talented and friendly shooters to help support and grow the sport. Thank you for your business and for choosing Short Action Customs.
Meet the Team
Mark Gordon
Born 1983. Mark served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001-2006 as a 6113 CH-53 flight line mechanic with 3 overseas tours. After an honorable discharge, Mark moved to North Carolina and completed his Associates Degree in Gunsmithing at Montgomery Community College. After college, Mark founded Short Action Customs, LLC in 2009 while working as a licensed Airframe & Power Plant mechanic on the Cleveland Clinic Life Flight helicopters. In 2010, Mark focused his career path on Short Action Customs and left the Aviation community. Mark serves as the CEO of Short Action Customs and is still extremely active in the workload. Mark’s wife Lynn, and their four children, enjoy time together “glamping”, riding bikes, and being with family.
Alan Smith
Joining our team full-time in 2021, Alan oversees our sales and marketing departments. After working as a nurse in the ICU for nearly 10 years, Alan decided that he wanted to pursue his passion for the shooting industry as his full-time career. With a wealth of knowledge about shooting and reloading, Alan is an asset to SAC and helps Mark to keep the day-to-day operations running smoothly. In his spare time when he is not at the range, Alan enjoys spending time with his wife, Meghan and time in the woods deer hunting.
Josh Howell
Born 1975. Josh is a life long resident of Ohio. He is an avid outdoors-man who enjoys all aspects of hunting, fishing, trapping and adventure hiking. He comes from a background of Biological Sciences and has a Bachelors degree from the University of Akron in 1999. Josh has been married to wife Jeanette for over 15 years and have two children, Tristan and Emma. Tristan will apprentice at Short Action Customs one day!
Julia Johnson
Born and raised on the shores of Lake Erie, Julia has been with SAC since February of 2020. Julia has taken on the task of assisting Mark in all his new products. Julia is in charge of handling our website updates and processing all of our online orders. She is our artistic and creative soul. You know when Julia is in the office, her contagious laugh is one that can’t be missed! Julia is your girl if you want to talk about our new product’s such as barrel vises, head space comparators and reloading dies. Bringing her aboard has really helped organize this new side of SAC. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her spit fire husband Tim and driving up and down some back country roads in her Jeep. Her 2 sons Colt and Case love when Mommy drives, she drives fast and takes chances! Julia also enjoys taking their fishing boat out and teaching the boys how to get some of the best Lake Erie Walleye. Julia and Tim can be found on the lake most the summer as Tim is a Pro Fisherman. Fun Fact, Julia holds the title of “biggest Buck” at her home, Tim’s a lucky guy! Julia has been a huge asset to our team!