American Handgunner May/June 1977

ecome national and international championswhile taking everything from thegame and returning little. Not Jim, he hasbecome a national champion, both individualand a team member, while mastermindingThe Police Marksman organization,editing its magazine, and making theAlabama Police Combat League one ofthe strongest and most imitated in theUnited States.In 1973, Alabama, under Jim's leadershipbecame the second state to begin theGovernor's Twenty, California was thefirst These training leagues conduct combattype competition to select the twentytop police shooters in a state.Jim and his teammates began theirleague with 35 members, they now have350. Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, NorthCarolina, and South Carolina have sinceorganized their police leagues. Their successhas been due partly to Jim's enthusiasm- and always making himself available-.for advice.Organizing The Police Marksman Associationwas Jim's next contribution toshooting. He is always looking for somethingthat will bring peace officers togetherand provide training for them. Jimmodestly says that he only solidified a potentialthat was already there, but overlookedby the National Rifle Association."I am proud of the PMA", Jim told me,"We've had over 1,000 members join, in2 months." Jim quickly points out that hisgroup hopes to enhance the NRA, notcompete with itThis man Collins, is a sergeant and apost commander in Tuscaloosa, Ala., incharge of three counties and has 23 trooperpersonnel under .his supervision. Hestill finds time to be what everyone in theshooting sports want to imitate, a nationalchampion with a score of 1493 out of apossible 1500!All of these accomplishments made mefeel very lazy, so I interviewed Jim afterthe national matches in Jackson, Miss., tofind out more about this "bionic man".Q; What is your training schedule Jim?A: /go at the whole year from January 1.I'll start jogging 3 days a week; I don'tsmoke, do "chew" once in a while. If Ihave time, I'll jog 4 days a week and go tothe health spa twice. I lift weights and tryto keep good body muscle tone, have toWith intense concentration of anational champion, Collins waitsfor targets to be faced. Whilenowhere in winner's circle of1975 nationals, Jim's five yearsof combat competition finallymade him best in the States.Jim uses leaning back positionfor sitting at 50 yards, andhands wrapped around knee ratherthan resting elbows on proppedup knees. Leaning back appearsunbalanced, but brings great scoresfor many in this 50 yard event.