Meet the Staff
Who We Are
Kevin "Hootey" Cline
Lead Gunsmith/ Founder
Kevin graduated from Sonoran Desert Institute's (SDI) Associate of Science in Firearms Technology program in 2017. While with SDI he was trained in the following areas: ballistics, inspection and troubleshooting, finishes and engraving, firearms customization, woodworking, hand checkering, accurization, sights and optics, as well as machining and manufacturing. Kevin has also taken part in various advanced armorer courses offered by SDI, including: AR-10, AR-15, and 1911.
Phone: 217-416-5962
Email: Bluecoatarms@gmail.com
Some of Kevin's notable instructors and mentors at SDI included: Kip Carpenter (American Gunsmithing), Ray Vaughn (Moss Pawn and Gun), and Chris Barrett (Barrett Firearms Manufacturing)
Lydia Cline
Chief Operations Officer & Videographer
Lydia was born and raised in Springfield Illinois and is our fearless First-Lady. She is the one behind the camera and our tire-less editor for our video content, as well as general marketing. She was exposed to firearms early on but was truly bitten by the bug during a local production of Annie Get Your Gun, where she was cast as Annie Oakley and trained by Kevin how to stage marksmanship and trick shots.
Zephyr
Chief Security Officer
What is a shop without its Security team. Zephyr loves to greet customers at the door and make sure that everyone has a great and safe time.