Chris Urrutia is a former USMC Scout Sniper Team Leader and SWAT sniper who now instructs at Vortex Edge, specializing in pistol, carbine, and performance-based shooting progression for real-world application.
Chris Urrutia brings over 17 years of combined military and law enforcement experience to his role as an instructor and Range Safety Officer at Vortex Edge. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq, where he progressed to Scout Sniper Team Leader and operated multiple sniper platforms, including the M40A3, MK11, and M107.
Following his military service, Chris worked as a patrol officer and SWAT sniper/operator with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. He later founded SPECtrain, a training company focused on developing real-world shooting capability and moving students beyond static range work.
At Vortex Edge, Chris teaches across pistol, carbine, and rifle disciplines, with a strong emphasis on structured progression, performance shooting, and practical application. His instruction centers on building repeatable systems, disciplined practice habits, and long-term skill development.
Chris is known for pushing students to leave with a clear plan for improvement, not just a one-day experience. Trusted by shooters serious about performance and progression.
Build a solid long-range foundation with guided rifle setup, zeroing, and ballistic fundamentals in a controlled 100-yard training environment.
Build real long-range capability with fundamentals, ballistic data, and prone shooting engagements out to 1,000 yards.
Advance your long-range skillset with wind reading, ballistic refinement, and team-based engagements out to 1,000 yards.
Apply advanced long-range skills in dynamic, timed shooting scenarios that test accuracy, speed, and decision-making out to 1,000 yards.
Improve ethical hunting performance through practical marksmanship, ballistic understanding, and field-shooting skills out to 500 yards.
Learn to safely build precision rifle ammunition and validate your loads with live-fire testing on a controlled 100-yard range.
Vortex Edge, operated by Vortex Optics in Wisconsin, delivers structured multi-discipline firearms training from beginner to advanced, including long-range precision rifle instruction to 1,000 yards.
