ABOUT US

From a Side Hustle to a Store Built for Shooters

Welcome to Muskets To Machine Guns—a small, locally owned firearms store in Kyle, Texas, built by a lifelong Central Texas resident with a passion for firearms, history, and helping people find the right shooting solution.

My name is Matthew Shira, and my journey into the firearms business started long before Muskets To Machine Guns ever existed.

After high school, I became a Firefighter/EMT before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, where I served for four years as an 0311 Infantryman. After the Marines, I worked at Cabela’s on the gun counter and in the firearms library before beginning a nine-year career in law enforcement with a rural Central Texas police department.

During those nine years, I served in a variety of roles, including Field Training Officer, K9 Handler, SWAT Sniper, and Patrol Sergeant. Those experiences gave me a unique perspective on firearms—not just as tools, but as equipment that needs to be understood, handled responsibly, and matched to the person using it.

It Started With a Side Hustle

In 2015, I started Shira’s Shooting Solution as a side business. At first, it was simply a way to make a little extra money to feed my own passion for firearms.

But it quickly became much more than that.

I discovered that I really enjoyed helping people find firearms they couldn’t easily find elsewhere, tracking down rare and collectible guns, assisting with firearm transfers, and—perhaps most importantly—helping people who were new to shooting feel comfortable getting started.

As word spread, the business continued to grow.

Eventually, I reached a point where I had a decision to make: continue trying to balance the business with a career in law enforcement, or take a chance and pursue the dream of owning my own gun store.

I chose the dream.

Welcome to Muskets To Machine Guns

In late 2025, we signed the lease for our new storefront in Kyle, Texas. After months of hard work, planning, and preparation, Muskets To Machine Guns opened its doors in April 2026.

The name says a lot about what makes us different.

I’ve always had a fascination with firearms of all kinds—from historical pieces and oddball designs to modern firearms and everything in between. I still get excited about finding the rare, unusual, and sometimes downright weird firearms that you don’t see every day.

But our goal isn’t simply to sell you a gun.

Our goal is to help you find the right shooting solution for you.

Whether you’re a first-time firearm owner, an experienced shooter, a collector looking for something special, or someone simply trying to figure out where to start, we want you to feel comfortable walking through our doors.

There are a lot of firearms stores out there. We want to be the kind of store where you can ask questions without feeling pressured, talk to someone who understands firearms from real-world experience, and leave knowing that you found something that actually fits your needs.

Built by Shooters and collectors, For Shooters and Collectors.

Muskets To Machine Guns was built from a passion for firearms and a desire to provide something a little different to the Central Texas firearms community.

We’re proud to be a small business, proud to call Kyle home, and grateful for every customer who chooses to support us.

Whether you’re looking for your first firearm, adding something unique to your collection, transferring a firearm, or just stopping in to talk guns, we’re glad you’re here.

Welcome to Muskets To Machine Guns.

Let’s find your shooting solution.