Ervin Zádor pictured with Lucy Liu at the Tribeca Film Festival.
From the Hungarian Revolution to Linden, California
The Legacy of Linden Gun Range:
A Family Tradition Since 1979
Linden Gun Range (LGR), originally established as the San Joaquin Rifle & Pistol Range, was founded in 1979 by Ervin Zádor, an Olympic gold medalist and revered figure in both the sports and firearms communities. Ervin, a member of the Hungarian National Water Polo Team, gained international recognition during the historic “Blood in the Water” match at the 1956 Olympic Games—a defining moment in sports history, later chronicled in the documentary Freedom’s Fury. After defecting from Hungary during the Soviet invasion, Ervin began a new life in the United States.
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A Coach Before a Range Owner
In the decades following his defection, Ervin became a respected swimming and water polo coach in California. He ultimately coached the legendary Mark Spitz, who would go on to win seven Olympic gold medals in 1972. These years laid the groundwork for Ervin’s lifelong commitment to mentorship and discipline.
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Founding the Range in 1979
In 1979, Ervin shifted his focus toward building a space for the firearms community. He and his wife, Nancy Zádor, purchased property from San Joaquin County and founded what would become one of Northern California’s most respected outdoor shooting facilities. The range was not only his business—it was his home and teaching ground, where he continued coaching local youth in swimming while developing the shooting range alongside his family.
Building a Legacy in Aquatics
Alongside his contributions to firearms training, Ervin left a profound mark on aquatic sports. He founded Delta Valley Aquatics in Stockton, then later Ripon Aquatics in Ripon, CA, a club that quickly gained recognition for its competitive edge and dedicated coaching. Today, his son Erik Zádor carries that legacy forward as the head coach of Ripon Aquatics, leading the program with the same heart, discipline, and excellence his father exemplified.
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A Pivotal Year: 2011
In 2011, as Ervin began stepping back from daily duties, Erik joined him on the pool deck, gradually taking over responsibilities at Ripon Aquatics. During this same period, Christine Zádor remained at the range, taking on a greater leadership role while also caring for their mother, Nancy, who was experiencing health issues. Together with her father, Christine undertook a major renovation of the facility—modernizing the grounds, enhancing the infrastructure, and helping shape the Linden Gun Range into what it is today. This period marked a powerful passing of the torch, as Ervin mentored both of his youngest children in carrying forward the family’s dual legacies—one in aquatics, the other in firearms education. Ervin passed away in 2012, leaving a lifetime of influence in two disciplines.
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Nancy Zádor: The Backbone of the Range
While Ervin was often away coaching, Nancy Zádor was the steady force who managed the range daily. An accomplished hunter, swimmer, competitive shooter, and respected range operator, she ran the business with grace, consistency, and strength. Her presence helped cultivate a welcoming, community-centered environment at the range. Nancy remained active in her role until 2010, then passed in 2013, a year after her husband’s.
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The Zádor Children and Their Contributions
Ervin and Nancy’s four children each played meaningful roles in the evolution of the family business:
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Anthony Zádor, their second son, worked as a gunsmith at the range before relocating to Georgia, where he ran a high-end restaurant and now works as a medical industry engineer, helping test life-saving technologies.
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Adrienne and Erik also helped run the range before pursuing their own professional careers and family lives.
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Christine Zádor, the youngest, remains at the helm of the range, building on the vision her parents created.
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A New Era for Linden Gun Range
Following her father's passing in 2012, Christine transitioned the range into a corporation, adopting the name “Linden Gun Range” (LGR) to reflect a more modern and accessible identity. She spent her mother’s final years not only caring for her but also building a team and business structure that could support LGR’s next chapter.
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Christine has since launched the LGR Academy and the Linden Competitive Shooting Club, providing structured education, competitive opportunities, and a strong sense of community. Today, Linden Gun Range is known throughout Northern California for its dynamic USPSA and Steel Challenge matches, robust safety programs, and welcoming environment for shooters of all levels.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Linden Gun Range remains deeply rooted in tradition, family values, and the enduring spirit of excellence. What began as the vision of Ervin and Nancy Zádor has grown into a living legacy—supported by their children, embraced by the community, and proudly carried forward by Christine Zádor. Through her leadership, their values continue to shape LGR as a place where learning, safety, and camaraderie thrive for generations to come.
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Christine is not alone in this effort. She is lifted daily by a team of exceptional co-workers—individuals who share in her dedication to creating a safe, welcoming, and forward-thinking shooting environment. From maintaining the integrity of the facility to guiding new shooters with patience and professionalism, these team members are the backbone of LGR’s operations. Their trust, reliability, and shared passion have empowered Christine to take bold steps in expanding the range’s offerings, improving infrastructure, and creating programs that reflect her parents' legacy and the evolving needs of today’s shooters.
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Together, they represent the future of Linden Gun Range—a team committed not just to preserving the past, but to building something even greater. With each improvement, every course offered, and every match hosted, Christine and her team continue to raise the bar—bringing LGR into a new era of excellence, one grounded in heritage and fueled by heart.
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For more on Christine's background, CLICK HERE.
Watch "Freedom's Fury" on YouTube below: