Jerry Ahern was a science fiction author best known for his post apocalyptic survivalist series The Survivalist. The books in this series are heavy with descriptions of the weapons the protagonists use to survive and prosecute a seemingly never ending war amongst the remnants of the superpowers from pre-apocalypse times. The series centers around the attempts of Dr. John Thomas Rourke, an ex-CIA agent to preserve his family. In the first book, a nuclear war begins while Rourke is returning from a business trip. After surviving the crash of an airliner in the Southwest United States, Rourke fights his way across the chaotic horror of the post-war United States to his hidden subterranean survival retreat in Georgia, where he eventually reunites with his family. Survivalist #10 begins a new phase - it takes place after Earth's atmosphere has been destroyed and Rourke and his family have been in cryogenic sleep for 500 years.

Ahern was also a firearms writer, who has published numerous articles in such magazines as Guns & Ammo, and Handguns. One of his recognized areas of expertise was holsters and leather gear for firearms, and he produces a line of holsters. John Thomas Rourke's choices in firearms and equipment reflected Ahern's own: the character's main weapons were a pair of compact Detonics CombatMaster .45 pistols in a custom double shoulder holster by famous maker Lou Alessi. Rourke's other tools included a Colt Python, a Colt CAR-15 with telescopic sight, and a Detonics ScoreMaster full-size .45 pistol. His primary knife was an A.G. Russell Sting 1A boot dagger.

Some of his books are collaborations with his wife Sharon Ahern. also released books under the name Axel Kilgore.