About
We focus on the individual, ensuring they have the confidence and skills to handle any weapon safely and effectively (handgun, rifle, shotgun, knife, stick, sword). I have several decades of firearms instruction experience but I did not come from a military or law enforcement background. My training style is unique in that we help the rest of us come up to speed and exceed military or LE skills rapidly (within a few days). We also do a lot of work on site: we want to discover with you what corners, blind spots, fatal funnels exist in your home, work or school so you know how to manage them before you have a active shooter/attacker situation.
I helped a 76 year old woman with severe arthritis in her hands to go from barely able to hold a gun to presenting safely from the holster and putting rounds accurately on target. You could see the confidence and feeling of security blooming inside her as she developed (her husband had died and she lived alone). Having a gun doesn't make you safe; knowing how to deploy it, fire it, manage malfunctions, etc. and knowing how to be aware of/avoid threats is what helps people be safe. That's my passion. I want to make this world safer for people that want to live a productive life by ensuring they don't have to wait minutes for the police when they have mere seconds to ensure their own safety. The power of knowing you are your own security spreads peace throughout your life in ways that are hard to imagine until you've accomplished it.
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Ryan S.
Javier Sahagun R.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I do mostly customized training. I have pieces of training that have worked in the past and I use that as a base to ensure I'm connecting the training to the specific needs of a potential customer. Once we understand what the goals and objectives are, we set up a time and place for the training. Payment is expected before or on the day of the event.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
McMillan sniper school
Key Group executive protection training
Front Sight Line Coach
Distinguished graduate in rifle, handgun and shotgun weapon systems
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Generally, it's $100 for the basic classes (firearms basics, weapons safety/selection, etc.) and then $75 for the next 2 hours of live fire or other training. Night vision training requires more time and more risk of tripping and hurting ourselves so it's more. Home group tactics is a fun class that the whole family can enjoy (it's always fun trying to get muzzle in front of flesh when you have 6 kids running around - which they are sure to do if there was a threat in the home). Precision rifle characteristics is $200 for a full day of instruction and then $150 per day for each day after (2 days shooting for skill development and then scenarios).
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching at Arizona State University in physics. I did my PhD in medical physics and moved on to working at Logicon Advanced Tech and training new team members was a natural thing for me to pick up. In my various positions, performing corporate training at several levels was always expected.
I've developed and performed training on weapons systems starting in 2009. I bring a non-military, non-police view to the subject so that normal people can feel comfortable engaging in a very fun skill that can also save their life.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with all kinds of students. I've taught 6 year olds how to hold and fire full-auto Uzis. I helped a 76 year old woman with arthritis and warped knuckles in both hands, to get a good firing grip and then put rounds on target. I've coached over a thousand students and always enjoy the things all of us learn as we take this journey.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
One of my favorite training we performed was for UVU where we simulated the take over of the campus in a Beslan style terrorist event. We had actual college students involved and we put little bits of blood on their cheeks and clothing. It was all fun and games up until we starting actually shooting blanks and sims at the police that were trying to retake the buildings. The students didn't need acting lessons at that point to look and behave terrified.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
The most important thing is to find someone you're comfortable with. It's got to be fun. There aren't any Alpha Operators on this site looking to upskill. This is us normal types who just want to make sure we aren't going to hurt our loved ones as we try to protect them. We're the lawyers, accountants, construction workers, grocery clerks and IT nerds (like me) that want to get good at something that could potentially save our lives. It's fun. It's difficult enough to require some serious attention but it's a very fulfilling endeavor to put time into.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
First know what you're trying to do. If you want to know how to kill a thousand zombies that have decided inexplicably to attack your home, then lay that scenario out (and expect to be using some Tannerite).
Second, get a feel for your comfortable pace. Don't rush through. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.
Third, expect to have a lot of fun and find a new level of joy that can only come through a bit of mild stress and work while developing a confidence in knowing you can defend yourself.