Firearms Instructors
I have been asked by a lot of folks about how to find a firearms instructor. The plan is to make this page your first stop in the near future. So far I am only listing firearms instructors I personally know and have seen in action. At this time, I’ve only started with the DFW area.
Table of contents
What does it takes to become a firearms instructor?
Most firearms instructors are certified by the NRA. To be an NRA Certified Firearms instructor you will need to complete a 6 hour Basic Instructor course. Once you have that, you will need to take follow up training for each shooting discipline you plan to instruct; Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun and so on. The certification part of the process can take up to 40 hours of instruction.
The instructors on this list have YEARS of training and real world practical experience and continued education. If you go with someone not on the list, make sure to verify their credentials and experience. The training needed to become an instructor is NOT free. These folks have invested their time and their money in YOU by committing themselves to becoming educated FIRST. Not all “Certified” Instructors are the same. Some are the Best of the Best, some, not so much. Do some homework before meeting ANYONE at the range for instruction. Ask questions. LOTS of questions. Just because your buddy was in the military for X number of years, that does not make them qualified to instruct without becoming Certified first.
Here’s Phase 1 of “The List”:
| Instructor Name/Company | Location/Home Range | Specialties | Contact Info |
| DST1911 Spencer Dixon, Wilson Machado | DFW Area Triple C Range Winchester Gallery | LTC, AR, Defensive Shooting, Urban Tactics, Pistol, RMR/Center Axis Relock., Personal-One on One, Unarmed Self Defense/Knife | DST1911.com |
| Triple C Training Mindy Kay Ray | DFW Area Triple C Range All over | LTC, First Shots, Ladies Only Classes, Pistol, AR, Rifle, Shotgun, Competition, Personal-One on One | MindyKayRay.com |
| NTXLF Ryan Wilks | DFW Area | NRA Certified Pistol, USPSA based pistol and stage movement, basic pistol | 972-505-9307 |
| TTPOA | Texas | LEO ans Special Teams by Law Enforcement for Law Enforcement | TTPOA.org |
| Tactical Fitness Ron Grobman | Cresson, TX Based in Austin, TX | Civilian centered tactical training, Krav Maga, Tactical Firearms training | TacticalFitnessAustin.com |
| Eagle Defensive Solutions Curtis Van Liew | DFW Area Winchester Gallery | Texas LTC, Defensive Handgun, Private Lessons | EZCHL.com |
This is just phase one…
This is phase one of this project. If you are or know of a GOOD firearms instructor in your area, contact me with contact information, training specialties (LTC, Competition, Self Defense, Real World Scenarios, etc..), Certifications (NRA Training Certifications, etc…), references and, website and contact information. I vet those listed here for quality training and training experience. I am looking for personal instructors, not ranges that provide training.