Recommendations

We will only recommend to our students - what we would recommend to our own loved ones!

Below are some general recommendations and starting points whether you are shopping for a new gun or some accessories.  There are some very knowledgeable salesmen out there, but its a fact, most are not instructors.  We strive to assist you by answering any of your questions and helping calm concerns by giving you "Instructor Advice" on issues. 

Some of our recommendations are FOR a product and some are AGAINST.  There are reasons WHY in all cases.  Again, we strive to treat you like family, so the advice we provide is the same advice we provide to our own loved ones at home.

What gun should I get?

All new shooters, in my opinion, should carry a revolver for the first couple years, and get training with it, and become very proficient with it.  More experienced shooters can transition to a semi-auto but after they are proficient and comfortable with a revolver for a year or two, only start carrying the semi-auto after receiving ample training to become proficient with it, such as the ability to conduct tactical mag changes under stress and mitigate malfunctions & stoppages.

Keep in mind - If we speak up for or against a specific item, there are good reasons.

Come to class and find out why.

Guns we recommend:

Revolvers

For the ladies:  Start by looking at and getting the feel for a Smith & Wesson Model 60 and go from there, with the Mod 60 being a recommended firearm...

Smith & Wesson Model 60, Stainless Steel, .357 Mag, 3" barrel with Rosewood grips

Get the .357 Mag Caliber, however USE .38 Special +P Ammo for defense, not the magnum ammo

For the men:  Start by looking at and getting the feel for a Smith & Wesson Model 686 (7-shot) and go from there, with the Mod 686 being a recommended firearm...

Smith & Wesson Model 686, 7-Shot, (Not the 6-shot) Stainless Steel, .357 Mag, 2 1/2" barrel

Get the .357 Mag Caliber, however USE .38 Special +P Ammo for defense, not the magnum ammo

Semi-Auto Handguns

We do NOT recommend 9mm for any defensive firearm

ANY of the Springfield XD or XDM Series in .40, .45 or .357 Sig Calibers

HK USP

Springfield, Kimber & Wilson 1911's

With a value of $1200 or above - Buy quality DON'T buy cheap

Springfield TRP (Tactical Response Pistol)

Kimber Tactical Custom (Any of this series)

Sig Sauer P-229

Sig Sauer P-220

Holsters we recommend:

Strong Side Hip Holsters

Blackhawk SERPA

Blackhawk CQC with thumb break

Bianchi Shadow

Inside the Pant Holsters

Crossbreed

Horese hide with "combat cut"

No others, period.

Shoulder Holsters

Blackhawk SERPA

Body Armor:

Coming Soon!

Ammo we recommend:

Defensive Ammo

Speer Gold Dot

Calibers we recommend:

Common/Modern Defensive Calibers Only

.380 +P

.38 Special +P

.357 Mag

.357 Sig

.40 +P

.45 ACP +P

We do NOT recommend 9mm for any defensive firearm

Guns we DO NOT recommend:

This is not a complete list, this is just a couple of the "popular" ones we are asked about a lot.

Taurus Judge

ALL Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto's

MOST Ruger Semi-Auto's

Ruger LCP and all other similar small handguns

Charter Arms

Rossi

Accessories we DO NOT recommend:

This is not a complete list, this is just a couple of the "popular" ones we are asked about a lot.

Crimson Trace

Any other laser or laser grip for a combat handgun

Holsters we DO NOT recommend:

Ankle Holsters

ALL

Calibers we DO NOT recommend:

Anything other than common defense calibers recommended above

9mm

We do NOT recommend the 9mm because of over-penetration & ballistics

Bullet design

The 9mm typically lacks "knockdown" comparable to other calibers

ALL RELOADS

No matter how good you reload, you are not a factory.

The use of home reloads for defense opens the door for considerable civil liabilities.

Training Saves Lives!