Firearms and Personal Protection Training
Sharpen Your Edge!
The training I offer goes well beyond safety rules and basic marksmanship. I focus on skilled pistolcraft that’s directly relevant to defensive use. You may never need competition-level performance—but it’s reassuring to know your abilities far exceed those of the average threat you might face.
Firearms are just one part of the personal protection puzzle—and ideally, one you’ll never need. I also teach mindset and situational awareness, verbal boundary-setting, managing interactions with strangers, and strategies for recognizing and avoiding potential problems before they escalate. But if avoidance fails, I’ll show you how to prevail in close, chaotic encounters where “just go to the gun” isn’t the right answer.
We also explore tools beyond firearms, including non-lethal options like pepper spray and, when appropriate, alternative force tools such as edged weapons.
What Sets Me Apart
High-quality instruction isn’t just about showing up, checking a box, or walking away with a certificate. It’s about communicating critical information in a way that sticks—turning knowledge into measurable, real-world skill.
My background runs both deep and wide. I’ve made significant investments not only as an advanced firearms instructor and coach, but also as a dedicated practitioner. That includes skilled defensive pistolcraft, competitive action shooting, pressure-tested integrated combatives, and multiple martial arts disciplines—including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Some key credentials:
Rangemaster Master Firearms Instructor
Deliberate Coaching Graduate - The Complete Combatant
NRA Pistol Instructor
Student of Top National Instructors: Ben Stoeger, Gabe White, Brian Hill, Frank Proctor, Scott Jedlinski, Matt Sims, and more
>100 Action Pistol Matches - USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challenge
200k+ Live Rounds Fired in Practice and Competition
Extensive Experience in Ammunition Reloading and Trigger Tuning
Ongoing Study of Self-Defense Law & Civilian Use-of-Force
Combatives University Green Belt
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt
Medical Training: Valkyries Austere Medical Systems: Emergency Casualty Care Course, Red Cross First AID/CPR/AED and Stop The Bleed
Not All Instructors Are Created Equal—And It Matters
Instructors come from many backgrounds: law enforcement, military, competitive shooting, or weekend instructor certifications. Each path brings something useful—but not all of them prepare someone to teach real-world self-defense to armed civilians.
What Most Others Offer:
“Certified” Basic Firearms Instructors
Most organizational certifications can be earned in a weekend and require minimal proof of competency. While adequate for beginners, such instructors are usually constrained to teaching organizationally approved courses.
Law Enforcement Focused Instructors
Bring field experience—but operate under different legal frameworks and officers are only required to qualify under minimal shooting standards. Officers with strong handgun or instructor skills usually developed them off-duty.
Military Instructors
Often have a perspective based on rules of engagement not relevant to civilians, with training that prefers team tactics and rifles over pistols. Advanced pistol skills are rarely part of standard training.
Competition Instructors
Have exceptional technical skills in their discipline—but performance under match conditions doesn’t always translate to civilian defensive use-of-force scenarios or even the ability to teach effectively.
Helpful Friends & Range Buddies
Often enthusiastic and well-armed—but usually lack structured training. Their tips are hit-or-miss, and bad habits come free of charge. Great for company, not always for coaching.
What I Offer:
Performance Under Pressure, Not Just Paper Credentials
I’ve invested years not just learning and teaching, but performing—on the range, on the mat, in competition and in pressure-tested, force-on-force environments.
Civilian-Centered, Legally-Informed Self-Defense
My instruction is rooted in the realities of civilian use-of-force—where every decision has legal, financial, moral, social and tactical consequences.
Integrated Skills for Real Life
I teach more than how to shoot. You’ll learn how to recognize danger early, avoid unnecessary conflict, set boundaries, and fight when you must—with firearms and other tools.
Coaching That Adapts to You
I’m not boxed into one curriculum. I coach based on where you are and where you need to go—whether you’re a first-time gun owner or an experienced practitioner.
A Peer Among Practitioners
I respect all who train and teach—especially those who have put in the hard work. I’ve done the work, both broadly and deeply, put in the reps, walked the path, and earned recognition from my peers.
I don’t teach from a script. I teach from experience.
What does performance pistolcraft look like?
From concealment, 10 shots in 5 seconds at 5 yards at a standard size playing card. The ‘normal’ drill is 5 shots in 5 seconds at 5 yards, shot cold from concealment.
Pumpkin carved with a 9mm pistol
Shooting a clean run on The Complete Combatant’s “Core 4” Drill - earning me a Purple Belt and an Accurate Ant patch.
“I knew I wanted to own and possibly carry a firearm, but I didn’t want to do it without the right training. Working with Chris gave me the clarity and confidence I needed—I now understand what to buy, why I’m buying it, and how to train responsibly. He doesn’t just teach the basics; he covers everything from safety and skill development to legal realities and real-world scenarios. Chris is passionate, knowledgeable, and fully committed to helping people move with confidence and purpose.”
More Than Defensive Pistolcraft: Integrated Combatives
Not every fight is a shooting problem. Real-world violence often begins—or ends—at verbal communication distance, where space is contested, weapons may be present, and fights may be entangled. Surprise is often a factor, and you may face more than one opponent.
My training draws from nearly two decades in martial arts—most recently earning a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a green belt in Combatives. I’ve trained extensively with respected leaders in the field, including Craig Douglas, Matt Larsen, Jay Martin, and Jerry Wetzel, and continue to work within the frameworks of the Combatives Association and the broader methodologies represented by members of the ShivWorks Collective.
This isn’t choreographed attacker/defender self-defense. It’s pressure-tested training for managing unknown contacts, fighting to a weapon, retaining control under stress, and using force—whether that means verbal boundary setting, pepper spray, edged weapons, or a concealed firearm.
Whether you’re armed or unarmed, this training prepares you for the unpredictable, dynamic realities where most violence actually happens.
Your First Step Is Free
Not sure where to begin? Let’s talk.
Schedule a relaxed, no-obligation consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, your experience, and any concerns you have about personal safety or firearms. I’ll help you understand your options—no pressure.
