I had an excellent experience at Byrna in Scottsdale. I spent over 30 minutes talking with Samson, the former gunsmith who now works at the shop, and he was by far one of the most patient and knowledgeable people I've ever spoken with in this kind of setting. He took the time to walk me step by step through the loading, unloading, and firing process of one of the smaller, faster projectile launchers, and made sure I felt completely comfortable before moving on.
As the daughter of military members, I grew up surrounded by people with extensive firearms experience, which often makes me feel like a fish out of water with my own very limited background. My experience has only been three pistol classes with a .40, and my fear of firearms has always been difficult to share or explain. Despite that, I felt completely welcomed and respected at Byrna--never talked down to, never rushed, and all of my questions were answered with patience and clarity.
The amount of care Samson put into making sure I understood everything stood out to me, and it's rare to find that level of customer service anywhere. If you're curious about non-lethal defense options, especially if you're new, nervous, or inexperienced, I cannot recommend this shop highly enough. Byrna Scottsdale--and Samson in particular--made the whole experience approachable, safe, and empowering. read more
