::::This is a second review from me, regarding a separate business function than my previous…read morereview:::: Artifex effectively does guns. They effectively teach guns + drills. They also effectively do guns + personal protection methods. But: DID. YOU. KNOW. They have such a deep and rich knowledge base that there is basically no situation that deals with personal- or self-defense they cannot handle. I'll explain. I reached out to Ben for an 'at-home, security picture review'. Ben forwarded my request over to BigTony. I met with BigTony over the weekend. The task was to develop my own personal self-defense plan for my home, and close any massive gaps that I may not be aware of. Tony was willing to meet, on my schedule, and even worked effectively with a last minute location change. No flaws, no frustration, no worries - just BigTony being BigTony. We have a new house; with a new neighborhood, and unfamiliar neighbors, routes, and routines. My deepest held concerns were the recent uptick in OC county crime, the warning signs, and developing new habits and patterns with my new home. Tony had it covered: Physical security. Advanced warning signs. Training to complete in the meantime, while enacting other preventative measures. People to call for updated OSINT. Home defense ballistics. Right down to gun safes, learning 'battle rhythm' before, during and after a home invasion across multiple scenarios, and with his help, I was able to view the impacts of my decisions through the eyes of the very adversary I am preparing against, as well as the from the first responders perspective, that eventually will arrive to close the scene. His thoughtful review, theoretical approaches to posturing (ex: 'grey-man' vs 'gun-guy'), etc... I could not think of any more approaches or variables I could throw at him. Once it was all said and done, we agreed to a post-implementation tag-up, to see the progress made, and/or take in any specifics that may have been overlooked. All on his own time. Bottom Line: it was incredibly relieving to have the TTPs I had already put in place verified, my concerns validated and decision and actions taken confirmed as 'adequate' for my surroundings/situation/circumstances. From the top to the bottom of my personal security stance, Tony answered literally every question I had. Not one gun was fired. No targets pasted. An incredible 'thinking man's approach' to surviving and thriving when the adrenaline is rushing, and seconds feel like hours. This meeting changed the game. I cannot recommend going through a thought-exercise like this enough. Rounds down range would never have gotten me the answers I received from this incredible team. Thank you BigTony. I am a proud monthly-dues member. If you are not yet, You are sorely missing out on providing the 'whole of security' approach to your family, neighborhood, and community. They are multi-faceted, well-rounded, highly experienced, seasoned professionals whose guidance you will have wanted in your kit-bag well before your "sunshine and rainbows: day turns to "hell-in-a-handcart" in a flash. Tony, Ben, and crew: THANK YOU!!

This place is fantastic. I recently did my renewal here, Dave was the instructor and it was way…read morebetter than the place I went to before. The class was all on Zoom, which was very convenient and informative. The range practice was outdoors which was also much more realistic than an indoor range for true training.

I began my journey to become a firearms instructor in July of 2025. My search for a reputable…read moretraining counselor lead me to TJ. All I can say is what a blessing. I have taken his Basic Pistol Instructor's Course, Refuse to Be A Victim Instructor's Course, Personal Protection Inside the Home Student and Instructor Courses, and his Personal Protection Outside The Home Student Course. After taking each course, it became evident TJ cares about his students. He makes every effort to ensure his students are prepared for real world scenarios and does not provide a passing rubber stamp simply because you paid for his class. Every certificate he issues is earned, not given. As a retired LEO, I was surprised to be put through new drills. He pushed me to become a better marksman. I am eager to take future classes from TJ, and I am so glad I stumbled across him. If you are seeking firearms training, TJ is the man.

I just finished taking the NRA PERSONAL PROTECTION OUTSIDE OF THE HOME - INSTRUCTOR CLASS at…read moreALLSAFE. This is the premier CCW training curriculum. TJ is a wealth of knowledge and helped developed this course for the NRA, so we are getting training from the source. The most valuable part of this class was everything was taught from concealment and TJ made sure to give us the tools to teach these skills safely so our students can win a fight. The one surprising skill was learning how to teach concealment from a purse. This was eye opening. If you want the best use ALLSAFE.

This place is amazing! I can't say enough good things about ShootSoCal Firearms. The level of…read morecustomer service, communication and overall quality that you find here is honestly very elusive in this industry. Dave, the owner, is extremely knowledgeable and takes the time to actually help you without any pressure or attitude. If you've ever been to other firearm stores, you probably know what I mean. Many places can come off like they have a superiority complex, like you're supposed to already know everything. That's not the case here at all. At ShootSoCal, you can ask any question and they'll walk you through it without making you feel uncomfortable. That alone goes a long way and keeps me coming back. I've purchased items from them, had builds done and even had custom work completed and every single time the result has been the same: top-tier service and excellent results. They're consistent, professional, and genuinely care about their customers. I recommend them to everyone I know. If you're looking for a place that treats you right and delivers quality work, this is it.

I used ShootSoCal as the FFL for my purchases from Palmetto State Armory. The staff was patient and…read morediligent in explaining the process to me (this was my first firearm purchase online), as well as all the charges necessary to take possession of my PSA purchase, including background check, transfer fees etc. (sidenote: aside from the background check--which I don't object to btw--it's quite a racket Sacramento's politicians have got going -- this particular comment is aimed at them, not the folks at ShootSoCal). Small shop, but good selection of equipment, from AR parts to carry bags, oil/maintenance kits etc. Also, staff gave me some practical advice about anodizing the steel barrel I had purchased (for getting a different color on it), getting a gun locker and outdoor ranges within a 45 minute drive. Lastly, I was offered assistance to assemble my firearm, but didn't need it since I'd been studying how to do that while waiting to take delivery. Bottomline: I'd use ShootSoCal as an FFL again.

Chris was a patient instructor with a lot of great, real-life experience. I walked away with a new…read morerespect for the weapon. Absolutely recommend this course for hand gun safety. The facility could make some improvements. The smell of cat urine and litter was grossly overwhelming. At least 3 people (including me) had allergic reactions. The restrooms were dirty and it looked like someone had an accident ON the toilet seat in both restrooms.

Lance is the best instructor you can go to. NRA certified, Marine, excellent teacher.read more

My partner and I attended an introductory lesson with Coach Taylor. Neither one of us has ever…read morefired a live firearm, but we wanted to have the background knowledge to do so with confidence when we finally do visit an actual range. The training we received last week was excellent! From knowing how to hold the "gun" and clear it from the holster properly to knowing (more importantly) when and how to shoot at someone who is a threat, we were both amazed at what we experienced. In particular, I greatly appreciated Taylor's honest, straightforward 'lectures' about what could go wrong if you're not careful or too over-eager when wielding a firearm. My partner and I are seriously considering joining UDT during the summer when our work schedules lighten up. The various firearms training sessions and martial arts options they offer are definitely a plus.

There is a reason this place has 5 stars . I've been coming for the last couple of months and love…read moreevery course I have taken! I highly recommend it !

Had a great first experience here! Went for a date night and we were helped out by Nathan M. He was…read moreprofessional and super helpful, he gave us lots of insight on the different guns and helped us feel comfortable with the ones we decided to use. Would come again for sure!! 10/10!

Pew pew pew... pew pew pew pew!…read more 100% would recommend!!! Brought all the friends from Europe here to try shooting for the first time. The whole team was very helpful. Full service all around!

Review for Tap Rack Bang Rating: 5/5 Stars…read more If you are looking for CCW training that goes beyond just "checking a box," Tap Rack Bang is the gold standard. I recently completed my first class with them, and to say the bar has been set high for any future training would be an understatement. The Coaching The instruction from Ernie and Josh is truly superior. They strike the perfect balance between being encouraging and providing the kind of necessary, corrective criticism you need when handling a firearm. They don't just watch you shoot; they coach you through every movement. Their ability to spot a mechanical flaw and help you fix it in real-time is impressive. Professionalism & Environment CEO Ernie has built an incredible team. From start to finish, the entire staff was professional, helpful, and clearly dedicated to the craft. As a first-time student, I felt welcomed but also respected as a serious trainee. The Standard This class is designed to prepare you for the real world. They ask you to push yourself for perfection, which is exactly the mindset demanded by CCW criteria. They don't settle for "good enough," and they make sure you don't either. Final Verdict I strongly recommend this class to everyone, from absolute beginners to experienced shooters. You will leave more confident, more capable, and with a much deeper understanding of what it means to carry responsibly. Also, shop at costco.

Money well spent! Is what i would say as a person who goes to range pretty often i chose to pursue…read moremy CCW to my luck i found tap rack bang! I went into class thinking we would just be taught law and how not to get in trouble being a ccw holder. That was not the case as i have mentioned before i frequent the range and after my ccw course with Ernie, Josh, Tyron(sorry if i misspelled that), and Dustin i walked out with not just knowledge on law but technique when it comes to drawing, concealing, proper holster fitment, stance, and some drills to practice. If you are pursuing your ccw you will pay about the same amount of money to get a "PASS" type class behind a screen why not get your moneys worth and actually learn something. Thanks TRB i will be back I'm beyond thankful for everything you guys have taught me.

Love this place and the people...straight and sharp!! Plus they'll do an excellent job cleaning any…read moreand all guns. With a smile even!! .... and cleaning guns sucks.

Kyle is very knowledgeable on the AR platform, he was extensive and complete in his evaluation of…read moremy AR10 that was having a feed issue. He is very fair in his price and highly recommend him for any need.

I was interested in learning proper firearms etiquette, and had an opportunity to do so at Evan's…read moreGun World. I attended their intro to handguns class, covering the basics of safety and proper form, and getting in some introductory shooting experience. John, our instructor, was very engaging and great at commanding attention when needed and building up the class's confidence. Afterward, I took them up on their 'newbie' offer of free range time and rental after class. Kevin signed me up for a lane, let me rent a couple of handgun models I researched previously, and critiqued my targets, giving some general feedback and advice. He also pointed me toward a couple other models that are known to be more friendly to left-handed shooters that I can test out in the future. Great place; a little on the older and smaller sides, but staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and attentive. I get the feeling that as I 'shop around' for my go-to range there's a strong chance I will gravitate back here, since these guys are passionate about what they do, and seem to want to inspire that passion in others. Definitely will make it a point to stop by again.

I've wanted to hit Evans Gun World for a while after hearing good things from friends, so a buddy…read moreand I finally dropped in on a Saturday afternoon. As expected for a weekend, there was a wait, but since we were off for the day, we didn't mind hanging out on the folding chairs in the retail section for 30 minutes. The staff is awesome--super friendly and easy to talk to--and the check-in was painless. While waiting, I noticed their optics prices are actually lower than most other shops in OC. I'll definitely be back when I'm ready to pick up another Holosun. The only real downside is their range rule: you have to reload your magazines at the shooting stall, not the back table. Because the space is tight, I couldn't reload while my friend was shooting. We ended up spending half our time just loading mags, which really cut into our actual trigger time. It's a solid spot and less expensive than other local ranges, so I'd come back alone, but I'll probably skip the "buddy trips" here since the reload rule makes it hard for two people to get their money's worth.

I took my first shooting lesson earlier today and Javier was an amazing instructor! Informative,…read moreknowledgable, and patient. I appreciated both his attention to detail and teaching method - he answered all of my questions as they came up and offered helpful advice throughout the entire lesson, while also giving opportunities for self-reflection first. Definitely would recommend for anyone looking to get more proficient with firearms.

The workers were very informative and nice. The whole experience was easy and fun. I am definitely…read morecoming back again. Great experience overall.