Great educational course. Affordable and informative to help you navigate through the California…read moreprocess. Worth taking to be a safer and proficient

I was so scared and had never fired a loaded handgun before. Tamara and Gary were so kind to me…read more They made me feel comfortable and confident when it came time to shoot live rounds. I was a little timid at first and they both took the time to check in on me and help me with my grip. What a game changer! They didnt make me feel dumb or pressure me to do anything I didnt want to do... In fact they made me confident enough to stay and finish all my rounds to become a better shot!!!!! I would totally recommend McClaren defense training especially if you are scared and a total beginner. I cant wait to go shooting with myy hubby and ahow him my new skills. Thank you Tamara and Gary so much for your time!!!!!​

I had an outstanding experience learning from Ricky. His ability to make complex concepts…read moreapproachable while keeping the training engaging really stood out. After completing my first three-hour course, I was confident enough to immediately sign up my entire family for additional training with him. Since our goal is to responsibly own a firearm at home, it's important that everyone understands proper handling and safety--and Ricky delivers exactly that. His guidance on the range is especially valuable; having a highly experienced veteran by your side, giving real-time direction, makes a huge difference--especially if you're new to firearms. I've now trained with Ricky twice, and each session has been both educational and enjoyable. Beyond the technical skills, there's a real sense of confidence that comes from learning in such a structured and professional environment. If you're serious about learning firearm safety and handling the right way, I highly recommend training with Ricky.

I've been taking classes with James "Rick" Sanders since 2023! I wouldn't even think about going…read moreanywhere else for any CCW courses or any other firearms training. A USMC veteran who has vast experience and knowledge. Get your training from Splitz Second Shooting, you will be extremely happy you did!

Phil is the man, I feel like this should be mandatory for…read moreCcw to be honest. You go through so many simulations in so many different things that can happen so that you can prepare. Phil is efficient super good guy. Great at communicating nothing but great review for this gentleman. I'm definitely gonna be bringing my daughters to come and train so that they can prepare for their Ccw's. Thanks, Phil.

One of the coolest things I've ever done... An absolute necessity for anybody who wants to carry a…read moreweapon. I will go back again for more training.

I can't say enough good things about Patrick Russ and his CCW course. Patrick is extremely…read moreknowledgeable, professional, and clearly cares about making sure his students actually understand the material--not just pass the class. He does an excellent job explaining both the legal side and the practical, real-world considerations of carrying, and he takes the time to answer every question thoroughly. Nothing felt rushed, and no question was brushed off. You can tell he has real experience and knows how to teach in a clear, approachable way. The course was well organized, informative, and engaging from start to finish. Patrick creates a comfortable learning environment while still emphasizing safety and responsibility, which I really appreciated. If you're looking for a CCW instructor who is patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in his students, I highly recommend Patrick Russ. I'd absolutely take another course from him and would recommend him without hesitation.

I want to start by saying that I genuinely don't like writing negative reviews, especially not…read morewithin the firearms community, an industry I respect and have been part of for years. But after my third disappointing experience at North County Shooting Center, something needs to be said. As an experienced shooter, I came in with a reasonable request -- simply to use a tool for a minor fix I was fully capable of doing myself. Instead of any assistance, I was met with poor customer service, a dismissive attitude, and unprofessional staff behavior. The response I received felt smug and unhelpful, which is the exact opposite of what a well-run range should offer. What's even more frustrating is that this isn't an isolated incident. This range consistently shows a lack of support for customers, even those who clearly know what they're doing. Meanwhile, Poway Weapons & Gear continues to provide excellent service, respectful staff, and real customer care -- a night-and-day difference. Because of this ongoing pattern, I won't be returning, and I'll make sure other shooters know not to waste their time or money here. Places like this need to hear when their customer experience is pushing people away.

If you are a novice interested in learning about responsible use of self-defense on any level -…read moreIvan is your guy. As novices with minimal experience, my friend & I were seeking fundamentals + hands-on + overall education/update on ever-changing legal landscape here in CA if/when deciding pursue CCW. It's SO confusing! That said, learning about what responsible ownership looks like here in California was a top priority. We learned SO MUCH. In addition to learning the basics, ie. attitude for owning and operating a handgun safely, we got MANY rounds of practice, and in an outdoor setting (Ivan is a member of Rainbow shooting range), HUGE bonus - lots of fresh air, sunshine & no distractions (and no STINK ... if you've been to certain local indoor ranges here in N SD County, you know what I'm talking about!) While it took me a hot minute to get used to keeping my finger off the trigger, with practice and Ivan's "firm encouragement" by the end of our training, felt totally natural. Not two ways about it, Ivan's a strickler for safety, but that's exactly what we wanted. He's extremely thorough, covered everything including range etiquette, using sights, shooting from the holster, safely/quickly loading/unloading, how to clean (even offered to show me how to clean my shot gun, which I brought along to our training). He also educated us on CA laws & NRA certifications. Literally, everything we asked for, and then some. If you're a beginner, I strongly recommend personal vs. group/class training for something as important as this. Since just two of us with one instructor, we could move rapidly through the course work & interact real-time, asking questions as they came up vs. sharing time/attention among others in a group who may have slowed the pace and/or required extra attention. Especially if time is an issue for you, being able to learn so much in an accelerated format is such an advantage. For just slightly more than the cost of group/class training ... you get SO MUCH more with personal instruction. And in my opinion, for THIS kind of training ... you DON'T want to cut corners. Ivan is a confident, knowledgeable, very thorough instructor. I highly recommend him & plan to continue training with him while here visiting CA.

Prior to my appointment with Ivan, I had very little exposure/experience with firearms. I was…read moreexcited to gain more knowledge and experience, but also nervous as I'm generally an anxious person. In short: I cannot speak more highly of the experience that I had with Ivan at the range!! We made our appointment to visit a local range where I needed to read a safety binder and take a test prior to shooting. Ivan patiently waited while I read the manual thoroughly -- he didn't make me feel rushed nor did he pressure me to hurry through it. This was impactful because I am the kind of person that reads manuals and safety material cause I want to know the ins and outs; I don't like to use "I didn't know" as an excuse. Having the freedom to thoroughly read the materials really set the tone for the rest of the day. Before we stepped onto the floor, Ivan made sure to explain the what would be going on in a way that made things crystal clear for me as well as instilling me with a great deal of confidence. Not only that, but he reminded me that I could stop to ask questions any time or ask for further clarification. The entire experience from start to finish was top notch! We went through several rounds with a handgun then moved onto the rifle. The shooting experience itself was exhilarating and educational all thanks to Ivan! I walked away feeling empowered, confident, and with a new-found reverence for the sport. Cannot recommend Ivan and his services enough!

These guys are top notch…read more I had a blast working with these guys. It's simple calm instruction with some great people. You will learn the ins and outs of CQB in the classroom then get to deploy those movements on the "live fire" part of the building. Speaking of the building they have the perfect one. The old Escondido police station makes for the perfect venue. It's got elements of several environments. The fact that it's partly broken down (but safe) adds to the ambiance of the place. And the instructors are nice and knowledgeable. Dave, the lead instructor, has loads of real world experience that he has off loaded into his staff. Matt was the one who worked with our crew for the day. He was able to teach us how to conquer the rooms and be effective. You could tell he knew what he was talking about! All in all, it's a place we will return to!!!

Warfighter Academy has taken over the old Escondido Police HQ and is turning it in to a school…read morefocusing on the next level of weapons training. This academy is a new concept in firearm and security training. This facility IS NOT a shooting range. The instructors here teach people of all walks of life and skills the next level in firearms handling. You can target shoot most anywhere but Warfighter will teach you what to do if confronted with an armed person. The techniques and tactics that are taught here are something that had been previously available only to top level military and special forces personnel. They have classes for everyone from stay at home moms to experienced military. I believe you will be able to buy and attend single classes or multiple thru a membership program. Classes will range in skill level and difficulty and you can progress from one class to the next by completing each lower level. They will teach everything from basic firearms handling and techniques to low light, no light and urban warfare training. I was able to attend one of their pilot classes recently and had a great time. The class I attended was almost half women which is awesome. The instructors are all former military combat veterans or law enforcement. They all have experience in their respective fields and have all been taught by the best in the world when it comes to firearms handling and tactics. The class consisted of part classroom instruction and part hands on using tactical/military style paintball guns. The hands on portion is video taped to allow you to review what you learned with the instructors then improve from there. The point of the classes is to improve your chances of winning a gunfight in most any situation. The class selection, amenitiies and products offered will increase as they get going. When I attended there was still some amount of re-modeling going on, but look for big things very soon. I am excited to come back here for another class soon!

An excellent place to learn Krav Maga and all sorts of self defense. The trainers are very well…read moreskilled and made all of us feel comfortable with guns. You'd learn a lot even from the very first class.

I have been searching for Krav Maga classes that I have been missing since I moved to San Diego…read morefrom Chicago a couple years ago. In my search, I have gone to a few trial classes around the area but could not find the same intensity, the aggression, skills, and the same workout that I was used to getting in Chicago. I was about to give up on my search until one day I stumbled across Caliber 3 on one of my random Sunday morning searches and thought that I would check it out. I was immediately impressed with their facility, none that I am used to, not your typical neighborhood hole in the wall gym. The entire staff is extremely friendly and helpful. I could tell that they were passionate about teaching and everything that they do as they were walking me through the facility as well as giving me a history on Caliber 3, originating from Israel and how they wanted to bring their knowledge to the U.S. The instructors are the real deal, all first hand skills and teachings from former IDF. They are great teachers, accommodating to anyone that wants to learn. May you be young or old, nerd or athlete, beginner or advanced, first timer or Bruce Lee. Don't be intimidated to try, you will not regret it. You will get the workout and learn practical self-defense all at the same time. "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try"

What an amazing time! Mark was so good at teaching at a level that was very comfortable. Helping…read moreeach person in the specific areas they needed. He also makes the class fun, yet still professional! Great class not only for men, but woman and children too! After a short time I feel so much more comfortable and much more knowledgeable then before! A must for every person! Thank you!!

I am lucky enough to have trained with Mark Wilson.. He is extremely knowledgeable and loves what…read morehe does. I am sure he will train the next generation of gunslingers out there... If you have the time, check him out. You won't be disappointed!

I went in to get a background check for a job . The service…read morewas fast and courteous . I will continue to do my background checks here .

First time there and was treated very well. Had all my…read morequestions answered and I'll be back again.

Britt's simply a wonderful photographer and a true artist, I can't recommend her highly enough!…read more She's helped me create a lot of great photography for my clothing line and believe me when I say she knows her stuff! She's highly technical as well as passionate and knows how to help the models relax and enjoy themselves which makes the whole experience fun and exciting for everyone to work together. She's got a natural leadership ability and if your looking for someone who will take beautiful photographs for you in a fun, professional and artistic way, Britt's your gal!!!

Did a shoot with Anjel. She is a creative and professional photographer. She knows how to make…read moreyou feel at ease. She understood the shots that I needed. It was a fun, relaxed and incredible session. Through her lens she captured me in a special light. Certainly recommend her!