took the Handgun Safety and Introduction class with John Woo, and he was fantastic. He was patient,…read moreclear, and made the entire experience approachable, even for a beginner. His sense of humor helped ease any nerves, and he created a comfortable environment to ask questions and learn. He broke down safety fundamentals in a way that was easy to understand and made sure everyone felt confident handling a firearm by the end of the class. I walked away feeling much more informed and prepared. Highly recommend this class for anyone new to handguns or looking to build a solid foundation in safety and handling

PWG is an outstanding training facility! Tom and John were incredible instructors and made the…read moreexperience super informative , comfortable and fun. I learned new and superior techniques to help me 'unlearn' bad habits. Especially, Practice, practice, practice to develop muscle memory. You really need to stay crispy to be safe, fluid and accurate. Thanks to all at PWG for providing such a great and friendly environment!

Just completed part 1 of the USOW SERE class series - totally next level experience. Highly…read morerecommended.

This private company was amazing. We booked them for 5 hours for my best friend's bachelor party…read moreand Blue handled everything perfectly. We had an outdoor private ranch and they provided everything for one flat rate. All 8 of us had a lot of fun and left shooting better with the private instructors as well. They also provided custom shirts and videographer who gave us group reel and pics. On top of that, they provided BBQ that included brisket, ribs and much more for lunch. They make you feel like Family. I would highly recommend them and we left with memories as well. The Groom will always remember this day! Thanks Blue and the staff in making it an amazing day! Salute!

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!

Lee is a very knowledgeable, intelligent, and humble guy. I took a class (Emergency Preparedness)…read morewith him and he taught me everything AND more. I will definitely be returning. After the class I and immediately went to his website. I ordered a shirt, and it is a great quality shirt. He actually threw in a beanie as well. I am picky about beanies, and it is amazing. 120% recommended.

I recently attended the EDC + Vehicle Level 1 course and found it to be highly worthwhile. This…read morecourse effectively combines critical skills for everyday carry with practical vehicle-based scenarios. From the outset, the focus on accuracy when drawing and shooting from concealment was essential, and the smooth progression to incorporating speed felt natural and intuitive. The instruction on shooting from various seated positions, including both the driver's side and passenger's side, was incredibly valuable--especially learning how to shoot effectively toward your strong hand side as well as across your body to the opposite side. It was great to have the opportunity to practice these techniques in a controlled environment and a great instructor. You can dry fire all day, but there's nothing like getting out and being able to train and learn these techniques with live fire. The sounds and adrenaline are very different from dry firing or simply shooting down a lane, making the experience much more realistic and beneficial. The drills, which included both individual and team exercises, were engaging and enhanced our interaction. Egos, if any, were left at the gate and Lee's teaching style stood out--his approach made the class enjoyable and interactive while ensuring that even those with minimal experience (me), as well as veterans with over a decade of shooting (including competition shooters), walked away having gained new insights. I highly recommend this course for shooters at any level. Even if you excel in competitions, this course prepares you for the unpredictability of real-life situations, equipping you with the skills needed for those critical moments. Thanks Lee!

First off, what a unique, fun, and memorable experience! Highly recommended if you want to improve…read moreyour overall knowledge and skills of how to effectively use firearms in any capacity. From seasoned shooters to people just starting out, I think you'll come away from this having learned something new. Recently, my husband and I were visiting family in San Diego, and while we were there, his brother organized a half day firearms and range training session for us with Wraith Defense Group (myself, my husband, his brother, and his brother's fiancé). Prior to the training session, we received an email asking what our experience level and goals for the session were, as well as an extensive list of what to bring (pistols, ammo, holsters, eye and ear protection, notebook, water, etc.). When we arrived at the private outdoor range, our instructor Rob (a Marine Veteran with many years of experience shooting and training others to shoot) met us, and we got to work. Rob went over general range safety, the basics of aiming using iron sights or red dot optics, proper posture and stance, how to hold a pistol for accuracy, the repeatable process he uses when drawing from a holster, aiming, firing and holstering again, and more. We practiced drawing our weapons using his 4-step method, smoothly taking aim, and dry firing to get accustomed to the process. Once everyone felt fairly comfortable with that we added ammo, and began aiming for smaller targets from a shorter distance (5m), which is comparable to what you might encounter in a home invasion type of scenario, then backed up to 10m and aimed for slightly larger targets. We also practiced reloading mid-session when one magazine ran out of ammo, and then we practiced moving while shooting targets (harder than it sounds!). Envision trying to remember all the good shooting form you've just been taught while walking towards (or perpendicular to) a target (and then throw in swapping out magazines on top of it all). I think moving while shooting was the most enjoyable of all the exercises we did with our group. We ended our session with a competition between iron sights and optics to see who could score the most points for hitting certain areas on our targets. All the while, Rob was checking form, reminding us of the steps we'd gone over earlier, and making suggestions as to how to improve our accuracy: take the slack out of the trigger as you're aiming, don't lock out the arms fully, relax the shoulders, don't anticipate the shot, etc. Not only was he extremely skilled himself, demoing every exercise for us before we did it without missing a shot, but he was very professional, encouraging, and great at communicating why we were doing things a certain way, as well as how to do it better the next time. By the end of the afternoon, everyone was hot, sweaty, and pumped from the experience we'd just had. Personally, I came away with a much more thorough understanding of how to repeatedly and systematically take aim each and every time I draw a pistol, steps I'll be able to practice the next time I'm at the shooting range at home. It was a great experience both from a learning standpoint and from a fun, team building activity standpoint - with everyone cheering each other on as we practiced. After the session I have a few tips I'd pass along for future attendees: bring lots of cold water, sunscreen, hats with brims, eye protection with dark tinted or polarized lenses, and wear a long sleeved, light colored shirt. The range is fully outdoors and once the sun starts to climb, there's very little shade so staying well hydrated and doing your best to protect yourself from the sun's rays is a must. Overall, Wraith Defense Group has a very valuable, unique offering, and I would encourage anyone to take a training session with them. It's well worth it.

Is there a 10 star rating option on here? Wraith deserves it. I may be a bit biased, being a…read moreMarine, and knowing the owner/operator for quite some time both personally and professionally, however, those facts make me much more critical of everything that takes place during our training sessions. The proverb "Empty your cup" comes to mind every time I set foot on the range, and every time (without fail), we revisit the fundamentals, and establish the goals for the day in order to maximize our time and efforts while together. We jut met for our second session, and even though I shoot fairly frequently, I have improved leaps and bounds thanks to Rob's patience and understanding not only as a phenomenal shooter, but his concise, effective ability to identify and correct discrepancies. Safety is paramount at this range, and although it is outdoors and well off the beaten path, it is well kept, clean, and organized. At the end of each session, you "police" (clean up) your area and conduct a debrief of the goals, drills and performance for the day, and establish a plan for the next one. Whether you're a seasoned shooter, or simply interested in learning about handling a firearm for home or self-defense, Wraith Defense Group can get you to the next level, enhancing your understanding, confidence, and capability. 10/10 Recommend!!!

Absolutely solid and enlightening experience. Scheduled a half-day session and got back far more…read morethan I expected. I got a full introduction to running a shotgun and Johnnie left nothing uncovered. Explanations were thorough but not complicated, and drills were challenging enough to ingrain proper fundamentals without being overwhelming. Each part of the lesson felt purposeful and relevant to building familiarity and proficiency. Johnnie is as solid an instructor as you'll find. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience and a genuine desire to help people learn and progress their skills. Already planning on my next session, highly recommend others do the same.

Had an amazing one on one class Very knowledgeable and…read moreprofessional, perfect for first time shooter or the experienced shooter. Would definitely recommend

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.

Excellent training. Went for my initial 16 hr CCW training. The class was well organized and was…read moredone in a way that made the time fly by. Arthur (Jimmy) is a great trainer. I went to get the required time in to get my permit and ended up learning so much more and had more fun than I expected. The simulator is a great way to put into practice what you are learning and get more time participating in your training rather than sitting and looking at slides. On the range, the entire team was helpful and friendly. They made sure it was a safe environment and that everyone understood what was expected and helped you prepare for the actual qualification part of the training. I would recommend going to any firearms training with "The Gunsmith Guy". I will be scheduling more training myself after some time practicing what I have learned. The cost is a great factor too, one of the lower cost classes I found, but top tier when it comes to the actual training.

There should be 10 stars for this guy. He went clear out of his way to help me out, on a subject…read morethat he does not even deal with anymore. He helped me find a stock that I have been looking for in the last few days. He sent me plenty leads of better places to look than I ever could. It's this kind of help that we just don't see anymore. My hats off to this gentleman with as many stars as I can give. I didnt mention that he helped me through quite a few text messages. Most businesses would not do that. I am very thankful for this business in our community.

Great little shop hidden off Main Street. I came in with a ton questions and all the guys were…read morepatient, knowledgeable and helpful each time I've been there which isn't always the case with other shops. It's my go to now.

My go to shop for black powder and caps for my antique percussion rifles and pistols! The staff was…read morevery friendly and helpful. I drove all the way from Fallbrook and it was definitely worth it. Nice drive up the hill. Highly recommend Ramona Shootist Emporium!