When writing reviews, one has to figure out how to best engage the audience and provide information…read morethat is critical and helpful to the readers looking for certain services. When I read a review, I look for the expertise and credibility of the reviewer to help me assess if the reviewer even know what they are talking about. When someone tries pizza for the first time, and says it is the best pizza ever, one has to take into account that they have only tried it once. Now, if they have been connoisseurs of pizza over time, and have a degree in pizzaology, their review becomes more relevant. I'm not saying my opinion is more relevant than anyone else's, I just saying it may help folks decide whether to eat a pizza or not. That being said, let me tell you about my experiences at that little pizza joint known as Raven Firearms Training (RFT). First let's talk about the location and facilities; Some of the finest country left in America; beautiful scenery and honest, hard working Americans that really leave you with the desire to move there and be a part of it all. The ranges are a unique combination of old west facades, hunting cabins and open training ranges that will excite most firearms enthusiasts. Add a heavy sprinkling of AR-500 steel targets and you can almost hear the ringing of steel as rounds go down range. So what about the Chefs? Jake and Crystal have been masters of arms for most of their adult lives and Jake was probably born with a silver rifle in his hands. Both are retired Marines (if there is such a thing) and have seen a few of the exotic locations a career in expeditionary military has to offer. They have firsthand experience in what works and what doesn't. Jake's expertise is finding that "happy spot" between rigorous military training and couch commando and developing training courses that cater to a wide variety of clientele, from first time shooters to law enforcement firearms instructors. Crystal's expertise is in developing curriculum for students, working with first time woman shooters, and keeping Jake's enthusiasm in check so as not to scare of customers. Between the two of them, they have probably attended most of the shooting schools available to the public and a few that aren't available to the public. They are both excellent instructors that can handle any class or student. Both are extremely enthusiastic about their craft but are easily approachable and respectful to all their students. Alright, what makes their pizza better than anyone else's? The secret is relevance. The training they provide is relevant to the real world threats that exist today. Some firearms training schools train to a standard of being able to put a bullet into a target at a certain distance within a certain amount of time. Some train to hit so many targets out of so many. Some teach to no standards. Well, RFT teaches to the real world threat. That includes a bit of everything above (except the no standard) along with scenarios designed to get the student to think about reactions, shot placement, ammunition management, movement to cover, etc, etc. I don't want to give away all their secrets, but after a few days of training with RFT, you will walk away with more training and knowledge than some police officers and military professionals. How big is their pizza? RFT specializes in individual, small, medium, and large pies. They pride themselves on one-on-one training and hosting factory sponsored firearms shoots and training days for law enforcement firearms instructors. How about variety? Besides their standard classes that are listed on their websites, RFT is able to work with people to improve their skills without making a whole course out of it. Some special courses are offered based on the desires of the students and all their curriculum is reviewed to ensure it is current and relevant. Some of their scenarios involve reacting to threats from a restaurant table, from a car, lying on your back, lying on your side, low light, no light, etc. If you have a need, they have a plan. Ask about the Mogadishu Special, one of my favorites, not for the faint of heart. Bottom line, I have trained in a variety of places and share a similar background to the folks at RFT, and for my dollars, there isn't a better place to go than RFT. For the cost of an average "professional course," somewhere else, you could get the same or better training with some of the nicest folks in the industry and a mini vacation in New Hampshire and still keep some of your money.

I can't recommend Raven Firearms Training highly enough…read more I went with my wife, mother, brother, cousin, and a buddy, novices all. Jake and Crystal showed us the ropes, starting with a briefing on the types of weapons we'd be using, moving on to best practices regarding safe handling and muzzle direction awareness. If there is one facet of the Pelletiers' approach to firearms instruction that stands out, it's their total commitment to safety. They are very aware of what their students are doing and how they're doing it, which, as a newbie, put me completely at ease. These two are pro's pros. All that said, for all their seriousness, they share a great sense of humor and they make the entire process a blast (no pun intended). We engaged in a wide variety of shooting exercises that, while emphasizing the very basics of gun handling and marksmanship, never descended into tedium. They are also super helpful above and beyond: when my wife's Ruger .22 started jamming, Crystal put it through its paces, testing it with magazines of her own. They agreed to contact Ruger and handle the return for factory servicing on our behalf. I swear, I feel like I've made friends for life, and I truly hope that's the case. Seriously, I cannot wait to go shooting with them again and I know my family feels the same way.

Short Version: An outstanding experience from start to…read morefinish! Ken Hoyt, owner and instructor extraordinaire, far surpassed my expectations. Not only was Ken professional, personable, and incredibly knowledgeable about everything having to do with handguns in New Hampshire, he also managed to teach me in a single day how to identify and safely handle, load, unload, and clean a variety of handguns carefully and competently. In addition to correcting decades of misinformation I'd absorbed from movies and media, he taught me everything I never knew there was to know about kinds of gun actions, types of ammunition, things to consider when purchasing firearms, how to select firearms appropriate to your intended uses, protocols at firing ranges, state and local laws... the list goes on. Basically, by the end of the course, he had taken me from a complete novice to a person confident in basic skills who is now eager to keep learning and improving her firearm skills. Highest possible recommendation! Longer version: From the first email I sent during his off-season, Ken responded promptly and promised to contact me when he re-opened in the spring... and he did, helping me select and schedule exactly the kind of instruction I needed to feel safe handling firearms. I took his private "Basics of Pistol Shooting" one day course and it was worth far more than the $200 I paid. Ken made the hours of classroom instruction fly by with his conversational yet cogent style, his humor, and his enthusiasm. He covered all of the NRA's required content and provided additional information specific to New Hampshire's firearm laws and gun culture. He happily answered every one of my questions as we went, adjusted his pace when I requested we review certain topics, and even let me practice the hands-on portions as many times as I wanted until I felt confident and comfortable handling the classroom guns. As a teacher myself, I especially appreciated the clarity of his approach as he balanced instruction, repetition, and hands-on practice in ways tailored for my particular interests and goals. I am someone whose entire previous gun knowledge came from the James Bond movies I watched as a kid. So it is a testament to the care Ken took in ensuring that I'd understood and retained the required content that at the end of the class, I aced the written exam. Those learning-intense hours in the classroom led to the most exhilarating new experience I've had in a long time: a visit to the firing range to shoot an actual gun. Ken took me to a local outdoor range (for you non-enthusiasts of the outdoors, there were plenty of black flies but also a very clean port-a-potty!). As we got set up, he pointed out each of the rules and guidelines about firing range protocol and safe gun-handling we'd covered in the classroom before having me review the techniques we'd practiced for aiming and firing-- stance, breath control, siting the target correctly, trigger control, recoil and follow through. He then took the time to be sure that my ear and eye protective gear were secure and that I felt prepared to apply all I'd learned that day. After some words of encouragement, he let me take my shot (haha) at meeting the marksmanship requirements to complete the course. After my first few shots, he offered incredibly helpful, specific feedback. I adjusted accordingly, and within a few magazines and respectably few misses, I'd hit the necessary targets to pass the course... and to discover a new favorite pastime that I look forward to pursuing, hopefully with more help from Ken! Whatever your goal is in looking for a class and instructor for basic handguns, look no further than the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course offered by Ken Hoyt and Ridgetop Training.

Ridgetop Training is great! I knew nothing about guns and was so afraid of them and after the…read moreclass and target practice, I felt so much better! Ken is so patient and knowledgeable and the class was so thorough. I'm so glad that I took this class thank you Ken!

Ashley is incredibly and the friendliest and most helpful gun gal around. I highly recommend if you…read moreare in the market to go there. She can get you what you are looking for.

Excellent selection. Great customer service. Would highly encourage folks to go ! Nice dog alsoread more

My brother in law and I were looking for some places to learn more advanced pistol trainings. After…read morevisiting a gun show a few months ago I ran into Mike Briggs at one of his booths. After a brief conversation I took his info and a few weeks later I emailed him. Best decision I could have made. Mind you his place is in NH and I'm coming from the South Shore of Mass and I'm sure there's a few places like NET that are closer for me however the drive was worth it. Mike is professional and safety oriented while making it fun as well. I'm a decent shooter and I thought I knew some stuff but I realized fast that I have a long way to go to say the least. Lol. Already can't wait to drive up there again for my next with him. Great guy great class. If you get the chance and want to learn the correct way to shoot in a safe and fun environment then Mike is the way to go. Honestly I'm seriously impressed with the class. I know I can speak for my brother in law also as he is looking forward to coming up again. Thanks Mike see you soon!

5 stars go out to Amsden Precision Arms LLC - one of the few gunsmith shops in the nation…read morespecializing in custom 1911 pistols, Glock and polymer pistol modifications along with repairs, modifications, cerakoting, and parts fabrication for pistols, rifles, and shotguns. APA Tactical, is their training division which offers fundamental and defensive training in the use of the handgun, MSR (modern sporting rifle), or tactical shotgun. Their instructors are AMAZING with extensive Military and Police backgrounds and they are kind and patient. So... I bought my handgun and accessories from Amsden Precision and I'm also receiving extraordinary training! This is completely unlike anything I've experienced before with family & friends who say things like: "Just look at your target and shoot!" I had my first one-on-one this week and discovered the importance of developing excellent habits early on if I want to become proficient in the use of firearms. APA Tactial Training courses are about precision and patience. They don't rush anything, working with your pace through demos and hands on learning at the range. The training is tailored towards your skill level - whether beginning or advanced. Amsden Precision Arms is highly recommended and if they can't find that rare missing part to Grandpa's rifle, guess what? they will make one for you! They are very active on FB and are easily reached by phone or messenger. Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/AmsdenPrecisionArms/

I have been coming to White Birch Armory for many years, and it has stayed one of the most…read moredependable firearm businesses in the area. I visit mainly for my own range time and to shop in the ProShop, and the experience has always been consistently positive. As a firearms instructor, I often have students asking where they should go after completing their basic training. WBA is one of the first places I mention. I do not receive anything for sending people here. I recommend it because it has been solid every single time I've walked through the door. The retail side is one of the strongest parts of this business. The ProShop is spacious, clean, and well organized with a good flow into the ammunition room. There is always plenty to look at -- firearms, holsters, parts, accessories, and gear. The staff are approachable and willing to answer questions without hovering or trying to push a sale. Ammunition is usually well stocked, including bulk options that many shooters appreciate. White Birch also has a full lineup of training classes taught by their own instructors. While I have not taken their classes personally, it is helpful to know they offer structured training for people who want to continue building skills. The range itself is run very well. It is clean, climate-controlled, and maintained regularly. As an NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer with many years of experience on different ranges, I notice the details that matter: attentive and professional RSOs, orderly lanes, backers replaced when needed, and a check-in process that moves quickly. It creates a safe and comfortable environment for both new and experienced shooters. Something worth mentioning is the feedback I hear from my own students. Over the years, plenty of them have reached out after visiting White Birch to tell me how much they liked it, whether they were renting a firearm for the first time, buying gear, or just getting some practice in. Hearing that repeatedly says a lot about the consistency of the experience here. Whether you want to try out a firearm before making a purchase, pick up equipment, or spend time on a clean indoor range, White Birch Armory is a great place to go. They've earned their reputation by running things professionally and treating people well.

Great service, nice modern facility, a real guy store! A lot of combat and prepped type equipment…read more Rentals and gun range! Prices a bit high but worth the visit!

If you are looking for top-notch defensive training, look no further. They have a wide variety of…read moreclasses/courses for every ability. It's definitely worth your time!

I took my first class from Critical Defense Institute in 2017 after meeting Rob, the owner, on the…read morerange during a competition. The training I have received from Rob and his staff is amazing; their level of training an expertise is what everyone needs to be become proficient in the art of self-defense, both empty hand and firearms. Most recently, I took a rifle class, and it was nothing less than spectacular, even though it rained the entire day!

I say, I'd not shot…read morean automatic since my time in the service and Belmont Firearms & Range were more than happy to oblige. They have a vast array of historic and modern firearms; ranging from machine guns to pistols and rifles. For the two historic rentals and 100rds for each, I would say the pricing was more than fair as well! Only reason for not rating 5/5 is my initial interaction with the young gentleman behind the counter. He vehemently insisted I was wrong when asking for "select fire" when he was, in fact, the misinformed party. He droned on for about ten minutes treating me as a moron and it left a bad taste in my mouth. Luckily, I didn't leave as I had a wonderful time besides this. I look forward to returning upon my next visit to the area BE WARNED: Shoot low and centered on the target as they can and will charge you for every shot above the target or into the ceiling. Thankfully I have previous experience and all hits were on paper. Good show!

Belmont Firearms & Range is awesome. Safe, professional, and just a great experience overall. As…read morea woman, I felt completely comfortable and respected the entire time. I'd recommend it to anyone.