This is going to be a long review, but I hope it can give any prospective customers a thorough understanding of what to expect when giving Manzano Munitions their business. TLDR, this business has, without a doubt, provided the most professional and pleasant experience on all levels of interaction with the sport/hobby (e.g. purchasing a firearm, asking questions about gear, and training). The only con is that they are becoming very popular and successful, which makes the in-store line longer than it used to be and it's harder to chop it up with these individuals without impeding their business.
If you are a first-time buyer, I highly recommend you do some research or come in with a baseline understanding on the process of purchasing and owning a firearm. Purchasing a firearm is a unique process, and if you are familiar with California law, the nuances and restrictions of this state can make the experience frustrating and confusing. Fortunately, the staff at Manzano are extremely knowledgeable and approachable if you have questions. If you've gone to other shops, I (unfortunately) wouldn't be surprised if you've come across a negative experience or felt belittled when asking a valid question. It's refreshing to say the staff has a genuine interest in the customers' understanding of the process and the recommendations they provide truly cater to your needs. Specifically, they won't simply recommend buying the highest price firearm, but they will provide objective datapoints to inform your decision while also supplementing their feedback with personal experience as each staff member is proficient in the sport (I would recommend asking what the requirements are to be employed - "proficient" is a heavy understatement). Finally, their pricing is competitive, and it has been very convenient to have a local shop with a phenomenal inventory to supplement needs such as buying ammo or getting niche items that would normally be unavailable to the average consumer.
If you are interested in training or furthering your knowledge/experience (whether it be for law enforcement or sport), this is where I give my real review as my experience with Manzano Munitions has been incomparable and absolutely amazing. After purchasing my first firearm years ago (at a different shop), I was always told to take classes, get training, etc. To be honest, I thought it was just a way to get money out of the customer as I felt I was decent at the sport (I would go the range at least once a week) and I couldn't shake the feeling most instructors were leveraging their experience in law enforcement/military to justify the price. I am very happy to be wrong (specifically about Manzano Munitions) and now I am hoping they create more classes as I've taken every class they have to offer. I have been in the sport for roughly 6 years but within months of being a member and taking their classes, I have gone from fumbling magazines to chasing Grand Master hit factors in the pistol matches they host (ok I'm not GM level by any means but I beat Kyle once - sorry, but a win is a win [please don't ask me about the other stages]). I would have never thought I would feel this confident in my proficiency at the sport, in both safety and performance aspects, and it is insane to think my training changed from solely focusing on getting the tightest groups at ranges to exploring holster work, conceal carry, competing in USPSA pistol matches and 2 gun matches, understanding low light scenarios, nailing targets 1000 yards away, and overall just feeling like a real life John Wick. As a disclaimer, I've been a member for 2 years. While juggling work/life, my cumulative time for training has only been a few months but the years of time/dedication I put in prior to encountering Manzano Munitions are frankly inferior to the knowledge/training provided by Kyle and his team.
In summary, if you are new to the sport/hobby, Manzano Munitions is the clear winner in my head for feeling comfortable when asking questions and understanding the confusing and dynamic nature of firearms in California. If you are curious or want to know what it's like to take your current proficiency to the next level, I have no doubt that you will receive top tier information and training if you decide to become a member or take classes. After seeing the offerings from other instructors, I genuinely don't have any regrets as the environment/atmosphere is very approachable for all levels of experience and you get a lot of value for what you pay. Kyle, Jake, and team, you guys are doing an amazing job, and I hope you understand how much your work is appreciated.
It has been an absolute pleasure to be a customer of Manzano Munitions and being a member/part of this community has been a standout experience in the recent years of my life. These gentlemen are professional in all aspects of business, and the employees are all respectable individuals who carry themselves well.
5/5 read more