Personally, I had no expectations for this class, it was a gift for my friend for her b-day, but it was the best 4 hours I've ever spent in one room. 4hrs passed in no time. As an American, yes, we have the right to bear arms, but I totally never felt like I was in Rusty Shackleford's gun club of Arlen. I never felt like I was having propaganda thrown at me. The instructors were all very realistic with their answers and did not make me feel like they were pro gun all day every day. Even the booklet we were given that was made in 1990 was hilarious, but informative. Lots of pictures and a STRONG emphasis on don't put your hand on the trigger until you're ready to shoot. There was a small mix of people, definitely under 20 individuals. Another friend went last month with her fiancee and they had an amazing time. My friend was giddy the entire time. 99.3% of the guns are real, the ammo is not. I saw on their website that they're located next to a daycare and a driving school and was a little weird-ed out, but its like going to the dentist---or an AA meeting! You're in one room. You raise your hands, you get questions answered and we took a few breaks in between. When Brent said a 10 minute break, he BEGAN in 10 mins, so that was great. I was a little hesitant to shoot with so many eyes on me, but they did a great job of explaining to us what to do and what NOT to do. I didn't feel any pressure when I did something wrong, which was re-assuring. I definitely would come back to get the rest of my licenses. Our main instructor, Brent, was really great, given the ridiculous people in the room with my friend and I. I of course asked thought provoking questions, my friend as well (well, not REALLY, but it was better than the rest of the class). If the instructor tells you to do something, do it., that also includes not shooting when you're told to stop. If they say put the certificate BACK in the box (not under your chair)...well, do it. I would like to give the class a lesser star b/c of the ridiculous ppl, but the instructor's were fine and they don't know who the heck will be in the class until they are IN the class and I want to be fair. So, be prepared to feel like you're on the top of the food chain with some of the questions you will hear asked. All in all, I had a great time. I was initially upset it wasn't live rounds, but then again, seeing who ELSE was in there and their behavior.....yeaaaaaaaaaaaah, I'm glad it was all a simulator! read more

Attended a Mass Basic Firearms Safety course. Instructor was very knowledgeable, helpful and patient. Venue clean and well kept. Look forward to attending further classes once the LTC is in the bag. read more

Took the class with my gf (as a guest) with Clark as the instructor. From the eyes of someone who's been licensed for a couple years, Clark was informative, accurate and thorough. On top of that, we was patient, interesting and made the 4 hour class fly by. Class was lively, good interactions with the student and lots of smiles. He exceeded any and all expectations. He was open to questions, welcoming them at all times even when talking (he said to do so). His answers were clear and detailed without being verbose. He answered as much as he knew, making sure to clarify finer points and was more than willing to help with people's specific situations. We had the opportunity to interact with real guns (rubber & plastic ammo) to learn how to handle them. Then there were the laser plastic guns that were used to demonstrate how to aim. Finally came the live shooting in the smaller of the 2 ranges. Target distance was 16ft, 10rnds on the Ruger MK and 5rnds on the revolver. The shooting part was shorter than what I had when I took the course 3 years ago. I remember distinctly that we had the opportunity to shoot an AR on top of the revolver and Ruger MK. This time, it was just the latter two (both chambered in 22lr). My instructor here (not Clark) was very helpful and gave tips for the revolver when I messed up. Overall, it was a great class. I had fun and enjoyed the 4 hour class even though I knew 99% of the info. That speaks volume about read more

Mass Firearms is the best! Everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable. My instructor Mike really took his time, explained everything to the details, and most importantly they are all about safety... if you're looking for an intro class or private lesson, Mass Firearms is highly recommended. read more

we took the basic firearms class at MFS and thought it was very informative. the course gave so much information about mechanics, handling, safety, and laws. the instructor kept a really great pace during the classroom setting, so I was never bored and felt like he used the time very well. we also had a chance for hands on training in the range which was a cool aspect as well. would definitely recommend the basic course as well as any of the advanced courses to anyone. read more

this place is awesome. most people think "gun people", and usually think old cranky white guys with obnoxiously oversized pickups and attired in at least one piece of camo clothing at all times. this place completely dispells that stereotype with their awesomely friendly staff who're equally comfortable dealing with everyone from people who've never held a gun before, all the up to the afore-described "gun people". absolutely no condescending attitude, endless patience, and a willingness to answer all your ridiculously speculative (well.... what IF.....) questions to the best of their ability. i took my safety class here and plan on getting a membership once i get my christmas bonus. there are closer ranges, but there are two main things that appeal to me here: all the classes and all the guns that you can borrow and shoot for FREE. seriously, look it up on their webpage - some of the classes sound awesome and you get a discount with a membershp. they also have just about every gun that i'd ever seriously consider buying, so it's nice to know that i'll have access to them to try them out before committing to a purchase. highly recommended. read more

Updated 5/10/2011: I got contacted by the Mass Firearms School people after I posted this comment. They apologized for the misrepresentation/confusion and refunded me back. I appreciate there customer service. This is NOT a gun Range! its housed in a two room office where they have a rudimentary simulator. I was shocked when I walked in to the place and saw how basic this place was. Basic firearm training is 3 hr power point presentation with some simulator experience. Total misrepresentation on Yelp Deal page!! read more

These guys are a top notch training training facility and I recommend them with the highest of regards. I took the Basic Firearms Safety course with two of my friends and we all found our instructor James to be extremely knowledgable on the subject. He provided excellent examples and wisdom on the topic that I found to be very insightful. The shooting range was top-notch as well. If you are looking for a training facility to take your safety course, do not hesitate... choose MFS! read more

Took my girlfriend to learn to shoot some guns. In hindsight, arming my girlfriend both with this knowledge and with a live firearm might have been a poor life choice. However, the staff did an excellent job of not only teaching the necessary safety techniques that would keep from accidentally putting a hole in myself, but they also managed to keep the girlfriend from putting any non-accidental holes in me as well. In seriousness, this was a fantastic experience. We had a blast. We felt safe the whole time and reviewed great one-on-one instruction. But be warned, shooting is addictive. To quote the great philosopher of our time, Homer J. Simpson: "I felt this incredible surge of power, like God must feel when he's holding a gun." read more

I got the Yelp deal and went with a couple of friends. They were very nice about allowing "guests", but you should note that this is more of a sit-down class in a classroom and there's no shooting at a gun range. It definitely serves its purpose if you're going for gun certification, but don't go to it if you're expecting to get a chance to actually shoot. The computer simulation they had at the end was interesting, but that isn't a big part of the class time-wise. read more

I bought a Groupon for me and my fiance for an Introductory shooting course, where we shot 4 different guns. I have been to one in the Boston area in the past, and it does not compare to the course we took at Mass Firearms. The instructor, Tim, was patient and friendly, and took the time to correct anything we were doing wrong prior to being in the range. He taught me many details that the other instructor at the other place never even bothered to mention. I am thoroughly appreciative of the experience we received with Tim and the Mass Firearms staff, and will gladly drive the extra hour to their place rather than going to any of the numerous places right down the street. read more

God I hate driving so far to have to shoot. But this is the closest range, which doesn't require a membership. These is some little town center you have to go through which always seems to have a train going by. Which means the gates are down, and you are stuck. read more

We bought a groupon for my brother in law's birthday on a Thursday. It was a really good experience. We got to fire 4 different kind of guns. Our instructor Derek was really good and encouraging. Answered all our questions. Definitely recommended for first timers. Its a different feel shooting real guns. The reason I gave 4 stars.. We called to let them know that we are running 5 mins late. So while hanging up the phone he said "Indian Only"(for being late). Why would someone be racist like that? Otherwise we enjoyed our experience. Just the racist part ticked me off a little.. read more

'Booked a one-on-one private range training yesterday. I went in a "Nervous Nellie", and not only feared handling & firing a gun, but feared an instructor who I thought would surely be horrified of my lack of experience & frayed nerves. Nope! He was AMAZING. Patient, kind, professional, thorough. The best teacher you could have. I learn & get more comfortable from not only the hands-on experience (& repetition), but with knowledge. He explained so much to me, including the emotional aspect of it. Once I learned proper breathing techniques, and not to be fearful, I was getting the bulls eye! This is a huge accomplishment for someone who went from 0 experience. Couldn't have done it without MFS & the professional, understanding 'class act' instructors! THANK YOU for changing my attitude and helping me overcome my fear! Now I'm looking FORWARD to my next range session! read more

Excellent experience, quality instruction, and clean facility! My wife and I each took individual lessons with Chris and Nate. They gave us excellent instruction (its been a long time since shooting my guns) and made us feel comfortable and confident. For my wife, it was her first time shooting a pistol and she loved it! Highly recommend the facility and available training. We loved it so much we are looking into membership. read more

I will agree based on the limited number of other facilities like this I've visited that is is particularly well and professionally run. Took the 1 hr beginner shooting course (4 different guns) with Brendan, who explained things quickly yet very effectively vs another instructor I'd had elsewhere. I'll be back to take some 1:1 instruction with him again sooner than later. read more

My nineteen year old daughter and I took the basic firearms safety class two days ago. I hadn't fired a gun in decades. I was made to feel welcome as soon as I arrived. There were varying degrees of expertise in the class, but it didn't matter. The instructor knew his stuff, and knew how to hold your attention through a long class. Other staff members assisted during times when we were handling the firearms which made good use of the time. The young man who helped me at the range was kind, patient and non-judgemental. I enjoyed the class, learned quite a bit and plan to take another class. I like this place and the people who work there. read more

Solid training. Did the Safety Class. Live fire and excellent coverage of what you need to know to get your LTC A. Highly recommend doing their Conceal and Carry classes if you intend to do that. read more

Best safety course I have ever had. The instructors and staff were amazing. I plan to take more classes here.

The instructor was very nice and knowledgeable, class size was perfect, very nice range and shop.

Cool school that will teach you how to responsibly operate/own/and care for a firearm. Professional staff, nice interior and shooting range, and they are teaching valuable skills to help others. I like this place. read more

A nice place to go for firearms training. The LTC course is about as inexpensive as you will find it in Mass, and they not only train you in the basics of how to handle all types of guns (rifle, shotgun, semi-auto handgun, revolver) but also how to navigate each towns quirky LTC approval process. The instructors are pretty fun & keep the dry stuff interesting. They also have some really cool policies (bring a friend for free -- they pay only if they want the LTC certification). Best place to go for any firearms training you want, and they are always running specials on new courses (concealed carry, close combat, self-defense, etc.) read more

The course at Mass Firearms was conducted in a very professional, no nonsense manner. The live firing range, with .22 caliber ammo is more realistic than a virtual firing range. While not getting too deep in the inticacies of the MA gun laws, the instructors explained more than enough of the basic knowledge any gun owner should know. read more

Took the entire family there, Mother (66) Brother, Nephews, for basics class, since then we're all got our Class A's. Great staff very knowledgeable, friendly, professional and helpful. As far as the store goes, they guys at MFS again didn't disappoint! 1st time buyers will feel intimidated in allot of shops, poor customer service and they make you feel like an idiot. But not at MFS, helped me pick out my first S.W. compact C.C. Thanks guys! read more

I can't say enough positive things about MFS. My first time here was out of curiosity, via a Groupon. I had never touched a firearms before in my life, and was a bit intimidated by the whole process. But the session was engaging, informational and fun, making me want to further my education about firearms. I went on to take my four-hour safety course here- another excellent experience. And as I began the process of getting licensed in the city of Boston, they clearly explained all the required steps and offered assistance along the way. My most recent experience with MFS was taking my Moon Island Practice Test. I was EXTREMELY nervous, but the instructor (Alex) was very patient, encouraged me to slow down, pause and just breathe. I'm happy to say that I easily passed the test, and am now awaiting my license! Highly recommend this school. They never made me feel silly for asking all of my questions, or being intimidated by the process. read more

I loved the class I took. I have a better understanding of Massachusetts laws now. I will be taking the advanced classes as well in the near future. read more

Im writing in regards to my review I posted about Mass Firearms School. On 4/26/14 and After having a few days to reflect on my experience/incident I had at Mass Firearms School... And Also after having a Professional Customer Driven Combosation with the Prez/CEO Steve OF Mass Firearms School and Mr. Steve explaining the Policys but also helping me understand the Rules/Policys all while being Apologetic ; I would like to retrace the review I posted by saying it was a Big Misunderstanding on the salesperson behalf who wasn't to sure about the Policys when it came to dealing with customers who are not Licensed. Im changing my Review to 5. Because of the Service Recovery the Prez/CEO Steve showed me that Mass Firearms School Cares About the Customers Experience!!! Because I'm also a firm Believer in giving people/Businesses a second chance in Making a Paying Customer have a Great Experience No Matter Who they are or where they come from Because at the end of the day WE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN'S... MASS FIREARMS SCHOOL ROCKS & IS A Customer Driven Establishment!!! #y'all keep up the good work :-D read more

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VERY professional instructors and comprehensive school. Insane amounts of guns for sale and they have a range also. Only complaint is that for the basic firearms course which was 4 hours, you only did literally 2 minutes of shooting - YES, 2 minutes. I found that as kind of odd. Outside of that, overall great experience. Thanks much. read more

My relationship with MFS started off with their basic safety course, and then their introduction to military firearms course (thank you, Groupon). I became a member about 7 months ago and have been to MFS many times since. The staff is always so friendly and helpful. I often bring guests (members can bring one guest free per visit) and they always have a great experience. I recently purchased my first firearm from their store as well, and the guys working there answered all my questions and made sure I tried out a few similar guns before I actually settled on one. Getting to Holliston from Boston is not a fun time between 4-6 pm, so I love that they're open until 10 most nights! Whether you've never fired a gun before, or have been shooting your whole life, MFS is a great place to go! read more

Great experience! The instructor was top-notch. I learned a lot and had such a good time.

This was a great place to learn about the laws and how to apply for a license to carry a gun. Awesome class for beginners like me who have never shot a real gun to feel safe. The place was very clean and the equipment that we used was well maintained. Bathrooms where well lit and clean. Would definitely recommend it for people who want to learn about guns. read more

I really enjoyed the training that I received from MFS. Not really knowing anything about the laws, mechanics or operations of firearms, this place provided an excellent and clear starting point on my journey to understanding and (hopefully never utilizing) training of self defense. Would recommend! read more

I took the basic fire arms course with a few friends, it was awesome. Very informative and I didn't feel like they expected me to know how to do anything. They went step by step through how to safely handle and operate a fire arm. I had an awesome time and learned a lot! read more

To add to my previous review... I took the basic safety courses here and got my license, and am now practicing semi-regularly on their range with the option to have a private instructor. This has been very helpful for a beginner like me. This place always feels professional, safe and friendly, and I have learned so much and become more comfortable handling firearms. Holliston is quite a drive from where I live. However, there are also some amazing shopping opportunities around in nearby Framingham, so all that time on the Pike isn't wasted :) read more

Awesome place ! Let me start by saying I travel about an hour (well 45-50 mins) just to come here, good prices at the retail shop, a lot of merchandise, clean range, open late, good classes and amazing instructors. I learned a lot from these guys, I will keep coming back for more classes and guns. Now for the bad, the only thing keeping this place from 5 stars in my book, is SOME of the staff, I feel like these guys at times don't want to be there, I've brought various guests at occasions to do some shooting and meet the place, and they always have something to say about the people who they ask questions to, they almost treat you like your dumb for asking.. I've had a few people come with me that said "they will not be returning, I have bad service shooting ranges way closer to me." While I can't say I've been treated bad or rudely there, I know who not to ask questions to, because of how short they can be." None the less a great place, I've had 3 people join because of me. read more

I purchased the basic class through a Groupon. After reading some other reviews here, I have to say people's expectations were unrealistic. I was totally satisfied with the class and 'beginner' training. By taking this initial class, you also are offered discount opportunities for additional training and membership into NRA. I have never held a gun, done any target shooting, etc. I would have freaked out if a gun with live ammunition was used, remember, SAFETY and training! This is for newbies. If you have experience with guns, well.... you should already have a license! This class was perfect for the purpose, and my class with Brent (and Brian) was informative, and fun too. More indepth knowledge like cleaning etc cannot be covered in a four-hour class - people should expect basics - exactly as described in the class description. read more

Let me start by stating what MFS is not: It is not a gun range. It's a classroom in an office building, and although there are real firearms there, you will not be firing any live ammunition. While the website doesn't disguise this fact, the wording is far from obvious to someone (me) who has never shot a handgun. You use their "law enforcement/military firearms range system": real firearms hooked up to an air canister to mimic the feel of shooting (recoil and all), and fitted with lasers to shoot at digital targets projected on the wall. It's a step up from your PS3 gun, but if you are dreaming about the sweet smell of gunpowder as you hurtle deadly chunks of metal downrange... ain't gonna happen here. That said, the Mass Basic Firearms Safety Course is actually very interesting, particularly for someone new to guns, and the class is required to get a License to Carry in Massachusetts. The firing simulation above certainly whets your appetite for the real thing, but it's a small portion of the class. Instead, the instructor covers a broad range of topics, including gun safety, gun laws in Massachusetts, and loading and unloading different kinds of firearms (also practiced with real firearms and dummy cartridges). The topics sound dry, but they're kept surprisingly interesting by the pleasant, funny instructors, many of whom are from the military and/or the police force. Chad livened his talk up with some YouTube clips illustrating the near-miss results of NOT following the rules. I appreciated the fact that there was very little editorializing about Massachusetts' restrictive and complicated gun laws; it was far from an NRA indoctrination session. Instead, the emphasis was on navigating the thicket of laws correctly. Their attitude was simply that if you follow the rules and stay safe, you'll catch the bug and become as enthusiastic about shooting as they are. Note that this is a very basic introductory course suitable for first-timers; they offer many other courses that are more advanced. MFS also has a VERY generous guest policy: one or more guests can accompany you for free, participating in all the activities of the class (including the shooting simulation). The only thing that guests don't get is the certification at the end necessary for the License to Carry in Massachusetts. But MFS keeps guests' names on file and will issue certificates (without needing to retake the class) if they later pay the course fee. read more

I really enjoyed this class. Alex was an excellent instructor and made the class entertaining as well as informative. The other teacher's aides were really great as well and had a lot of knowledge about basic gun use and shooting. I would absolutely recommend this class to any beginner gun enthusiast or anyone interested in learning about basic firearm safety. read more

Took my firearms safety class here using a Groupon deal. The instructor was good, although a little impatient with questions. The simulation and virtual shooting competitions at the end of class were awesome! read more

MFS is a great place to start if you're new to shooting. My background: I purchased the "Intro to Shooting Handguns & Rifles" Groupon in early 2014. The instructor was really helpful, and the whole experience was a lot of fun. Everyone in my group felt very safe the whole time, which as a first-time shooter was a big deal. I even did the same Groupon again with some family members. I signed up for the MA firearms safety course (required if seeking a license to carry in MA), and again, the experience was great. The course was only a few hours long, and our instructor, Sina, made the class fun, informative, and interactive. When I finally got my license, I bought a membership at MFS without hesitation. What I like: - Professional atmosphere. This is not some sketchy backwoods gun range. As someone new to guns, this place is about the least intimidating range out there. Staff is professional and helpful. - Lots of different handguns and rifles available for free to members (and for a small fee to non-members). I don't know many people who are into guns, so having all of these guns available is really convenient. I wouldn't have the chance to fire such a wide variety of guns otherwise, at least not if I also wanted to pay my mortgage. - Having a retail store down the hall from the range is very convenient. Good selection from what I've seen, although some of the more popular ammunition (.22lr especially in my experience) is sometimes out of stock. See "what I don't like" below. - Good lane availability. I had to wait 10 minutes for a lane on a very busy Saturday, but that has only happened once so far. They have two ranges. On weekends, the smaller range generally seems to be dedicated to the Groupon people. As someone who got introduced to this stuff through Groupon, I can't complain about that, and like I said, there are usually plenty of lanes open. - Free hearing and eye protection, which is great when bringing guests. - Membership isn't required. At $25 per person per hour, you'll definitely want to buy a membership if you plan on shooting there more than a few times a year, but not requiring a membership is convenient for those who want to try out the range first. Members can bring a guest for free. If you plan on bringing a guest with you, a membership is more economical after only 4-5 trips. What I don't like: - This is an indoor, pistol caliber range. Not really a negative, but something to be aware of. As someone just starting out in the world of firearms, I don't have any problem with this limitation, but I could easily imagine a more experienced shooter being frustrated, especially with the caliber restrictions. - Location. Like the indoor/caliber point above, this is just something you have to be aware of when deciding to shoot here. I wish it was more centrally located. Even Framingham would be more convenient, since it's right off the pike. - The retail store, while very convenient, is a bit more expensive than other shops I've been to so far. You're basically paying for the convenience of having a full retail store 50 feet from the range that's open until 10PM most nights. I generally purchase ammunition for my gun from a local store, which has better prices. When I rent guns from MFS though, I buy the ammo from them, because again: convenience. Overall, if the location works for you and/or you're new to shooting, I think MFS is an excellent range. read more