My schedule is very tight I could only go two days during the week, Russ usually teaches only on the weekend, he was nice enough to come after his main work. I told him why I neded to have more practice and that I don't have much experience but I neeed to be better . He is very calm and shows you how to handle a gun properly and gets the jitters away. I appreciated his words of confidence and experience. He is definitely someone you should go to if tou neee any guidance operating a gun. He truly cares and wants you to be confident handling a gun which is half the battle of handeling a gun. I appreciate Russ so much after our session! read more

Look no further. Russ trained my friend and I shooting rifles the week before last and I couldn't have been more pleased. He is knowledgeable, articulate, thoughtful, has a good sense of humor and has a wide variety of firearms to shoot. From start to finish I felt like he truly cared about my experience and really wanted to help. I look forward to having him help me sight in my new rifle soon. As a result of his exceptional service you can expect him to be busy, so plan accordingly, but he's well worth waiting for. read more

My lesson was so helpful ! I learned proper safety measures , how to clean my firearm and more than enough time to practice shooting . Worth every penny !! read more

Russ is an outstanding trainer. He is extremely knowledgeable and patient as I was learning the fundamentals of shooting pistol. I can't imagine going anywhere else for training. I left feeling like I had a good foundation that I can further refine at my local range. read more

Russ trained me and a friend today and it was such a pleasure working with him! He was kind, patient and very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend his services to anyone new to owning guns or for someone that wants to improve their marksmanship. Thank you Russ!! read more

Last Saturday, I spent the day learning about pistols in the NRA Basic Pistol Course taught by a wonderful instructor, Russ Miller. There is not enough space in this review for me to write about my experience....but let me try. It was exceptional. I am a woman who wanted someone patient and knowledgeable and he fit the bill to a T. Any questions I asked, and there were many, were answered fully. The time flew by and once the lecture portion was complete we were off to the shooting range. I was allowed to try out quite a variety of guns, from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols. Safety was stressed continuously. As the guns got larger and heavier, I was feeling a bit unsure on whether I could handle these guns. He sensed that and told me that I was doing well and that he thought I could handle them just fine....and I did, thanks to his confidence in me. On completion of the Firearms Course, I took the test and left with my FSC card in my hand. I look forward to progressing on to other firearm courses that Russ teaches and encourage anyone who is interested in learning about firearms from the best, to give Russ a call. There is a reason he has garnered all those 5 star ratings.... read more

I just completed the NRA's Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading course today with Russ as the instructor. Hands down, Russ is a phenomenal teacher and his 30+ years of reloading experience added tremendous value. Russ has a passion for teaching, especially about firearms; he is, without question, a gun enthusiasts gun enthusiast and I am glad I met him and was in his class. I did not know what to expect for the class and it more than met my expectations. The class material is excellent, kudos to the NRA for making a great student guide. The way Russ presented the material, would add his own real world experiences, and then let us get involved doing each step of the reloading process, and answered all our questions (with infectious passion about reloading) allowed me to learn and have a great time. I walked away confident that I can reload, do each step safely, and produce ammunition that functions effectively. As another student of yours said, if I could give Russ and Mobile Marksmen 6 or more stars, I would! Thank you Russ for being my instructor and teaching this class! read more

First of all this review is long overdue. My training with Russ was several months ago and I've been all this time with this 'you have to put a review in Yelp' feeling lurking in the back of my mind but... you know: hectic life. Five stars. Russ is not only extremely knowledgeable, but also a great guy. When I say 'great' I mean GREAT in bold type. He's friendly and patient. I got the NRA First Steps Pistol class and I can say with him you probably get the most bang for your buck (pun intended). Not even a single minute of the class time will be wasted, He achieves to combine an slow-enough pace that allows an absolute beginner (like me) to 'get it' with the delivery of a whole lot of information, which will cover all the basics. The balance between theory and practice is also very good. You'll get plenty of hands-on practice. My class was three hours long, in total, and we were shooting non-stop for over one hour. Russ will make you feel confident in a matter of minutes and will get you to shoot accurately in no time. Definitely it was a great experience. If you're thinking it's slightly more expensive than other classes out there you have to consider this is a one-to-one private lesson. It's worth every penny, trust me. You won't regret it. read more

I took a 1 on 1 class with Russ back in February. I'm a new firearms owner and actually never fired a gun before the time I spent with Russ. He was super friendly and personable and a fantastic instructor. Cannot recommend him enough. If you're someone new to firearms the best thing you can do is schedule some time with Russ. read more

Russ was exactly what I was looking for. Russ is friendly, knowledgable and a great teacher. The ability to get his undivided attention to just focus on my needs in a private class setting was exactly what I was looking for and well worth the money. I would recommend Russ to anyone. read more

I took the orientation courses for rifles, pistols, and shotguns (half a day each), without having pretty much any experience whatsoever with real firearms (no, paintballing does not really count). I was very impressed by the course Russ offered. Like the other two reviewers have mentioned, he's very very knowledgeable and definitely made the program fun. As someone who wants to get to know firearms better and to shoot more, I was very glad to have someone as skilled and as patient as Russ (seriously, it took me quite a while on the range to get used to the Remington 12 gauge we were using, but Russ was patient and it finally clicked). He definitely knows his stuff, and made sure that I was safe consistently in all my actions. I recommend Russ to any beginners (as he's got great reviews for people who are more experienced), as he is a fantastic teacher. If I could, I too would give 6 stars. read more

My wife, her sister, and I took the NRA Basic Pistol Safety Course from Russ. The class is well organized and flexible for answering your questions on the operation, use, and maintenance of a handgun. My wife and her sister never handled a firearm before, but this course was perfect to help them get over any fears or concerns. Russ is very outgoing and was the perfect choice for instructing my wife and her sister; he's got a great personality and gave them just the right amount of attention to build up their comfort level with guns. My wife wanted to "chicken out" the night before, but she showed up and did extremely well. After we finished the classroom instruction and got to the range, she was ready and motivated to shoot the pistol. She surprised me and her sister with the complete turnaround from the night before. At the range, she was the first person to raise her hand to fire the weapon. I owe it all to Russ for this complete transformation; my wife and her sister are now eager to go buy their first handgun and do more time at the range to become proficient. They even want to take Russ' Home Defense course. 6 hours is spent in the classroom going over everything a first timer would want to know, even someone with experience in using firearms will not get bored and appreciate the course. There is an NRA exam and Russ will proctor the exam for the Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) for an additional fee; this is essential if you are looking to take that first step toward owning a handgun in California. There is approximately 2 hours spent at the range firing a target pistol (.22 caliber) by the entire class. Once you do well on a series of exercises and Russ is satisfied that you can handle a handgun, he will then congratulate you on passing the course. Once all students have finished the class, he will let you fire a variety of handguns that you'll have seen throughout the class. I took him up on his .45 caliber, automatic pistol. Plan on a full day, even without taking Russ up on his firing of other handguns. The NRA exam is actually tougher than the exam for the HSC, but both are not difficult to pass. If you pass, you get the certificates at the class (no waiting). I advise anyone thinking about getting a handgun to take this course, it is for your own good. Russ is the perfect instructor, especially if you're a women and don't want some gorilla with a redneck attitude. read more

Working with Russ was a great experience. He was incredibly supportive and very straight forward and totally happy to answer all of my questions. We tried a variety of shotguns and he explained everything in a way that was easy to understand and interesting and informative. He was patient and encouraging which I really appreciated. I am unfamiliar with shotguns and I feel way more confident about them now. Thank you Russ for making it such a fun and informative experience! 5 stars all the way!! read more

I took the NRA Metallic Cartridge Reloading course with the Mobile Marksmen and couldn't have been more pleased. Russ was extremely knowledgeable and made the program fun. It was very satisfying to progress through the technical basics to the hands-on elements and begin reloading in the class. I left with the confidence I have the knowledge and experience to continue to reload safely and effectively on my own. In fact, I felt so confident and comfortable with Russ I hired the Mobile Marksman for a personal session with my wife. She's a semi-experienced shooter who needed a little bit of expert help progressing to the next level. She was equally impressed with Russ and really enjoyed the session. She is now far more self-confident with her shooting skills and is enjoying the sport even more. I offer my highest recommendation for his services. You will not be disappointed. read more

It was a real privilege to learn about handguns and handgun safety with Russ. I had no background with firearms, so I wanted to learn from someone with deep experience who could help with firearm selection and provide real world advice. Russ is patient, professional and makes the whole process fun and enlightening. I feel confident now that I can own and operate a handgun safely and effectively. Thanks Russ! read more

Russ is an interesting, smart, patient and knowledeable intructor. Due to the nature of importance of gun safety, I choose private training. It's very much worth the time and money. You'll have all of your questions answered and you'll certainly learn a thing or two. This training is a must. read more

This is the GUY for firearms training. Worked with Russ on an individual training course for the GF and me. He arrived at our house exactly on time and conducted a thorough 3 hour training on guns safety; NRA training; pistol workings; shooting stance and suggestions for marksmanship. We then went to the range for some hands-on training. We went through the range qualification process. He went through the training with us and then allowed us to shoot a variety of hand-guns that he had brought. Followed up by preparing custom-printed certificates / delivered again to our house. Very nice guy - very professional and a good teacher. read more

Yesterday I attended the NRA Basic Pistol Safety Course from Russ. We were just two, which was perfect since I was a total beginner and I had a lot of questions. Russ keeps his classes small - under 5 - and does not cancel if the number is lower. The class is well organized and Russ has a great personality and is extremely knowledgeable. It is a full day class. We started at 9AM and finished at the range at 7PM. The first 6 hours were spent in the classroom explaining tons of things about revolvers, pistols, security, laws in California, etc. We then spent 2 hours at the range firing a target pistol (.22 caliber). This is the part needed to pass the course. Then he lets us fire a .45 caliber and a 9mm. As part of the class there is the NRA exam and the Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) for an additional fee. The Handgun Safety Certificate is needed to buy a handgun in California. It is critical if you want to buy a handgun! The atmosphere was great. Not at all macho. Highly recommended to men, women, and couples. Great documentation. read more

Five stars all the way! My husband and I took the FIRST Steps pistol course with Russ and really enjoyed it. Russ is very professional and extremely knowledgeable about all different types of guns and brought several to show and explain to us. We took the private lesson and he spent ample time going over everything and answered all our questions. My husband has been shooting for many years but still learned a lot from Russ. We had a very fun, safe and enjoyable day. Thank you Russ! read more

Just finished a class with Russ and can't say enough good things. He's well spoken, friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. If you're a beginner or expert Russ can impart the knowledge you'll need to get better and get confident. Five-star all the way! read more

Not only is Russ an AWESOME instructor, he's also an AWESOME gentleman. He really knows his stuff. I would HIGHLY (can't emphasize it enough) recommend him to anyone who wants to learn every facet about how to operate a pistol. For women, he is very empowering and makes you feeling very confident. I now have a new hobby and I'm looking forward to learning more. Russ, thanks again for a great afternoon! read more

My wife and I took the NRA - First Steps Pistol class and opted for the in-home lesson. Russ is a great teacher! He really listens to what you are saying and then answers the question with great detail and instruction. I highly recommend taking a class from Russ if you are interested in owning a firearm. read more

A buddy of mine and I took the basic pistol safety class with Russ a couple months ago, and it was exceptional! Russ was really responsive in tailoring the class to suit our backgrounds, and he gave us a lot of extra time and advice at the range while we tried different guns and decided on the best fit for us. Beyond that, he's been really helpful to me personally while I've been working on returning my vintage rifle to service. I would give him 6 stars if that was an option, and am looking forward to shooting with him at one of the area ranges when our schedules line up. I don't know a better, more enthusiastic person to help you get into shooting or advance your skills. read more

I'm a newbie for rifle. I took Russ's first step orientation. All my comment is "Great! Great! Great!". If you look for a teacher about shooting, just go for Russ. He not only taught me the knowledge and answered all my questions and also help me work on my new rife, very detailed and thoughtful. I bet he is best shooting teacher in the world!!! I want to be his student forever!!! read more

My daughter and I just took the basic pistol course. Russ is a great teacher- very helpful and knowledgeable. We had a great time, and we learned a lot. He has a very easygoing manner and made us feel comfortable right away. We are looking forward to our next trip to the shooting range and exploring our newfound hobby! read more

I took the NRA Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading class with Russ in February 2012. I has the best experience. Russ made the process simple and was able to explain why things were done in certain way. Russ is a wealth of knowledge and yet put things in a language that a anyone could understand. His class gave me the knowledge to be able to start reloading right away. To teach by telling you what to do is one thing, but the class also had a hands on portion that really builds you confidence in the process. Russ was also able to pause and answer any questions that came up during the class. He also makes himself available afterwords for random questions long after the class is over. A great instructor with an approachable demeanor and the knowledge to share is a great combination for any subject. I look forward to taking more classes with Russ and would recommend him without any reservations. read more

Russ is great. Very knowledgeable, professional, and friendly to boot. Only two of us in an NRA Basic Shotgun class, so lots of personal attention, got all of our questions answered, got to handle a variety of shotguns. At the end of the day we went to the range and shot two rounds of trap, me with my newly purchased shotgun, my friend with a loaner from Russ. Can't recommend him too highly! read more

Absolutely perfect instructor for women who would like to learn how to shoot!! I have in the past been interested in taking shooting lessons but was put off by the overbearing instructors available locally. One of my best friends took a class from Russ and she raved about what a great, easy going teacher he was. Every thing she said proved to be true. For total beginners Russ has plastic replica guns so you can take baby steps getting used to the look and feel of modern guns. He will go as slow or as fast as you are comfortable with in introducing you to the gun you would be using when he takes you to the range. He has so much experience as both an instructor and student of shooting that he doesn't have a thing to prove. He just wants to makes sure his students have a good, safe, and fun introduction to a sport he himself so enjoys. I am going back for more lessons and will be having Russ help me with my decision about which handgun I should purchase. read more

Look no further, Russ is the trainer for you! His depth of knowledge and years of experience are backed up by his guarantee that all your questions are answered. My wife and I took our first pistol training session with the Mobile Marksman and both of us left the session feeling competent and confident with our firearm. He'll even come to your home and work one on one with you to cover all your needs. All in all, Russ is a great guy, and I will definitely be training with him again in the future. Five stars! read more

It's rare to find such personalized service in the first place but for it to be on the level that I experienced, was a rare treat. Russ Miller is a true professional who enjoys sharing a passion for what he teaches. I took a two hour shotgun introduction course with him and it provided me with the necessary insight and basic training before deciding whether or not I wanted to purchase a shotgun. If one finds him or herself on the fence about owning a particular firearm, Russ will help you answer it on a personal level. Obviously there are other considerations when buying your first firearm, but in terms of the operations and overall feel of what you're shooting, I promise you find out. Russ took his time, never making me feel like I asked too many questions and made it clear that he was there for me and wanted the experience to be a satisfied one. Russ emphasizes safety and we probably spent 30 minutes talking about gun safety and going over basic ammunition knowledge before even touching the shotguns. He provided three different shotguns and about three different types of shells to make the experience more well rounded. I highly recommend Russ for anyone who wants to freshen up their skills or is new to the firearm arena. read more