I walked away with a blueprint to become a better shooter. This was my second class with Fabio, and I'll definitely be back for more in the future. Pistol Dominance 2-Day was an incredible experience -- really putting into practice the 9 things to becoming a better shooter. What truly sets Fabio apart from other instructors is his ability to teach. He explains concepts in a way that's clear, easy to understand, and then reinforces them with drills and immediate feedback so you can make corrections on the spot. Highly recommend MyOwnDefender to anyone serious about improving. read more

See all

I'm so glad I happened upon the flyer for this class and jumped at the opportunity. While I don't currently compete, I've been toying with the idea of getting into competitive shooting. In our household, we believe in practicing perfectly from the start--so before we dive into anything new, we seek out solid instruction to help us avoid building bad habits. Well, let me tell you--years of competitive mounted shooting definitely created some deeply ingrained habits that don't translate so well when you're standing on two feet with two hands instead of four hooves and single-hand shooting. Fabio has an incredible eye for detail and never let up on helping me correct and improve. What stood out most was how equally he invested time and energy into every shooter, not just the seasoned competitors. He maintained focus on the smallest details, reinforcing techniques to ensure we all walked away with a clear understanding of what we need to work on individually. His coaching was patient, thorough, demanding while he consistently challenged us with progressive drills that made the class both rewarding and motivating. I walked away with exactly what I was hoping for--direction, insight, and a clear path for improvement. I immediately signed up for his online dry fire drill program to keep building on the solid foundation he helped lay. If you're thinking about getting serious with pistol work--especially competition-whether you're just starting out or have been shooting for years--I can't recommend this class enough. read more

My Own Defender - My Own Defender Pistol Defense - Firearm Training Near Me

This is the class if you want to advance your skill level. You don't know what you don't know,this class will sort it all out! Also, start the dryfire program and stick to it! read more

My Own Defender - Firearm Training Near Me

Finally! You have wondering... who do I train with? How do I start? Is there anyone who is really good yet I can afford to train with? MOD - is that trainer. Stop waiting and get to it! read more

Had the opportunity to take instruction from Fabio a couple of weekends ago (2 day Pistol Dominance). Definitely one of the most beneficial training classes I've taken. Fabio's a down to earth guy and focused on performance and helping folks understand the "why's" behind drills and techniques. We shot a fair amount of rounds over 2 days but also got a ton of information (key here - take notes!). Fabio also offered to make himself available as a resource post class which is huge in my opinion. He said multiple times during the 2 days that he wants to truly see everyone become a better shooter which is very cool to see from such an accomplished shooter and instructor. Now, off to sign up for the My Own Defender dryfire program and get knock out some rice bucket exercises! Thanks so much for opening my eyes to a different approach to my firearms training! read more

An instructor that will not only make you a better shooter but also make you a better person. Challenging perception. What a great experience. This was my first AIWB class & boy did it challenge me. Application of real life scenarios, draw, speed & efficiency, movement, garment clearing, etc. Simply having a CCW is not enough, you are either a liability or an asset. Do yourself a favor & go get gooder with Fabio. Be your own defender! read more

This is for the Run Your Gun, Not Your Mouth course and it's exactly as advertised and more. I've taken a course with Fabio before and had a great time that was very enjoyable so I had a certain readiness for the class. Despite that preparedness, the class challenged me in so many great ways. It was geared for those interested in competition and wanting to really understand important it is to be efficient with all the none shooting portion is. I would say this course is all about advancing skills that people might barely have any thought of if all they've done is tactical training. If you want to up your cardboard assassin skills by miles, take this course. read more

I was fortunate to find a class just 30 minutes from home, and I'm glad I did. Fabio is an excellent instructor. At first, I was hesitant to spend the money since I thought I could just learn from the MOD videos. While the videos are great, the class took things to another level. Fabio not only proved his techniques but also helped me improve in the areas I wanted to focus on, while pointing out weaknesses I didn't even realize I had. He confirmed my suspicions about bad information I had picked up elsewhere, and hearing it directly from a professional competition shooter really drove it home. I'm very glad I invested the time and money in Fabio's class. read more

I took a Class with MOD (Fabio) this weekend. I had followed his online dryfire program a couple years ago and found it to be very helpful. This weekend's class was even better, as Fabio was able to pinpoint the issue with my grip. Fabio is informative, very knowledgeable, direct with his instructions, and patient with his students. I can't wait until the next class.... read more

Great instructor with alot of knowledge. Stop overthinking, sign up for a class and get after it

When I started training with Fabio I didn't even know how to take my gun apart let alone shoot it. Fast forward to today after attending his 6 month cohort and many of the various classes and utilizing his dry fire program, my skills have improved tremendously. A few months back I did the IDPA classifier for the first time and got the rank of expert and I expect the next time I attempt it to get master level. Each class offers new drills and concepts that that I know if you implement into your training will make you a much better competitor and defender than you are today. read more

It was a great experience, all the advanced material covered was explained in very accessible way. It was, informative, safe & FUN class!

As a new shooter, I want to see all aspects of training options. I was lucky enough to have a friend invite me to My Own Defender's Skill Builder class on 12.18.22 with Fabio Spinella. He had mentioned a little about Fabio's background, training, and that he was a great guy as well. Fabio's approach to training was fantastic. There were four law enforcement officers within our group of 11, a few software engineers, and a few others, including a husband and wife team. Everyone was very respectful of each other and the firearms. Fabio had a variety of exercises involving targets/no targets, distance, draw speed & placement, identifying the break-point of your trigger, and more. We moved through the segments at a nice pace, and very safely. One point that Fabio continuously made was that much of what you can practice regarding shooting could take place at home, safely, without having to spend any ammunition. I will be joining his Dryfire subscription, where he has training videos and resources to practice at your own pace, between visits to the range. Most of the other attendees were already members and everyone said it was well worth it. I highly recommend Fabio and My Own Defender for all skill levels. He is well known and very accomplished in the industry, so you know you're getting quality training, feedback, and input. And his training skills are outstanding, with the ability to reach each student very easily. Thank you again Fabio! Looking forward to the next time. read more

My Own Defender - My Own Defender - Early morning setup, Burro Canyon Shooting Range, CA - Firearm Training Near Me

See all

I have trained with Fabio at My Own Defender several times over the years. I have always found him to be a safe and professional teacher. As a woman, having a male firearms instructor can be intimidating. It can be high anxiety. Fabio makes classes safe, but secure for everyone there. My most recent class only had 2 women present, but everyone was professional. It didn't turn into a "guys and guns" weekend. He is always great at one on one instruction, even in large groups. Observing and tweaking through the class. Makes the topics approachable to people at multiple levels of familiarity, not just for the people with more experience. I have a ton to work on, but made leaps forward during a 2 day AIWB pistol class. read more

My Own Defender - Firearm Training Near Me

See all

I had the opportunity to train with MOD for his two day Pistol Dominance class. I initially was apprehensive given my relative lack of experience. However, at no time during the class did I feel like I the training wasn't tailored specifically for what I needed to learn. I came away with a laundry list of notes to reference and focus on, new skills to practice, and new levels to reach for. Fabio's ability to instruct the whole class but also focus on each individual during the whole training evolution was awesome to experience. I will definitely work to practice hard using what I learned and train with him again. I absolutely recommend anyone wanting to learn and grow in the shooting domain to take a class with MOD. read more

I had a great day training with MOD and would do it again. Fabio is patient and a great communicator which makes learning so much easier. Thanks Fabio Rich read more

5 Stars for My Own Defender. I recently completed the Red Dot 1 day course with Fabio. His knowledge of firearms, processes and tactics are fantastic. his teaching approach and process are easy to learn as you start with one step and add on until eventually you are comfortable with what you are learning. I am able to take home knowledge on how to self diagnose issues as well as drills an metrics. I recommend My Own Defender to anyone from first timers to experienced operators. read more

I took Fabio's AIWB class on February 25, 2024, and I was blown away by how much my draw improved. He gave me some good cheat codes to improve my draw, grip, and accuracy. I already signed up for another class and I can't wait! read more

I'm happy I found out about Fabio of My Own Defender. His courses are a hidden gem, and I was blown away by the pistol training platform he offers and the level of expertise and skill Fabio has in teaching pistol anatomy and application! I learned how to reload, shoot, and relax before taking my shots, helping me significantly grow with running my gun. I highly recommend taking a class with Fabio. He's a fantastic teacher! - Jabril Battle read more

Fabio is an amazing instructor that has the great ability of being able to explain things in an easy to understand fashion. He breaks down the skill of handgun shooting to the nitty gritty, and really cares for the progress of his students. He is extremely passionate about this lifestyle and it shows. Highly recommend to train with MOD no matter where you are in your shooting journey. read more

I took Fabio's 2 day Pistol Dominance course here in Cali this past weekend. I've taken a lot of course over the years, and can say Fabio's class contained easily some of the best instruction I've ever had. He has a very efficient way of making sure his teaching method accommodates all styles of learning. I recently have been struggling with a hand injury that had made shooting a hand gun effectively very challenging. Fabio helped me to see, and be able to identify, several things contributing to my poor performance. Then gave me all the tools I'd need to correct them. Just a few hours into the first day he had me performing at a level I hadn't done in a while, and it felt great. On top of the great information he gave us in class, he gave me multiple things I could do on my own, in dry and live fire, to continue my progress. I'll definitely be taking a class with him again soon, and recommending him to any and everyone I know that is serious about wanting to get better with a hand gun. read more

Took a aiwb class in Azusa canyon from him. Amazing class. Tons of great info and learning. My draw from concealed is much better after his class. I would highly recommend training with MOD. read more

We have taken the complete handgun program and several of Fabio's classes. He has improved a seasoned shooter (myself) and my husband (who was a beginner), but has now become very proficient in protecting our family, should the need ever arise. He's not one of those instructors that tells you that what works for him is the only way, but data based information and leaves the stuff that doesn't affect performance to you to decide what's best for you and your body. He has a passion to help everyone become proficient and responsible gun owners/carriers while also encouraging you to compete, if you are interested. Highly recommend! read more

Amazing instruction! There are no amount of words that can explain how Fabio teaches his firearm courses. From the detailed instructions to the hands-on learning experience he teaches in multiple directions to make sure you are learning what he is teaching. I took his firearm mechanics course where he delves into the fundamentals of proper shooting technique. He also demonstrates and squashes long held myths of shooting like stance and front sight focus being the pinnacle of importance. Instead he demonstrates that grip and even more importantly, trigger control affects your groupings more. There was a exercise where a majority of students had that "ahh" moment. It was when he applied pressure to our grips to really show us how much pressure he exerts onto his firearm. That allowed us to realize how much grip plays in shooting tight controlled groupings. Given another chance, I would definitely take his course again. His style of teaching and patience for questions really shows he cares about your improvement as a marksman and wants you to gain the necessary skills in order to become "My Own Defender". Thank you very much Fabio, and until next time :) read more

My husband and I took the 6 month Complete Handgun Program and loved it! We immediately registered for two more classes and now the dry fire program. We came with very little experience and no formal training but Fabio's teaching method is very practical and effective for everyone. Especially as a woman and a beginner, I can't believe I was moving and shooting, shooting from the ground, drawing so fast from a holster, LOTS of things I wouldn't have had the confidence to do without Fabio. Whether you are an experienced shooter or beginner you will learn a lot in his classes. There's a reason his classes sell out. They are full of returning customers! Don't wait to sign up! read more

My Own Defender - Just finished Defensive Handgun Skill Builder! MOD is the best! - Firearm Training Near Me

The red dot course was something that anyone at any level should take. Whether you're brand new or if you've been running a red dot for a while, Fabio has great information for you to learn and apply. He took the time to give individual attention and tailor to each student. He definitely gave tons of things to consider and work on beyond what we did on the range itself. The course is not a "let's just shoot and have fun" class but "let's make each aspect meaningful and a have purpose". He works hard to achieve the balance of learning while enjoying versus having fun and not growing or being frustrated and just down. read more

Fabio is the real deal. Accomplished competitive shooter but more importantly an excellent analyst and communicator. Just took his Red Dot class and was so impressed I've signed up for two other classes. While beginners are going to get a great foundation there were several LEO trainers there and they were as impressed as I was. For what it's worth I've done the advanced tactical course at Front Sight as well as multiple other handgun courses and not to diminish any other class he's the best analyst of my process and best communicator I've been taught by so far. read more

Working with MOD was great! I loved the work he did on my pistol - stippling, cerakote, customizing the frame, it all came out beautiful. And the communication with the lead time was exactly what I wanted. Everybody gives the the run around and super long lead times, but Fabio had me scheduled for the work and it was in and out quickly but wasn't rushed. I felt really comfortable leaving my favorite pistol with him and he just made it exceptional! I cant wait to have him work on my next project. Ricardo Costa read more

Fabio's instruction is top notch! Went from a relatively inexperienced shooter to being able to do some pretty incredible things in a short period of time. If you're looking for someone to teach you the art - or even if you're casual about it - Fabio has something for all. read more

I have carried AIWB for years and honestly, never trained with my draw, grip, scenario, red dot acquisition, other than just around the house. I signed up for a class with Fabio @myowndefender and was amazed at the level of care, safety, and in-depth knowledge that the class offered me. We covered Zeroing the dot, Drawing from AIWB, Presenting the dot consistently, Draw cheat codes for speed, Grip improvements to develop a predictable recoil pattern (game changer for me), Introduction to target transitions, MOD Standards, Seeing what you need to see at different distances and more in our filled 2 day class at Mission 160 in Dallas, Texas. I have been carrying AND training AIWB for the last couple of weeks since the class and have never had more confidence and accuracy. I highly recommend this class for the beginner or expert. Contact My Own Defender and let Fabio know your needs. I guarantee he has something you can gain to help you protect yourself, your family, and your community. read more

Fabio and Jesse run first class professional courses. With great power comes great responsibility. Train, train, and train some more! Fabio is awesome, patient, and will fill your glass with all the knowledge you want read more

My Own Defender - Appendix Inside Waistband course students. Fabio is front and center - Firearm Training Near Me

I met Fabio in another class and saw how well he was both as a student and how well he communicated with everyone. I looked into his background and liked how much training he took and continues to take for the benefit of his students alongside his dry fire program. I took his 2 day AIWB / Red dot course and was very happy with the entirety of the class, his enthusiasm and knowledge on the topics at hand. His wife also being present and a student as well was very wholesome and she was a joy to speak with. I'd say if my skills were 3/10 when I entered, were about an 8/10 once I left. Fabio is also very responsive on social media and has a very effective way of communicating information to his students. More so his pedigree of students are very proficient which speaks volumes to him as a teacher / instructor. Couldn't really ask for a better person to train under. What I liked most about his style is while he has taken more advanced courses from ShivWorks for example, he brings the concepts back down to planet earth and gives context behind all his instruction. He doesn't disregard or speak badly, rather, he understands where everything fits into place from a civilian perspective and I really enjoyed his take on draw speed and precision. Lastly, his humility to learn and think outside the box extending to a willingness to improve makes him a top level instructor alongside Mike from CTT solutions. read more

I took the two day Pistol Dominance class from Fabio at MOD. It was a great class and I brought home alot of things to work on in dryfire that will make a large impact in shooting. There was alot of one on one instruction. He is cooperative and approachable for details on breaks and is very skilled at shooting and teaching. I had over 400 hours of formal training under national level instructors (MSP, Rob Leatham, Gabe White, Earnest Langdon) before I attended Fabio's class and still came away with alot of very useful tips, tricks, and corrections that I can work on. Highly recommend for everything from intermediate to Grand Masters. read more

Fabio is a great instructor! He explains well, makes sure students understand what is being said, actively watches and corrects what needs correction, is encouraging and knowledgeable. I will be taking another course as soon as I can and would highly recommend him to anyone wanting to develop their firearm skills! read more

Yesterday I took my second pistol training class with fabio. He is very precise in his instruction, but with a sense of humor that will put you at ease. I am looking forward to additional classes soon. I highly recommend his classes. read more

I have taken two of his trainings: Fundamental Pistol Course & Defensive Handgun Skill Builder, and feel like I cant get enough. As a female, it can be VERY intimidating but Fabio does an awesome job at explaining and helping you overcome the fear of handling a gun. At the end of the training you feel like a complete BADASS and ready to sign up for his next course! Even if you consider yourself above average with your gun handling skills, Fabio's courses will give you the training you need to take you to the next level. HIGHLY recommend to everyone and anyone! Great for couples too! read more

I have taken two classes with Fabio so far in 2022 and scheduled two more for 2023. One of the things that I love about Fabio is his sincerity and his passion for always looking for ways to improve. He is always pushing himself and then transfers that to his students. That does not mean that every class is only for experts. Many students were in their first formal training class but his style and personal attention to all students helped all be more comfortable and have real tangible things to take away from the class. I highly recommend his classes but book them early because they fill up quickly! read more

I cannot say enough good things about my own defender and Fabio's instruction. He makes the class fun through his witty commentary and constant feedback/instruction. His knowledge is vast, and it's clear he trains with and learns with the best, making him the best!! read more

This past weekend I had the honor of being instructed by Fabio of My Own Defender (MOD). It was his Skill Builder course. If you want to improve your speed and accuracy see this man! From this course you will gain valuable knowledge and understand whether you are a military veteran, LEO, an instructor, or new to firearms. So sign up for this or any of the MOD Courses you will not be disappointed. ~RT read more

I've taken several of Fabio's classes. Each class is very structured and he has a way of explaining things so it makes sense to his students. I've seen improvement in my shooting after each class. read more