Great Experience. Went with Rob with my initial CCW and my renewal. Classes are engaging, Rob provides personal attention at the range. Definitely recommend him and I'll definitely keep going back for my renewals. read more

I was recommended to and decided to go with set free sidearm training to complete the 16 hour range qualification needed for alameda county CCW. The process was seamless and in just those few hours I learned A LOT of valuable information. I'd previously done my own thorough research and have watched countless hours of videos on YouTube to better my accuracy but there's nothing like hands on one on one training. Coach Rob is an excellent teacher and very easy to learn from. I'll be renewing with him when it's time and I highly recommend him to anyone looking to complete CCW requirements or even looking to improve their skills. read more

Absolutely amazing training. Rob was a fantastic instructor and answered any and all questions I had for him. He was clear and concise. I will definitely go back to take a few drill training classes. Cannot say enough about how professional and knowledgeable he was during my CCW course. Thanks! read more

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Excellent CCW Training with Coach Rob! I've taken both my initial CCW permit course and renewal with Coach Rob, and I can't recommend Set Free Sidearm Training highly enough. Rob brings exceptional experience and credibility to his instruction while maintaining an approachable, down-to-earth teaching style. He goes beyond simply covering the required material--he ensures you truly understand the fundamentals and develop the proper mindset for carrying concealed. Coach Rob also helped me apply for a Utah non-resident CCW, which dramatically expands carry options when traveling. As a Utah State Certified Instructor, he's qualified to provide the official training required for this multi-state permit--invaluable for anyone who travels beyond California. Highly recommended for quality instruction and comprehensive service. read more

Rob is very experienced ex military and very knowledgeable. You want and need him to pass.

Rob is an excellent instructor! This is the second time my wife and I went to him for our CCW qualification. He gets to know each student, learns their strengths and weaknesses, then works to improve their skills. He is very knowledgeable, professional, and personable, making his classes stress free and enjoyable. I definitely recommend Rob for any of your firearms training needs. read more

Great experience with Coach Rob and Set Free Sidearm Training. The entire process was seamless from start to finish. Coach Rob provides solid information and practical pointers that really make you stop and think about the responsibility that comes with carrying, not just the mechanics of it. He emphasizes mindset, awareness, and respect for what you're doing in a way that feels grounded and meaningful. He was also very responsive and accommodating with scheduling, which made the whole experience smooth and stress free while completing my CCW requirements on time. I honestly can't imagine a smoother CCW training experience. Highly recommend 100% read more

Friendly and relatable, took the time to explain when needed. Had an enjoyable training experience.

Signed up with Set Free for my CCW renewal. I was really anxious since I had two new handguns I wanted to qualify with. Rob gave me some suggestions and advice that helped me achieve a better score and I qualified with each of the firearms I wanted on my CCW. Thanks Rob! I'll be back! read more

What can I say? I took both the Ca and Utah CCW courses with Set Free and I learned a lot. Coach Rob is awesome, well informed, and is a straight shooter (no pun intended). They are one of the VERY FEW trainers who are accepted by Alameda County for both CCW courses and Range qualification. I qualified with both of my guns no problem, but what was valuable was the insight and arms training we received for different scenarios we may or could face someday. I take my responsibility of owning a firearm seriously and now I feel even more responsible and knowable about the laws and responsibilities of owning and carrying a firearm. I cannot recommend Coach Rob and Set Free Sidearm training enough. Don't waste your time looking at reviews from other places. I have been doing my daily routines ever since and I can see my skills and knowledge base still improving thanks to Set Free. read more

Set Free Sidearm Training - First attempt prior to my training with Set Free - Firearm Training Near Me

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Robert from set free firearms was very professional and made sure that it was a friendly environment for all new applicants. Robert did not hesitate to answer any questions, made my CCW holder range test much less nerve-racking. Will be doing my re-qualification in the future with him, and any additional training! read more

Set Free Sidearm Training - Firearm Training Near Me

Rob was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. He took the time to explain things clearly and gave helpful tips and feedback to improve your accuracy and overall proficiency with firearms. Highly recommend him! read more

Rob is amazing! Went here for a firearms class and his customer service and teaching is excellent! I researched places to go and had about 10 to choose from. I spoke to Rob in the phone and decided that this was the place. And I was not disappointed. He was very easy to work with and he explained things well. Would I recommend Set Free Sidearm? 100 percent! Call Rob. read more

Set Free Sidearm Training - Firearm Training Near Me

Coach Rob demonstrates exceptional knowledge, blending years of experience with a deep understanding of safety and technique. His professionalism is evident in every session (my second time) creating a respectful and focused learning environment. What truly sets him apart is his ability to explain complex concepts in simple, relatable terms. Thanks to his clear instruction and calm demeanor he makes every student feel confident and well-prepared for building a strong foundation focused on safety. read more

Coach Rob is awesome!! He's really pin point and reminds you about handling your side arms, what can and shouldn't do in certain situations and he have good personality and fully supportive. Thanks Coach read more

Rob is the best, I have taken his course twice. Highly recommended for CCW certification and training!

Great CCW class. The instructor was professional, patient, and very thorough. He answered every question clearly and made sure we understood the material. You can tell he really cares about teaching and doing things the right way. Highly recommend. read more

Rob was fantastic. I really appreciate the availability of the private training and classes given my hectic schedule. He was thorough and engaging with the online classes. However, where he really was outstanding was in the live fire portion. A simple trigger tip made a huge difference in my accuracy and allowed me to pass my rigorous test with ease. highly recommended. Will be back in 2 years for my renewal. read more

Coach Rob is a great coach, excellent trainer. Helped me out a lot with accuracy. Highly recommended

Set Free Sidearm Training was outstanding. Robert was extremely knowledgeable and shared his pro-tips on how to manage your CCW. In addition, he was very personable and specific to everyone's needs. Highly recommend his class for anyone seeking to handle sidearms and/or for CCW certification. read more

Set Free Sidearm Training - Side arm training drills. We learned how to clear several types of jams. ie Squib load, double feed, failure to eject, etc. - Firearm Training Near Me

Smooth, efficient and effective training. The class went beyond the basics and provided a great foundation for me to improve my accuracy and handling. Rob is easily accessible and created a schedule that worked for me. I can't recommend him enough. It was a great experience. read more

One of the best firearms instructor in the entire bay area. Very personable, professional, and full of experience. Taking his class will give you the knowledge, skills, and most importantly, the confidence to protect yourself and your loved ones. I live quite the distance from coach Rob's classes, but it was definitely worth the time and effort. What can I say, I was trained by the best of the best. Thank you coach Rob! read more

Set Free Sidearm Training - Firearm Training Near Me

Rob is awesome, did my two days training. Great training and excellent coaching, highly recommended

Coach Rob is the best! He provides much insight into firearms, scenarios, training, and drills. He provides great coaching and advice to make you more confident. The slides we go over on Day 1 are a LOT but it's all important and useful information. The time spent with him in the classroom and on the range went by quickly. I can't wait to requal with him in 2 years! read more

Rob is a great coach. Very professional, knowledgeable, patient and courteous. He takes his work very seriously but is also not afraid to laugh it out and have a good time. All around, you can tell he's a good guy. I strongly recommend Set Free for ccw training or just learning the firearm ropes. Keep it up! read more

Rob is an awesome instructor. Made learning fun while emphasizing safety. Would highly recommend him to anyone looking to get ccw training. read more

Coach Rob is one of the best trainers out there. He has been doing this kind of work for years, and it shows with how well and how clearly he explains every aspect of having a CCW license. He makes you feel very welcomed the second you meet him. He showed me ways to train via dry-fire that I never even knew existed, like using a laser cartridge with a laser-activated target! Such a GREAT way to practice at home without the expense of using live rounds and having to pay range fees. He also exposes you to real-world scenarios that teach you new ways to improve personal safety, not only for yourself, but also for your family and friends. First and foremost, he teaches you that a firearm should be your last line of defense against a threat; you really should be avoiding situations that could possibly cause you to draw your weapon. He also clearly defined what CA's Castle Doctrine is, and when it would be reasonable to use deadly force to protect yourself and your family while in the home. In addition to teaching you about the legal ramifications, he also gives great pointers on firearm safety and efficacy. He makes sure you know how to render your firearm safe, and when it's time to pull the trigger, he gives great advice on how to improve your grip, trigger pull, and sight alignment. As an added bonus, he takes pictures and videos while you're training under his tutelage so you can review your stance and posturing for ways to improve your marksmanship, and I now feel much more confident with ways to improve my skills. It's obvious that Coach Rob knows his craft very, very well. I can't recommend Set Free Sidearm Training enough to anyone and everyone who's willing to take the necessary steps to become a responsible and knowledgeable CCW license holder. Thanks for all the lessons, Coach! read more

Just finished a 16 hour course with Rob. Rob is on point with information and training. He's adamant about sharing his knowledge to help his students be as informed and ready as possible. He also provides a ton of resources to help stay abreast to local laws. Lastly, the training and dry firing practice is hands on with feedback from Rob to make sure you got the fundamentals down. 100% would recommend and will be returning for my next course. read more

Had the pleasure of working with Coach Rob this weekend for my CCW class and range qualification. Rob is super friendly, energetic and extremely knowledgeable. I was able to walk out with so much more comfort and confidence about what it takes to carry. Anyway, if you're in the market for an instructor such as Rob, I'd definitely give him a call. You won't regret it! read more

Just finished my second course with Set Free and will soon schedule more training. User friendly and thoroughly interesting couse with Mr Santiago was well worth the cost. I'm a fan and recommend Set Free for licensee and their family. read more

Coach Rob is an excellent instructor of CCW training and certification. His background in regards to weaponry, specialized operations (dog handling), military, etc all come into play through his training course. Coach Rob makes the course fun, one-on-one if need be, and to the point. He takes his time to make sure you have a clear understanding of your responsibilities as a CCW holder. Coach Rob is a very professional, impressionable and knowledgeable trainer. It shows in his speech and mannerism and his business etiquette. With a list of instructors to choose from and contacting each, he's the only one who followed thru with a call to further explore my interest. That says alot to me, not only as a company, but as a man in general. read more

Very knowledgeable, professional I recommend Rob to all looking for training. Will use again in the future.

I recently took the ccw gun safety course from Rob. Rob is a great teacher. he makes things easy to understand and is patient with going over things that need emphasis. he is also great with the gun handling training. he is an easy person to take instruction from. he is serious about the material he is teaching, and still creates a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Carmen I. read more

I took the 8 hour ACSO CCW class from Rob he is a great instructor works on the fundamentals and explains al the the things you need to know to get your ccw also did my my qualification with him he is very knowledgeable and works with you to help make you a better shooter read more