Bay Area Firearms Training Group

I completed the California Concealed Carry 16 hour training with Scott and his instructors this past weekend. Specifically, I worked with Walid and Scott. In just 16 hours, my shooting has improved in a number of ways, including overall accuracy, speed and handling. This is actually the first CCW class I’ve taken where there was a major focus on the ethical and legal issues around using deadly force. Heavy stuff, for certain, but Scott’s delivery and side-​commentary — much of which is from his own personal experience, was extremely helpful. I am now significantly more comfortable with my firearms and have the tools to effectively carry concealed as a private citizen.

My wife and I had a great experience. We never handled a pistol b4 and Scott Jackson and Harold Johnson were very professional and qualified. When we left the training and shooting practice we felt very comfortable handling the pistol and had a good understanding of the state gun laws and taking care of the firearm. We would definitely recommend training from Bay Area firearms. Also, the costs for the training was very reasonable.

I completed a private CCW course at Bay Area Firearms. Harold was my instructor for the first day and Scott for the second. Both were excellent and significantly helped improve my shooting skills and confidence. I would highly recommend both without any reservations. In fact, I was satisfied enough that I have already scheduled some additional training as I know it will be worth the price.

I had a great experience at Bay Area Firearms and Scott was a fantastic instructor. I completed the CCW course and left with vastly improved skills and gun safety knowledge than when I arrived. Scott made the course enjoyable and interesting, but this is serious material and he never let me forget that. He knows his stuff and brought me up the learning curve quickly on both the classroom knowledge and hands on range work.
So many of the negative Unilocal reviews complain about the drive to the range — those people should complain to the local politicians that closed all of the ranges that are closer. I want the best instruction from a professional who has seen it all like Scott so I was more than happy to make the drive after my classroom work. In fact, the class work ran long so I asked to shoot another day and Scott was happy to accommodate, no questions asked.
As a side note, I watched two people show up late for classes and one no show during the brief time I spent at the office. Scott was very nice to all of them and accommodated their tardiness. Frankly, I would not have been that accommodating — show up on time! I’m sure people allow 30 minutes for their 60 minute commute then blame traffic — typical Bay Area mentality (I was born and raised here, I know).
Bottom line, I loved the class and instruction and would recommend Bay Area Firearms to anyone who is serious and wants to learn. I now feel comfortable enough to go to the strictest range in the Bay Area, not just the closest one to my house. If you want to safely protects your family, yourself and your house go see Scott. If you want to be a gangster or wildly shoot at zombie silhouettes go elsewhere or stay home and watch the Walking Dead.

Wow, I would give this place 0 zero stars. I have begun receiving messages and e-​mails from the business stating I was informed of their policy and would be charged as a no show. I never received any such information and have a voicemail stating it was a new employee error. The business is calling me dishonest and telling me «I’m lying through my teeth». I’m shocked they are attacking and insulting me because I’m warning others so the same won’t happen to them.

Lyu Lopez is a gem, and an asset to this operation. She’s knowledgable, patient, extremely informative and supporting. Great coach.
I’ve known Scott Jackson for many years and find him entertaining in his own way.
I’d offer the following advice to BAFT —
1. During the registration process, make sure applicant is aware that the firing range (s) is either in a) San Leandro, or b) Milpitas. I was expecting to fire at Coyote Point Range (just ½ mile away) and was disappointed to have to drive across the Bay. If you don’t have an existing relationship with Coyote Point, please develop one.
2. Inform registrants that range fees are an extra ($ 15) to the class fees. This should be somewhere in the registration process (easy to add to your web page)
3. Ask questions — especially of those who prepaid for ammo. (i.e., Who prepaid for ammo/​how many boxes?) I was lucky to get my box at all. And in reality, you should already have this information on a list.
4. Leave the puppy (dog) at home or Doggy Daycare. It’s a distraction and unprofessional.
5. Work with Devonne to improve her presentation skills and become familiar with the materials. She was barely able to read the content on the slides. Felt like she was pulled in off the street last minute.

I took the pistol cerification class with Harold. He is very knowledgeable and was encouraging, attentive and provided good coaching which helped boost my confidence with handling a pistol. He is someone I would consider getting more training from.
Like other reviews, the downside is traveling to the range.

Great day with wahlid and bay area firearms. Took the introductory pistol course and learned a ton.

Took family course with wife and daughter, since it was our first time handling guns, Our instructor was very patient and helpful with all three of us in explaining about gun safety. FYI– the cost of ammo and gun range will cost you extra, and also pack lunch it’s a whole day affair.

We had a great training experience. Our instructor Lyu was very friendly, personable, & knowledgable on the guns and most importantly the safety of things.
I have yet to take my FSC exam but I learned a tremendous amount taking the pistol & rifle training over the weekend.

It was great hands on training for first-​timers. The only downside is the range is located in San Leandro but we were aware of it and made it a day activity.

I had the best training at the Bay Area Firearms, all the instructors are great and Scott «The Manager» is an awesome trainer, especially when it comes to safety, awareness, learning… etc I would highly recommend this place and all the instructors in this training facility.

Lyu Lopez is the best! She is super knowledgable and clear with her guidance. She watches over you but also gives you space to find your own footing.
I was really nervous going into this experience and, especially in the beginning, was a little freaked out. Lyu helped break the ice by making me laugh and simultaneously gave me confidence to work my firearm. I highly recommend her :)

More lies. It has been months and we have still not received a refund or any communications from Scott directly until today when I received a message rudely ordering me to call him immediately or else (with an 11 digit phone number, no less). He had charged us twice hoping we wouldn’t notice and we eventually disputed with the credit card company and they (NOT SCOTT) immediately refunded the double charge (likely what he is referring to) and are also working on the case for the second refund.
Also, his comment is so incredibly comical as it 100% proves what I had stated earlier regarding his very uncouth and racist remarks regarding Syrian refugees. I cannot believe this is something I am personally dealing with as it seems like something I would laugh at on television. I sincerely hope his Trump-​like comments go viral and take him out of business.

The instructors are nice. but just to clear a few things up.
–This is not a shooting range, it’s a scuba dive shop. They teach the class in a small room in the back. The actual range is across the bay. (30 – 45 minutes away)
–The price you pay only covers the class, The ammunition and shooting range fees are separate
–You will not receive any sort of certification at the end, and this class is not needed to purchase a firearm.
So I would recommend that you just go to an actual shooting range, many of them provide the same safety courses at a lower price, and your’e already at the range.

I would recommend the beginner pistol course for anyone who is interested in becoming a first time gun owner. The class slowly builds your confidence around handling a gun. It enforces safety rules as well as adds a great tactical spin to even this first pistol course. The instructors are friendly, knowledgable and accommodating. In the near future I will be looking to take other classes!
It is a great experience that is well worth the money.

I suggest anyone looking to learn and have a wonderful positive experience with firearms then this is the place. I loved the warm open atmosphere to ask questions and receive answer. I feel comfortable handling a firearm and I look forward to shooting with Paul again soon. All I have to say is: Scott keep up the good work

Rating 3.75, rounding up.
I had enlisted the help of Scott to build me an AR-​15 after I had canceled on taking a beginner course with them (no refunds). After receiving my rifle I went to the range to test it out, only to find that there was a malfunction. Can’t always be perfect.
The instructors Thomas and Paul are very knowledgeable and Great guys, helping me diagnose the problem. Scott had it fixed quickly. Good learning experience about with it all.
Upsetting that I had to drive to Burlingame (from south San Jose) for the rifle, then to San Leandro to test at the range a few times.
Now looking at the rifle parts online, it would have been MucH cheaper to buy it all myself. However I do not have the know how or tools I would need to put it all together. I’m happy with it all though.

These guys were great for a first time shooter like I was earlier this year. I took the 3-​gun course and i’m so thankful I did. I went into this determined to learn about guns but I wanted to get a hand gun as soon as possible to perfect my aim and safety procedures, but after taking the full course I realized I’d much rather have a rifle instead!
After sitting in the class and learning about gun safety, home defense, how to load-​unload-​chamber a round-​clear a jam, etc. it was a truly comprehensive classroom session that covers all the bases. Not to mention everyone is ex-​law enforcement or military veterans so they know what their talking about.
After the classroom session, it was time for the range! but there’s only 1 problem, the range isn’t at the class location. I live in Hayward, and drove to San Mateo, only to go back to Oakland for the shooting portion, luckily its on the way home so I didn’t mind.
At the range we started with the Glock at the indoor facility, everybody got to shoot a full box of 45. acp ammo, and practice our aim, grip, etc. There I realized how short range a hand gun is and some of the limits of the platform.
Next were the Rifles at the outdoor range, we got to shoot a Remington 700 which was a blast to shoot, looking through the scope, and learning the mechanics of a bolt action rifle. I turned out to be a great shot and loved shooting the rifle way more than the Handgun. Last was the AR15, a nice looking gun, after shooting the Remington I was prepared for any kind of recoil, but the AR15s really easy to shoot and not a lot of recoil, the gun looks tougher than it really is. I got to take home all of my targets of how I shot, met some new friends from the other classmates, and all in all it was a great experience! I’m a responsible & proud gun owner now!
Cons
–bring extra $ to buy ammo
–be ready to drive to the range
–hopefully nobody annoying is taking the class with you who keeps interrupting the instructor!

My friend and I were super upset about skydiving being canceled the morning of, but after a quick call to Scott, we were able to bounce immediately back from our disappointment into an engaging and interesting beginner’s course with Walid.
The instructors here are friendly, knowledgable, and very accommodating, and while we were surprised that we did have to drive elsewhere to the shooting range, it was quite an affordable and enjoyable time.