Mobile Marksman

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!!!

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!

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.

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.