Gunfighter

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 203 Location: the shop

My name is Cecil and I am Brian Hoffner's shop manager where we make holsters and also one of his Tactical Firearms Instructors. I know it's so very cool nowadays for shooters/operators to have "Tactical Firearms Instructor" on their resume or ballcap, and though it *is* a very respectable accomplishment and responsibility, when you've had that title for a while it loses it's "cool" lustre... it's being a manager I'm new at.
I am not writing this because this is the perfect forum to let loose and brag on one's past associations, service, titles, etc... the boss asked me to look through the forum and add something where I wanted and I thought this was one of the most important. I write this post because when I started working for Brian and started training with him, it took me no time at all to realize I knew @)($*. All the 'bad-ass' 'high-speed, low-drag' training I had received in the military and was so proud of was antiquated and absolutely of no use today. I write this because I am still excited about going out on that range every time and watching the smart ones who enrolled in Brian's courses go through the same thing I went through and enjoyed... and I cannot help but want to share that with everyone else.
You're here because you're interested. Maybe you're window-shopping and don't quite know who to go with or where to go to get the training you need. Maybe you're already a trained and experienced police officer or skilled operator... YOU can never get enough anyhow. Well here you are - finally. If you're new to shooting (pistols, rifle, whatever), imagine being in a class where it doesn't matter if you are the only new shooter; where it doesn't matter how nervous or anxious about looking silly you might be or not knowing what to do; imagine having an instructor that will allay those fears, calm your nerves and show you that you have what it takes to do it; imagine graduating from that class with the same skills and knowledge as everyone else, and being able to do everything that everyone else in the class can do! If you are that experienced shooter/operator, then you already know that training evolves constantly. What if you learn that one thing in Hoffner's class that you didn't learn with your buddies or at your unit... that one thing that saves your life or your buddy's - OR that one thing that you had in your tool chest that allowed you not to *have* to take a life?
Go ahead, call my bluff. I've been through all of Hoffner's training classes, including Instructor-level courses and I can tell you they're nothing like I've ever had or taught. And the beautiful thing for me now is that I get to watch others go through the same fulfilling, motivating & challenging training and at the end, come out with that little (or huge) difference. That eagle eye looking for threats, or that little extra discernible swagger of confidence in everything they do because of what they just learned, pushed to accomplish, etc. In the military, I eventually earned the honored task of teaching and passing on the knowledge that I had on the numerous weapons systems, small arms & other training we used to others in my unit, other units, foreign nationals, officers, enlisted, other services like Marines, Army Special Forces, etc, and even a couple classes to a West coast SEAL team Platoon or two. Looking back, I knew nothing compared to what I know now; can do so much more than I could then and I owe that to Brian's training and mentoring.
So, good job finding us, your search is over. Now it's time to move on to the next step and join our ranks, whether you're learning a new weapon or brushing up before you go back out in it. We are not flashy or pretty-boys and don't have time for that. We are real... by that I mean all of us. We are the people you work with and see at the grocery store. We have families and loved ones that we choose to be able to protect, as well as ourselves. If you are still reading this and interested, you are probably just like us; except we are one step ahead in being the sheepdogs and with that "something" you might not be able to put your finger on. Confidence? Diligent Awareness? Who knows... come find out

robert · Site Admin Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 64 Location: Houston

My training experience with Hoffners has been great. I have taken most of Brian's classes and make a serious effort in not missing continuing classes like the Elite team, American Defenders and SOSU.

If you have not trained with Hoffners and think you can defend your family based on watching Stephen Segal operate in all of his various movies or buy just purchasing a tactical weapon and looking at it occasionally... you need to take a class fast....

The most important things Hoffners will teach you are how to operate a weapon safely. Yes this sounds like a simple concept but if you have ever gone to a public range you will see that not many people are even close to safe with weapons. The Safety training is worth the price alone of any class.

Use of deadly force is explained in depth and you leave the class with a clear understanding of how to tactically use deadly force legally.

I can shoot with greater accuracy and absolute confidence. My Dad lives in the country and we always have shooting competitions and have been since I was 10 years old. Well after several classes at Hoffners I cant even explain the look on my Dad and Uncles face as I absolutely dominated our last several shooting contest. They now only want to shoot for fun not glory...if you know what I mean...

Other than out shooting family members I have a Concealed Hand Gun License and carry at all times with confidence. I know that if required I could “stop” a deadly threat and operate professionally while protecting myself and family. To me the ability to protect my family is a priceless feature of Hoffners training experience.

Lodge2004 · Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Humble

A big thumbs up for Hoffners training.

Although I had spent 11 years on active duty in the Army, shot competitively in college and owned/used firearms for close to 25 years before meeting Brian and his group, I did not realize the amount of knowledge that I lacked.

I have taken the Tactical Pistol Operator and Instructor course, attended several SoSu sessions and have been practicing with the Pistol Elite Team group on a regular basis for several years. The training is great and the skill level of the other students will give any shooter the incentive needed to practice and improve.

Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned instructor, this is a fantastic group to hone your skills with. If you pay attention, and dry fire practice at home, you will surprise yourself.