Self Defense Firearms Training

What Self Defense Firearms Training does

Self-Defense Firearms Training (SDFT), founded in 1983 and headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, is a privately held, founder-operated firearms training services business. The company delivers civilian and law enforcement firearms instruction through a structured curriculum spanning handgun, shotgun, and rifle fundamentals to advanced levels, with course pricing ranging from $80 to $140 per student and class sizes of 10–40 students at a 1:3 instructor-to-student ratio. Female enrollment is reported at 40–60% across classes. Civilian classes are delivered at Burro Canyon Shooting Park in Azusa, CA, while law enforcement training is delivered on-location through a 36-foot self-contained mobile AIS PRISim (Professional Range Instruction Simulator) trailer outfitted with over 1,000 scenario types, a patented ShootBack return-fire cannon, and AirMunition non-lethal rounds fired through modified, fully-recoiling real weapons. The mobile trailer has reached 36 of California's 58 counties and approximately 23% of state law enforcement agencies, and the company also operates approved CCW training for Orange County Sheriff's Department and Los Angeles County applicants, a DOJ-certified Firearm Safety Certificate program, and an expert witness practice serving Federal and State courts.

The business is anchored by founder Greg Block, a law enforcement instructor since 1983 who holds over 60 instructor credentials (FBI, NRA, POST, DOJ, U.S. DoD) and is reportedly the only individual holder of a POST Course Control Number (1024). The instructor cadre numbers 19 certified professionals plus Block, for a stated total of approximately 20 personnel. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer for civilian students via online registration on firearmstraining.com, and direct-to-agency for law enforcement via the mobile simulator channel; the company also generates revenue through private instruction engagements for law enforcement, military, and corporate groups and through expert witness services. SDFT is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding, investors, or parent entity, and its brand is consolidated across multiple defensive domain registrations including FirearmInstruction.com, FirearmsInstruction.com, FirearmTraining.com, GunInstruction.com, and ShootingSchool.com.

Operationally, the company's competitive position rests on three reinforcing assets: founder and instructor credentials that are essentially non-replicable at short notice, exclusive regulatory standing under California POST and DOJ programs, and a mobile simulation asset that reaches small and rural agencies otherwise lacking access to advanced virtual training platforms. The company does not disclose revenue, class volume, or growth metrics, and has no recorded funding rounds, acquisitions, or restructuring events.

Name

Self Defense Firearms Training

Legal name

Self-Defense Firearms Training

Website

https://firearmstraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Self-Defense Firearms Training is a California-based, founder-operated firearms training services company founded in 1983, delivering civilian and law enforcement instruction via a structured handgun, shotgun, and rifle curriculum and a mobile AIS PRISim simulator trailer that reaches agencies across California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntington Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Firearms Training Classes: One-time fee training classes for civilians covering handgun, shotgun, and rifle fundamentals through advanced levels. Class prices range from $80 to $140 depending on complexity and duration. Additional revenue from ammunition sales at range.
2. Expert Witness Services: Greg Block provides expert witness testimony in Federal and State courts on firearms-related cases including homicides, suicides, accidental shootings, and weapon design/functioning matters. Fee schedule available upon request.
3. Law Enforcement Mobile Training: Mobile simulator training services for law enforcement agencies using the AIS PRISim system. Brings training directly to agencies across California and the western United States.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Self Defense Firearms Training provides professional firearms instruction for civilians and law enforcement, offering a tiered curriculum of handgun, shotgun, and rifle classes from basic through advanced levels, plus concealed carry, low-light, and tactical scenario courses. Civilian classes are held at Burro Canyon Shooting Park in Azusa, CA, while law enforcement agencies receive on-site training via the company's mobile AIS PRISim virtual reality simulator trailer. Supporting offerings include private group instruction and expert witness testimony by founder Greg Block.

Product overview

Self-Defense Firearms Training is a firearms training services company offering a portfolio of civilian and law enforcement training courses. The core product is the AIS PRISim Professional Range Instruction Simulator, a mobile virtual reality training system. The company provides a structured curriculum of handgun, shotgun, and rifle courses ranging from basic to advanced levels, plus specialized courses for concealed carry, low-light scenarios, and tactical situations. Supporting services include expert witness testimony by founder Greg Block and private instruction for law enforcement, military, and corporate groups. The civilian training program is held at Burro Canyon Shooting Park in Azusa, California, while the PRISim simulator travels to agencies statewide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AIS PRISim: Advance Interactive Systems Professional Range Instruction Simulator - a mobile self-contained 36-foot trailer training simulator for law enforcement, offering virtual reality use of force and shooting scenarios.

Products and services

• Basic Handgun Class Introductory 7-hour handgun course covering firearms safety, fundamentals (stance, grip, sight alignment, trigger control), rapid fire and multi-target drills with 250 rounds. Includes legal aspects of firearm ownership and self-defense. Certified by California DOJ for Firearm Safety Certificate eligibility. Cost: $100.
• Basic Handgun Class - Two
• Intermediate Handgun Class
• Advanced Handgun Class
• Situation Tactics Handgun Class
• Concealed Drawing Handgun Class
• Low-Light Shooting Handgun Class
• Basic Shotgun Class
• Advanced Shotgun Class
• Scenarios - Handgun and Shotgun Combination Class
• Basic Rifle or Carbine Class
• Advanced Rifle or Urban Sporting Class
• AIS PRISim Mobile Law Enforcement Simulator Training Mobile 36-foot self-contained training trailer service for law enforcement agencies providing virtual reality use of force and shooting scenarios via the AIS PRISim system. Features over 1,000 scenarios with floating branches, ShootBack cannon for return fire training, and untethered weapons with full recoil. Trains officers in force options, firearms judgment, tactics, and marksmanship. Travels to agencies across California and the western United States.
• Expert Witness Services
• Private Instruction
• Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) Classes

Quantifiable outcome

• 23% of California law enforcement agencies trained
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Burro Canyon Shooting ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDFT utilizes the classrooms and range facilities of Burro Canyon Shooting Park for all civilian firearms training classes. Burro Canyon is located on the historic East Fork of the San Gabriel River in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, approximately 13 miles north of the 210 Azusa offramp. It is the largest and newest outdoor facility in Southern California with over 15 shooting ranges.
• Advance Interactive Systems (AIS)coreTechnology or IntegrationSDFT uses the AIS PRISim (Professional Range Instruction Simulator) system. AIS PRISim is the first simulator specifically designed by law enforcement instructors offering the ultimate in tactical and judgmental training flexibility. Features include patented ShootBack cannon technology.
• National Rifle Association (NRA)minorOthersGreg Block holds NRA certifications including 'Class C' Shooting Coach for Rifle, Pistol, Trap & Skeet. Company is listed on NRA membership information page as resource.
• California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)coreOthersGreg Block is a California POST Subject Matter Expert and holds POST Course Control Number 1024. He has presented the Force Option Simulator class for POST in the perishable skills program for 16 years. SDFT is the only private entity with an approved POST course.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SureFire Institute: Low-light and tactical firearms training brand affiliated with SureFire, focused on handgun and weaponlight techniques. Comparable in specialized defensive curriculum, especially the low-light handgun niche that SDFT also addresses.
• Gunsite Academy: Long-established Arizona-based firearms training academy offering civilian and law enforcement courses across handgun, rifle, shotgun, and tactics. Closely aligned in product offering (tiered curriculum, civilian + LE focus) and brand positioning.
• SIG Sauer Academy: Manufacturer-affiliated firearms training academy in New Hampshire delivering handgun, rifle, shotgun, and low-light courses to civilians and law enforcement. Comparable multi-tier curriculum, civilian and LE audience, and instructor credentialing model.
• Front Sight Firearms Training Institute: Premier residential civilian firearms training resort in Nevada offering handgun, shotgun, and rifle courses from basic to advanced levels. Directly comparable as a multi-tier civilian self-defense firearms training brand serving individuals seeking structured skill progression.
• Thunder Ranch: Oregon-based firearms training company founded by Clint Smith offering advanced handgun, rifle, and shotgun classes for civilians and professionals. Comparable in curriculum depth, instructor-led model, and emphasis on tactical and defensive scenarios.
• Tactical Defense Institute: Ohio-based firearms training school offering civilian and law enforcement courses including defensive handgun, carbine, and use-of-force simulation. Directly comparable in tiered curriculum and dual civilian/LE customer base.
• Rangemaster (Tom Givens): Tennessee-based firearms training company led by Tom Givens offering civilian and instructor certification courses. Comparable in instructor-led, multi-level curriculum and individual-instructor brand identity.

Broad incumbents

• PoliceOne Academy: Online and in-person law enforcement training provider covering use of force, firearms, and tactics for agencies nationwide. Comparable on the law enforcement training side as an alternative delivery model that could compete for agency training budgets.
• NRA Training Programs: National Rifle Association's official training and certification program offering basic to advanced firearms courses through certified instructors nationwide. Overlaps in subject matter and certification pathway but operates as a broad national curriculum rather than a single facility/brand.

Others

• USPSA / IDPA Competition Organizations: National competitive shooting organizations that train participants in practical shooting skills and partner with firearms schools. Referenced as partner organizations on SDFT's links page and adjacent to SDFT's concealed carry and competitive-focused classes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SDFT_GregBlock
• Facebookfacebook.com/SDFT.GregBlock
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/self-defense-firearms-training

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Self Defense Firearms Training