::::This is a second review from me, regarding a separate business function than my previous review:::: Artifex effectively does guns. They effectively teach guns + drills. They also effectively do guns + personal protection methods. But: DID. YOU. KNOW. They have such a deep and rich knowledge base that there is basically no situation that deals with personal- or self-defense they cannot handle. I'll explain. I reached out to Ben for an 'at-home, security picture review'. Ben forwarded my request over to BigTony. I met with BigTony over the weekend. The task was to develop my own personal self-defense plan for my home, and close any massive gaps that I may not be aware of. Tony was willing to meet, on my schedule, and even worked effectively with a last minute location change. No flaws, no frustration, no worries - just BigTony being BigTony. We have a new house; with a new neighborhood, and unfamiliar neighbors, routes, and routines. My deepest held concerns were the recent uptick in OC county crime, the warning signs, and developing new habits and patterns with my new home. Tony had it covered: Physical security. Advanced warning signs. Training to complete in the meantime, while enacting other preventative measures. People to call for updated OSINT. Home defense ballistics. Right down to gun safes, learning 'battle rhythm' before, during and after a home invasion across multiple scenarios, and with his help, I was able to view the impacts of my decisions through the eyes of the very adversary I am preparing against, as well as the from the first responders perspective, that eventually will arrive to close the scene. His thoughtful review, theoretical approaches to posturing (ex: 'grey-man' vs 'gun-guy'), etc... I could not think of any more approaches or variables I could throw at him. Once it was all said and done, we agreed to a post-implementation tag-up, to see the progress made, and/or take in any specifics that may have been overlooked. All on his own time. Bottom Line: it was incredibly relieving to have the TTPs I had already put in place verified, my concerns validated and decision and actions taken confirmed as 'adequate' for my surroundings/situation/circumstances. From the top to the bottom of my personal security stance, Tony answered literally every question I had. Not one gun was fired. No targets pasted. An incredible 'thinking man's approach' to surviving and thriving when the adrenaline is rushing, and seconds feel like hours. This meeting changed the game. I cannot recommend going through a thought-exercise like this enough. Rounds down range would never have gotten me the answers I received from this incredible team. Thank you BigTony. I am a proud monthly-dues member. If you are not yet, You are sorely missing out on providing the 'whole of security' approach to your family, neighborhood, and community. They are multi-faceted, well-rounded, highly experienced, seasoned professionals whose guidance you will have wanted in your kit-bag well before your "sunshine and rainbows: day turns to "hell-in-a-handcart" in a flash. Tony, Ben, and crew: THANK YOU!! read more

This place is fantastic. I recently did my renewal here, Dave was the instructor and it was way better than the place I went to before. The class was all on Zoom, which was very convenient and informative. The range practice was outdoors which was also much more realistic than an indoor range for true training. read more

This review is for Tony at Artifex. I met with him yesterday for my first private lesson. I found him to be incredibly kind and patient. Nestled deep in a shooting range in Chino Hills, secluded from other people, he had his own private section. I never thought I would be purchasing a weapon and I'm a little late in the game for tactical training because I feel like 2021 is going to pop off with a civil war but Tony was amazing, patient and extremely knowledgeable. I felt safe with him and how he instructed. It was clear, relatable and he answered all of my questions. We went over everything from safety, to position to handling and respecting the weapon. I would highly recommend a private lesson with him. He is worth every penny and I will be scheduling more with him to get my CCW. I walked away "Not" being afraid of a gun and more confident in knowing I "can" do this. That is priceless to me. Thanks Tony! Never doubt the gift you are to all of us that you teach. You are amazing and truly talented in your craft. read more

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great place offering many different traninigs in the firearms business as well as a store to purchase material. the people are very knowledgeable and friendly. read more

Excellent online training class. Instructors are very attentive and will help you in anyway they can. One to one training was amazing and I came away more experienced, more confident and all around a better shooter and handler. Thank you Ben, Emily, James and the rest of the team at Artifex for an excellent job and experience. read more

Artifex Firearms Training - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

Such an amazing team to train with. Ben, Daniel, and Emily are amazing knowledgeable trainers. Safety is absolute priority. Whether you are a beginner or advanced shooter, this is the place to go. My husband and I have been training with Artifex for a few years now and the knowledge and training they offer is far superior to anyone else out there. read more

Artifex Firearms Training - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

I cannot begin to say how amazing Artifex is! From my initial conversation with Ben about a beginners private lesson, to the lesson itself, and the text check-ins afterwards to see if I had any questions after the lessons, Artifex has been top notch in making me feel more comfortable and confident at the range and with handling different firearms. Ben went above and beyond answering my questions, introducing me to people at the range, and covering even more than I could have asked for in each lesson. If you are considering a class or a private lesson, look no further! Ben - THANK YOU!! I can't wait to get back out there with you guys! read more

Artifex Firearms Training - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

This was such a great experience! Ben was a fantastic teacher and very patiently and knowledgeably answered our questions and helped us really learn how to shoot effectively. The whole experience was top notch!!! read more

Artifex Firearms Training - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

Just finished my first session with Emily Chen, and things could not have gone better. First met with Emily about a month ago at a new shooter orientation. Though I was not a completely new shooter, I wanted to reestablish proper fundamentals. Her instruction is clear and simple, eliminating any kind of overthinking, which is my tendency. After the orientation, I confirmed my interest in private lessons and Emily welcomed the opportunity to take me on as a student. It took some time for us to line up our schedules, but we finally connected today for an afternoon session. She's been instructing for about 4 years, but the way she carries herself and presents the information you'd think she's been teaching for far longer. She's very observant of how her students carry out the shooting exercises they perform and quickly points out adjustments needed. She also explains the reasoning behind the adjustments, giving the student a conceptual understanding as opposed to simply saying "because that's the way you're supposed to do it". Despite a direct and hands-on approach, she leaves enough space for the student to see what they are doing right/wrong and process on their own why they got the result they did. She also tailors her instruction towards the student's goals, which she asks about before any instruction begins. As far as Artifex itself is concerned, the site is very simple and easy to navigate. Payment is quick and painless, and I received the payment and appointment confirmation quickly. Artifex also sends a reminder email and text, which I find helpful. My only "complaint" is that they haven't yet found a way to operate in San Diego. Hopefully that is in their plans and will happen soon. Overall, my experience with Artifex and Emily has been superb and has exceeded my expectations. read more

Artifex Firearms Training - Was all over the place before the lesson. Though still not great, huge improvement, which shows how effective Emily's teaching is. - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

Very pleased with the service I received from Artifex in Dec 2023 in support of of my successful CCW permit application. Highly recommend the firm, very responsive. read more

We purchased a new firearm and did a local search for an introduction to safety and handling of our shotgun and came across Artifex Firearm Training. We had a private lesson with Ben from Artifex Firearm Training and he was terrific! He was very thorugh in teaching us safe handling and use of our shotgun. We were nervous, excited, and then empowered as his lesson progressed! His techniques were perfect for first time shotgun owners. He guided us every step from transport to firing and we left very confident in the handling of our firearm. We can't recommend them enough for new firearm owners, very professional and comfortable to work with. Suffice to say, we will be going back to Ben and Artifex Firearm Training for a long time to come. It's a pleasure learning something new from people who are knowledgeable and caring! read more

Artifex Firearms Training - Artifex Firearm Training provided the targets - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

The team over at Artifex are the real deal. The CCW process is very straight forward and seemless making it super easy to get done. Ben is on top of it and responds right away which says a lot about how they run their entire operation. Dave Neeley was a top notch instructor both in the classroom and on the gun range. He, along with Jeremy (didnt catch his last name), made the in person gun range training day not only enjoyable, but I felt extremely safe. I highly recommend these guys for whatever it is you need from CCW to every day training. read more

Simply one of the best team of instructors that I have had the pleasure of working with in my career. Their clear and concise method of instruction coupled with their strong emphasis on safety and personal responsibility make for an extremely thorough program. Whether you are a novice or expert there is something for you at Artifex. Looking forward to my next class. Thank you to Ben and the rest of the Team. read more

As a senior citizen and new to handguns, I found Artifex Firearms Training on a Google search. After the initial group training class, I signed up for private training with Daniel. After 18 months of shooting about three times per month, I'm still learning and engaged. Daniel is about to see my mistakes before they happen. 100% satisfied great experience. read more

Daniel, one of the instructors, is a very knowledgeable and patient teacher. He is clear in his communication. Safety is important. Confidence building. Highly recommended Artifex for anyone who needs to learn about firearms and their use. Training is an important step in ownership. read more

Ben is a great personable instructor. The class was entertaining, informative, and a bunch of fun. While the range isn't state of the art or anything, he makes up for it with incredible knowledge, and good humor. read more

Artifex Firearms Training - Target shooting 5y - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

Artifex; Wow..Excellent, Professional, Approachable, Safe.. They maintain a safe environment which is critical - The training and programs start with the basics and they regularly add new interesting and some fun experiences. Highly recommended. -Nick read more

I took my first class with Artifex last Saturday. First firearm class in the US. This was an absolute delight. My instructors were Gina and James. Both are very complementary and extremely patient with newbies like myself. I asked probably 100 questions and always got clear and practical answers. I went from total beginner to being able to hold a pistol safely in around 4 hours. This is a good mix of theory, dry and live fire. Will definitely book another class ASAP. read more

Greetings Team Artifex!  I just wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You Very Much" for conducting a phenomenal CCW Training Course this past Wednesday, Sept 27th at Prado Olympic Shooting Park. The class room presentation was comprehensive, informative and very engaging.  I especially found watching all the different video footage of real world concealed carry shooting incidences very compelling then breaking each one down, discussing it in detail, but more than that examining what each student observed compared to what really happened. That really drove it home! The post video review discussions evaluating what the implications were and how it's applicable to us as potential CCW permit holders was extremly valuable. I'm a visual learner and believe the Artifex class presentaion and range instruction was really high quality it made an indelible impression in my mind's eye. Respect and Gratitude! Vincent Casella read more

Artifex Firearms Training - CCW Training with the Instructors at ARTIFEX equals high quality subject matter expertise and added value training! - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

These guys seriously go above and beyond - from firearm and gear advice to CCW process to, of course, solid firearm training. I've had several personal firearm training sessions with Ben who is personable, patient and a great instructor. I've taken a course with Daniel who is the consummate professional and really puts his all into making you better. Cant say enough good things about these guys. If you're shopping for firearm training, you wont regret choosing them! read more

I took the CCW course from Ben and just took another class with him today. Ben is a great guy, knows his stuff, and is super down-to-earth. (I've taken other firearms courses and have found that there is a certain element of insularity and snobbishness). You don't get that with Ben. Highly recommend. Update: I recently renewed my CCW, and I found the refresher class very helpful. Lots of difficult real-world scenarios shown on video. Really illustrated how you need the best training if you're going to carry. read more

Ben is an excellent instructor and definitely knows his stuff. He puts everyone at ease and also makes the learning experience fun and above all safe! Before my first lesson I was terrified of guns but after training with Ben I can handle a pistol with ease and feel much more comfortable. Ben has also provided training for my 86 year old grandmother! He showed her how to safely handle and use a gun she had received decades ago and had never touched. He was incredibly patient and went at her pace. Now she feels much safer living alone knowing she can protect herself if she is ever in immediate danger. After the way he looked after my grandmother I would give him 10 stars if I could! read more

Outstanding! I took their CCW course and it was amazing how Dave the teacher was able to convey the learning information to us in a kind manner. His experience is great. The live fire course was so much fun and educational. Truly learned how to properly handle my firearm safely and properly as well as how to prepare it and be safe with it on the range. Ben is properly the best teacher I have ever had in my life. He is very experienced and trained. It wasn't just a course this was an experience! I truly enjoyed the classes and will take more with them. What a great company and this is from my first experience with them, thank you for being so great. This company doesn't just train you they leave you with great memories, the classes are fun. read more

Incredibly awesome school. Either and so much. I've taken two pistol courses so far and plan to take the car buying class soon. The staff is very knowledgeable. Patient and they will work with you. read more

2 Thumbs up for Artifex! Ben has the process laid out beautifully. Things have obviously changed recently, and Artifex has adjusted and the entire process was seamless and easy, and they were able to help every step of the way. The classroom portion switched to online, but the presentation is great, still gets all the information across, easy to follow. Ben is a super cool dude, would recommend! read more

I had 18 total hours of pistol training (elsewhere) and 2700+ rounds of practice at the range. And yet, I couldn't fix myself from shooting low right (southpaw). Watched many videos for tips and tried MantisX as well with no luck. Also shot with many different handguns and results were the same. Found Emily at Artifex on social media and had private lesson. Within minutes, Emily identified what I was doing wrong and instantly improved my accuracy! Now, I know exactly what/how to keep practicing on my own. If you want to improve on firearms training, don't waste money on ammo and get proper training done by Emily! Thanks so much Emily and I'll be back for more in the future!! read more

Artifex Firearms Training - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

So first off... I found the training list on the OCSD website and instead of calling the "first name on the list" I actually went over to look at reviews. Got a good feeling based off what I read about Artifex so I decided to check out the website..... seemed pretty legit, so I decided to give them a call. To my SURPRISE my call was actually answered by A REAL PERSON! Sad that today, this is so rare. Anyway, I spoke to Ben - who was great, super informative and answered all my questions. Even sent me a link to conveniently register for my class on the date I inquired about. Then on the 5th of August I drove to Prado and met with Daniel for my live CCW course. Class was great, Daniel was detailed and helpful in explaining the course material and we learned a lot on the range. I am not a tots novice, I have been shooting for a while but lack professional training - Daniel was able to deliver. As a Veteran and competitive shooter he provided much in the way of pointers for efficiency of movement and great tips for repeatable actions to quickly and efficiently draw and ready your weapon. In terms of movement and shooting on the range, he was equally as good and through the drills I could see my accuracy improve. Great class and great organization- I would highly recommend! read more

Great organization! Emily #aim2ms.behave and Ben are awesome instructors! Excellent communication, instructions and training. Will definitely be back for some more range time!! read more

Artifex Firearms Training - Firearm Training Near Me - Anaheim, California

Professional and thorough training instructors breaking down the fundamentals of beginners and Core CCW skills. Gina, James, and Daniel provided above and beyond training. Thanks Team Artifex! read more

I happened to find Artifex on google And was so pleased after my initial conversation with Ben Ito-Smith. He was very engaging and a very good listener and walked me through the firearms training course and it was exactly what I was looking for. My husband and I met him at the range where we spent a great session learning about firearm safety and everything that goes into handling firearms. Ben is a total pro... I felt super comfortable with him as he was a VERY good instructor and made me feel very comfortable as this is a subject I'm not too comfortable with. We had amazing hands-on training and I left feeling 100% comfortable. I give Artifex my highest five star/A+ rating!!! read more

I had an a great experience with Artifex. Ben is a great instructor, he takes his time, patient, great disposition, and very knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend Artifex for your firearms instruction, you won't be disappointed. read more

Another Outstanding lesson with Emily Chen! 223 and handgun. Her confidence and knowledge allows me to see immediate results. Emphasis on technique and consistency showed me where I need to focus to improve my aim and reduce fatigue. Safety and consistency practice and form. Thank you. I recommend her and her team!!!! read more

If you are serious about firearms training, Artifex is the best there is in Orange County. I've had numerous firearms training courses over the years, but nothing compares to the training I've received at Artifex. Within 30 minutes, Emily, my instructor, completely changed my stance, my grip, and my sighting technique. My accuracy improved dramatically. She also provided great tips on rapid reloading and equipment. Super friendly and professional. I wish I had know about them years ago! read more

I was a little scared of guns After the basic class with Ben, I really feel comfortable and excited to learn more. Shooting is such an in the moment experience the rest of the world's and life's stresses completely disappear. My husband and I have done a couple safety and target shooting classes over several years but never consistently. Of all the classes we have had, I think this was the most through and helpful we have ever received. From the safety basics to operating the firearms including reloading and the 7 steps of shooting we learned a lot. This was the best! Ben our instructor was very clear and patient with every part of the lessons. He had guns and equipment as an option which is great for newbies. Fancy ear protectors that amplified his voice but cut back the guns going off in the other ranges I would recommend this for anyone who wants to learn safety and beginner shooting of firearms read more

Thank you, Ben! This company is first rate. I've never even held a gun before in my life, and had previously never thought I'd have the inclination to do so. So our family did a beginner course. I can't imagine a better scenario for instruction, especially for the newbie like me! Ben took care of our group personally from start to finish, with patience and respect and didn't let a question or concern go by without addressing it with honesty and professionalism. The Zoom classroom instruction (Covid time) worked well around our group's schedules and was easy to follow. He got to our questions very timely too. The range shoot was so much fun. I was nervous that I wouldn't understand because I have a tendency to overthink things. But Ben took us through very clearly step-by-step and our entire group of eight shot so well because of his clear instruction and his ability to talk us out of any nerves. I look forward to more classes and building my skills on such a promising foundation. read more

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the Artifex training beyond excellent. Daniel and Emily are knowledgeable, professional, and most importantly safe! The instructors teach the most up to date techniques that work. I always thought practice makes perfect. I was taught some techniques (in non Artifex courses) that are out of date that I have practiced into bad habits. Daniel was able to see those deficiencies immediately and correct them. Artifex is the real deal. They honestly care about the success of their students. The CCW class is way more than a simple CCW course. It is a technical firearms course for all shooting levels and as a benefit you get a ccw course cert at the end. I have been shooting for a long time and learned so much from artifex in just one course. Go to the classes. Seriously, worth every penny. read more

Artifex is the best in the business! As a retired law enforcement professional I know firearm training and safety, this was the best! Received the best training and qualified for my CCW. Without a doubt the best in Orange County, probably California. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! read more

Amazing firearm instruction from Daniel and the Team! I took their Performance Pistol course and loved it! Even though there was more than 10 students in the class, the instruction team made sure to give us ample 1:1 instruction so nobody felt like they were being lost in the shuffle. Can't wait to take another course with Artifex! read more

I just took the TECC / Stop The Bleed class with Big Tony. What a great class and the Artifex guys never let me down. Every time I train with these guys I walk away a better shooter. Their attention to detail is second to none. Thank you to Ben, Daniel and everyone at Artifex. read more

First of all let me say, if you are looking to shoot a gun for the first time look no further. My hubs and I had a awesome experience training with Ben today. He is incredibly patient and a great instructor! Learning to properly handle and shoot a gun was on our bucket list. With turning 60 and Father's Day we decided to get started on this fun journey together. We found Ben and Artifex on Yelp. We read the reviews and decided to go for it. Today we met with Ben for almost two hours. We both felt much more comfortable with the gun after working with Ben today! We plan to get more lessons and we would love to get our family together for a group lesson. Bottom line Ben is great and I wouldn't recommend going anywhere else!! read more