I did my basic pistol course today. At first, I was a bit concerned that Burx might not have the…read moreexperience to provide good training. I was wrong, he is an excellent instructor. He is enthusiastic about the subject, clear in his delivery, and works hard to adapt the material to the background of the student. Turns out that he is also a very personable guy, which makes the training easier. Burx introduces a wide array of guns to you, and you get to shoot any or all of them. This is really very, very helpful in trying to figure out what kind of gun would work for you in any specific situation. I'd say that if you are contemplating a gun purchase, get trained by Burx first so that you can make an informed decision. If you are relatively new to firearms, or want to improve your marksmanship, Burx is also the right guy to go to. He told me things about seemingly basic stuff such as how to hold the guns properly, which other people seem to ignore. The difference between getting basics like this right, and not getting them right are huge. For example, the guy in the next lane had immense problems getting any kind of grouping on targets at any distance because his grip was wrong.

I was a first-time shooter prior to my session with Paul. I took his Introduction to Handguns…read moreclass, 1on1. Went into the class nervous, a bit shaky--all the things you'd expect for one's first time shooting. Around four hours later, I left the class feeling confident, informed, and empowered! Paul's attentiveness, friendliness, and wealth of expertise make him the premier resource for anyone looking to learn how to safely use a firearm. If I had children, I would recommend them to Paul if and when the time came for them to have their first training session.

There's a reason for Paul's google map rating! The training was way better then expected as Paul…read morewent above and beyond. He definitely knows how to work with different audiences, skill levels, and ages. My teenager, I quote "enjoyed it, and felt supported, especially at the range". Thank you!

Aaron Mleziva is an awesome trainer. His experience and knowledge immediately makes you feel…read morecomfortable during his concealed carry training. That's a big deal when training with weapons. He doesn't tolerate carelessness and makes you respect the gun. He also created a training that was part book and part field training. I am extremely grateful to have had him as my trainer. Thank you for teaching me how to protect and challenge myself, while respecting the weapon. I recommend him to everyone! Especially women :)

We took our concealed carry permit classes with Aaron. He was able to present and teach the class…read morein a professional manner. He made the class interesting and fun to learn. He is highly experienced and when teaching you know he understands what he's talking about. He is someone who "practices what they preach". After the classroom portion and taking our tests we went to his home range to undergo the hands on portion. We were able to qualify and put into practice what we had learned in the classroom and Aaron was our safety officer. He made the hands on time at the range just as enjoyable and safe for everyone who qualified that day. I highly recommend HIGH READY.

Starting shooting bullseyes halfway through first lesson! I couldn't be happier with the…read moreprofessional instruction, focus on safety fundamentals, and the immediate improvement in my shooting accuracy. I learned of Cobalt and Chris Murphy when I noticed some business cards for instruction while using the range at Clark Brothers in Warrenton. I scheduled a private lesson and was immediately impressed with the initial paperwork, instructions, scheduling process, and complete clarity from start to finish. It was after a disappointing day at the range that I decided to invest in professional instruction and I am so glad I did. It was an extraordinary value with not only immediate results, but also supplied with key drills I can practice to enjoy a lifetime of better shooting. Will definitely come back for additional training and continue honing my skills with them.

The instruction was comprehensive, tailored to the specific needs of each of the members of my…read moregroup (two left handed shooters, one with no experience, etc..) and the whole experience was comfortable and not intimidating. We couldn't have been happier with the skills we learned, the firearms we tried, and the experience on the range we received. Fantastic!

The course was amazing, I learned so much from the instructors in a short amount of time..,…read moreI highly recommend these guys if you are starting out or an experienced shooter..,

David, Matt, Kevin, and Scott were excellent instructors. I took the NRA Basic Pistol Instructor…read morecourse from them and could not be more confident and satisfied. Their knowledge was superior, and they provide insightful, 'bullseye' critiques without any negative language or criticism. In fact, they were extremely encouraging. Highly recommend their course.

If you're looking for a professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly patient firearms instructor,…read morelook no further than Adam. As an NRA-certified instructor, he delivers a perfect balance of technical expertise, safety, and approachability that puts even the most nervous first-timer at ease. From the moment we arrived, Adam created a welcoming and respectful environment, emphasizing safety protocols while demystifying the mechanics and responsibilities of handling a firearm. His instruction was clear, thorough, and empowering. Adam took the time to walk us through every step--proper stance, grip, sight alignment, trigger control--and ensured we understood the why behind each concept. Whether you're brand new or looking to refine your skills, Adam adapts his style to meet you where you are. By the end of the session, we felt confident, competent, and much more informed. You can tell he genuinely cares about helping people become safe, responsible shooters. We'll absolutely be back for more training and cannot recommend Adam highly enough.

Adam Wise, this is who I used for my concealed weapon license. Adam is a first class easy to learn…read morefrom instructor. He breaks everything down in such a manner that you will never forget safety rules, how to handle a a firearm with accuracy, and ensure and an easy manner that you will understand. Having and using a firearm is something to be taken seriously with security and safety is ultimate consideration at all times. Adam Wise, ensures that this is printed in your mind.

Jim Nida is an outstanding instructor hands-down. My wife, daughter and I attended his training,…read morewhich he adjusted to meet our busy schedules, and provided some the most professional yet personable training I've personally have ever participated in. His course is set within the NRA standards and he used his extensive law enforcement background to provide a very grounded approach to handgun orientation, safety, and firing. He dealt with three very different levels of experience within the same class and made it enjoyable and educational at the same time. He is patient and thoughtful with all his students and made both my wife and daughter feel totally at ease; no pressure, no games, no judgment. I would highly recommend him to anyone of any skill level seeking CCW accredited training or for more advanced skills; which we all agreed we will be calling him for soon. A great experience for all levels of proficiency; beginner to advance.

When I signed up for the First Steps class at Handgun Academy Va, I was a complete novice to…read morehandguns -- didn't know how to shoot, load, handle, or store a handgun. After just 2 hours in the classroom, I felt confident and prepared to head to the range with the instructor and try out what I had learned. Jim Nida is professional and clearly experienced at what he does, and makes an excellent instructor, especially for beginners. I received a certificate from attending his course that will allow me to apply for my Virginia concealed carry permit. I will be back to take more lessons from him on more specific skills (of my choosing, which is even better!). I will be recommending Handgun Academy Va to everyone I know, and anyone who is interesting in learning how to shoot. As a woman, it's important that I can feel protected, and thanks to Jim I feel like I can defend myself and handle weapons accurately and safely.

I've been coming here for over a year and usually go with a group or alone and every time has been…read moregreat. Consistent treatment from staff and care of facilities. They're amazing when it comes to safety. At first I was intimidated being a younger woman and POC at a shooting range, but love the atmosphere/vibe. Lanes fill up quickly on weekends so go early in the morning. Buy ammo, targets, or some gear here. Parking is limited since there's been work on the garage. Seems ADA accessible!

While I am a member of IWLA's ARL-FFX chapter, I gotta say that the NRA HQ Shooting range is not a…read morebad place for me to shoot now and then. Especially since the pistol and rifle ranges at my club are outdoors, it's convenient to come here when it's super windy or super rainy. You don't have to be an NRA member to shoot here, but you do get a discount. Also, there are no gun rentals at this range -- if you wanna shoot, bring your own firearms. They also have range rules on what ammo you can shoot, and they will check your ammo before they assign you a range. Thankfully, they have ammo for sale if your ammo isn't shootable at the range, and/or you forgot your ammo. If it's your first time coming to the range, you will be required to take a range safety test (if you're an average shooter with common sense, it's nearly impossible to fail unless you're intentionally trying to fail). Once you pass, you get a range card that you have to pay for, but once you buy it, you never have to pay again (unless you misplace it). Also, ladies: I recommend coming out on Thursday night! Not only do you get a discount on your range reservation, but you also get a free range card on your first visit! All in all, the NRA HQ range is great. As long as you follow the rules, it is not a bad place to shoot.