Recently, I had the opportunity to attend another firearms training class with Brian, instructor and owner of Monarch Defense. This was my 4th class and the training curriculum included defensive handgun positions, low-light movement and firing, concealed carry, and more. The class was approximately 7 hours long and allowed for plenty of live shooting, breaks, conversations, and practice. Brian does a great job on explaining things as the class moves along. Expect to leave with a greater ability to shoot quickly and accurately. You'll also gain a greater proficiency on the safe handling of pistols while moving around obstacles with your firearm. I recommend this school if you're looking to sharpen your skills and understanding of all things firearms.... yes, the drive is up a large mountain but so what! If you want to become skillful at something as serious as using a firearm--it's worth the drive. I started going to this firearms school in 2021 and since then I've gained significant ability and understanding of how and why to use a firearm, which is a tool...but I digress...give the school a try and see the value for yourself. read more

Recently had a chance to attend a shotgun skills class Brian taught just south of San Jose. The class had about 18-people and was very information-based for the first half of the class which despite being comfortable with the topic, provided me as well as the other participants with a great review. Safety is paramount and Brian incorporates a two-person method to ensure everyone is safe. There were no political overtones or otherwise unrelated information sprinkled into the class content, just great education and excellent hands-on for the second half of the class. Brian is informative and the price point for the class is great. I'm planning on attending future classes. read more

Personal Background: I am a novice when it comes to Gunfighting. But I am an intermediate experienced martial artist. Under 1 year of Muay Thaiboxing (non competitive), 1 year of Western Olympic Boxing (competitive), and 3 years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (competitive). I view fire arms training as another form of martial art for which I am a white belt. My Profession: I am an armed guard for Admiral Security. My primary site is the Muslim Community Association Center in Santa Clara, Ca. This site has gotten death threats from both far-right wing American groups and Muslim extremists. The center houses a Mosque, a small shopping center, a cafeteria, a pre-school, and a K-4 school. It is one of my biggest fears that someone with hatred in their heart and some training arrives well armed, when I am not ready, and I fail to act. Course Taken: Mastering of the Duty Handgun I was recommend to take a class from Brian by a friend of mine I met at SJSU, whom is also an armed guard for Admiral. My friend has had some prior fire arms experience in the Marines and in hunting. We both learned a lot from the class. Course Takeaways: After a discussion on bodily responses, the reflexive vs reflective reactions of the brain, effective areas of the human body to target, and a fire arms safety; We drilled the following: .Drawing from the hip, with clothinging in the way. .Side-Step drawing .Accuracy Confidence .Tactical reloads .Sight picture variations Cons: Brian is limited in what he can provide. He expects you to take responsibility for your safety, equipment, expectations, and obligations. Theres nothing flashy about this course. You are expected to inform and hold yourself accountable for your actions. He is there to teach what he knows with what is available. That is it. Pros: Brian is an excellent teacher. I plan to affectionately refer to him as my Gun Sifu from now on. His lessons were directly applicable to my martial arts training, and they were fairly simple to pick up for anyone without such training. He was diligent on boosting my confidence when need be, and reprimanding me when need be. I now know my capabilities and limitations with my Sig. Conclusion: I highly recommend Monarch Defense to anyone who wants to train or learn fire arms techniques. I will be attending many of his classes in the future. If you have an inflated ego or strong opinions about anything fire arms related, then this class may not be for you. Brian caters to people who are sincerely expecting to learn with an open mind and a humble heart. read more

I don't usually write reviews, but feel I must after today. 7/4/21, my daughter and I were very excited to take the Firearm Safety and Self Defense + Live Fire class. We arrived at 8:30 for the 9:00am class, after a 1 1/2 drive to the location behind Mt. Hamilton. The class began at 9:30. The safety instruction was comprehensive and well done. At 6:00 pm, we were told that the live fire training would occur after dinner, ~7:00 pm. My daughter is vegan so we did not sign up for the dinner. The idea of driving over Mt Hamilton at night and getting home around 10:00pm was far from enticing, so we decided to leave. We were disappointed we we not able to shoot today, especially since we had paid $80 each for ammunition. read more

As a new, female, gun owner, I am still somewhat intimidated by firearms . Mike and Brian have a wealth of knowledge from the basics of properly handling a firearm - a multitude of firearms - to the laws and practices behind firearms. We were able to have a hands-on experience that left me far more comfortable when it comes to handling firearms. We were able to practice how to safely hold everything from a PPK to a shotgun and a rifle. Mike and Brian thoroughly answered every question I had. I now know what is within my right to properly protect myself and my family in and outside of my home, when and if I ever have to use my firearm for protection from a "bad guy". I highly recommend their educational classes if you ever want to further educate yourself on self defense when using a firearm. read more

Avoid Brian at all costs. Brian was bullied as a kid and decided when he grew up he would return serve. Our class was a nightmare as he criticized, maligned, put down and embarrassed each student. One couple enrolled simply to learn something new - both very educated and gracious and Brian made a point to belittle them. He wrote all of our names on his arm in sharpie. In a circle. One guy, Al, was chastised because he didn't call himself his proper name, Alexander. He launched into a rant about ISis...he passed around a plastic gun... Waste of time and money. read more

I received this class as a christmas gift. I attended with my 21 yr old granddaughter. My whole life I wanted to get acquainted with firearms. I had NO idea what to expect except to hopefully get acquainted with guns. Brian far exceeded my expectations. All the prior 5 star reviews were accurate. He and his staff were knowledgeable, confident, thorough and accommodating. They certainly teach you to have respect for the firearms. Even being a very senior grandma, I loved the class and got to demo every type of firearm and I also realized that they were very heavy for me. We couldn't stop telling everyone how great this class was. Brian was excellent. This class was all day. Bring layers of clothes, lunch, protective glasses, water and be ready for a great day! Thanks Brian! read more

My friend and I went to this training andit was a lot of fun. Learned from everything from the right mindset to how to fire and handle a gun safely. Learned a lot and worth it class just keep in mind that it lasts a very long time and would suggest that you bring a good lunch and a lot of water read more

I won't publicly bash this company, but unfortunately I will not return to training with them. I did enjoy the first portion of the class. Once it became more "Dynamic" it became unsafe in my opinion. If Brian wants to contact me I'm sure he can locate my info on his student rooster. Brian in response to your comment of joining a bowling league, I will now say this. I have trained with nationally recognized trainers such as Scotty Reitz, Tom Givens, 10-8 performance, John Coreia, JJ Racaza, Steve Fisher, Mas, Paul Howe, John Murphy, Gabe White, Karl Rehn, Sig Academy, and the list goes on. I have taught firearms training to Ca law enforcement for the past 15 years as a POST instructor. I also currently hold a law enforcement instructor certificate in Texas, along with being a LTC (ccw) Instructor. I have about a half a dozen additional credentials that I can list for you. Annually I attend more firearms training than you most likely teach. I have a pretty good knowledge of real life training and unlike you I have actually encountered a few deadly force encounters, which I survived. Half the stuff you had You're students doing we did not perform during SWAT Training hosted by NTC, LAPD, or SEB. Good luck in your future endeavors. Your ability to lure in unsuspecting students is top notch. The issue is when you have experienced students in your class refuting your training you attack them with childish bowling league comments. I noticed you had a similar response to an individual that was an instructor that questioned your safety methods on the range. read more

I took the Fighting Rifle Skill Building course today and had a blast. I've taken several gun courses but they have all been with pistols. Today was a great learning experience. I can tell Brian and Sean know their stuff. Brian was open to and encourage whatever Kit you wanted to carry as long as you did it safely. We spent a great deal of time on the safety talk and I really appreciate that. The students were a great bunch of guys, eager to learn and willing to do what ever Brian asked. Great job today Brian and Sean, really appreciate your time and experience. Class was well worth the money and I'm looking forward to the next one! read more

Review of Monarch Defense Before I dive into my comprehensive review of Monarch Defense. I'd like to make clear that out of the many, many firearm training schools available throughout the State - there are so many nuanced methods of training that each differentiating school offers. To be the most effective Gunfighter (or get the most out of the course), is to not criticize the instructor, or others who attend the course seeking to learn something new. Learning and training to use a firearm is serious business, and everyone should take the most serious life/death precautions when utilizing a lethal tool. It is not the time to ridicule others, but rather to correct their mistakes in a setting where all of us can keep an eye on each other. After, running with Monarch at their Defensive Handgun Course, at Lytle Creek 11/24, I'm convinced that the staff at Monarch have a successful and effective method. To summarize my experience with Monarch, is the clear utilization of the "teamwork format" that emphasizes discipline as well as teamwork. I interpret this format to be the "Army Basic" format, that no matter what we do in the exercises, we have a functioning "buddy system". The system in effect on the micro level, is between two individuals - the present shooter, and the spotter. The shooter is the person about to run the live-fire exercise, while the spotter is the one who runs with the shooter at an arm's length - to ensure safety measures are observed and practiced. If you're expecting to train with Monarch, be prepared to take a quick crash course of Army Basic - meaning, if one person in the entire class screws up, or accidentally "hits Sally', everyone is punished with some PT (physical training). I can attest, that it quickly resolves any issues as teammates step up to correct and improve morale amongst everyone. I've also read and personally seen emotional break-downs of individuals who believe that they have been "ridiculed" by being yelled at by an instructor, or classmate for primarily failing basic safety procedures. Let me quickly clear it up for anyone who may believe that anyone is trying ridicule you. Trust me, we're not. On the most basic of reactions, we don't want to be shot via negligent discharge. We don't want to take the risk, and I'm sure you also don't want any of us pointing a loaded firearm at you either in any given situation. It's not ridicule, we don't want to be shot. GUN SAFETY 101. I believe emphasis on teamwork & discipline method is effective, because it instills at least some kind of negative association with bad shooting habits. As Owner and Head Instructor Brian Wang says, "it is better to correct issues and problems here, than in real life". True to the word, that it is better to slowly think it through, and practice movements ad-nauseum on the range - than suddenly being placed into a high pressure, high speed, and adrenaline situation where you freeze up. Utilizing this method, also instills that sense of importance, that your failure to perform, will impact someone else; I.E. the one screw-up = group punishment. Group punishment = group pressure/assessment and corrections. Naturally, I will be the first to say, that I understand the "Army Basic" training method isn't for everyone. However, what is important is what you can take away learning the best parts of the training, and more importantly getting pit in different scenarios that tests you: mentally, physically, and emotionally. In conclusion, from what I've learned. Monarch Defense embodies the philosophy of the warrior scholar, to which I interpret to be similar to Travis Haley's (of Haley Strategic) "we're thinkers first, before shooters". I believe this philosophy, was embodied in the APEX drill as it was called out by Monarch Staff Henry Yen. In the drill, there were multiple targets, placed in an assortment of angles, and some of the silhouettes placed in angles where two targets were right behind one another. Each silhouette was numbered, and Henry would employ a combination of numbers, including having friendly banter and conversation with you in attempts to catch you off-guard and not actively paying attention to potential threats around you. From what I learned from the APEX drill, was to always be situationally aware, and in an active shooter situation - actively thinking, being aware of muzzle direction, and knowing what is behind your target. It was made clear, to think before you shoot. Otherwise, if you shot - yes, you may have subdued your target, but now you've also hit someone innocent. If you're interested in training and potentially learning something new, Monarch Defense is a great place to check out when they're in your area. Leave your ego at the door, and come learn what you can, and when you can. More importantly, help your fellow classmate out. This is the time to fix issues and develop good habits. Gun-ownership is a responsibility - help out another and guide them on the right path. read more

I went to Monarch for a day long intro to firearm class and it was absolutely great. Brian was very professional, fun and patient. I'm also very impressed by the variety of guns we were able to try with such a reasonable price. The only downside is the lengthy 1.5 hour drive. But it's definitely worth it. read more

We really enjoyed the entire afternoon of the Shooting Experience!. The presentation was interesting and informative. The shooting was great! I've been telling people about our experience, and recommending they take the course. I hope they and others will feel confident about taking the course. Bryan does a super job of making people feel comfortable around the weapons. Even the first time shooters got into the groove very quickly. We may even do the course again! read more

Money well spent. Classes with monarch defense is worth every penny. Staff was knowledgeable, thorough, competent, skilled on the range, and most importantly, someone seeking guidance on the critical job of protecting themselves and their family from criminal violence would find these classes to be professional, entertaining, and confidence inspiring. I have to give a big thanks to Mike Shannahan for giving me guidance on changing magazines on a quick draw as well as informing me about USCCA. I look forward to attending future classes and learning more about threat spectrum inc. read more

I attended a shooting drill event hosted by Brian and I learned a lot. I did action pistol a few times and it has been years since my last class, so I knew I was going to be rusty working with my holster during the event. Brian and the instructors that helped him out really helped me out and corrected some things I was doing wrong while drawing and holstering my firearm(rushing/going to fast). The drills the class went over was a great way practice shooting in actual situations where you might have you use your firearm in self defense. We practice Mozambique/failure drills, el president drills, retreating, and plenty more. I usually go to metcalf and while it helps me practice my fundamentals of shooting it is still not what I consider practical shooting Brian and his team kept the range very safe. The attendees helped each other out(loaning magazine pouches/holsters) and policed each other to make sure everything ran smoothly. I would not hesitate attending another class held by Brian and if you were on the fence, I would encourage you to sign up and learn from him. read more

Brian, I would also like to address your comments in order: 1. You're absolutely right. No one can fault a person for not being taught a skill. However, the class was advertised for participants with experience. It appears attendance was not vetted and shooters without experience were allowed to take the course anyways. This is not the fault of the student, it's the fault of the instructor. 2. I agree with your mantra of "always a student". I believe there is plenty for me to learn, which is why I am always searching for new courses to learn something new. 3. See #13 4. We do not know if someone is hot or not until this procedure has been completed. As you know, all firearms are presumed to be loaded. That day, I saw several lines forming, one behind another. This allows the participants behind the primary line to point their presumably loaded firearms at the back of the people directly in front of them. When I brought this to your attention, you shrugged, said "it'll be fine" and walked away. And sure enough, muzzling was happening all over the place. Even you got muzzled. Instead of fixing the underlying problem, you punished the class. 5. In my opinion, at least half the class did not listen to instructions, which is why myself and my partner stood way in the back, out of the way of people unsafely handling firearms. 6. There are inherent risks. But there are ways of managing those risks to make the environment as safe as possible. It is the responsibility of the instructor to provide a safe environment for the participants to operate in. In my opinion, a lot of safety operations could have been significantly improved. 7. My attitude was not negative as much as it was a state of disbelief. If the student selection process allowed for classes of experienced shooters and instructional staff had a greater command of the firing line and the participants involved, my comfort level would have been drastically different. 8. As you pointed out, I have taken an oath to tell the truth. My statements are not false or exaggerated in any manner. My partner, who has taken the same oath, will support my observation as this is one of the things we talked about the most after leaving. It happened. Denying it would be dishonest. Prior to the course, as your posting requested, I emailed you and offered up my services as a rangemaster. I would have been more than happy to take charge of the line if you needed to step away. 9. The drills that I was "offended" by were because of the instructor not being present on the firing line and not addressing extreme safety issues which could have got someone seriously hurt. 10. Shrugging and saying "it'll be fine" when a clear safety violation is taking place on a grand scale is an example apathy in my opinion. 11. As you said, a lot of the students were untrained. Putting someone who is untrained in the role of safety officer is irresponsible. Regardless of this being an instructional course or it being an open range day, it is the obligation of the facilitator to provide and maintain a safe environment. 12. I would be happy to host more events, however time does not permit. Maybe when I retire... 13. In my courses, I spend a great amount of time generating metrics about students I teach, how often they return and numbers surrounding their activities. I currently have a 51% return rate. 10% of those that do not return are due to students being unable to attend the narrow timeframe I offer. Around 19% do not return because they choose to allow their certifications expire. 20% is crazy low. Plus, the comparison to a university is not relevant. Why would a graduate return to get the same diploma? How many times did you return to high school for a second diploma? I guess it must have been a bad high school since you never returned to get a high school diploma that you already have. It seems there's a flaw in your logic. 14. My last comment was a compliment to you, I see much potential for greatness in you and your courses, but there are always ways to improve. The intent behind my review was to inspire change in the attitude towards safety and open a dialog so we could support each other. You seem to have a command of the theories behind teaching and knowledge of the craft. I'm sure the relaxed attitude towards safety was an attempt to balance being safe and not being a jerk. I did the same thing when I first began teaching because I believed that if people liked me, they would likely return and would pay me more money. I quickly realized that if someone got hurt, it would cost me more money to pay for that injury than I would make from the return of students. Instead, I made my expectations 100% clear before the course was held, had students sign an agreement and then strictly enforced my policies. Since then, my return rate drastically improved. Students told me that they began returning because they felt more safe in the environment. read more

I took Brian's Pistol 101 course at Tactica Krav Maga in Santa Clara, and was favorably impressed by both the structure of the course, as well as its instruction. I hate guns and am afraid of them, but, due to unfortunate circumstances, found myself realizing the need to familiarize myself with them, which is a key objective of the course. This course compels students to take a measured and intelligence approach to weapons training. We spent time in meaningful dialogue regarding our respective reasons for wanting to learn how to handle a gun, and focused a significant amount of time on safety- not only on the mechanics of handling a gun safely, but also on how to use one's own mentality to mitigate as much unnecessary risk as possible. Brian's instruction was methodical, intelligent, and effective. His pedagogical approach was the right balance that educated us, reinforced our understanding, and held us accountable for being safe. While I recognize that I still have a lot to learn, the instruction and drills have helped me to be far more knowledgeable (and hence, comfortable) handling a gun responsibly. I had more fun than I expected, and am eager to take follow-up classes to help me progress on this journey. read more

I cannot recommend Monarch Defense enough for your firearms training. I took the Intro to Fighting Rifle. Brian is an outstanding teacher and provided a great mix of classroom and hands on training. The price of the class is a great value. It is a full day; we shot well into the dark. The class never felt rushed and he made sure to give the time to answer questions and training during the hands on portion. read more

I took several private lessons with Brian when I was trying to decide if owning a gun for self protection was the route I wanted to go after experiencing a threat to my life and home. I had never handled a gun in my life before this and lean towards gun control, so these lessons were a far-out-of-my-comfort-zone experience. Brian walked me through the process at a good pace. I had the opportunity to try different guns and learned much more than I thought possible in a few sessions (although I recommend continue training throughout you life). He reviewed range safety and emergency care for accidents as well. Each lesson left me with new understanding, new skills, and respect for gun use. He emphasizes safety and be prepared to do push ups if you are able-bodied and let your finger drift onto the trigger when u are not intending to shoot it. It's a good deterrent :-j I will definitely use him in the future when I need a refresher. Thank you Brian. read more

Unfortunately due to not rescheduling within the 7 day period I took a loss of $65. The email from the owner explains their policy, however I bought this from an Instagram link to purchase and at the time I bought the ticket (as a gift) it was not properly communicated that there was a 7 day cancellation policy. I'm not even asking for my money back. Just wanted to simply get in on another class. Huge disappointment. read more

Brian and the instructors that are part of this team are awesome. Every class I take, I learn new methods and tactics. You can take the same class multiple times, and it would be an extension of the last one. You will not find better training with firearm tactics anywhere in the SF Bay Area. read more

I have been wanting to take a beginner gun class for many years. Now I'm headed to police academy in 2023 and didn't want to show up without ever handling a gun. I found Monarch on Groupon. I was certainly not disappointed. I arrived slightly intimidated, and I left very confident. It was a full day of learning. We went over seemingly every possible aspect of a gun to gain a healthy respect and safe handling. I got to shoot a little of everything. The instructors and volunteers were very helpful. A few tips. The road to the class from San Jose is VERY, VERY, winding. Comparable if not worse than the road to Hana in Maui. Passengers take Dramamine and most confident driver behind the wheel. Bring plenty of water. I saw other students bring not nearly enough. One gallon per person for the day at least. Bring a couple full cold meals and snacks in a cooler. Bring your own foldable chair for the day. Otherwise you may be sitting on a log or stump. Highly recommend Monarch. I'm going to book a handgun class with Monarch next. Enjoy! read more

I attended the ultimate shooting range experience with my wife. She was very nervous around firearms and was not overly excited to attend. She left feeling more comfortable and really enjoyed it. I have been to other safety training courses and I still learned things from Brian. I would recommend this course for anyone who is interested in buying a gun, especially those who are not sure about the need for one. I will be looking into a attending a more advanced class. read more

Highly recommend Brian and his private class. Although it's my first one, I don't think it can get any better anywhere else. Brian is very nice, experienced, thorough and to the point in explaining, patient with every questions and in practice. I'm really glad to find him as my instructor. read more

I accompanied my sister in-law to the safety course. The course is professionally run and included many beginners who knew little to nothing about firearms. Many of them were apprehensive about handling the firearms. The instructor educated and established a high level of competence and comfort with his students. Impressive and unique approach to introducing regular people to gun safety, laws, responsibility, and social implications of gun ownership. Double thumbs up! read more

Just finished our class today. It took from 9 am till 5 pm and was VERY professional and fun at the same time. The instructor Bryan is experienced and males you feel safe but also brings in a lot of humor which makes this training great. Bryan was accompanied by another instructor, who was just as good and together they kept tabs on everybody. The class starts with and extensive philosophical and practical intro to conflict and meaning of guns in the society and states some very important questions that each of the participants has to answer for themselves. Then comes the dry training part which is just as intensive followed by a visit to the shooting range. What is great is that you get to practice a ton and you learn about at least 12 different types of weapons. At the end of class you can shoot them too. It is very scary in the beginning but it makes you more comfortable and aware as you go. What I loved about it is that it emphasizes mindful approach to weapons and does not glorify shooting just for its own sake or for leisure. It is a very complete class and really takes you step by step to a successful closure. I liked every minute of it and I don't even like guns! The value you get for the price is incredible as well, I would highly recommend Monarch to anybody who wants to learn about gun safety, gun related decisions and practice in a great environment! read more

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I took Brian's private class this week. As someone who takes the burden of responsibility for owning a gun very seriously and someone who by nature doesn't feel too comfortable with the concept of being around guns, I was nervous even while I was driving to the facility where we met. First and foremost, this is an educated man. He backs up his entire messaging and teaching by the sociological foundations of society, perceived and real threat, conflict, and law. He starts by asking the fundamental questions of who you are and why you are doing this. Then he elaborates when it is OK and when it is not OK to use a weapon, what is a threat, castle doctrine, stand your ground, imminent danger, and other legal concepts. I really appreciated this theory before we even touched the hardware. The gun training and shooting parts were well structured and very thoughtful. I learned all practical aspects of handling, loading and using a gun. He emphasized the safety of handling guns above all. I saw another instructor's comments about Brian on Yelp. Not sure why you would take a class from another instructor when you are a certified instructor yourself and offer your services to augment somebody else's business, but I can say at no point of time did I feel unsafe in Brian's class. He repeatedly pointed out my rookie mistakes and was always very observant and kind in doing so. I got the sense that he genuinely cared about his students' safety. I did not know Brian before the class and I did not know what to expect. But I do know I will return for a group class. read more

I just attended the Defensive Handgun Skill Builder course by Brian and was pleasantly pleased with the class. I've attended action pistol classes but they don't compare to Brian's class. His method of teaching is easy to understand, there's a good pace from instructions to shooting. I'm already signed up for his next class. I'd encourage all types and levels of shooters to attend his class. Thanks read more

Took this class on a group on a couple moths ago and loved it! Brian is smart and understanding with each of his students, he not only teaches us the skills of using a firearm but also the essence of why we have and want one. Great variety of weapons as well! After the class I was confident in purchasing my shotgun. read more

Just spent the day taking a Dynamic Shooting course with Brian and I tried to absorb all the information I could. I learned so much about shooting, drawing, firing, clearing jams and malfunctions and of course safety. I am new to shooting, but I am going to take all the info that I picked up today and practice it until I get it down. I am really glad I trained with Brian, he and Val really took the time to go over exactly what I needed to know and made things a lot of fun too. I definitely will come back and taking future courses in the future. read more

Brian is a firearms expert and a very capable teacher. So far I've had him do a three hour one-on-one self defense pistol instruction with me and a three hour home defense group class for my family. Both were excellent experiences. I didn't know anyone who had used him but took a chance on his introductory special and did not regret it. I'll be using him again. Thanks for your expert help in an important learning process, Brian. read more

Me and a group of friends took the pepper spray (mace) self defense class. Brian walked us through the basics of fight or flight, and the use of what most people carry around with them with the intent to fend off the bad guys. After the class we all felt that we had a better understanding of how pepper-spray actually works, and had an opportunity to experience what it really does. Brian was able to work with my injured friend so that he could experience the class despite crutches, and was able to adjust to each student as needed. Excellent class for those who already carry pepper-spray, or for those (like me) who thought they didn't need or know how to use it. read more

I can't even begin to express how much I enjoyed taking the defensive handgun course. Brian is an exceptional instructor who's teaching style goes above and beyond traditional and conventional training. I appreciated Brian's emphasis in ensuring safety for all of those participating and observing. The class was extremely informative and I learned to improve and master the basic fundamentals. At the end of the day, I ended the course as a better overall shooter and I took concepts with me that I intend to use every time I shoot going forward. I look forward to my next class with Brian! read more

Today we took Bryan's "Handguns 101" class at Tactica (the Krav Naga Institute) in Santa Clara. Bryan is an excellent instructor. His teaching is clear, practical and easy to follow. He's inclusive of everyone in the class and takes time with each student to ensure that he or she understands not only the techniques, not just the "rules of thumb" but also the fundamental, underlying, reasons for why the techniques are what they are. Bryan's instruction is brisk, he defers questions he thinks will detract from his core points and he checks in with every student to ensure that nobody is getting left behind. Hands-on instruction moves quickly. Most people will benefit from practicing the techniques on their own time; perfecting what Bryan teaches will yield sharp and safe handgun skills that can serve as the foundation for more advanced techniques. We are very happy with Bryan's instruction and intend to take more of his classes in the future. read more

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The instructor Brian is different from other tactical instructors I've worked with before, but in a more practical way. He really breaks things down so that you can really see practical use cases. Almost half the class has done skill builders with him before and could not stop raving about his techniques. (especially for someone like me who is not from a military/law enforcement background). This particular class required a lot of moving and shooting drills which had a lot of potential dangers, our class was geared towards more advanced shooters, but some of the drills you really have to trust other people. Due to the class size, Brian made the class a very intimate experience, pushing everyone to branch out and cooperate with other people in the class and sparking discussions between all of us. He calls different people out in the class to encourage discussions and keep you thinking, even if you don't know the "correct" answer it helps you remember the (personally I like this method, but it may not work for some people) Me and my sister were the only females in the class, but he was very welcoming and helpful. The drills that we were taught required a lot of hand to hand combat so we really got comfortable with each other very quickly. I really enjoyed his style of teaching and looking forward to taking more skill building classes with him again. read more

Took the "Defensive Handgun" half day session with Brian, and it was one of best training experience. Upfront the expectations were well understood and Brian's question-answer-testing-confirmation approach is unique. This forces the student to think through, get involved and understand the critical aspects of each skill. Brian has exceptional understanding of human psychology and his motivation to provide best training reflects in his approach. I will highly recommend Brian! read more

this is my first review on yelp. I just took the defensive handgun course with Brian and it was a very good class, it started slow but when we started shooting it picked up. I highly recommend this class and I will be sending my friends to this class. thanks for the information Brian. see you soon. read more

Took my first course with Monarch Defense yesterday, and I was not disappointed. The attention to detail, safety first, and the context of the course was definitely enriching, and I've definitely learned new combative skills to take home with me and refine them. Instructor is veryknowledgeable and skilled in handling, shooting, and combative encounters. I definitely recommend Monarch Defense. Thanks for being available to civilians who want to enhance combat skills. read more

I joined the class last dec 3 2016. Ive been around Guns since i was a kid and having a family in the military added to my experienced in Guns. But at first im a little bit skeptic about this class since ive attended firearm classes before. But to my surprise it was one of the educational and fun ive been through. It was like shooting with your bros and sis. The good thing about Brian (instructor) is he does not post intimidation like some of the instructors i dealt with for the past. Same with his team/crew instructors (VICTOR). They will correct you and give you postive feedback. I would definitely attend his class next time. read more

I took my first tactical handgun course at Monarch Defense on Saturday and couldn't be more satisfied. The instructor, Brian Wang, seemed very knowledgeable and the curriculum was robust. There are some dry handling drills where muzzle flagging other class members is inevitable and live drills that are intended to be somewhat chaotic so I can see where safety is a concerns but I felt it was a safe and controlled environment and learned to trust my fellow classmates. The best thing about this course was it's dynamic nature and I found it very refreshing to practice drills you can't normally practice at the standard gun range. In all, it was a great experience and I would recommend the Defensive Handgun Skill Builder class from Monarch Defense. I'm looking forward to taking more classes from Brian. read more