I have been training at VX Marksmanship since 2012 and, as a testament to just how good the instruction is at VX. I have taken every class that this facility has offered and participated in almost all of their special events, including an extreme long range shoot where we took 50 BMG and 338 Lapua rifles out beyond 3,000 yards. This is a training facility that places a strong emphasis and learning basic shooting fundamentals to the point where they are reflexive. Furthermore, the curriculum is constantly evolving, which emphasizes the value of retaking specific courses for further learning. I couldn't imagine training anywhere else. As a bonus, the membership program offers discounts on training, some free special events, and even some opportunities for private land hunting. The bottom line is that training at this facility is not cheap, but you are getting a very high quality product. Training with firearms at VX Marksmanship is comparable to taking swim lessons with Michael Phelps or boxing lessons from Floyd Mayweather: You won't find a better experience anywhere else. read more

See all

5 stars doesn't do VX Marksmanship justice - and if you are lucky enough to be even remotely within driving distance, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of the training offered here. It is a unique opportunity that anyone hungry for world class firearm instruction should take advantage of. Whether you are starting as a rookie or a seasoned professional, VX focuses on building your mindset, maturity, grit, and weapon handling capabilities that you must have to prepare for what you're training for -- a gunfight - if you need to defend yourself, your family, or others in a life or death situation. Taking courses as a prospect to build rock solid fundamentals is excellent and where I started as a novice. If you perform, demonstrate grit, professionalism, and the ability to develop your learning curve and are offered the opportunity for membership and train under Dan Sanderford's leadership, you will have a truly unique experience you won't find anywhere else. Training under Dan as a member has allowed me to rapidly improve my ability to remain calm under stress, accelerate my information processing ability, improve my situational awareness, and build the fundamentals needed to interoperate across all weapons platforms (pistol, carbine, precision rifle) in extremely dynamic environments. You won't find this anywhere else. Training at VX Marksmanship with Dan brings with it significant accountability. Much is given and much is expected. The high standards, consummate professionalism, having a learner's mindset (you have never arrived) has improved my abilities beyond my expectations. Being able to stay cool under stress, improving information processing, and having an intense focus on the 'why behind the what' of what you're doing has positively impacted me in multiple areas outside training both personally and professionally. Couldn't thank Dan and his team enough for the program they've built and allowed me to take advantage of. read more

If I had one word to describe VX Marksmanship, it would be "disappointing." Their website states that courses purchased should be completed within 12 months, so I went ahead and purchased four in tactical pistol to get my feet wet, not wanting to spend so much money before first experiencing what it was like to train at their facility with their instructors. Scheduling my first course took weeks then was planned for a month later. The back and forth emails with no online scheduler like other training facilities have was frustrating, to say the least. However, I persisted because of the glowing five star reviews and high expectations I had. I took my first course with three other students. We talked about how basic it was, but I myself reassured them that it was okay because they'll build upon the essential principles in later courses, as I myself had been assured by VX. I then tried to schedule my next course. Over two months passed by without any email response. It didn't seem like there was a system or processes in place to schedule and move things forward. I started to wonder if they were still in business, as I hadn't before experienced such a lack of customer service. Then I reach out again and see a cryptic response in my inbox about receiving a phone call to discuss the issue. To my surprise, I was called and told that I would be cut from VX Marksmanship along with hundreds of other civilians because they are changing their whole business model and haven't been able to keep up with the demand, scheduling, and are looking for more serious students willing to pay $3K+ year, unlike myself. Apparently staff is overworked, exhausted, and it seems burnt out. He told me 30-40% of those cut have already been called, that he was sorry about not calling me earlier, and that about 130 remained. The gentleman was very apologetic and kind but firm about my inability to use my remaining three courses. He said they would refund my three remaining courses to my credit card, which they promptly did that same afternoon. I was shocked by the whole affair... Why would customers be offered four courses to take within 12 months, which is still on their website, when they were looking for them to take them more frequently? Why not tell me their expectations from when I first signed up? As I said on the phone, I would've taken one a month if I had known they would cut me along with others. Why no warning if this large layoff was in the works? At least let customers finish their courses then tell them they won't be offered future courses. Now 100-some-odd dollars of hard-earned cash have gone down the drain... I was patient with tactical pistol 1.1 because, as the other participants and I discussed, it would get more advanced and practical in terms of real-life self-defense. Well, that obviously didn't end up happening, and I wish I had gone elsewhere. I did learn some basic principles and thought the course instructors were nice but had I known I'd only be there for only one course I wouldn't have wasted my money, gas, or time driving all that way. He said I could perhaps retry again in six months for a membership, but I've learned my lesson. Even donkeys don't fall in the same hole twice. Life is too short to repeat the same mistake. I recommend those with limited time who plan their schedules in advance and are interested in firearms training courses take their business elsewhere. read more

This is a professionally run training facility and gun range. After an extensive search of facilities and training options in the DFW metroplex, I tried VX approximately 3 years ago and have been a client ever since. The classes trained by the dedicated staff help develop skills, discipline, and the mindset necessary to become a better marksman. If you are a beginner and want to become more familiar with your firearm or would like to become a more skilled long range shooter, this is the place. read more

VX Marksmanship - Gun/Rifle Ranges Near Me - Decatur, Texas

I had very little prior experience with firearms or any kind of "tactical training". I'm a 35 year old mom of 5 who wants to learn the basics for self defense. The VX team made me feel comfortable with the equipment and taught me how to not only hit the targets but how to be confident that I could do so again on my own if I needed to. It is run by a man who was an actual Force Recon Marine. (US Marines special forces) He was able to break down everything I needed to know in a way that was easy for me to understand and do. It was also fun! There were half a dozen unique areas for training depending on what you want to learn and a marked long range area to practice once you become experienced. It has up to a 1000 yard target (my new long term goal). I highly recommend them to anyone who is still learning how to handle firearms (like me) as well as anyone who is already a skilled marksman looking to challenge themselves. I'll definitely be back. What a cool place! read more

My wife and I took our LTC (License To Carry) test at VX after taking a few classes with VX trainers and "WOW!" that test was a breeze. If you are thinking of getting your LTC/CHL I highly recommend taking a few courses with VX before taking the test. My wife and I took our test at VX which was great because they taught the LTC curriculum with the VX mindset and principles. After just taking a few courses with the VX instructors, they exceeded my expectations by taking me out of the "lane mentality" and showing me how to deal with multiple threats coming from different angles while I'm on the move. My wife and I already feel confident and comfortable carrying our firearm. VX instructors are highly qualified and also work with military special ops, secret service, police officers and civilians like myself. This gives me comfort knowing that I'm getting the best training possible. I'm truly grateful that VX doesn't just offer their services to just anyone, but they are selective of their clientele. I love the focus VX instructors have on Mindset, Marksmanship and learning because those lessons apply to other areas of my life. read more

My sone has been taking lessons from Dan at VX Markmanship for almost a year and loves it. He is learning so much about shooting and about himself. Now my older daughter has gotten to go. She was a little nervous but wanted to go with her brother. She ended up loving it! Jess was her trainer and put my daughter at ease immediately. There was a great sense of trust and respect for the people and the tools. The comfort level each of my adult kids have at the school is spectacular although very different from each other. They are interested in different things so they have different lessons. I am so pleased with this training and the instructors. read more

VXMARKSMANSHIP is an outstanding training facility that teaches proper mindset to be able to handle all aspects of your life not just firearms training. Dan and his great team of instructors will challenge to to grow each and every class! The training classes build upon each other and evolve over time always pushing you to improve and to think under stress. Thank you to Dan and his team for this unique training experience! read more

Hello All, I have been in Law Enforcement for over 30 years and have been training with VX for approximately a year. Where I started the Precision Rifle Program. The training is a different style of training than I am used too. Dan learns your limitations and then pushes you to learn and improve to become a better shooter. When you make a mistake Dan is there to let you know about the mistake and then discuss how to make corrections. I enjoy the challenges of the program, which some of the challenges I have did not complete the first time around. But that's why its training. Dan will answer any questions you have and is very passionate about his program. Mike W Anahuac, Texas read more

These guys are fantastic. My son and I took the precision rifle course. The instructors knowledge, professionalism, and ability to teach was exceptional. We learned so much more than shooting long distance. The experience will provide a lifetime of positive memories. Can't wait for additional training. I am sure I will improve under the guidance of Dan and Charles. read more

VX Marksmanship provides practical, real-world training with an emphasis on performing the fundamentals of marksmanship in any situation, on any platform. The instruction style is more akin to a personal training environment than a classroom, and the instructors' high level of observation and analysis creates an environment where the correct form and muscle memory are encouraged, rather than allowing less experienced shooters to create bad habits. I would highly recommend this training facility for anyone who desires to learn safe, repeatable and consistent usage of a firearm, in whatever capacity you train for. read more

I'm a beginner handgun owner and took two classes at VX Marksmanship before taking the License to Carry Handgun Certification test. The instructors did a fabulous job preparing me for the LTC test, which was also held at VX Marksmanship. The personal attention each of the instructors gave me has improved my skills and boosted my confidence. Thanks VX!! read more

Top Notch shooting School! Working with Dan who is an incredible shooter and great teacher. I've been to several schools over the years and by far the best. read more

Over this past weekend, I participated in the MS 150 cycling event here in North Texas. If you don't know that is, it's a 2-day event covering approximately 150 miles from Frisco to Fort Worth benefiting multiple sclerosis. It's a tremendous challenge, both physically and mentally, to ride a bike that far and that long. When you're exhausted at mile 130, 140, or even 150 and riding up a huge hill that seems will never end, it was your mindset classes that helped keep pushing me (and I'm sure all the push ups and running helped too! Haha). While this event was not firearm related, the mindset classes I attended over the last few months helped me tremendously and I just wanted to say thank you! The service you guys offer is definitely not like any other I've seen and it is appreciated! Keep up the good work! read more

I start all this off by saying Dan Sanderford has been a longtime friend of mine for over a decade. I have operated with Dan in a combat environment, and have had the privilege of having him evaluate my team as a Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) instructor during a deployment workup. Dan has always embodied a high level of professionalism with high standards for training, but is also someone who holds himself to and above those standards. Even still being active in the military I have occasionally made my way to VXM as a friend and guest to observe his program and level of instruction. Having seen many different aspects of training within my career I can honestly say that VXM obtains the same standard of curriculum that Recon unit would for bay shooting. Dan also takes it further with advanced movement drills, barricade, and instinctive shooting for his more advanced classes. His level of instruction mirrors military expectations for work up training and is tailored to a civilian with little to no experience in shooting. Even though the military has a more robust training cycle simply due to resources and personal being trained the period of instruction at VXM is based off the same basic curriculum. Dan also possess the intellect to challenge and push those individuals who already have a military, law enforcement background to train outside their comfort zone to achieve a higher level of training. I'm sure that there are a lot of other great instructors out there that are doing great thing, but you will be hard pressed to find another instructor equal to or higher caliber than Dan to teach you. I say this not as a friend but as another professional and instructor who has trained many military personnel over the past 10 years. However, this review is not to talk in depth about Dan and his credibility as an instructor, but more so to talk about the purpose and reasoning for training under adverse conditions. This is mainly in response to a current review made by Bill Smith aka William Dewey Hockemeyer on Facebook and WILLIAM H. on yelp who commented on the military approach that's been tried, tested, and combat proven to train personnel for war over centuries as unnecessary. Not only have the Spartans but many other military organizations since then trained under severe austere conditions in order to harden their warriors for battle. This isn't in response to perceived mental or physical mistakes that are unavoidable, but to train to a higher level of a mental and physical ability to endure well beyond your own limitations. Mistakes will happen regardless of how good someone is. The point is to be trained well enough when your cold, tired, and hungry to make minimal mistakes while allowing or catching your foe during his. This combined with the ability to critical think while adapting can be the deciding factor to whether or not you live to see another day. In combat, anything can get you killed, including doing nothing. I cannot stress enough the importance having a realistic combat mindset and its crucial application not only in training, but a real life and death situation. A lot of people have the misconception that practice makes perfect and if you do something long enough you will achieve a desired result. Unfortunately, this way of thinking is grossly incorrect. Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. You have to train over and over again exactly the way you wish to execute a technique, movement, or drill in order to actually get better. The reason why your economy of motion has to be drilled this way is to build muscle memory that is based off of a solid foundation for you rely on when needed. Whenever a treat occurs you never rise to the occasion as many would assume, you fall to your level of training, and if your level of training is crap then you can guess what your performance level is going to be. Even with all this being said muscle memory is only the 85-95% solution to an ever-changing unpredictable environment of a combative situation. This is the whole reason to train hard and accurately to aim for those tight shot groups, speed & tac reloads while searching for another target. As you grow tired and weary naturally your shot group will open up, however you should still be able to get rounds on target simply because you trained to be able to do so. At the end of the day you're not just training to be better at shooting, but training against yourself to improve all aspects of your life, and the enemy always gets a vote whether or not you can continue to do so. So If your looking for a nice facility and professional instruction that will not only further develop your shooting skills, but build a realistic mindset to prepare for the dynamics of shooting then take a look at VX Marksmanship. read more

I can not say enough great things about the training I am receiving at VX. Dan has inspired me to be a better student/thinker, and this has led to bleeding over into my business and how I deal with my needed business solutions and employees. At VX they train your Mindset, critical thinking skills, removing wasted effort and being fluid. But, most of all they want you to desire to demand the best out of yourself. These are things I pass onto my staff on a daily basis. My profession is taught to know the outcome before you begin. This type of thinking can stagnate business growth. The more I train the more I am learning were my weaknesses are mentally and Dan is very supportive in this personal growth. If you want to learn and grow you have to first be willing to understand that there are others out there that know more than you do in their respective fields. I am at the top of the food chain were I work. Other people cater to my needs every minute of every day. This clouded my critical thinking skills. Dan has and will be pulling more skills out me as I continue with VX It's not just about pulling a trigger. It's about developing the mind and personal growth. read more

These dudes are legit. Served with the owner in the Marine Corps and he is well versed in the tactics and training he provides. Not just another dude off the street thinking he knows everything. read more