Massad Ayoob has been handgun editor of GUNS magazine and law enforcement editor of AMERICAN HANDGUNNER since the 1970s, and has published thousands of articles in gun magazines, martial arts publications, and law enforcement journals. He is the author of more than a dozen books on firearms, self-defense, and related topics, including In the Gravest Extreme, widely considered to be the authoritative text on the topic of the use of lethal force.

The winner of the Outstanding American Hand gunner of the Year Award in 1998, Mas has won several state and regional handguns shooting championships. Ayoob is one of approximately ten Five Gun Masters among the 10,000-member International Defensive Pistol Association, and was the first to earn that title. He served 19 years as chair of the Firearms Committee of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, and several years as a member of the Advisory Board of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association. In addition to teaching for those groups, he has also taught for the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors and the International Homicide Investigators seminars.

Mas has received judicial recognition as an expert witness for the courts in weapons and shooting cases since 1979, and has been a fully sworn and empowered, part time police officer for over three decades. Ayoob founded the Lethal Force Institute in 1981 and served as its director until 2009, and now trains through Massad Ayoob Group. He has appeared on CLE-TV delivering continuing legal education for attorneys, through the American Law Institute and American Bar Association, and has been retained to train attorneys to handle deadly force cases through the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network. Ayoob served for two years as co-vice chair of the Forensic Evidence Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He also appears in each episode of Personal Defense TV (Sportsman’s Channel).

This is an intense, four-day, 40-hour immersion course in the “rules of engagement” for armed law- abiding private citizens. The course emphasizes legal issues, tactical issues, and aftermath management. Topics will include interacting with suspects, witnesses, responding police officers, threat recognition and mind-set, and the management of the social and psychological aftermath of having to use lethal force in defense of self or others. Also covered is preparing beforehand for legal repercussions and minimizing your exposure to them. Situations in the home, at the place of business, or “on the street” will all be covered.  Range work will include instruction in the use of the defensive handgun under extreme stress. Drawing from concealment, two-handed stances, shooting from cover, one-handed stances with either hand, speed reloading, and more are taught with an overall emphasis on fast, accurate shot placement. The course will culminate with a written examination covering the classroom topics and a police-style handgun qualification course. This course is a blending of MAG 20 / Classroom and MAG 20 / Live Fire but is taught over 4 – 5 days. Be prepared to shoot on the first day.

Prerequisite: basic understanding of firearms safety.

Cost: $800 “Non” ISRA Member – $720 ISRA Member

An intensive study of defensive firearms that teaches extreme speed for hits, and includes shooting at greater distances, and management of such contingencies as weak hand draws, one-hand only reloads and malfunction clearing if wounded, etc. Students receive several hours of hands-on training in handgun disarming, and in countering attempts by an attacker to disarm them. Shooting while moving, and use of long guns for defense, are among the areas covered. Round count: 500 handgun, 100 long gun.

Prerequisites: MAG-20/Classroom plus MAG-20/Live Fire; MAG-40 or LFI-I.

Cost: $900

Designed by Bob Houzenga and Andy Kemp as an addition to Massad Ayoob’s LFI curriculum and originally taught as LFI Advanced Handgun Skills, this two-day course is fast paced and demanding, focusing on high-speed drills designed to build the optimum blend of speed and accuracy. Ideal for the advanced shooter who wishes to hone and fine-tune his techniques. Novice shooters move up to the next skill level. Emphasis on individual diagnostics and the subtle nuances used by six-time National Champion, Bob Houzenga. From fast and furious, up-close shooting, to accuracy work at 25 yards, this program offers students of any skill level, an opportunity to take their skills to the next level. Recoil management for super-fast follow up shots, rapid first shots from the holster, swift engagement of multiple targets, strong and weak hand techniques, “catching the link”, and shooting “out of the notch” are just some of the topics covered. Many students find their speed doubles or triples with better accuracy. 1500 rounds required. www.midwesttraininggroup.net

Prior formal instruction is a prerequisite.

$400

The ideal follows up to Advanced Handgun Skills. Designed for the advanced student, this program addresses the tactical matters and concerns that accompany defensive shooting along with very advanced skill sets. Some of the topics covered include: one hand reloads, shooting from moving and stationary vehicles, moving targets, weak hand draw from a strong side holster, engaging from cover, close quarters issues, prioritizing targets, when to draw and when to disarm, intro to weapon retention and disarms, low light/night shoot, and much more. Scenario testing is used to reinforce learned concepts. Students should already be well grounded in firearms safety and marksmanship.  www.midwesttraininggroup.net

Prior formal training is a prerequisite. 800 rounds required.

$400

This intensive one-day program introduces the new or novice shooter to combat handgun training.  Included in the program are firearms safety issues, marksmanship basics, various shooting positions, speed reloads, drawing from a holster, and more. This is designed for the shooter who has never had formal firearms training or would like to review the fundamentals. Emphasis is placed on trigger control, sight alignment, accuracy, and safety. 300 rounds. www.midwesttraininggroup.net

No prerequisite required.

 $150

(Qualifies for Massad Ayoob’s MAG 40 range work)

This two-day immersion class covers the fundamentals of shooting and quickly moves into more advanced skills. Ideal for new shooters and novices. Firearms Instructors take these techniques back to their students. All techniques are proven to work under the pressure and stress of the “fight or flight” adrenal dump that occurs during a lethal confrontation. Safety, marksmanship, trigger control, fundamentals of stance and grip, close quarters skills, proper draw from a holster, speed reloads, and one-hand techniques are just some of the topics covered.  www.midwesttraininggroup.net

No prerequisite required. 500 rounds

$350

Run a revolver as fast as any semi-auto. Learn the secrets of fast, smooth manipulation of a double action trigger pull and quick reloads. Whether the revolver is your main defense gun or the backup in your pocket, these skills are essential. Mastering The Revolver is for all those interested in a return to traditional values. This one-day class is designed to teach the budding wheel-gunner several techniques that maximize the revolver’s potential. A strong revolver shooter becomes a better semi-auto shooter. This is a class that improves your trigger control and recoil management regardless of the type of gun you generally use. If you have a revolver as a back-up gun this is a “must have class”. An essential class for instructors who may have revolver shooters in their courses. Learn at least five different reloading methods and why the revolver is still the weapon of choice from behind cover. Subtle nuances and the lost secrets of running the revolver at hyper-speed are all explored. Students will need a quality revolver, holster, at least three speed loaders, and 500 rounds. www.midwesttraininggroup.net

No Prerequisite.

$150