Our Mission

MV Tactical & Firearms Training, Inc. is a privately owned and operated training school, dedicated to developing our clients’ shooting and gun-handling skills to an extremely high level, and to instill in them the tactical mindset and knowledge base necessary to survive and prevail in armed encounters.

Owned and staffed by honorably retired or active duty law enforcement officers – each possessing decades of experience in training civilian and law enforcement students in various shooting and tactical disciplines on multiple firearms platforms. MV Tactical instructors’ backgrounds include surviving multiple gun battles and other armed confrontations, and also competing successfully in national level firearms competitions. Our instructors draw upon their significant training and life experiences to provide our students with a safe, fun and meaningful learning and skill building experience.

Our operational imperatives are ensuring the safety of our students and staff, promoting a positive learning environment and providing a high quality of instruction. We attain these standards by mandating low student-instructor ratios, selecting the most accomplished and experienced instructors, and by teaching proven, battle-tested methods.

Our Team

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Brian retired in 2012 after a thirty-four year police career in Los Angeles County, California. He holds an MA degree in History from the California State University, Northridge and a BS degree in Public Safety Administration from William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ. Brian has worked patrol (officer, field training officer and sergeant), K-9 unit, major crimes surveillance, US Customs Service task-force, street-level and major narcotics, special problems unit, and detective bureau (investigator and supervisor). Brian is the department’s only two-time Medal of Valor recipient.

With decades of teaching experience in law enforcement and in the private sector, Brian holds instructor level certifications from California P.O.S.T. and the NRA, Law Enforcement Division. He created and taught his department’s active shooter response plan, and standardized building search and room clearing protocol. He authored the department’s patrol rifle proposal and instructed operator school for the subsequently adopted Colt AR-15/M- 4 patrol rifle.

BRIAN FITZPATRICK

OWNER
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Lou retired from law enforcement as a sergeant after 30 years of service with two different departments in Los Angeles County.  His certifications include California P.O.S.T. as a pistol instructor, by the FBI as a pistol, rifle and shotgun instructor and by H & K as an MP-5 instructor.  Lou is a graduate of the USMC Law Enforcement Counter Sniper Course and has qualified as an “expert” with the M-16, AR 18, MP-5 and the Reising SMG.

LOU CASTLE

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Vahagn is a N.R.A. firearms instructor. He has over twenty years of instructional experience across several disciplines and is a first aid, CPR, emergency oxygen and AED instructor. In addition to his full-time employment he is actively involved with volunteering for the National Park Service, serves on the board of directors of a N.P.S. friends group, and is a reserve sergeant, training and range cadre, for a tribal police department.  Vahagn Nahabedian has a B.A from the University of California Santa Barbara.

VAHAGN NAHABEDIAN

Our Student Testimonials

“Top notch firearms training from a very professional and knowledgeable staff. Brian and his team offer great hands on instruction for all experience levels. They offer a wide variety of classes on many different firearms platforms. I’ve taken classes on 3 different platforms and all have been equally excellent. The staff does a great job of challenging students to expand their skill set and develop good habits with their firearms. Most importantly, they do it in a safe and watchful environment. I’ve done training exercises and drills in MV Tactical classes that I didn’t know I was capable of doing. The staff makes you feel comfortable and confident in yourself and abilities which brings out the best in your performance. I’ve brought friends and family of all levels with me to classes and have had some of the best shooting times! Always safe, always fun, always informative and educational. Highly recommended!”

 

-Matthew B.

“I am a police officer and the best thing I did prior to police academy was to seek out Brian for additional shooting instruction. I had never been shooting before, and after my first trigger press I hated it. I had a terrible flinching and anticipation problem. Brian patiently did research and found drills and techniques that helped me work through my discomfort, building a solid skill foundation. He took me from virtually no aptitude with a firearm to a proficient and confident shooter. I made marked improvement after every single session and shooting was one of my strong suits in academy– a feat that was unimaginable to me after my first time shooting. It is true what they say that in high-pressure situations you will default to your training and fundamental skills. I feel confident in the field to have the skills that Brian taught me. Whether you are in law enforcement or looking to shore up your home defense and other firearm skills, Brian is the right choice. He is professional, passionate, safe, and goes the extra mile to consider your individual needs. I am proud to have the kind of shooting ability that inspires confidence from my partners, my family, and myself, and could not have gotten there without Brian.”

 

-Hanna P.

MV Tactical is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their marksmanship.  Brian, the main instructor, is skilled at adapting his teaching style to any level of experience and places a strong emphasis on fundamentals.

I attended the “Shooting on the Move” class on 7/8/17 and was thoroughly impressed at the way Brian and his staff handled the course.  The beginning of the class covered safety rules and also included a detailed plan for use in an emergency situation.  It was very clear that MV Tactical had considered many of the potential situations (including environmental hazards such as dehydration or snake/insect bite) and had a plan in place to address and mitigate those risks.  

Brian and his team adapted the course to the skill level of the participants slowing things down for those that needed it and developing/modifying exercises to challenge students of any level.  Safety was always their number one priority.

The instructor to student ratio was great and it felt like I was getting personalized instruction.  At the end of the class Brian gave each student a debrief and provided some “homework” assignments to help work on each person’s challenge areas.  I plan on signing up for more classes and am looking forward to continuing my training with Brian and the MV Tactical Team.

 

-M L.

I took the basic pistol firearms training course with Brian and his team at a place to shoot back in July.

I’ve been around guns, but never properly been told how to shoot (techniques)!or really practice anything specific as far as safety (other than keeping the barrel pointed away from people).

As I became more eager to get comfortable with fire arms, I signed up for this class after not hearing back from another company (which turned out to be a blessing). Brian and his team are very knowledgeable and have a nicely mapped out training plan with lecture and hands-on. This class was approximately seven hours long and very focus driven the entire time.

I am extremely pleased that knowledge I took away from this class and I would recommend MV tactical to anyone interested in learning about firearms or perfecting their skills in other areas as they have many types of classes.

I will definitely take another class in the future, but for now I’m trying to perfect the skills I learned thus far.

 

-Gina B.

MV Tactical provides an excellent instructional training resource for civilians seeking to acquire skills and confidence in the lawful use of firearms for personal defense.  Owner/Chief Instructor Brian Fitzpatrick is an extremely knowledgeable and capable instructor with excellent teaching skills.   The Assistant Instructors are also very good – all very knowledgeable and student-friendly.

First time novice shooters will come away from the classes having acquired new skills/knowledge and a well-deserved level of self-confidence.  Long time shooters will not only enhance their existing skills/knowledge, but will add new skill sets and expertise.

MV Tactical has a wide range of civilian firearms training courses, including without limitation, multiple levels of defensive handgun, CCW, handgun/shotgun, carbine and civilian response to active shooter.  Classes are reasonably priced and frequently scheduled.  Range safety is of paramount importance and is emphasized at all times.

 

-Eric B.

I attended the Basic Defensive Pistol on 6/10/2017 at A Place to Shoot with Brian and had great time.

I shoot a few times a year recreationally, but I’ve never had any practical defensive firearms training.  The class had varying skill levels from folks with a decade of shooting experience to someone’s first day shooting a full powered handgun.  Brian was able to pace the class and keep it relevant and interesting to the variable skill levels.

We had a good mix of lecture, weapons manipulation, and live fire practice both at steel and paper targets.  Round count varies, but I shot over 200 rounds.  So bring a mag loader if you have one.  I learned some great shooting and dry fire drills.  Brian was able to give me a personalized assessment  on how to improve my shooting as well as immediate feedback during shooting drills.

There was a good discussion and drill on range safety as well as an evacuation plan should an accident happen.  Brian stays on top of range safety and keep the shooting environment comfortable and focused on learning.

In short, strongly recommend.

 

-BJ

Great for all levels. I had very limited experience before taking classes here. I’ve taken the Basic Shooter and the CCW course. Brian and Lou were great at making me feel comfortable with my skill level and gave me the encouragement to improve. As a female, i didnt feel intimidated, They promote the safety needed for responsible firearm use and teach the skills accurate marksmenship. They try to do some fun competition exercises at the end of each class. I am looking forward to the next class.

 -Carly L.

As a new gun owner and female, I have always felt stupid when my boyfriend would take me to the range (noisy and people shooting right next to me watching me)

My experience with MV Tactical was completely different.  I loved the private outdoor range and non rushed environment.  I felt TOTALLY comfortable the instant I met Brian.  His calm, professional demeanor made me feel confident and I was able to relax and LEARN – more importantly get good shooting my gun.  I feel secure now in the fact that I can safely handle my weapon while alone at home and protect myself from intruders if necessary.  

I will definitely be taking more courses from him in the future.

 

-Samantha M.

I recently completed two courses with MV Tactical: the Intermediate Defensive Pistol and the Advanced Concealed Carry, both conducted by Brian Fitzpatrick. Over the years, I’ve attended training classes run by other firms, however, none measured up to the benefits I received from Brian.

Brian presents the material in an organized manner based on his experience from decades of law enforcement and a firearms instructor. He is meticulous in making sure all drills are conducted with an emphasis on safety. The drills and exercises were varied so as to make it beneficial as well as fun. The equipment, targets, and staging are very good which makes the 8-hour sessions enjoyable.

The student-to-instructor ratio is extremely low. I was particularly impressed that Brian kept notes on some of my weaknesses he noted in the 1st course I attended, which were addressed in the subsequent course.

I will be enrolling in additional courses. I highly recommend MV Tactical.

 

-Mike E.

Anyone who owns a gun needs to continually train, it is a perishable skill. If you just purchased your first firearm or want to increase your knowledge and skill level, Brian with MV Tactical is the best. I have trained with many firearms instructors through the years. Brian has a unique way of teaching new skills that make it easier to commit to memory. I took his Intermediate Defensive Pistol course which is an 8 hour live fire training mixed in with discussion about what we learned. After the course was over, Brian continued with a debrief which included drills that we can do every day (dry fire exercises) so we don’t lose what we have learned. I am challenging all my friends who have purchased a firearm to start with MV Tactical’s beginners class. I will also tell my more firearms experienced friends, if you are interested in furthering your skills, I would be glad to introduce you to MV Tactical. 

-CJ Gross


Thanks again for the instruction and mentorship today, Brian!

Re-entering a sport/activity that we haven’t done in a while can be intimidating. You made it fun, informative, and more than worth the investment. I am inspired by your deep experience in law enforcement and firearms/tactical training, and finished the day with some actionable lessons – especially the dry-fire exercises and a couple of skills that I can practice at the range.

Most importantly – thanks to your instruction – I know where to go from here, which I consider evidence of having received a nudge from a truly effective mentor.

I am looking forward to taking another class with MV Tactical as soon as I can fit it into my schedule. On that note, I’ll let you know if I sign up for Dark Angel … I just need to check on the SAR academy schedule to ensure no conflict.

Until then,

Chad

-Chad N.

“I recently completed a two day training  course in "Active Shooter Response" outstanding in terms of education, training and safety.  I went in considering myself reasonably knowledgeable and experienced only to learn how much more room there was to grow.   Brian owner of MV Tactical and Firearms Training, Inc. and his instructors have it down to a clear, methodical and step by step approach that can take you from complete novice on this subject to developing a safe competent active shooter survival kit.  Not only will you learn legal foundation for self defense you will develop a tactical survival mindset.  You will learn elements of an active shooter profile and timeline

recognizing possible early warning signs, surviving a strategic level terror attack and much more.
On the second day in an open range setting we learned  tactical movement in structures–blocking, room-clearing/moving past doorways, hallway intersections and stairwells as well as gun handling and engaging threats in a populated environment and more.  My favorite part of the training was when Brian and his instructors set up a live fire, simulated combat scenarios using small unit and partner tactics and formations, it was a lot of fun and very safe.

Brian was extremely patient and helpful and his background is very impressive and one of the most experienced instructors I have worked with. With over 30 plus years of experience in law enforcement working in a K-9 unit for years Sergeant Brian Fitzpatrick who is a Certified Active Shooter Response Instructor has responded to several in process active shooter incidents and twice received his department's Medal Of Valor, you will be in the best hands possible!

The days are long 9am – 5pm so come prepared with food and drinks.  I do recommend that you are at intermediate level or higher in firearms this is not a beginner level course.

I can not recommend this course enough, and I plan on training with Brian and his crew again very
soon.”

-Danette M.

“I am truly happy and grateful to have discovered MV Tactical Firearms Training as they are simply the best. Sergeant Brian Fitzpatrick served honorably for 34 years as an LEO and has plenty of real life experience to offer. He was his department’s only two time Medal of Valor recipient and taught various aspects of firearms training to his department. I can attest that he’s an outstanding instructor and mentor. He is simply an endless fountain of knowledge. All of the instructors are highly experienced, professional, and friendly. I take several courses per month with them and I am constantly faced with new challenges, which I love because this is how one improves. I highly recommend them to anyone. No matter what your skill level is from beginner, intermediate, or advanced, they have a ton to offer.”

-Chad D.

“I have had instruction from Brian Fitzpatrick for many years. In my first class he had me right on target within a couple minutes. I recently started more classes with him and am amazed at what great attention he gives me on the range and off. He is a brilliant thinker, knows everything about firearms, and communicates clearly. I can reach him anytime I need assistance. I doubt there is a more able trainer, and it certainly helps that he is a 37 year veteran on the force.”

-Marc D.