Please use this page to leave comments about a course you’ve taken from me. Thanks in advance for any comment.
Stay Safe,
Ben
Here is what prior students have said:
Mike I
“There was a mixture of sound safety and defensive procedures, self defense discussions, and excellent safe live fire drills…I pushed my speed far past what I thought I could do…I would recommend the class to anyone.”
Edwin
“…in general, I think this was a really fun, fast moving course, with useful specific techniques that I can now practice at home and a confidence builder on my skills as a shooter.”
Kin
“… I didn’t think I could shoot that fast and still be hitting the COM (center of mass)”
Chuck
“If you get a chance to train with Bob and Ben take it!”
FighterDoc
“This was a great course taught by great instructors… this is a course that I would take again..”
Dean H.
“I just wanted to take the time and thank you both for the amazing class in Ohio. It opened my eyes to many things and I feel I came out the other side of the class as a more skilled shooter, and more importantly, a more confident shooter.”
Click here to read a complete review of one our course by another Blogger.
Read the rest in the comments below.
Thoughts:
I’m a woman.
I’m a wife.
I’m a mom.
I’m even a grandma!
I’m a life-maker not a life-taker.
HOWEVER, if someone tries to hurt me or any of my babies, I need to know how to stop them without hurting myself or my babies. I need to know how to be responsible and hold myself accountable in the event the inevitable occurs.
This class taught me all of that and then some!!
This class gives everyone the skills and opportunity to become proficient at protecting yourself and your loved ones. More importantly, it also gives you CONFIDENCE to be better.
Some of the drills were outside of my comfort zone, but I knew I needed to trust the instructors. Once the drills were done, it felt great to be able to try something different. After each drill, I walked away from learning something new!!
To be completely honest, I didn’t go looking for this class. My husband asked me if I would like to join him. We are the couple that does a lot together, and we enjoy each other’s company. However, guns and shooting is his thing-not mine. I agreed to join him.
Ben and Bob were great at treating us differently and putting us in a position to be independent of each other. I am not as skilled as my husband, but I got to learn how to be just as good as he is! I gained confidence and knowledge in how to better at protecting myself and my babies.
Gentleman,
I just wanted to say thank you again for what you did for me, your willingness to go “Beyond” Carry Conceal was more than I could ask for or ever repay you. The confidence and strength you gave me along with the knowledge you placed on all of us in those two days was for more than the cost of the class. I am sorry if I did not show my gratitude as I should have, I was very worn out by the end of our time together, my body was starting to shutdown. Again, thank you so much for all you did, I greatly appreciate you three and I am truly blessed to have been able to have trained under you. I hope to be able to do it again someday.
Your friend,
Randy
P.S.
If you feel this email is worthy of it, feel free to use it as an endorsement for either of your classes or anywhere you would like. I would be honored.
I took the June enhanced CCW class in Illinois with Ben. I learned a lot: moving and shooting, shooting multiple targets, shooting from cover, and many other techniques and skills that I’ll practice in the days ahead. Good stuff. What really impressed me was Ben’s passion for me to make sure I got what he was tryimg to convey. Ben’s insight and real life experiences really hit home. I came away with a lot more than just gun skills in this class. I’ll definitely take a future class with Ben.
Beyond Concealed Carry – Enhanced
I just completed this two-day course, taught by Ben and Bob. The course builds very naturally upon the one-day BCC. After fresher drills in drawing from concealment, marksmanship, and malfunction-clearing, the class progresses through a variety of exercises in shooting on the move. For me, this was the most educational and rewarding part of the class. It’s very seldom that I get the opportunity to train for shooting while moving, and it is much more challenging than the static drills taught in most defensive shooting classes.
This class is not for beginning students. You need a solid base of safe gun handling and marksmanship, but you will improve your skills considerably.
Five stars and two thumbs-up.
I took the recent Beyond Concealed Carry Enhanced – Houston class. This was my first formal training and I am so glad I did it.
Ben is an excellent teacher with the ability to break things down and help each student do their best. My previous shooting was limited to standing in a lane of an indoor range. I was somewhat intimidated at the thought of shooting while moving, but that turned out to be an unfounded concern. By the middle of the first day, Ben had all of us making consistent hits while moving. During the rest of the class we learned various techniques and some basic fighting strategies. At the end of the class, I felt competent enough to have confidence in my abilities if I am ever forced to use my gun to defend myself or my family.
Finally, I have to say this class was the most fun I have had in a very long time. I highly recommend it.
I coach children’s baseball and was always amazed how they could argue when I corrected their form or technique. Of course they knew they were already doing it right, no matter what I said I saw.
Well, I learned it’s not just them. I learned for myself why it’s important to have and listen to a coach. Ben pointed out mistakes where I would have sworn I was doing it right. There is just some activities where it’s better to have a coach or observer help – and this is definitely one of those areas.
We practices things I never would have been able to on my own and Ben was able to point out areas of improvements I never would have self-diagnosed. This class was just what I needed and would highly recommend to anyone who wishes to carry.
Jason Eastin says
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
January 23, 2017 at 12:13 pm
“Art of the first hit” scale 1-10
Professionalism -9
Course Ciriculum-9
Course Ciriculum subject knowledge-10
Presentation-10
Life application-10
Course administration-8
Ben and Bob are true pistol self defense experts. It is clear they have studied, trained, evaluated, updated their knowledge and skill in order to provide up to date and immediately useable skills to their students.
This was my second class with them. I benefitted from both classes, and further so has my family and shooting friends as I apply the skills and principals learned in Ben and Bobs classes to my shooting and self defense practice!
A truely great training expierence which is immediately applicable to my life!
God Bless you both Be and Bob. Thank you kindly for what you do.
Outstanding firearms class! This class is an absolute MUST for all for all Concealed Weapons Permit holders. Bob Mayne and Ben Branam put together a comprehensive course. Ben was our instructor for the weekend. We started Saturday morning with a thorough safety briefing, learned how to run our gun, draw from holster concealed under clothing, put rounds in target and the mechanics of shooting while moving. By the end of Sunday I had learned valuable handgun handling skills, drastically improved my chances of surviving an encounter with a Dirtbag and winning a gunfight. Ben is an awesome guy who brings all the knowledge from the Marines, police training, and civilian family man to the range.
In closing I’d like to say thanks you Ben for coming to South Carolina and hello to all my fellow students. Hope to see you all again. Stay safe everyone!
Sincerely,
David
I have been able to train with several excellent instructors. While listening to Ben’s podcasts, I felt that I would learn something different in his class. His Charleston, SC BBC Enhanced Class May 21-22 was within driving distance and I signed up. Ben does not focus on making your movements perfect. He shows you how to get your gun safely into the gun fight as quickly as you can. Then he teaches you how to win the gun fight and survive after the fight. I learned to move in ways that could save my life and let me protect my family. His class cost is cheap for the knowledge and skills he will teach you. If Ben gets close, I will train with him again.
BCC Enhanced – Charleston, SC – May 21-22, 2016
My wife and I took the BCC Enhanced Charleston, SC course this past weekend. We were overwhelmed and impressed with Ben’s professionalism, knowledge and instructional skill. His 2-day class surpassed our expectations in every way. Neither of us had ever drawn from a holster, yet Ben had both of us confidently drawing, moving while shooting and putting quality shots on target – safely and efficiently.
I would highly recommend taking advantage of any opportunity to learn from him. In fact, we are going to subscribe to his and Bob Mayne’s “Shooters Club” videos to continue to improve and practice the advanced skills he taught us. My only regret is that he lives so far away it will be difficult to get additional training, but the trip to San Antonio would be worth it.
This class is worth every $ and in my opinion a great bargain.
Thank you, Ben for making the trip.
Shawn & Natalie
I just attended BCC Advanced in Houston. What a great course! I knew it would be, because I had already been to two other courses by Bob and Ben. One of those was another BCC Advanced course, but they added new things to this one, like learning how to fight from different positions on the ground, dealing with an unexpected hostage situation and entering and clearing a room. It was a very physical weekend, leaving you with the good kind of soreness for a few days. I enjoyed it so much, I’m already signed up for another one!
I attended the Ohio BCC course. After many Bob and Ben podcasts, I had a heavy dose of anticipation for the class. Bob and Ben came shinning through for sure. Decent class size, good coverage from them to each student. Great class subject matter, very specific and applicable information and training methods for effective defensive shooters who want to be as responsible as possible when carrying a firearm. Bob and Ben work great together, teach concepts and techniques not found elsewhere. Sign up, its a superb value investment!!
I had been looking for a class to attend that would help me gain confidence in defensive shooting…and then I learned about Ben’s BCC class and signed up.
I attended Ben’s BCC class in San Antonio on Jan 23rd and was not disappointed. I learned a lot–and feel much more confident in a defensive scenario and I now look forward to practicing the skills he taught. As others have mentioned, if you’re going to carry to protect yourself, your family, and others–you MUST learn to do it right. Ben’s patient and knowledgeable instruction has helped take me beyond where I was (a stationary target shooter) and begin a transformation to what LTC is all about. Take the class–you won’t regret it.
First off…if you’re doubting this class, STOP IT! This is a MUST DO. Ben has the experience & patience for you. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be trained by a professional who has actually seen action & can break-down mind-set to set you up & be prepared for whatever comes your way. Im definantly taking his 2 day course when it comes this way. One of the most knowledgeable guys i know and trust him in the field. I consider him a friend who i also look up too. Plus he’s funny. TAKE HIS COURSES,DONT B.S. YOURSELF with anybody else! Much love Ben! Till next time brother!
Great class. Ben is patient, very knowledgeable and well-organized. I learned a ton and had a lot of fun. Lots of shooting, but also instruction/correction on bad habits and what NOT to do. Safety was always emphasized as well. Highly recommend this BCC course.
The course was all I had thought it would be and even more. If you carry then this course is a must. Ben is very professional while at the same very patient with the students. I fired more than 400 rounds and learned a great deal. I plan to take Ben’s 2 day course later this year. I recommend this class.
FUN! FUN! FUN!
I took the BCC course and man was it worth it!!
I do a lot of shooting when I can but there’s nothing like having professional instruction from Ben to really refine your skills, whether you shoot frequently or just starting.
If you are concealed carrier you owe it to yourself, your family and friends to be the Best you can be, lives may depend on it, and Ben will accelerate you on the path to being your best in just 1 day that you’ll be amazed.
Thank you Ben for a super class and I can’t wait to take another,
Sincerely,
Dean
I helped instruct Beyond Conceaked Carry Advanced with Ben and Bob Nov. 21-22 in San Antonio and got the opportunity to be a student on the second day of class.
The defensive concepts I learned as a student were truly eye-opening. With simple but proven techniques I gained the confidence I will need if I am ever involved in a contact to 3 foot distance fight.
Shooting from a retention position, using skeletal structure to block and create space with the “weak” arm, one-handed weapons manipulation and low light technique really made this course stand out in my mind as one of the most useful self defense classes I have ever been privileged to attend.
Enjoyed taking Ben’s class. Found it professional, welcoming, highly informative and detailed. He gave me a different outlook regarding self protection. Ben has a unique teaching method allowing those at any level to learn , feel confident and most importantly; be safe while handling a gun. Thanks for teaching a great class!
Awesome course, BCC was exactly what I needed to improve my skills and confidence. The learning experience evolves throughout the day from very fundamental skills and safety discussions to ultimately understanding the tactics (both mental and physical) that greatly improve your odds surviving a violent attack. The personal approach, difficult discussions, legalities, and the lessons learned from true professionals made every aspect of the course essential to prepare the students for not only defense and survival, but also understanding the phychological component; these topics were enlightening. Thank you Bob and Ben for sharing your skills and thoughts with me and I look forward to the next level – Advanced BCC.
I had the pleasure of attending Beyond Concealed Carry Enhanced in Ohio. I have been listening to both the Modern Self Protection and the Handgun World Podcast for some time. Now that I trained with Ben and Bob, I feel like I really know both of them. They were both very patient with all the bad habits that I picked up over the years, and did their best to teach me the right way to do things. After two days, I was able to do things I never thought I could do, and learned so much. I highly recommend both Ben and Bob as handgun instructors to anyone wishing to learn tactics and handgun safety. Both are great shooters, and love to teach. I hope they come back to Ohio again for another class, a handgun class, or maybe an AR-15 class.
I had the pleasure of training with Ben and Bob in the Ohio BCC class. Great class and great guys. They offer a fun learning atmosphere that keeps you challenged without ever feeling defeated.
After taking a class like this with experts like them, you start to understand how much you don’t know. I learned important information and techniques that make me a much more effective defensive shooter. When it gets right down to it, there’s lots to think about when carrying a pistol. These guys will help you consider those things and allow you find your own way through while giving you lots of real-world skills that you can continue to refine over your lifetime.
I just took BCC Enhanced in Ohio with Ben and Bob. This is a great two day intermediate level class, with focus on movement and making quick effective hits from the holster. Reloads, malfunctions, multiple attackers, hostage scenario, maneuvering through crowds, use of cover, and long range shooting were all covered. Lectures involving defensive mindset, as well as other topics, were also helpful. I would recommend this class to anybody looking for the next step in training beyond basic pistol and/or state concealed carry courses. Bob and Ben are excellent instructors with a lot to offer; you won’t be disappointed.
Had a great time with Bob Mayne and Ben Branam. Bob and Ben work very well together and both are passionate about what they do. You will learn to break off the X and run and gun like a pro. You will also learn how to handle gun malfunctions and learn to keep moving. It was a very safe and organised class Well worth the time and money. Thanks guys!
I has a great time training with Ben and Bob. They hit a lot of very important training techniques to keep the good guys alive. I feel it is very important for shooters to receive continued training and these guys are an excellent choice.
I can not say enough about Bens instruction. He does a great job relating to each persons capabilities. This is the second BCC class of his I have attended. If he’s in the area again next year, I’ll be there. His instruction and training techniques are awesome. If there ever comes a time that I must protect myself or family, I feel much better prepared to do that successfully. I Challange any of my friends to a shooting match while moving. I’ll win! Thanks Ben! See you next year.
PS – Ben and Bob attract top notch people as students. Good times with new friends. Also found out what a “Happy Switch” is!!!
Beyond Concealed Carry ENHANCED August 8-9, 2015 in Sequim, WA
Wow, what an inspiration this class has been. I have no idea why I have been so content to practice at a range with rules against holsters, rapid fire, and movement. Except purely for shooting groups, this sort of practice may actually ingrain BAD habits.
Here are just a few of my take-aways from Ben’s training: Move, then draw, then engage. More rounds on board is far superior to fewer rounds. A shooting grip with as much of the gun’s grip controlled by my paws is the best. Drawing with the quickest path to muzzle-forward is more effective if life is at stake.
This is a class one could take every single year! I hope to continue learning from Ben in the future. Until then I plan to practice the skills he has taught me so they remain as automatic motions if ever I or a loved one are threatened with death or grave bodily harm.
I took the Beyond Concealed Carry Enhanced class near Sioux Falls, SD and I couldn’t be happier with the high quality of the training! This course should be taken by anyone with a serious outlook toward self defense and safe firearm handling. I have been through several firearms training courses, both military and civilian, and can say that I left the course with a refreshed skill set including some things that I hadn’t been trained in at all. Great class with great instructors!
I attended the BCC class in Dallas on April 18 2015. We started with the draw stroke, reloads, malfunctions, close contact shooting, and during lunch Ben and Bob gave a great talk on mindset and legalities. After lunch we did a lot of shooting on the move and some shooting from cover. We ended the class with a battlefield pickup i.e. shoot everybody else’s guns. I would recommend this class to anyone. I was also glad that my brother and I, being teenagers were treated with the same amount of respect as everybody else.
I also took the Beyond Concealed Carry in Dallas. If you listen to Both Ben’s and Bob’s podcast as a subscriber, what you hear is what you are going to get in the class, but so much more. Both Ben and Bob are amazing instructors and are down to earth. They take you at the level you are at and build you from there. They are open to any question during the class, and are never degrading in any input they give. The more you are willing to learn, the more you will get out of the class. I have recommended the BCC class in Dallas to all of my concealed carry friends. And the value you get for what you pay is off the charts. I know. I have compared the offerings on the internet and not been able to find anything close. And their emphasis on safety is excellent. I never felt unsafe during the class. I plan on taking any class I can attend from both Ben and Bob. I heartily recommend them.
First off, thank you Bob, Ben, and Jason for making the Dallas Beyond Concealed Carry class so much fun. The class was information packed and all the instructors were very helpful. Over all, well worth the money. I would recommend this class to anyone, especially if they haven’t been taught to shoot on the move by a competent firearms instructor yet.
This was a great intro course to the advanced classes.
We just did an interview with Bob on this class.
Watch his podcasts for that interview. You will get ore out of that then I can write here.
Best phrase Ben said “if your think ongoing about doing something (magazine change, safety off etc.) it should already be done”
I just completed the Beyond Concealed Carry class in Dallas (April 2015), and I recommend it for both beginning CHL holders as well as more experienced students. I’ve taken this class twice, and I have improved my skills and knowledge each time. Ben has a talent for teaching simple solutions that allow the student to solve a variety of complicated problems. I refer, especially, to the malfunction and clearing drills. Instead of trying to diagnose and classify the causes, he teaches how to get the weapon and your attention back to the fight. It’s only one day, but you will learn a lot and shoot a lot. And… it was fun!
The Houston BCC class was awesome! Ben really opened my eyes to some things that could be very important if I find myself in that situation where a defensive gun use is required. These things include smooth, fast drawing from concealment, clearing malfunctions, moving while shooting and “putting metal on meat.”
It really surprised me how his instruction had me moving quickly while making hits with relative ease. This was perfect for my first training course. There was so much information and technique given that I have been mentally going over everything ever since.
One thing I have learned in life is that the more you learn about a subject, the more you realize you don’t know about it. This course gave me plenty of information that is relevant and can be used immediately. It also opened my eyes to possibilities I had not considered before. Now I’m looking forward to an opportunity to take the next step.
If spending a day with like-minded individuals and a gifted instructor sounds like fun, it is!
All the best,
Craig
Last Saturday, my wife and I took a class called Beyond CHL, taught by Ben Branam. Ben also has a website: http://www.ModernSelfProtection.com.
I’m not sure how, but I ended up on the website, but I did and started listening to Ben’s podcasts. I liked his “everyday man” approach to self defense. I’m not a SEAL. I’m never going to be a SEAL, so I don’t need SEAL level training or gear (though it would be fun). My wife and I gave the class to each other for Valentines Day. Ben is out of San Antonio, but holds classes in other areas. We took ours at The Impact Zone near Houston.
The class started at 9 and wrapped up shortly after 5. We trained straight through – including through lunch. We started with a safety briefing that went beyond “the 4 rules” then started shooting. We had five people in our class so got to shoot a lot.
We learned to shoot up close, on the move, behind cover and long range. I had no idea I could shoot my weapon so fast and accurately – especially while moving. Ben took lots of time with us one-on-one to show us what we were doing wrong, how we could improve, etc. He also brought in stories from his time in the Marines and Iraq, his job driving an armored truck and other stories from around the country that were in the news. During lunch he talked about legal use of force. He covered the gamut.
I highly recommend Ben, his classes and his podcasts. He’s a great teacher and fun to be around. Also, he is no nonsense, straight forward and extremely safety minded (not only during the course but teaches safety in the home too). The podcasts let me know that I liked his style before signing up for the class, which took some of the “I hope it’s worth the money” fear out. The class met all of my expectations and more.
My wife and I will definitely be taking more of his classes – even if we have to drive to San Antonio. I felt his price was a great value and the training was top notch.
I thought this was an excellent and informative class. It had the basics all the way to how to draw from your holster. I think Ben has a fabulous personality and doesn’t sugar coat anything. He is down to Earth and believes in what he is doing. I do wish we had shot more but the conversation topics were very interesting. Thanks for teaching it! I throughly enjoyed the day!
Hi Ben:
The class was interesting, worthwhile, and very practical. Thanks for teaching a great course.
I took Beyond Concealed Carry on January 10,2015. The old adage…” If it ain’t rainin’, you aren’t trainin'” … applied to the course that day. It was 33 degrees, drizzling and 10-15 mph wind out of the north. We started at 9 am with the safety briefing. We then worked on the 3 step draw from concealment followed by emergency reloads and malfunction clearances. We then worked on making 3-5 rapid shots to center of mass with single shot to the head. During the lunch break, Ben talked to us about mindset while we thawed out. In the afternoon, we did shooting on the move. First, we did moving toward the target and then moving away. Next we did moving to the left and then moving right. We learned to transition from point shooting to sights based on our distance and shooting skill. At the end, we shot at distance targets and shot using cover through a doorway. Running my equipment was a challenge in the cold and wet, but it was a valuable learning experience. Ben is a skilled and patient instructor. He is also somewhat of a gunsmith. He was able to diagnose and fix my bent connector on my G17. Overall, I would recommend BCC. The shooting on the move can save your life if you have a SHTF moment.
Couldn’t agree more with Chris’s comments above. The course really helped me fine tune my selection of everyday carry flashlight. Also made me appreciate the Trijicon night sites on my Glock 22. Maybe not so important for total darkness scenarios, but indispensable in low light situations. Often did not need additional illumination in low light situations with the night sights. I will definitely be adding them to my other carry/ home defense handguns. As usual at Ben and Bob’s courses, there were lots of cool toys to try out after the course was completed. Had a great time, and already have several friends asking about the next low light course.
Pistol Dynamics – Night Fighting – San Antonio – December 6, 2014
Great Training. Started with a review of the use of the flashlight, movement and gun in the daylight hours and then progressed to practicing at dusk and when it got dark.Practiced a variety of lighting techniques to see what worked with my flashlight and what didn’t. Real test was when it was dark and I realized that I needed some light splash to really see my sights, too much and it washed out the target.
Moon was out so only in a few spots on the range were you in total darkness but it was surprising just how much you could “see” with just a little light.
When it was full dark, pulled out various lights, truck lights, flashing lights etc and got to see the impact on vision with the different types and levels of light.
Ben’s course was a good test as the first time through you did not know what you were looking for or where the targets were. Even repeat runs were varied as there were different targets called out that made the run different each time.
Enjoyed it and learned more about night fighting. Definetly something that should practiced as much as possible as the night does change your outlook.
Chris