Rochester Personal Defense
At Rochester Personal Defense, we cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters – real training. No flashy gimmicks, just practical skills that prepare you for the unexpected.
Expert Firearms Training for private citizens and Law enforcement since 2005
Professional Trainers
Our team of certified and professional instructors are passionate about teaching and have a wealth of knowledge to share.
Competitive Pricing
We provide realistic self defense training to the community at competitive prices.
Advanced Training
We offer advanced shooting courses in addition to beginner level courses.
About Us
We have the most professional and experienced team of instructors in the area
Our expert instructors have years of experience and have taught thousands of individuals including civilians and law enforcement. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shooter, our classes are designed to help you improve your skills and feel confident in your ability to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Training
Course Menu
Select a topic below to see the list of courses we offer
Reviews
What our clients say about us
Knowledgeable and helpful instructors!! Would highly recommend 10/10 experience.
This class was very informative and provided in-depth hands-on training from seasoned professionals (inclusive of members of law-enforcement). The smaller classes make it easy to ask questions and allow for great discussion. What’s even better is that their support does not stop after course completion. Support is offered post completion inclusive of application review, answering questions and at the three-year mark for pistol permit renewal. Additionally, their shop offers a wide variety of accessories to ensure you are set up for your firearm safely and properly. If you take the 18 hour course, request Mike.
The instructor was professional, knowledgeable and approachable. I'm new to New State and it's gun laws, Mr. Gridley was able to answer my questions due to his years of experience. He maintained control of the class, kept us engaged with varies examples/scenarios and was able to meet every student at their individual skill level. I feel confident in the safety measures he demonstrated and I will be taking future personal defense course with Mr. Gridley through Rochester Personal Defense.Also, his co-instructor that joined the class on the second day during live-fire exercises was calming and help the students get over their "nerves".
Dana was a knowledgeable instructor and the course was very informative. I would recommend anyone who needs their conceal carry training to go through Dana and Rochester Personal Defense.
It was a very informative course! Mike is knowledgeable and emphasized safety always! I’m extremely satisfied with the course in general, it was thought provoking to go through the scenarios as to justifying the use of deadly force! Thanks Mike for sharing your experience and thanks to Rochester Personal Defense for offering the course!
I took my carry and conceal class back in February and highly recommend this group. They are very informative, knowledgeable and very supportive. I really enjoyed the course, it provided a great mix of theory and practice! and the trainer's engaging style made the session really fun and easy to follow. I highly recommend them
First initial thought of a 16 hr training course gave me anxiety but enduring the class it was quite informative and engaging. The instructor Mike was relatable and humorous, which made the time pass and very serious and informative at the same time. Sharing the laws and his own life experiences were excellent. The other staff were very thoughtful and and gave good reference points and knowledge as well. The folks taking the class with me were engaged as well and found the class awesome. I will be going back, to stay brushed up on my skills and knowledge. Also inviting others to come along.
Although a long 2 days, it was truly worth it. The knowledge that I obtained as a first timer was so awesome. Mike was very thorough and kept the class engaged and encouraged. My fears were greatly reduced on the range as Butch and Frenchie were so patient and had so much compassion with me. I feel prepared, overcame my fears and look forward to taking more classes with this company. I will be a forever customer and would highly recommend Rochester Personal Defense.
This course left me with alot more confidence. Also gave me a different perspective. Mike made this course enjoyable and beneficial. All the instructors were very knowledgeable and willing to help. I highly recommend RPD for the nys 18 hour concealed carry course. I plan on returning for further training.
Being comfortable and confident in a new environment is intimidating. Mike taught the 18 hr conceal and carry permit class and made the class feel welcomed. With all different abilities he bridged the gap from experienced shooters to first time gun handlers. The experience left me more knowledgeable. We had fun in the class the instructors helped me feel more comfortable even with 18 years of prior experience. Definitely checking out more classes with RPD.
The instructor, Mike, did a good job of presenting the material. He prepared us well for both the written qualifying test and the shooting test. The class was interesting and informative.
I came into this course so nervous and from day 1 class Jim Santos not only made you feel comfortable but he made learning interesting, fun and excited for day 2. These instructors without a doubt have a genuine passion to help guide you along the way! This class was filled with incredible knowledge and honestly I was sad it was over, but it doesn’t have to be ! They offer a high amount of different classes that keeps you current. If you have any doubts on taking this class. I promise you it’s worth every penny and every minute of your day. Thank you Jim for all you did for us! Thank you to all the other instructors on day 2 for all the support , training and fun as well! You guys are awesome!
Attended the 18hr concealed carry course, and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Instructor Mike was very knowledgeable and kept the course interesting and engaging. I highly recommend this class whether you have experience with firearms, or never held a pistol before. They are welcoming and put you at ease well before you ever get to the range.
Mike is an amazing instructor. He truly made me feel comfortable and helped ease my nerves. I recommend him and will be telling friends to attend the class. I’m excited to attend future classes and expand on my current knowledge.
I recently completed the 18-hour NY State Concealed Carry Training Course, and I can't recommend it enough! Mike made the long class fun and easy to understand by using real-life examples that kept everyone involved. Politics were left out of the class and the focus was on safety and responsibility.The second day was hands-on, with four instructors on-site, ensuring a safe teacher-to-student ratio. Questions were always welcomed and they did an excellent job debunking common myths and misconceptions. The amount of valuable information packed into this course is incredible!Whether you're considering applying for a permit or already have one but never took this course, you need to. It’s an eye-opener and a must for anyone serious about responsible concealed carry. Highly recommend!
This class was extremely informative & easy to understand. Kudos to the instructor Mike, & the staff for their patience. Mike provided a laid back atmosphere that felt comfortable to ask questions without feeling out of place. I recommend this class to all upcoming & present permit holders.
I couldn't recommend Rochester Personal Defense enough. The professionalism, knowledge and passion are truly visible in their work. If you want to make personal saftey your priority I would highly encourage anyone at any level to explore their classes.
Awesome course. The instructor Mike made the two days worth every moment. I'm going to sign up for other classes. When u leave this class you will know understand alot about the do and don't about concealed pistol carry. And last Mike will make the class laugh hard about all the jokes.
Excellent class. As Matt said, I wish it wasn’t mandated, but it probably should be mandatory. I learned a lot, and I think the rest of the class did too. It was a real judgment free zone for newbies, and a safe place for stupid questions. Which is the best kind of safe place for me.
Dave and Matt presented a very educational and fun training class. They are extremely competent instructors who did a great job presenting the course and shared their experiences with our class. I definitely recommend them to anyone interested in taking firearms courses. I fully plan on taking more courses at Rochester Personal Defense!
Just wanted to say thank you for all the knowledge and support you gave me Dave Jenkins made this class nowhere near boring. Also I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you letting my son join the class to get educated on what seems to be the thing that he is most interested in! Firearms and safety!!! Just so you know the weapons are pellets and the cardboard one is a M4-A1 he made me with a glue gun !
Class was engaging and informative.Even though this course is now required to obtain your permit, I think it is a great and necessary resource for anyone interested in carrying a pistol.The classes were structured well to keep the information from feeling too dry and gave way to helpful dialogue. Mike brought character and perspective to the class that made the course that much more enjoyable. If you’re looking to complete your NYS mandated course, I recommend taking it here to actually learn something.
Excellent course very knowledgeable.Information given and excellent Instructors.
A great class -- very thorough coverage of all safety topics. But also a good interactive job of getting students to think about the legal aspects of firing a weapon. For a novice -- this was excellent. They built a lot of confidence and kindness into the class. So if you are not an experienced gun person, this is fantastic. Great instructors with a good sense of humor and a lot of patience.
First time there for the 18 hour NY Concealed Carry Course. The training provided was outstanding! I will be looking into their facility for my training in the future. Highly recommend! Thank you!
The class was very informative. I learned a lot. I had never held a firearm until the training. Mike was very patient with me. Much appreciated. I would definitely recommend this Rochester Personal Defense course.
My instructor Mike was very detailed, passionate and honest. His experience made a world of a difference.
A very knowledgeable class, that teaches allot of basic stuff that you'll need to know to get your CCW permit. Light hearted humor. And wonderful staff that makes teaching you the proper way their main goal.
Very informative information and great professional insight from Mike and crew!!Looking forward to returning!
Instructors were great and made the 2 day pistol permit course easy to digest. If you have a chance to take a class from instructor Dana take it. Solid professional trainers and still makes it fun.
Dana led a great class! There was SO much information to cover, but we did, and he kept it interesting and upbeat for the whole 2 days!
The class was very informative! It was great having the 2 days split into 2 different weekends! Our main instructor was Jim Santos, and he was absolutely wonderful! The other instructors were also great and helped us. I loved how he gave personal experiences that related to what we were talking about. He also had the class participate during the PowerPoint portion of the class! I will definitely be telling others to take the course! Absolutely worth it!
Absolutely amazing experience here for the 18hr NYS Concealed Carry Training Course!!! Our class instructors were Mike & Butch. They did such a great job making 100% sure that all of us in the class left feeling a lot more knowledgeable, safe & comfortable when it comes to understanding, handling & responsibilities of owning a handgun. Seriously, if you're still reading my review just make the decision to go with Rochester Personal Defense. I did research on places beforehand as well & I definitely don't regret choosing this company.
I had an amazing experience during the Pistol Permit course held in Savona, NY! From the moment I walked in, our instructor Dana was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Dana made the whole process smooth, ensuring we understood each aspect taught. I felt comfortable throughout the entire course. The experience was top-notch. I will definitely return to Rochester Personal Defense for more exceptional training.
I can't recommend RPD enough. Course material was written and laid out really well. Dana was a great instructorSuper informative and engaging. Wendy was really helpful during the range practice. Dave was fun and encouraging. All were a plethora of knowledge. I highly recommend these guys.
Absolutely great experience with Rochester Personal Defense! Mike and the rest of the crew made everyone feel comfortable and confident. Most of the time was going over a slide show, however Mike did an excellent job keeping everyone engaged and the shooting range was the best part. 100% recommend for anyone, whether you’re new to firearms or in law enforcement! Thank you to all the instructors!
Just do it!!! Dave and Wendy are incredible instructors with more knowledge and skill than other instructors I have worked with. I'm a novice shooter and I felt that I improved tenfold just after two days with these folks. This course was designed for more experienced shooters but I did not feel that I did not belong. I received expert advice and ran through all of the drills that were presented. BTW, I was the oldest(67 yo) and I would take this course every week if I could!
