Massad Ayoob.

Henk Iverson

Real world experience.

Intensity.

However, I recently found out he took a new job and it is doubtful he will time to do anymore instruction.

+1 for George and for the rest of the "original" Sig Arms Academy staff (Bank Miller
Ben Kurata, Michael DeBethancourt).

Rance DeWare (2004-2009) was pretty good too.

Phil Singleton. Former SAS and was involved in Operation Nimrod. The class was sub-gun instructor and he taught me how to be a better instructor. No bullshit kind of guy and the after class festivities were entertaining.

NAS Key West, (Flemming Key) guest instructors (on site for classes).

-No bullshit
-no superiority complex
-trigger control, and a hell of alot of dry training (balance case on the fore end and dryfire without it moving and many others).
-ramp up stress but otherwise relaxed training atmosphere off line
-hone basics
-emphasis off of equiptment and back where it belongs: on skill.

Hackathorn and Harrington.

Paul Howe is a very understated and low key instructor, able to give you the information and techniques needed to perform under time stress. Ken Hackathorn also has that low key approach. Rob Haught's shotgun course was great, and he is very good at transferring the skills he demonstrates with a pump shotgun. Say what you want about Larry Vickers, but he demonstrates a skill, then teaches the skill with humor and intent to see students perform. As caustic as his sense of humor can be, he is certainly no wilting violet when it's his turn to be the butt of the joke.

I've trained with lots of folks in the industry. Picking a "favorite" would be politically incorrect...but the guys I recommend most highly tend to have a lot of the same traits.

What makes them good? Their ability to bring about improved performance from students. Whether it's changing mindset or making for improved manipulations or improvements in speed/accuracy...the guys I rank highly have demonstrated the ability to produce lasting results for me and for others I've watched under their instruction. Moreso than anything else, that is the hallmark of a good instructor.



Each I've trained with is different with different stand-out features. Ken Hackathorn, for example, stands out for his ability to sum up just about everything you would ever need to know about using a handgun for serious social purposes in a fairly simple, easy to remember lecture lasting about 30 minutes. SouthNarc stands out for his deep understanding of criminal behavior and his mastery in the ECQC realm. Vickers stands out because of his ability to impart a bulletproof understanding of fundamentals and a good understanding of how the dynamics of shooting change on a 2 way range...as well as a demonstrated ability to prepare people for being on the 2 way range. Tom Givens stands out because of a remarkable track record of preparing ordinary people to prevail in armed encounters with criminals. Todd Green stands out in his ability to make a shooter at practically any level into one that can hold his own even among the top 1% of people using handguns. Etc.



The best advice I can give you is to pursue excellence yourself. Doing so helps you figure out things that will be of great value to your students. None of the guys I mentioned above got to where they are by accident. They made a lifestyle of learning and development, and it pays off in their ability to teach students. If you keep an open mind and never stop evolving, you're likely to bring incredible value to your students.

If you combine that sort of mindset and commitment to challenging yourself and developing with a generally personable demeanor and avoid taking yourself too seriously...well...it's a good recipe for being a good instructor.



All those names would appear on my list of stand-out instructors also. Ask people who have done a lot of training who they rank highly and some of those names end up near the top of the list consistently. That's a clue.

L. Awerbuck.

super observant. even with multiple students on the line he catches every mistake or training scar to give each individual tips for improvement. He's funny, approachable, not at all full of himself and receptive to student feedback.

Richard Mason.

The guy made SF...and then made Delta. And then while in Delta he made it to become the head training guy.

It ain't like he was lacking in the ability to achieve a goal.

Dan Cusiter when he was at HK ITD. Marine Corps vet from Vietnam. Spent most of his career with the LA County Sheriff's in SEB. Guy brought a ton of experience.
LAV diagnosed a problem I was having in about 30 seconds of watching me shoot. Like him or hate him, he knows what he's talking about. Plus he's a funny guy.

Pat McNamara.
Intense teaching style and a sense of humor like no other.
More experience than you can imagine. I will train with him again.