0844 5874525

THE DIRECTOR OF SHOOTING TRAINING SOLUTIONS

Having trained individuals in firearms in the Military and Civillian environment for over 40 years we are now open for bookings for 2026, if you see there are NO course dates available for when you would like to do a course please get in touch via the contact page or give me a ring to explain your requirements and aspirations and I will do my best to accommodate you. Please allow plenty of time when thinking of booking a course as we are extremely busy with new and old clients wanting to continue their training both here in the UK and abroad.

Shooting Training Solutions courses are open to anyone, whether you are a keen enthusiast, a beginner, aspiring actor or going on an expedition to the Polar regions. There are many other dangerous environments which require you to be safe and competent whilst in possession of a firearm, or you may be curious and interested in learning how they operate. We will accomodate your requirements and have trained people as far a field as Australia, Cayman Islands, Japan, India, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Kenya and the Netherlands. The training is conducted all indoors in a warm and inviting location under the watchful eye of a very experienced trainer. Shooting Training Solutions will make your experience enjoyable, fun filled and memorable.

Your safety is paramount and we will make sure you feel safe and confident attending a course with STS. We have very strict safety guidelines in place and daily checks are carried out. Thank you again for you're continued support, understanding and patience. Your safety is paramount, keep safe, keep smiling and I hope to meet you soon.

MK “Nobby” Director of Shooting Training Solutions is the sole instructor on the firearms training courses run by Shooting Training Solutions. Mark has some 33 years of military service in UK Special Forces, Royal Marines and 15 years teaching in the commercial sector. His operational service stretches from the Falklands war in 1982, to serving in every major conflict since, including 4 tours of Afghanistan. MK served for 5 years as the chief instructor of the Special Boat Service and 2 years as the senior SBS instructor at 22 SAS.

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Shooting Training Solutions continues to improve training standards.


Shooting Training Solutions are proud to have been awarded ISO 9001:2015 quality standard. We now continue to improve training standards so clients go away feeling confident, safe and competent.

Shooting Training Solutions was the first and only firearms training establishment to have been awarded this most exacting of quality standards and led the way in quality training.

STS commitment to safety and quality has been a constant feature of STS training and we are continuing to implement better standards and quality control for the courses we run.  STS continually monitor and manage quality across our business and identify and implement improvements.

STS commitment to these quality standards is proof to both our private customers and corporate clients that they can have absolute confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the courses that we deliver.

You are a valued client and it is  hoped that you will acknowledge that Shooting Training Solutions continues to represent the best firearms training in the UK today.



As an established training provider Shooting Training Solutions hope it shows to you, our valued customers, we are constantly improving, updating and giving to you the best training we can supply.
Shooting Training Solutions

Testimonials

A random selection of our testimonials. For more look at our testimonial page
Rodney Lee | Maritime Firearms Refresher Course | 30th September 2015

Great course will be back next year
Julia M Crockett | Bespoke Firearms Course | 18th November 2021

This was my second two-day course designed and run by Mark Knowles. He's a fine teacher, placing emphasis on safety at each stage and providing explanations which built my confidence to make good decisions on the range. A highly professional trainer; recommended.
PAUL TUINASAKEA | Maritime Firearms Competency Course | 26th July 2015

First firearms course I did with Mark Knowles company and would go again. Course layout was simple and the way he feeds us the information was easy to understand. Would recommend to friends in the industry.
Liam Owen | Special Forces Firearms Experience | 23rd May 2017

Inspiring, humbling, challenging but incredibly good, safe fun. Nobby is absolutely the real deal. It's a real privilege to listen to his remarkable career. To gain some small insight into the lives, heroic actions and sacrifices our Soldiers and SF make on our behalf every day, often without so much as a paragraph in a paper. The hands on training was very well prepared and delivered. The variety of weapons far exceeded expectations, and the pace and challenge was so well tailored to our group's ability. (We were a mixed group with regards to ability, but at no point did anyone feel left behind, or anyone feel left wanting. Nobby's control of the day was outstanding to that end.) Next stop will be the ultimate experience. Full bore in Europe.
Tom Hardcastle | Bespoke Firearms Course | 28th March 2026

I’ve now completed my third course with Mark at Shooting Training Solutions, and once again, it exceeded expectations. The time, patience, experience, and level of skill he brings are genuinely rare. He is part of the 1% club when it comes to this kind of instruction. Everything is delivered with purpose, clarity, and a deep understanding of real-world application. The course he tailored for me was spot on, and it’s clear a lot of thought goes into making each session both challenging and enjoyable. He also offers a range of high-level courses inspired by elite military standards, which really sets him apart from anything else out there. I’ll definitely be back again. If you’re considering training, I’d strongly recommend reaching out and getting booked in, you won’t regret it!
David Bennett | Maritime Firearms Competency Course | 9th May 2014

A pretty decent course run very well by Mark. Kept fairly lighthearted, but still professionally delivered. Having done 2 other courses elsewhere I feel this offers the best value for money and I also felt that I learned some new skills to enhance my marksmanship and some food for thought from a legal perspective. Many thanks.
Sales | Bespoke Firearms Course | 5th August 2023

The training was outstanding. A perfect way to build foundations with a focus on safety. Mark has an incredible amount of experience both as an operator and a trainer. He not only explains what to do, he explains why it should be done, giving the student a greater depth of understanding. I can’t recommend STS enough.
Gurpreet Sehmi | The Ultimate Special Forces European Experience | 20th August 2019

This has to be one of the best experiences I've ever had. The training from Mark 'Nobby' Knowles was second to none. He has the most brilliant training techniques, matched with a patient, caring and supportive persona to help the most amateur of shooters (me). The training was fully comprehensive, from understanding the anatomy of a weapon, appreciating its actual, and tailored function, and practicing the best way to position yourself and the weapon to achieve a targeted shot. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in shooting techniques, and being spoilt rotten by Nobby (who also catered amazingly to my dietary needs). Thank you for an amazing experience.
Alex Dawson | Bespoke Firearms Course | 28th October 2023

My son and I had a fantastic day learning how to safely handle various weapon systems including the AK74, M4 and Heckler and Koch G3 rifles, in the morning, before putting into practice what we had learnt on the range in the afternoon. The pace and delivery of the instruction was just right for a father and son duo . We enjoyed listening to Mark recount some fascinating, exciting and moving stories from his over 30 year career in the Royal Marines and the SBS. He explains things "as they are" without glamorising or diminishing the impact of conflict whilst also impressing on his students the importance of firearms safety and the reasons for acquiring a baseline in firearms competence; a world away from action movies or XBOX "Call of Duty". Marks calm coaching style helped my son visibly grow in confidence as the day progressed and by the end he was able to apply the marksmanship principals effectively and handle a variety of weapons safety and proficiently on the range. He achiev... Read more
Phil Johnson | Maritime Firearms Refresher Course | 2nd March 2016

Brilliant course. The day contains both theory and practical shooting skills that will enhance shooting for everyone who attends. Recommended.

Our Firearms and Shooting Training Courses



This course is open to anyone. If you are looking for firearms training in anti poaching, acting, film set extras, expeditions or just interested in being trained on firearms, I will design a course for you 

Your dedicated instructor will create a package to suit your individual objectives either as part of a small group (no more than 4 people) or on a one to one training basis with exclusive range use.

You will learn from scratch all about the safety side of handling these weapons, understand how they work and function before getting in depth training on the drills and skills you need to operate them correctly and safely.

It will be challaging, fun, exhilarating and rewarding and you will go away feeling you want more.

If this is what you are after, drop me an e-mail or give me a call and I will be happy to take up the challenge.

Find out more and book a course
If you would like a course arranged please contact us.
29th MayFully Booked
30th MayFully Booked
18th JuneFully Booked
25th JuneFully Booked
29th JuneFully Booked
11th AugustBook Now
13th AugustBook Now
1st SeptemberBook Now
3rd SeptemberBook Now

Are you looking for an insight into the Special Forces and want to experience handling and firing weapon systems used in a safe and welcoming atmosphere?

This is the experience for you then. Based in the UK, this one day Special Forces Experience is designed for individuals or up to 4 participants. You will taught the safety aspects and marksmanship principles before getting your hands on AK74's, M16's and various other weapons. You will be taught how to safely handle them, strip and assemble and carry out the correct drills when operating them, before live firing later in the day.   

The day will be hosted and run by MK (Nobby) Director of Shooting Training Solutions who will give you an insight to his 33 years career in the Special Forces and be your instructor throughout.

Find out more and book a course
If you would like a course arranged please contact us.
28th MayFully Booked
20th JuneFully Booked
27th JuneFully Booked
10th JulyFully Booked
31st AugustBook Now

For those of you who are unaware of the UK Firearms regulations you cannot fire 9mm pistols in the UK. STS offer two packages where you can learn all about Pistol handling and become proficient and safe with the weapons.

 

The first is a one-day course based in the UK and is designed to develop the skills of those who wish to learn how to use a pistol as a primary firearm. We cover all the safety aspects, workings of the weapon, function tests and correct grip and hold before shooting on a range with high powered BB Glock 17 and SIG 226 pistols . This will give you a good insight to all pistol techniques and a platform to build on. 

 

The second course we offer is a full-bore 9mm pistol shooting course in Europe. The European package Is a 2/3 day shooting package, you will be required to travel out the day before the course starts and travel back the evening it finishes or early the following morning. You will get 2/3 days on the range. I will book your flights and take care of everything else, you just need to turn up with your passport and bag. Everything is included transfers, accommodation, meals, equipment, weapons and ammunition all in the price. Pistol shooting is an art on its own. It takes time and effort to be able to engage targets out to 30m using the correct techniques with both your strong and weak arm. One handed pistol is essential and has to be practiced. You will practice these skills and this will reduce your reaction time, allow you to shoot faster with a higher degree of accuracy and increase your confidence with your weapon. I will endeavour to get you to the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) pistol firearms standard with the time allocated and show you that with good instruction and coaching you can in a very short time become proficient safe and accurate with a pistol.  .

Find out more and book a course
If you would like a course arranged please contact us.
31st JulyBook Now

This Ultimate Special Forces European Experience package is unique and has an all-inclusive price, your every need will be catered for.

It is open to anyone regardless to firearms experience. Your host and instructor is a a former Special Boat Service Operative MK (Nobby) Director of Shooting Training Solutions who will arrange everything and accompany you for the whole experience in Europe.

It is open to individuals who would like a one to one experience or a group of up to 3 participants. Your 2 or 3-day live firing (4 or 5 days in total option will consist of learning how to safely use AK74's, M4's, H&K MP5's and pistols.  

If this is what you are looking for from a highly established training company with everything arranged for you and a personal touch to go with it and you want to learn in a safe and welcoming environment give me a ring and I will arrange everything for you.

Find out more and book a course
If you would like a course arranged please contact us.
3rd JuneFully Booked
8th JuneFully Booked
4th JulyFully Booked
13th JulyFully Booked
19th JulyBook Now
19th AugustFully Booked
24th AugustFully Booked

Most expeditions to Polar regions ( which Svalbard have approved our course ) and to countries around the world where you would want to be armed for your own protection require you to demonstrate you are safe and competent before issuing a firearms for that trip. The Police in various counties ask for a certificate of competency with firearms before issuing you a license or renewing one.

STS Firearms Competency Course and certificate are recognised by a number of organisations and Police forces in the UK.  

The aim of this course is to introduce new clients to firearms and to refresh those who may be returning to the sport to ensure a level of competence. This course aims to take clients through the relevant safe handling and safe shooting requirements to meet the standards relating to public safety and the Police.

The course combines a training room based input with practical experience on the range with various weapon systems.

Over the years we have worked with a large number of individuals who are going on expeditions, renewing or trying to obtain a firearms license and all of them have returned home after the course better informed, safer and more knowledgeable about all aspects of firearms handling. 

 

Find out more and book a course
If you would like a course arranged please contact us.

There are no courses currently available.
Contact us to arrange a course.


Have you ever been intrigued or interested to know how the Special Forces here in the UK operate and how firearms feel when you fire a full calibre round at a target? Well this one-day experience might be the day out for you. Your Instructor will talk you through his 33 years of sevice to Queen and Country from the Falklands war to four tours of Afghanistan. You will fire various weapons to name a few, M4, MP5, Ruger, Tikka T3, Lee Enfield 303 and The American Sniper weapon the 300 Win mag.
Find out more and book a course
If you would like a course arranged please contact us.

There are no courses currently available.
Contact us to arrange a course.


MK “Nobby” Director of Shooting Training Solutions is the sole instructor on the Firearms training courses run by Shooting Training Solutions. Mark has some 33 years of Military service in UK Special Forces and the Royal Marines.

His operational service stretches from the Falklands war in 1982, to serving in every major conflict since, including 4 tours of Afghanistan. MK served for 5 years as the chief instructor of the Special Boat Service and 2 years as the senior SBS instructor at 22 SAS.

He will host and take you through your personally designed, unique Corporate Firearms Package.

 

Find out more and book a course
If you would like a course arranged please contact us.

There are no courses currently available.
Contact us to arrange a course.


This course has grown in popularity since its introduction by STS for potential Police firearms officers to attend before they undertake their Police firearms course. 

Here at STS we are proud of our very high pass rate from clients who have attended our course and continued on to aspire to be police firearms officers.

Each course will be designed specifically for you as different Police forces use different firearms. It will give you the confidence and reassurance that you will be able to handle the firearms safely and correctly, allowing you to concentrate on the other aspects of the course you have to assimilate.

Find out more and book a course
If you would like a course arranged please contact us.

There are no courses currently available.
Contact us to arrange a course.


View feedback from those who’ve completed the course


All live firing training is conducted in .22 Rimfire Semi-Automatic Rifles or simulated Pistols due to UK legislation.