Gary Welsh
An enjoyable and interesting day from start to finish. Beginning with Marks account of his exceptional military career to an explanation of the weapons we'd be using through to NSPs and then live firing. All this was done in a relaxing, welcoming ( and patient ! ) manner but also very professional and efficient. All in all this was a day well spent, I learnt a lot from it and am already making plans to attend another course !
Special Forces Firearms Experience
7th August 2019 Eric Chan
Mark provided us with an intensive 2 day course on the M4 platform. He was extremely professional and knowledgeable and hats off to him for bringing 4 of us up to speed on safe handling and basic marksmanship in such a short space of time even with the added difficulty of a language barrier with one of the students.
Bespoke Firearms Course
23rd July 2019 Zhonghuan Xie
I had my first training course completed with Mark back to 2 years ago when I knew he was the professional instructor you could find in the country. This year we are planning to join DSEI exhibition with our M4 relevant products which requires all our attending staff members to have good knowledge about M4 weapon system, Mark was the first instructor I could think of for this task. I brought three members to this course on last weekend, and the end of course our goal achieved. We are quite confident to say we have good knowledge about M4 and know how to handle it well now. Definitely will come back again for future courses.
Bespoke Firearms Course
22nd July 2019 J L
Mark surpassed my expectations in every way. It was a wonderful experience and Mark's knowledge and teaching methods are second to none. I can thoroughly recommend STS for any firearms training need. Thanks again Mark!
Bespoke Firearms Course
15th July 2019 Miles R
The instruction, flexibility and experience was excellent. After previous UK based Bespoke Firearms Courses this course delivered the next step and level of training we were after. One to one training that addresses every aspect of shooting tailored to your requirements. As always, the focus is on safety, proficiency and effectiveness whilst providing instruction on a variety of weapons systems. Everything from the travel arrangements, accommodation and hospitality was excellent. We will be booking another trip.
The Ultimate Special Forces European Experience
20th May 2019 Mike Edwards
This is my third trip to France. The training was superb. Intense concentration on pistol skills with amazing one on one training from a master of the art. The admin was as always brilliant and the accomodation and range facilities faultless. We also managed to get a few runs in as well which helped to ease the aching joints at the end of the day. The feast on the final night was magnificent as always. Lots of homework to do before my next visit . I heartily recommend this course to anyone who wants to be able to handle weapons and achieve excellent reproducible results. Highly enjoyable and many thanks. I will, of course, be back.
The Ultimate Special Forces European Experience
8th May 2019 Peter Fitzgerald
very much enjoyed my course. I learnt a lot and enjoyed it very much. Mark Knowles is a great instructor and I hope to return to do more at some point.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
27th April 2019 Lubka Hallam
My husband, my 13 year old son and myself (all of us complete firearms novices) had the immense privilege to meet Mark “Nobby” Knowles MSM, QCB and get an insight into his professional career, learn about a number of firearms and of course having various opportunities to try them by way of shooting from different positions on a stationary target. Nobby was by our side all day - giving superb instructions both in the classroom (also using presentations) and on the firing range. He had his eye on us at all times ensuring his instructions are carried out and thus ensuring everyones safety. The live firing experience was fun, relaxed and safe.
Nobby’s hospitality skills has to be given a mention too. Plenty of refreshments throughout the day, lovely choice of sandwiches and perfect organisation of everything.
In summary, we all had a SUPERB day. We were truly inspired by Nobby’s career and felt extremely thankful to all those army/special forces guys out there who put themselves through unbelievably tough (physically and mentally) situations to be there to protect all of us. I also think that their families deserve a special mention and thank you for the supportive role they play in enabling the army guys to go and carry out their job.
Nobby is a legend and we hope our paths will cross again. THANK YOU!!!
Special Forces Firearms Experience
23rd April 2019 Mark Wood
I attended the course with some work colleagues & we were instructed by Mark "Nobby" Knowles, who gave us an excellent history of his amazing career. The whole day was fantastic in terms of the instruction, focus on safety & improvements seen for all of us under Mark's instruction. A superb day & it was a privilege to meet Nobby
Special Forces Firearms Experience
17th April 2019 Kelly Borchers
Training was absolutely outstanding!! Mark knows his business and is a very skilled instructor! I flew in all the way from Japan and it was well worth the jet lag!!! I hope to return ASAP!!!
Bespoke Firearms Course
13th April 2019 Rob Doody
Spent the day with 3 work colleagues and Nobby. What a great experience learning about the special forces, about Nobby‘s career and about how to use weaponary safely and effectively. Loved it.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
13th April 2019 Miles R
We have just completed a 2-day pistol course which was a continuation from an introduction course we did last year. Mark’s teaching methods as well as structure of the courses are designed to build competence and confidence fast through a safety-first approach. Each element of the course supports the next, building knowledge and ability concurrently. We are booked in for further courses this year, without doubt 5-star rating!
Bespoke Firearms Course
21st March 2019 Scott Bennett
The experience and knowledge of Mark is unquestionable and his delivery was well paced and easy to follow. The basic fundamentals of pistol shooting was taught using Airsoft pistols, which replicate the real steal counterparts. The techniques shown, when followed correctly, resulted in bullseye accuracy. In fact I have adopted the stance in my rifle shooting and my accuracy has improved so the system works. Mark is attentive, patient and has a relaxed teaching style and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. The only negative was the lack of range time. I simply wanted more.
5th March 2019 David Loftus
I received many years of weapons training whilst in the military, and went on to complete several basic, to advanced level courses whilst working in the private security sector. I’ve had excellent instructors in the past with diverse backgrounds ranging from simple civvy street NRA, to active and retired SF personnel.
I was never an expert, far from it, but I believed that I retained safe working proficiency, through repetition and range days. However, in the past four years my career focus changed and I became preoccupied with studies and gaining experience in another profession.
With new qualifications and the looming potential for a return to the private security sector, I required competencies on specific weapon systems. I fully expected a loss of technique, muscle-memory and discipline, so I needed to address severe skill-fade. I specifically needed a return to military level proficiency and wanted to find a suitable SF level instructor with the patience of a saint. Tall order I know!
I knew our friend Google wasn’t one to be trusted, so I asked several trusty contacts to come up with some recommendations and nearly all directed me to STS. Upon learning the background of Mark Knowles, I knew I had the right instructor. I consulted with Mark who did some vetting whilst reviewing my requirements, a short time later he agreed to design and deliver a bespoke course.
The welcoming introduction, presentation, course location, facilities and equipment was impressive. The course timetable was well planned out and enabled Mark to assess my strengths and weaknesses. Despite expected errors, I found myself learning fast. Mark has exceptional method of instruction and spotted every flaw and mistake as I made them, this enabled Mark to iron out the creases, and he did a lot of ironing! One of the most important things I came away with was improved marksmanship and focus. Mark found subtle flaws and worked hard to ensure I maintained accurate technique despite expected fatigue. After a day of training most of us want to switch the brain off, but this is when Mark pushed me the most which resulted in a better training outcomes. I came away with everything I wanted from the course and can’t thank Mark enough. I fully intend on using STS for all future training.
Bespoke Firearms Course
1st March 2019 Victor Ptak
I asked Mark Knowles of STS to provide a course of tuition in pistol safety and weapons handling, he more then exceeded my expectations. Mark is a highly experienced tutor whose emphasis on safety is of the highest quality his knowledge of the correct use of grip, stance and aiming technique is unsurpassed a highly informative and well spent few days. I will be returning for more tuition .
Bespoke Firearms Course
26th February 2019 Darren Rendall
an excellent opportunity to learn from such a wealth of knowledge and experience that Mark has gained and perfected in his 33 years of UKSF, the delivery of the course and the assistance and attention given is outstanding, I have bought home a whole new skill set that has stayed well in my mind, I will keep practicing and demonstrate my improvements on the next course that I book.
looking forward to applying my new skills at my HOA club
24th February 2019 AJ Finch
I took my 3 sons, ages 11 - 16 with me on the course, and all of us learned lots and had a great time. We were all stretched, especially mentally. Mark was welcoming and extremely patient (really, really patient). I am so glad that my boys have had a safe, authoritative introduction to real firearms, and I believe this will serve them well.
I have no hesitation in recommending the course to ... almost anyone, really ... but especially if you would like to learn what it is like to handle a real firearm in a safe environment.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
23rd February 2019 Jenny Coote
I signed up for this course with a couple of friends (fellow firearms novices) to try something new and also use the experience to add some realism into my writing. I didn't realise that shooting would prove so addictive - am itching to have another go and improve my marksmanship skills. Our instructor, Nobby, was brilliant - he looked after us very well, was thorough in his explanations (and patient!!), always with an emphasis on safety. I didn't at any time feel like I was in danger (from myself or fellow attendees!). It was very interesting and inspiring to hear the story of his military career. All in all, a brilliant day that I would recommend to anyone.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
22nd February 2019 Kate Bond
I signed up for this day more as a friends bonding day out than for anything else. However, as a result of attending and really enjoying Nobby’s instruction, a couple of us are thinking of getting further teaching in target shooting. None of us had shot before but Nobby is a fantastic instructor and a really inspiring person to be around. We were a group of women and would definitely encourage more to try this out.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
21st February 2019 Mathew Fullerton
I had never had any experience or training with live firearms before and found this course extremely Educational with the safe use of firearms and how to use them properly. The training given was 5/5 and a walked away feeling confident. The instructor was friendly and the day was well planned and prepared, I never lost interest. Learning about the what the special forces did and still do amazes me. I would recommend this course to anyone.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
18th February 2019 JAMES WHITE
Had a fantastic one to one weekend course. Very intensive and full of content. Excellent tuition from Mark and looking forward to getting out to France for a week course.
Bespoke Firearms Course
15th February 2019 Robert Streeter
A great way to learn about the safe handling of firearms and to gain the key skills needed to shoot in safety. Mark, the instructor, communicates his knowledge and experience in a confident and friendly way. With the small group, each of us received plenty of individual attention. A great day, overall.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
30th January 2019 Jay Turley
As modest about his achievements as mark is he brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He is a calm and collected instructor, who will explain everything you need to know so that you can achieve an understanding of the weapon system, how it works and most important the SAFETY procedures. Do not fool yourself into thinking you will be on the range in the first 10 minutes you must understand the components first or to think that you can be in the pub till midnight every night. You have to pay attention, listen to the instruction and most of all enjoy yourself. With those three things you will have a brilliant course, actually understand the weapon and achieve a lot in a short period of time. I couldn’t recommend this training centre enough.
Bespoke Firearms Course
19th January 2019 Léo Jarry
The weeklong experience was part of an in-house training by our organization and aimed at improving our practical skills when deployed for documentation in war affected areas.
Certainly the best training I attended, regardless the field. Instructors are versatile and can adapt their teaching precisely to your needs. The director, Mark "KNobby" Knowles, spent decades in operations worldwide - and that clearly shows. (He also makes great sandwiches)
The venue is surrounded by B&Bs, easy to access and situated in a lovely town.
Would definitely recommend, and will gladly come back for further trainings.
Corporate Team Building Firearms Day
29th December 2018 David Wilkinson
Having had very limited experience with firearms I was amazed at how quickly Mark instilled safety procedures and drills to myself and the other members of the course. With his disciplined approach to instructing and his attention to detail we all finished the course with a great amount of confidence in handling a number of different weapons systems and the desire to learn more.
Bespoke Firearms Course
20th December 2018