Justine Fleischner
I've previously received weapon safety and shooting training, but never experienced anything like this. Mark was incredibly knowledgable if not a bit tough and insisted on breaking all old habits, instilling confidence and capability in the process. His shooting training was excellent and he quickly realized I am left eye dominant, which no previous shooting instructor had identified. He has an outstanding variety of weapons to learn on and we had a great time on the course.
Bespoke Firearms Course
20th December 2018 Mike Clarke
My wife and I recently attended the Special Forces Shooting Experience with Shooting Training Solution.
Mark Knowles provided an excellent course all round. Delivered in a very relaxed and informal manner Mark began the day by giving insights into his impressive background career in the UKSF. After this we moved on to safe operating procedures and marksmanship principles before getting hands on with familiarisation with the AK and M4 platforms and associated operating drills. In the afternoon we progressed to the live fire phase of the day, shooting from standing, kneeling and prone positions under the keen and watchful eye of Mr Knowles.
I was was extremely impressed when Mark watched and observed my shooting and after assessing my target give me a small hint on my shooting stance which tightened my groupings.
The day cumlminated with a friendly competition amongst the participants with a shoot using a scoped bolt action rifle.
Mark is a fantastic instructor with a wealth of experience. Superb day all round.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
26th November 2018 Adrian Whiting
A grate corse for anyone who wants to know how to operate a weapon safely, The corse instructor was awesome he really knows what he is talking about and his Military carrier was very impressive, I will be undertaking more firearms training with STS.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
26th November 2018 Simon Thomas
As soon as I arrived to the training ground I was welcomed by Mark and offered hot drinks etc, such a nice guy with skills to match..
I have never handled some of the weapon systems mark had to offer and his knowledge on them and skill set was TOP NOTCH, I'm pretty confident if I ever find one in my line of work that I can now make it safe..
The mechanics of some of the weapon systems were a little to take on, but I'm sure after a few more sessions mark would get you stripping these down "blindfolded" because his instruction is so clear and direct
Live firing was not just fun but safety was at the highest level at all times "how it should be" all in all Mark Knowles is at the very top of the game Tier One
Special Forces Firearms Experience
26th November 2018 Chris Hall
Very helpful course really helped me brush up on my rusty drills and instruction helped me maintain a good standard of shooting at the end. Also really insightful to see Mark’s background and history. He’s the real McCoy, no doubt!
24th November 2018 Jasa Yagomate
The course was well organised and was professionally run.I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is planning to join the Maritime Industry. The instructors knowledge and experience was second to none.
Maritime Firearms Competency Course
5th November 2018 Lee Johnson
Attended a two day bespoke firearms training course which I thoughrily enjoyed. Mark delivers unrivaled tuition and professionalism which only comes forms the British military. Have already booked a second visit to further my knowledge.
Bespoke Firearms Course
28th October 2018 Miles R
This is our second time training with Mark. It was planned as a follow on from the Special Forces Firearms Experience 2-day course we undertook early this year. The bespoke course focus was on primary weapons, 1-day AK74 and 1-day M4 giving a deeper understanding of each weapons system and how to use them through a safety-first approach. Each activity supported the next, building context, understanding, knowledge and confidence concurrently. At the end of each day what you have learnt is pressure tested in a competition against each other adding an extra challenge. I 100% recommend this training course.
Bespoke Firearms Course
27th October 2018 Adam Hyde
This course is very professionaly run,the instruction is excellent and I came away feeling that I had learnt a great deal. I can not recommend it enough.
Bespoke Firearms Course
21st October 2018 Claus Vistesen
This was my second time on a two-day weekend course with Mark, working primarily on the AK-47 and and M4 systems. Mark is an extremely patient and meticulous instructor, always emphasising safety first, but who also sets the pace expertly so that each student is pushed right to the limit of his or her capabilities. If you want to get into shooting in a responsible and safe way, look no further.
Bespoke Firearms Course
1st October 2018 Mike Edwards
Returned for more training. Increasing pace and complexity Mark ramps up the intensity each time. I feel myself becoming more relaxed and natural with every session. He really is an excellent teacher who knows how to get the best from a trainee. 0ver 30 years of experience really shows in his calm logical approach and the inside hints that only an operative of his calibre can share. Preparing for another French trip in May with full calibre and an interesting variety of weapons and techniques. Multiple weapon drills, movement and smooth magazine changes. Great experience. Great Instructor.
Bespoke Firearms Course
30th September 2018 JAMES WHITE
Myself and my wife completed this excellent course over 2 days. The instruction was second to none and Marks professionalism shone through throughout. I would really recommend this and have already signed up for my next experience.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
25th September 2018 Steven Bunch
I had a thoroughly enjoyable day with Mark 'Nobby' Knowles, an interesting introduction from Mark giving an insight into his career. We then went into the practical exercises, with emphasis on the safety aspects of using weapons and then the live firing, in which I have learn't a couple of techniques to improve my shooting accuracy.
Thank you Mark and I would recommend anybody wishing to have some training, to attend one of your specialised courses.
Special Forces Firearms Experience
18th September 2018 Dmytro Tupchiienko
Excellent tutor. A lot of knowledge passed on. Will definitely come again for other topics
Maritime Firearms Competency Course
16th September 2018 Vanlalthakima Chawngthu
The course is very well organised. After the training you will gain confidence to handle automatic weapons, handguns and bolt action rifles. The trainer is the real deal with a Special Force background, he had also worked as a Trainer for the Special Force. The Bespoke Course is must for anyone who wants to be a responsible gun owner. 3 days is a very limited time but you will be surprised how much you can learn. I am sure I have gained the basic skills to get along but I would love to come back for more advanced skills.
Bespoke Firearms Course
9th September 2018 Steve Shields
I went to Shooting Training Solutions looking to get a refresher in my NSP drills on different weapon systems and maybe receive some extra knowledge. Instead, I got so much more than that in the solid 2-day Bespoke training course over the weekend. Nobby was welcoming, extremely informative, courteous, patient, good humored, firm and fair and a very good instructor that has skill for working with people who come from all different backgrounds, levels of knowledge in the area of firearms. He breaks it down into simple, straight-forward drills that aid with the learning process. His many years of experience in the forces are clearly evident throughout the course.
I arrived on this course as a civilian working in the support sector of film and television, having some background with firearms and their related NSP drills. This experience and the application of drills has now progressed and advanced in leaps and bounds since being trained, receiving the instructions from Nobby and applying them through his course.
Again, I want to say a sincere thanks for the solid training and guidance I received from Nobby over the two days. I feel that I have genuinely benefited greatly from it and I believe it will be invaluable in a later career in a technical advisory and technical support role in film & TV.
I also highly recommend this course to anyone from any background, regardless of their level of knowledge in the area of firearms. Nobby can and will accommodate his courses get the individual to learn, apply and perform at their optimum.
Regards,
Steve
Bespoke Firearms Course
4th September 2018 Vanlalthakima Chawngthu
It has be a pleasure and an honour to be trained by a real member of the Special Force. The 3 days training gave me a foundation to improve my weapons handling skills and shooting skills. I went home with a confidence and a basic knowledge base which I can use to further improve my shooting skill. I had to travel 4 days on the road for the 3 days training but it was all worth it. This is not a fun shooting experience, it is a training course designed to improve your weapons handling safety, efficiency and marksmanship. Such an effective course could only be designed and implemented by people like Mark Knowles who has more than 30 years of experience , fought the wars, a member of the Special Force and a trainer of the Special Force .
Bespoke Firearms Course
4th September 2018 Bruce Macbeth
Excellent value for money. Instructor has vast experience and was very knowledgeable in his subject matter. Instruction was easily and competently conveyed to the intended audience. Facilities and equipment provided were of a high standard. Very good course.
Maritime Firearms Competency Course
23rd August 2018 Dan Smith
Spend two days with Mark, went through everything needed to know. Fantastic teacher, highly knowledgeable, skilled and professional. Was keen to return back for day two, made me feel comfortable and relaxed. I finished the two day course with more understanding, awareness and confidence. I would highly recommend Mark. Great guy!
Bespoke Firearms Course
19th August 2018 Peter Fitzgerald
I attended the ‘1 day pistol firearms’ course with Shooting training solutions, I found their instructing to be extremely helpful and learned. I improved both my marksmanship and my overall understanding of principles and shooting and cannot rate them highly enough!
3rd August 2018 Christian Stanley
Mark Nobby Knowles, is an amazingly qualified instructor with an unrivalled CV and pedigree that is both impressive and humbling. He ran an amazingly informative course where you came away having learnt loads but also it made you realise how much more there is to it all. The course is delivered in a Highly professional way at a comfortable pace with exposure to an interesting range of weapons that you really get to learn about. Nobby is a great communicator and the perfect host ...... Many thanks Again ..... Awesome!
christian Stanley
The Ultimate Special Forces European Experience
16th July 2018 Adrian De Courcey
I thoroughly enjoyed the Ultimate Special Forces Firearms Experience course organised by Shooting Training Solutions. The course was very well organised in every way from travel arrangements, accommodation, food, course content and the instructor.
Mark Knowles is a consummate professional with detailed knowledge of the weapon systems. Both Mark's knowledge, experience and instruction were excellent and very much appreciated. As a complete novice I left the course with a far greater understanding of and respect for the weapon systems used. I learnt a huge amount in just two days.
Overall, it was an excellent experience with an outstanding instructor. I'm very happy to recommend this course, Mark and Shooting Training Solutions.
The Ultimate Special Forces European Experience
11th July 2018 Daniel Caen
This was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Mark was a fantastic host who made sure that we well fed and watered. The accommodation was wonderful, the hosting of Mark was greatly appreciated by the 4 of us as it was a well needed break. Marks knowledge is 2nd to none. Having been shooting at ranges in Las Vegas and South Africa I had never realized just how crazy it was that they will hand you a fully loaded automatic weapon and not show you how to use it. Mark taught me a new respect for the weapons themselves and an even greater respect for those service men/women that put their safety on the line for all of us.
The shooting experience itself was by far the best shooting experience I have had. We had free use of the range for the whole day and I went from not being to able to hit a barn door to getting 20 out of 20 from distance with a sub machine gun. Mark is a great teacher who teaches you everything there is to know about each weapon and takes your safety very seriously.
This is a perfect course for absolutely anyone, I had clients with me who were complete novices and I still think that they are smiling now.
The Ultimate Special Forces European Experience
11th July 2018 Tim Arnold
I attended this course as a complete novice. Under the watchful and very experienced eye of our instructor Mark Knowles, I finished the course with a far greater knowledge of a whole range of weapons systems, than I could ever have expected. The in depth training covered how the equipment functioned, how it was broken down and re-assembled and obviously how to use it correctly and safely.
The quality of the accommodation, the staff and facilities at the firing range were outstanding.
Coupled with an insight into the life of a Special Forces Soldier with a long and hugely impressive military record behind him (who was also the most unbelievable cook and host); this course is one experience that will treasure for a very long time and would recommend to anyone, complete novice or someone with previous weapons experience.
Looking forward to booking up another trip with Mark in the not too distant future!
Thank you!
Tim Arnold
The Ultimate Special Forces European Experience
9th July 2018 O McNally
Mark is a highly knowledgeable and informative instructor, whose professional approach and experience comes through immediately. With an emphasis on safe handling and understanding of the weapon systems on the course, I found considerable and immediate improvement in both my ability to handle the weapon and my shooting.
This course is perfect for complete newcomers to a range environment, as well as those looking to further an existing skill, with an importance placed on fundamentals and safety.
The only issue is that with such a storied career in the armed forces, one day is not enough to hear about it all from Mark!
Special Forces Firearms Experience
1st July 2018