Course Testimonials

The course was a brilliant experience. It made me understand the weapons and the art of shooting in a correct and safe way. The most important thing that this course showed me is how much I need to practice, waking me up to reality . Of course I will look forward for more experiences like this in the future!

Zoe and I attended a bespoke Bolt Action Rifles course in awareness and competency so we could potentially hire a rifle in Greenland. Mark is calm, truly knowledgable and highly experienced. Learning can be uncomfortable at times and I was certainly stretched during the day. But I got further clarity and insight on what I need to do and realise if we do intend going to Greenland then more skills training, embedding, Normal Safety Procedures, and target accurately is needed.

I found the course to be very insightful, you could tell that the instructor had high standards when it came to handling and safely using the firearm, truly demonstrating the vast experience and professionalism he holds in this field. Truly an experience I'll remember for years to come.

Excellent insights and rigorous training are provided by Nobby on this course, delivered in a friendly and calm manner - it’s not difficult to see why he was such an asset to the units with which he served. Highly recommended.

I loved every second of this course Mark has immense knowledge and I learned so much.

What a fantastic day we had, doing the special forces experience. It was fascinating listening to Nobbys story, what a life he has lived! We both enjoyed the time spent on the range, everything we did was well explained, and has left us wanting to return for more. A very professional, safe and well run day, if anyone is thinking of booking, just do it. Highly recommended.

Huge thanks to Mark for the past couple of days!! I have learnt a huge amount from a guy whose knowledge is seemingly endless. The whole course was conducted in a highly professional, yet relaxed manner. I would most certainly recommend STS without hesitation.

I recently took the SF firearms experience course and was thoroughly impressed! The instructor was knowledgeable, patient, and emphasized safety above all else. The hands-on practice was invaluable, helping me build confidence and competence with the firearms. Highly recommended.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable and authentic firearms training experience, the Special Forces Firearms Experience with Nobby at Shooting Training Solutions is exactly what you need. It’s not just a course—it’s an opportunity to learn from a true master of the craft. Nobby, the instructor, is a legend in his own right. With an extraordinary 33-year career in the Special Forces, his depth of knowledge and experience is second to none. This isn’t someone who’s just read about tactics or weapon systems; Nobby has lived it, breathed it, and excelled at it in some of the most challenging environments imaginable. He shares stories and lessons from his career with an authenticity that you simply can’t find anywhere else. What makes Nobby stand out isn’t just his expertise—it’s his personality. He’s got a wicked sense of humour that keeps the day upbeat and enjoyable. His ability to blend sharp, professional insights with lighthearted banter makes the experience as entertaining as it is educational. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have prior shooting experience, Nobby’s approachable style ensures you’ll feel comfortable, safe, and confident throughout. The course itself is superbly organised and packed with practical, hands-on learning. Nobby’s meticulous attention to detail and focus on safety, combined with his ability to adapt to individual skill levels, means you’ll leave feeling like you’ve gained real, usable knowledge and improved technique.

Thanks for an amazing day Nobby! Booked for a group of 8, over two days, and we all really enjoyed the days. Mark has a lifetime of experience and knowledge and is a great instructor - ensuring safety, and sharing his knowledge in a fun and engaging way. Highly recommend to anyone!

I completed a day of Pistol Firearms training with Mark and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Mark was a fantastic teacher, who tailored the course specifically to my level, whilst making it fun & enjoyable. Mark has an incredible amount of Military & firearms knowledge, so you’re guaranteed to finish the course knowing a lot more then you did when you started!

Great experience, easily understood details of the arms that were used, was worth every penny thanks.

HI Mark, Lee and I learned about the rifles not only on engineering aspect but also on basic shooting. Safety is the main concern for everything related to firearms , it was very important that you helped us understand the safety before letting us operate the guns. The stories of all you experiences and how you get there are fascinating and meaningful. :) Hope we can have another courses soon. Best wishes.

Firstly, I want to commend Mark for his service to this country- what an awe inspiring man! I took the Bespoke Firearms course with Mark, where he took me through The Marksmanship Principles and he provided me with a very thorough step by step on how to handle and respect rifles. I had no previous experience with handling any firearms and by the end of the course I was able to disassemble, and then reassemble an AK47 and M16! The safety protocols were drilled into me- as this is paramount when handling any firearm. Respect the weapon and the power behind it! I would highly recommend this course to anyone who would like to gain confidence in handling a firearm. Mark has over 40 years of experience and his expertise shined through with our 121 training. I am looking to do another course at some point in the New Year! Thank you Nobby for your patience with me and for being an absolute hero!

My husband and I booked this one day course for my birthday treat and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. In the morning session, Mark gave us a rundown of his military background and various assignments, including an impressive 11medals awarded to him by the end of his 33year active career in the marines, SAS and SBS, including a stint in the Australian SAS, and protection service here in the UK. It was enthralling to listen to, and we felt quite honoured to be in the care of such an experienced veteran for this my first time in handling weapons. Teaching of correct handling and positioning were then explained and a test to discover if we were left or right eye dominant. After lunch, in the afternoon, Mark talked us through the safety aspects and then taught us how to disassemble and reassemble the first weapons we used. We used 5 different weapons, including one with a scope like a sniper, practicing the safety and checking procedures, loading, unloading, before firing on the range. Mark was extremely patient with me on learning the different parts and how to hold the weapon. He readjusted our positions and gave tips on breathing and was close by at all times. I was amazed at the end of the day to be able to hit the target and bullseye at that! Absolutely thrilled! Marks humour, relaxed manner and obvious skills made for a very interesting and informative day, we will definitely be rebooking for a follow on course! Thanks so much Mark, see you next year!

Had a great time, Nobby is a very interesting and experienced instructer, I am a x South African who did 2 years conscription army back in the 80's. I came away from this course with a very profound conclusion. If in my 2 years training I had in the SADF if I had just this one day course it would have made all the difference, I learnt more in the few hours shooting with Nobby than I had with all the army time at the army shooting range , considering this was only an introduction course that sums up how great and enjoyable the course is, I highly recommend the course.

I recently completed a two-day weapons handling and shooting course with Nobby and it was outstanding. The training was thorough, professional, and tailored specifically to my skill level and goals. Nobby’s expertise and attention to safety created an ideal learning environment, and his instruction was clear and highly effective. It was fantastic to put all the theory and drills into action on the shooting range, where I think we were pleasantly surprised 😁 This course was exactly what I needed, and it was an honour to have it delivered by such a professional and highly qualified gentleman. Thanks Nobby 🙏

Great course, very informative. I always appreciate Nobby’s training and feedback. I can see a marked improvement in my skill set every time I attend a course with him. 10/10

I recently completed a two-day bespoke firearms course with Nobby, and I couldn't be more impressed. From the moment we started, it was clear we were in the hands of an expert. Hearing about Nobby's extensive background and experience was absolutely fascinating, and it added such depth to the course. He patiently guided us through each aspect of handling and operating the AK-74 and M16, breaking down complex procedures into manageable steps. By the end of the course, my shooting accuracy had improved beyond anything I expected! Nobby's approach is both professional and approachable, making this one of the most rewarding training experiences I’ve had. Highly recommended!

An excellent training opportunity. MK’s passion to continue being of service to others, drives him to offer his elite experiences to a full range of clients, from beginner to proficient. His incredibly remarkable career in military intelligence will floor you. He is an upstanding gentleman in person, humorous and enthralling to work with – I was fully engaged. Thank you Nobby for holding my hand through to the very end! I shall see you again soon.

I came for a second time with Family. A tremendous day that I recommend to anyone. An incredible presentation of Nobby's military career that is awe inspiring. the firearms lectures on weapons handling and marksmanship is obviously brief but I learnt such a lot. The instruction on safe weapons handling is incredible and I didn't realise all that is involved. Anyone who takes this course can only be amazed at the professionalism and abilities of our Special Forces.

I was left speechless, which doesn’t happen often, listening to Nobby’s recount of his life in the forces and his teams experiences over the years. KNobby has done it all! He is so down to earth and modest given all that he has done for our country. I was left in awe and have the upmost respect for him. It was a lot to take in, having never handled weapons before and not wanting to get it wrong, I’m still going over it in my mind and learnt a lot in a short space of time. It was exciting and different to have a glimpse into the life of the Special Forces. It was a privilege to have had this experience, one that I will certainly never forget. I would recommend this priceless experience to anyone! Thank you Nobby for a great day and thank you for your service to our Queen and country.

I had the most amazing experience on this course and learnt so much about the weapon systems used within our military. The instruction from Mark was fantastic, clear and easy to follow from start to finish. Mark is an excellent instructor and all round great guy. Could have listened to him talk about the military and his career for hours. Would highly recommend anyone to do this course just for the experience, and for anyone wanting to better their firearms knowledge for practical purposes. Throughly enjoyed the day, thank you Mark.

This day came as a welcome surprise. We ended the day with an excellent shooting lesson with a range of weapons from the AK47 to the Heckler and Koch MP5. The instruction by Mark 'Nobby' Knowles was clear, authoritative and helpful in guiding us towards improvement. We learned how to make safe, ready and fire each of four weapons during the afternoon. We'd also learnt in the morning how to disassemble and reassemble the AK47 and the M4 Carbine fighting rifle. However, the highlight for me of this bespoke course was the first part of the morning session; learning about Nobby's life in the military, some of the operations he'd been on and his determination in recovering from a horrendous accident. He is engaging, inspiring and humble in equal measure and I'd happily sit through it all again. Thanks Nobby for providing this day.

I attended the Special Forces Experience with my husband and son. Mark did a fantastic job of tailoring it to our specific requirments and delivered a unique and memorable experience for my son (and us too). Our day was so well paced. In the morning we had a presetation about the Special Forces. Hearing about Mark's remarkable life in the Marines and SF was something special. It was both humbling and inspirational. Then we watched whilst my son was shown how to strip and re assemble two weapons. Finding out about these firearms, as well as learning a lot about their history was very interesting. After lunch we experienced firing 5 different weapons on the Range. The amount of instruction, information and knowledge I gained during our Range time was extensive. Specific advice and instruction was given to each of us when needed to help us improve. Whilst it is a serious business, I very much enjoyed the Range time. Without hesitation, I would highly recommend Shooting Training Solutions. It really was a fantastic experience.