my review Nighthawk Custom Training / MAG40

mongo356 · April 23, 2013, 12:57 PM

In case anyone is on the fence, here is a small review of my recent training experience in NW Arkansas. Had a great time.

When I contacted Jon from Nighthawk Custom Training, I had no idea what to expect. I had wanted to take MAG40 for some time. I had listened to a couple of different podcasts where Jon Hodoway was the guest speaker. Jon seemed to have a good sense of humor. One particular thing stood out to me, when Jon stated his opinion it was drawn from a solid knowledge base. He wasn’t afraid if it wasn’t popular at the time or the current training trend. He would give a “I do this particular thing and this is why” no dressing applied, I liked that. At the same time Jon (and Mas) would teach you a couple (or more) of different techniques and explain, find the one that works for you, not the “here is one technique and it’s the best so use it” mentality.

The entire training event was well planned and had accommodations very well in order for us. From the hotel arrangements to the great food around NW Arkansas. Everything went very smooth. One thing I noticed about Jon, he went out of his way to make sure everyone at the class had anything they needed to be comfortable, from ammo to aspirin.

The staff at the range made sure everything was conducted in a safe, controlled learning manner. They shot the course before we did not only can they teach it but they can perform it.

The Nighthawk factory was interesting and educational. The Nighthawk guns are really an awesome, working piece of artwork. All the people there were like the rest of the good folks from that area. You can see the Nighthawk people are very passionate about their work making the BEST firearm possible.

At the class Massad Ayoob delivers a wealth of knowledge. Even at the breaks we would continue to absorb information from him. He has a great sense of humor and makes a wonderful educator. I’m not sure you can put a number to the amount of people he has helped through one media or another. As I believe Jon said, if there is only one training class you could take MAG40 should be it.

Another great blessing to Nighthawk Custom Training is the photographer Kim. I never considered how difficult it would be to take pictures while you are trying to learn. Kim does an awesome job with the camera. She seems to have a natural eye for making some wonderful shots better than I could ever hope to take. Kim’s work with the lens is a great way to document the training memories. Oh, she also has great eye for cool vehicles too.

In conclusion, the entire experience is a wonderful way to spend four or five days with some very good people. They offer training that truly makes you a better shooter.

Jim M.

pax · April 23, 2013, 01:14 PM

Good review. Thanks for taking time to put it up there!

I'll second your thoughts about Jon & the Nighthawk Custom Academy crew, and about Mas & the MAG support staff. Those are good people doing good work.

pax

**Frank Ettin** · April 23, 2013, 02:30 PM

And I'll echo pax' comments.

It was my pleasure some years ago to take LFI-1 (as MAG-40 used to be called) from Mas and Jon. It was also my privilege a few years ago to work with Mas and Jon as an assistant instructor for a MAG-40 in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Gaerek · April 24, 2013, 02:15 AM

Well, that settles it. My New Years Resolution for next year is to attend a Mag 40 in 2014. (Funds and Geography will prevent me this year). I've been wanting to do it for a couple years now. It was hard to justify the price. But the more I read about it, the more I realize the value in the class. You're getting world class training, and a premier expert witness (in the event that you need one...) for a pretty cheap fee.

April 23, 2013, 12:57 PM	#1
mongo356 Member Join Date: September 7, 2011 Location: IL Posts: 88	my review Nighthawk Custom Training / MAG40 In case anyone is on the fence, here is a small review of my recent training experience in NW Arkansas. Had a great time. When I contacted Jon from Nighthawk Custom Training, I had no idea what to expect. I had wanted to take MAG40 for some time. I had listened to a couple of different podcasts where Jon Hodoway was the guest speaker. Jon seemed to have a good sense of humor. One particular thing stood out to me, when Jon stated his opinion it was drawn from a solid knowledge base. He wasn’t afraid if it wasn’t popular at the time or the current training trend. He would give a “I do this particular thing and this is why” no dressing applied, I liked that. At the same time Jon (and Mas) would teach you a couple (or more) of different techniques and explain, find the one that works for you, not the “here is one technique and it’s the best so use it” mentality. The entire training event was well planned and had accommodations very well in order for us. From the hotel arrangements to the great food around NW Arkansas. Everything went very smooth. One thing I noticed about Jon, he went out of his way to make sure everyone at the class had anything they needed to be comfortable, from ammo to aspirin. The staff at the range made sure everything was conducted in a safe, controlled learning manner. They shot the course before we did not only can they teach it but they can perform it. The Nighthawk factory was interesting and educational. The Nighthawk guns are really an awesome, working piece of artwork. All the people there were like the rest of the good folks from that area. You can see the Nighthawk people are very passionate about their work making the BEST firearm possible. At the class Massad Ayoob delivers a wealth of knowledge. Even at the breaks we would continue to absorb information from him. He has a great sense of humor and makes a wonderful educator. I’m not sure you can put a number to the amount of people he has helped through one media or another. As I believe Jon said, if there is only one training class you could take MAG40 should be it. Another great blessing to Nighthawk Custom Training is the photographer Kim. I never considered how difficult it would be to take pictures while you are trying to learn. Kim does an awesome job with the camera. She seems to have a natural eye for making some wonderful shots better than I could ever hope to take. Kim’s work with the lens is a great way to document the training memories. Oh, she also has great eye for cool vehicles too. In conclusion, the entire experience is a wonderful way to spend four or five days with some very good people. They offer training that truly makes you a better shooter. Jim M.

April 23, 2013, 01:14 PM	#2
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	Good review. Thanks for taking time to put it up there! I'll second your thoughts about Jon & the Nighthawk Custom Academy crew, and about Mas & the MAG support staff. Those are good people doing good work. pax __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

April 23, 2013, 02:30 PM	#3
Frank Ettin Staff Join Date: November 23, 2005 Location: California - San Francisco Posts: 9,471	And I'll echo pax' comments. It was my pleasure some years ago to take LFI-1 (as MAG-40 used to be called) from Mas and Jon. It was also my privilege a few years ago to work with Mas and Jon as an assistant instructor for a MAG-40 in Sierra Vista, Arizona. __________________ "It is long been a principle of ours that one is no more armed because he has possession of a firearm than he is a musician because he owns a piano. There is no point in having a gun if you are not capable of using it skillfully." -- Jeff Cooper

April 24, 2013, 02:15 AM	#4
Gaerek Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 939	Well, that settles it. My New Years Resolution for next year is to attend a Mag 40 in 2014. (Funds and Geography will prevent me this year). I've been wanting to do it for a couple years now. It was hard to justify the price. But the more I read about it, the more I realize the value in the class. You're getting world class training, and a premier expert witness (in the event that you need one...) for a pretty cheap fee.