SAFE, FUN & EDUCATIONAL TRAINING FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

This Isn't Tactical Training.
Our Goal Is To Help Prepare You For Every Day Life.

MDFI bases all of its training around the “Whole Person Concept” – essentially focusing on the traits that compose a responsible citizen in the areas of firearms, less lethal tools, medical skills and other associated disciplines.  We offer an “EGO-FREE ZONE" where students are always encouraged to learn and will never be talked down-to by the cadre or fellow students while attending any course, regardless of difficulty level.

Catering to the beginner and the experienced student alike, MDFI staff work to ensure that all participants walk away with the benefits of professional training, evaluation and feedback. We welcome all Americans, regardless of what they do and where they are from.

Available Courses

Available Courses


We offer everything from basic handgun and rifle to advanced shoot house courses. See what fits you.
Training Locations

Training Locations


MDFI holds courses all over the state of Michigan as well as some out of state locations. Find a class near you.
MDFI Alumni

MDFI Alumni


Find out what it means to become an MDFI alumni and part of our extended family as the nation.

STUDENT REVIEWS

  • I have attended several of MDFI's course and interacted with several of their instructors. Not enough can be said about the amount of respect I have for this company. The skills that are taught are done in a understandable and safe manner, the cadre are awesome and knowledgeable, and the classes offer more information and learning than anywhere else I have trained.
    Jack
  • Took the YSINTG class. I was completely blown away with the quality of the content for the class and the incredible instructors. The cadre are great and they create a learning environment right from the start all about safety and learning. I can honestly say it was the best pistol/firearm training I have had. A few days after the class I was able to get to the range. Applied everything I learned and could not believe the improvement in shooting. Money and time well spent and plan to take more classes through MDFI.
    Steve
  • Awesome class! You Suck! It's Not the Gun has something for shooters of any proficiency level. I have taken this class every year starting in 2017 and each time I see improvement. When I take it in 2020 I will most likely run it strong hand only!!! Instructor engagement is 100% class moves slow enough for one on one attention if needed. Safety briefing is the best in the industry. No question this is a must take class!
    Chip
  • Thanks again for a great class this weekend. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed it, and learned a lot. Your attitude and sense of humor was a breath of fresh air for me as a vet (and former industry member) that is burned out on all the tactical peacocking. You balance professionalism and credibility, with a geniuine realness and humor incredibly well. You and your cadre really made my girlfriend feel special, and like you wanted to help her learn, and even laugh. She is really sensitive to egos and self centered people, and had it been another class where that is the norm, her growth in this discipline would have stopped yesterday.
    Sean C.
  • Had a great time at classes this weekend.  Thank you.  It was awesome.  Your team had a lot of patience with me!  Looking forward to using the skills from this weekend to practice and improve.
    Darleen K.
  • Thank you for such a wonderful class this past weekend. I wasn’t sure what to expect and it definitely exceeded my expectations. I’m a big proponent of learning as much as you can to be prepared in all situations and I left that class with a wealth of knowledge. I had no idea I had so many less than lethal options available to me.
    Kelly O.
  • As always I really enjoyed the classes this weekend. The skills I learned as a brand new shooter over two years ago in your first classes down here have allowed me to go and seek out other training where the habits and practices learned have been proven to allow me to train and succeed in safe manner no matter the course. Your ability to teach and make me think critically in foundation level courses continues to be well worth my time and money.
    Clint W.
  • I was lucky enough to attend the MDFI class called "You suck it's not the gun”. I don't think we had anyone in our class that didn't have a marked improvement.
    I would highly recommed this class for all shooters, new and experenced, as it does not matter how long you have been shooting, it is ALWAYS a good idea to spend time on fundamentals. Trek does a great job explaining everything, and keeps the class light and fun, and ego free. You're there to learn, not to try to show up your neighbor.
     
    Josh H.
  • I've been shooting for years, and considered myself competent in my manipulation of my guns. I have learned over the 5 MDFI classes I've taken, that I could pull a trigger, but had a lot to learn, and still do. But from ysintg to long gun cover and movement, I've become a more competent and responsible gun owner. And a more responsibly armed American. Thanks again, and can't wait for next year!
    Barry M.

Latest News & Articles

Hidden in the Woods: MDFI’s Northern Woods Training Facility

Everyone may have heard the news about MDFI’s new home base for firearms training at the newly-acquired Spectacle Lake Outdoor Club in Albion, but even many […]
Matter of Facts Podcast

MOF Podcast: Make Range Safety Rules Make Sense Again w/ Trek

Phil and Andrew sit down with Trek to talk about the recent ups and downs with the MDFI family, then round out with some horror stories from public ranges and what is prompting Trek to try something different.

Podcast: How to Take a Class and What to Expect

No matter which role you may fill in a firearms training class, this episode is valuable to students and instructors alike. Today’s guest is Erik Utrecht from Michigan Defensive Firearms Institute and between the two of us, we cover all kinds of issues pertaining to firearms training.
Matter of Facts Podcast

MOF Podcast: Use of Force the Finale w/ Trek from MDFI

Phil, Andrew, and Trek sit down behind the mic for one more “Use of Force” chat in response to the multiple good and awful examples court cases and media have shown us of firearm use in recent years. Trek makes the case for why some of these high profile cases illustrate good takeaways and poor decision making.
Matter of Facts Podcast

MOF Podcast: Kyle Rittenhouse Shooting from a Use of Force Perspective

Phil, Andrew, and Trek tear into the events pertaining to the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, the rules and laws governing appropriate use of force, and other considerations that influence how we deal with violent, potentially lethal, threats. How do we stay on the right side of the law?
Matter of Facts Podcast

MOF Podcast: Kinosha Kid vs. Texas School Shooter, and Vaccine Mandates

Phil and Andrew (MOF Podcast) sit down with Trek from MDFI and Northern Woods Training to talk about the apparent disparity in treatment between Kyle Rittenhouse and Timothy Simpkins, then pivot to the vaccine mandates and their possible effect on the ranks of severely understaffed police departments and other first responders around the country.

2022 Tom McNaughton Scholarship Winner!

Announcement of the 2022 winner for our Tom McNaughton Shooting Scholarship – the recipient will carry the torch in honor of the of the great Tom McNaughton by continuing on the path they have started to be the very definition of a responsibly-armed citizen.

The Importance of Training

MDFI Alumni, Jared (14 years old) is one of the most squared away students we've seen in class this year. He interviewed Trek on the range with some questions about the importance of training.
Matter of Facts Podcast

MOF Podcast: A Trek Into The Northern Woods

The guys from MOF and Trek discuss the Northern Woods Training Facility. With a more diverse focus than just firearms, Northern Woods hosts top tier instructors in the disciplines of tracking, emergency medical, counter custody, and primitive bushcraft.