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

Cam & Co Interview: Trek’s Trek for the Brian Terry Foundation

Originally aired on NRA News Cam & Co 9/09/14. Erik “Trek” Utrecht is the owner and instructor for the Michigan Defensive Firearms Institute. He is also the […]

Podcast: Civilian Carry Radio

Civilian Carry Radio – brought to you by the Firearms Radio Network About Civilian Carry Radio: Our goal and the focus of this podcast is to […]

MDFI Will Not Be Training At Caledonia Sportsman’s Club in 2019

Good day everyone. Since releasing our 2019 season, we have been inundated with emails and calls asking when our Grand Rapids classes at Caledonia Sportsman Club […]

Podcast: The Home Defense Show

EPISODE 99 – ALL ABOUT MICHIGAN GUN OWNERS, FORCE ON FORCE & TACTICAL HANDGUN TRAINING This week on the Home Defense Show, Skip speaks with “Trek” […]

Podcast: Ballistic Radio (It’s Not Me, It’s You)

IT’S NOT ME, IT’S YOU (PODCAST – SEASON 6, BALLISTIC RADIO EPISODE 272, SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2018) “If you are known as a menace to your neighborhood […]

I’m All For the 2nd Amendment, But….

On June 20, 2018, Trek was asked to speak at the 2nd Amendment March at the Michigan Capitol. His speech was titled, “I’m All For the […]
Politicians Pens

Trading Rights for Ignorant Bliss…

For all responsibly-armed Michiganders out there: There has been a lot of chatter recently about “enhanced CPLs” (SB 584) where law-abiding citizens of the Big Mitten […]

Get Off The Couch and Exercise Your Use of Force (aka Why Did Little Tiffany Deserve A Bullet?)

So recently in the big Mitten there has been a news story and surveillance camera footage going around that shows what looks like a scenario in […]

JPX Pepper Gun: Mmm… Spicy

Check out the latest article written by Trek in Recoil Concealment: Issue 4 << See a preview on Recoil Web >>