In the world of firearms training, Massad Ayoob is something of a legend (something he would never say). With decades of experience with firearms and in law enforcement backing him, not to mention his expert witness work and writing, Mas is inarguably more qualified than almost anyone else to teach gun owners. His background gives him greater clarity on the criminal mind, a firm grasp of self-defense laws, and a true understanding of guns in general. Mas isn’t only an instructor, he’s a gun guy himself. If you don’t train with Massad Ayoob, you’re missing out—and MAG-40 Armed Citizens’ Education is *the* class to attend. I’m going to tell you why.
What Is MAG-40?
MAG-40 is the entrance to the training Massad Ayoob Group (MAG) offers. The class is also offered in two separate chunks—MAG-20 Lecture and MAG-20 Live Fire—but it’s far better taken as a whole (and taught by Mas himself). This class is a total of 40 hours of training that’s split into two 20-hour pieces, one for live fire and the other for lecture. That way, you get the best of both worlds, hearing about self-defense laws and cases while honing your handgun skills in between lecture blocks.
On the MAG website, MAG-40 is rightly described as an immersion class. When you take MAG-40 it’s like drinking from a fire hose—information comes at you nonstop and it’s impossible to hold onto it all.
Signing Up For the MAG-40
Mas teaches MAG-40 all over the country, and that means you could sign up through various sources. Registration information is available on the MAG website, but you’ll be registering through whatever firearms academy you choose to attend for the class. There’s a form online that explains how to enroll, and that you’ll be sending the form and payment to whatever location is the host.
To attend, you need to provide proof of a clean criminal background. There are multiple ways to do that, including:
- Current concealed carry permit
- Current FFL
- Current law enforcement or military ID
- New background check run by sheriff’s department (law enforcement will do this for a fee)
With permitless carry covering more than half the country, it’s getting more common for people to not have a concealed carry permit. The good news is, having your local sheriff run the check is easy. It takes a matter of minutes and you end up with a paper copy stating the check was run along with the results (I’ve done it myself).
On class day you’ll fill out an information form and most likely sign a liability waiver for the range itself. Right now the class is $1000, but that could certainly change (and once you’ve taken it, you can re-take at half price).
What Do You Need for Class?
Because there’s a lecture and live fire, you’re going to need gear for both. You’ll get a gear list which includes a handgun, holster—because work is done from the holster, and ammunition. Consider taking a backup gun just in case something goes wrong with your primary weapon. It’s happened to me, and it’s a bad situation if you don’t have a replacement around, holster and all. For the lecture, you’ll want either a notebook and a ton of ink pens or a good laptop. Yes, you’ll be taking notes. There’s no way to get through class without notes.
Generally, you’re also responsible for your lunch, so figure that out as well. Just do everyone a favor and avoid the especially pungent or noisy foods.
The MAG-40 Lecture
The first time I took MAG-40, I was surprised to find out that a lot of the lectures are on video. However, there’s a good reason for it. By recording the lecture blocks, Mas ensures that not only is the information given perfectly consistent, but he also keeps a record of what’s said. There’s no debate about what you’re told because it’s right there on camera. Despite being cued up on video, the lectures are fantastic. There’s none other out there like them. You learn a lot, including:
- Legalese explained in layman’s terms
- The history of various drills and standards, such as the Tueller Drill
- Backgrounds of various applicable court cases
- Self-defense standards from a legal standpoint
- Federal laws as well as a few state laws here and there
- How to document your training, and why
There’s far more information that’s useful for gun owners than I can list here. Certain parts of the lecture are done by Mas in person, and all I can say is that he’s the most engaging lecturer I’ve ever heard. Mas doesn’t just teach, he knows how to grab and hold your attention. He also understands the sore backs and weaker bladders of adult students, so he makes sure breaks are plentiful. That right there is a major plus.
Live Fire Portion
To take this class, you need to be familiar with basic handgun skills. It’s helpful if you’re above average for experience, but it isn’t a must. I’ve seen people who are basically brand new to guns in class who’ve excelled. You’ll also see all manner of handguns on the firing line—this isn’t a plastic fantastic affair. There are likely to be 1911s, revolvers, striker-fired guns, DAO—basically, everything. I do recommend taking your daily carry gun if possible. This way you get a chance to use it for these specific lessons. Of course, don’t forget an extra in case the first gun fails.
During live fire, you’re going to go through all three common shooting stances: isosceles, Weaver, and Chapman. Mas will tell you he doesn’t care which one you use. He says it’s just important to find out which stance works best for your body type. No truer words have been spoken, because it’s accurate that one—I’m looking at you, isosceles—isn’t necessarily the best for everyone. This is a great opportunity to learn the different stances under the watchful eyes of an excellent team.
A Beneficial Practice
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Skills practiced include one-handed shooting—with both hands, not just your dominant hand—varying strings of fire, shooting for different distances, and firing while kneeling. There are also timed strings of fire. Every class I’ve been in has been full enough for two separate groups, putting half the class on the firing line at a time. That also means you have backup from whoever you end up paired with from the other group—and that comes in handy more than once. And yes, there’s a test at the end. But you’ll get to practice that test, and it’s not a hard pass/fail, it’s scored just like you’d expect any target to be scored. If you fail, it’s because your shot placement fell below the minimum required number.
Is MAG-40 Worth It?
Over the years, I’ve taken quite a few classes all over the country, and MAG-40 remains at the top of the list. It’s the class every gun owner should take, especially if they intend to carry for self-defense. Mas delivers vital information, and he does it engagingly. The live fire is great and helps you not only sharpen foundational skills but build on them. It can also be humbling, but that isn’t a bad thing at all.
Once you take MAG-40 and pass both the written and live fire tests, you’re eligible to take higher levels of training. I can confirm the other classes are phenomenal as well and worth the time and money. Odds are good you’re going to be forced to travel to take a class with Mas, but it’s one you’d never regret.
Check out the Massad Ayoob Group here.
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