Tactics And Training
MS Firearms Training, LLC – Vancleave, MS
Veteran-founded, USCCA-certified firearm training on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Vancleave, Mississippi
MS Firearms Training, LLC ( is a veteran-owned firearms instruction center in Vancleave, Mississippi, serving students from first-time shooters to experienced marksmen. Founded by 1SG Mark A. Hopkins, a retired U.S. Army veteran with over 20 years of active service, the school blends military discipline with civilian accessibility. As a USCCA-certified facility, MS Firearms Training offers a range of courses, including Basic Handgun (Pistol 1), Advanced Handgun (Pistol 3), women-only self-defense classes, and a recurring Tactical Shoot program. The Basic Handgun course is a three-hour blend of classroom instruction and live-fire range time, covering grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control, and firearm safety. Womens classes offer the same curriculum in a supportive, comfortable environment tailored to their needs. For more advanced students, Pistol 3 focuses on precision, distance shooting, and follow-through. The Tactical Shoot sessions introduce scenario-based stress drills, forcing participants to apply skills in dynamic, real-world situations. Firearms are available for loan to students who do not have their own equipment. Mark Hopkinss approach is praised for being patient, methodical, and safety-focused. One student noted: Mark was very patient, knowledgeable, and extremely talented about use of pistols, safety, etc. I highly recommend him for anyone from beginners to older folks or anyone wanting to become more familiar with their pistols. In addition to civilian courses, MS Firearms Training serves law enforcement, private security, and community organizations, making it a key firearms education resource on the Gulf Coast. To view schedules or register for a class, visit Know a coach or range that deserves to be featured? Submit here: Follow ZRIntel for daily coverage of firearm training innovations and community stories. Featured in this article? Let us know well highlight your repost on our feed!