About Best Day Training
Meet John & Sue Burton
At Best Day Training, we're dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality firearms and self-defense instruction tailored for newer shooters, women, and anyone looking to build real-world confidence and competence. As a husband-and-wife team with over 30 years of combined expertise, we bring a unique blend of professional certifications, practical experience, and a genuine passion for empowering people to protect themselves and those they love.
We both hold the elite Professional Pistolcraft Instructor certification from Rangemaster Firearms Training Services — one of the highest credentials in the industry. John earned Top Gun distinction in June 2024. Our programs are grounded in Rangemaster's data-driven, reality-based approach, emphasizing safe gun handling, legal considerations, and proven tactics from actual armed encounters.
Our Certifications
Rangemaster
- Professional Pistolcraft Instructor
- Master Instructor
- John earned Top Gun at the Master Instructor class (2024)
- Advanced Instructor
- Basic Instructor
NRA
- Certified Pistol Instructors
- Range Safety Officers
Pistol Mounted Optics (PMO)
- Certified via Cougar Mountain Solutions (Erick Gelhaus)
- Certified via Modern Samurai Project (Scott Jedlinski)
Additional
- Active Shooter Instructor — Last Resort Firearms (John: Top Gun)
- Gateway Instructor — Citizens Safety Academy (Sue)
- A Girl & A Gun "A Team" Member (Sue)
Honed Through Rigorous Training
Firearms Training
We've trained at institutions including Tactical Defense Institute (Levels 1–6, Active Shooter, Extreme Close Quarters, Partner Tactics), Active Response Training (Defensive Shotgun, Close Quarters Gunfighting, Tactical First Aid), Go Ruck (Active Shooter Intervention, Counter Ambush), and Street Encounters Skills & Tactics (de-escalation, pepper spray, medical response). We regularly attend Rangemaster TacCon and Instructor Reunions, learning from leaders like John Farnam, Tim Kelly, Greg Ellifritz, Chuck Haggard, and Rob Haught.
Hand-to-Hand & Self-Defense
Our self-defense foundation extends beyond firearms. We both hold first- and second-degree black belts in Krav Maga and taught classes from 2005–2015. We've cross-trained in boxing (including with Olympic medalist Jerry Page), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA. This background informs our non-lethal training: de-escalation, escape techniques, and integrated medical responses.
Medical & Preparedness
Safety doesn't stop at the trigger. We've completed multiple courses in Real World Trauma, Tactical First Aid and "System Collapse" Medicine (Active Response Training), Stop the Bleed, AED/CPR, and Go Ruck Self-Responder First Aid — ensuring our programs cover comprehensive preparedness from wound care to opioid overdose response.
Training Programs
Classroom Instruction
Fundamentals, legal aspects, and mindset development — the foundation before you ever touch a firearm.
Live-Fire Range Sessions
Safe, progressive shooting drills focused on accuracy, speed, and real-world decision-making.
Private Training
Customized one-on-one or small-group lessons tailored to your goals and experience level.
Specialized Programs
Women's self-defense, red dot sights, holster training, and beginner programs that are approachable and enjoyable.