Metro Detroit · Southeast Michigan
Firearms training with an instructor in the room.
We teach permit and carry-law courses to students across the country. Michigan is where we do the other half of the job — in person, one student or one small group at a time. No experience needed to start.
Why private
Not the cheapest class. The right training.
A large public CPL class exists to move a room of forty people through a statutory minimum on a Saturday. That format works for some people. It works badly for a nervous first-time owner, for a couple with very different experience levels, and for anyone whose questions do not fit the slide deck.
We built this business around the opposite constraint. Sessions are private — you, or your group, and an instructor. The curriculum bends to what you actually need. If you need another twenty minutes on grip, you get another twenty minutes on grip, and nobody sighs.
That costs more than a bargain class. It is worth it to the people who choose it, and we are straightforward about who that is: if what you want is the cheapest possible path to a certificate, we are not the right option, and we will tell you so.
One at a time
Private sessions only. No crowded rooms, no waiting your turn on the line.
Built for you
Curriculum shaped around your experience, your firearm and your goals.
Beginners welcome
No experience assumed. Fundamentals are taught as part of the session, not treated as a prerequisite.
A starting point, not an endpoint
Certification is where most people stop. It's a better place to begin — and the licensing wait is the ideal time to keep going.
What we teach
Four ways to train with us in Michigan.
Michigan CPL Training
Concealed Pistol License training that meets Michigan's requirements without treating you like a number in a room of forty. No shooting experience needed to start.
Best for
- First-time shooters — fundamentals are taught as part of the course
- Firearm owners ready to earn the license
- Couples and small groups certifying together
Private Firearms Training
One-on-one instruction built around your experience, your firearm and what you actually want to be able to do.
Best for
- New owners who want patient, safety-first instruction
- Shooters working through a specific problem — grip, flinch, accuracy
- People who would rather not learn in front of strangers
Private Group Training
Custom instruction for families, friend groups, women's groups, workplaces and organizations — your group only, built around your goals.
Best for
- Families who want everyone on the same page
- Friend groups who would rather train together than separately
- Women's groups seeking a comfortable, unhurried environment
Couples Firearms Training
Training for two, where one partner is usually further along than the other — and the instruction has to work for both.
Best for
- Couples where one shoots and the other never has
- Partners who want a shared plan for the home
- Spouses completing CPL certification together
Churches, organizations and seminars
Church safety education, self-defense law seminars, and customized training for organizations across Southeast Michigan.
Where we train
Southeast Michigan.
Range location is arranged as part of scheduling, based on where you are and what the session needs.
- Oakland County
- Waterford
- Macomb County
- Wayne County
- Livingston County
- Metro Detroit
Outside these areas? Ask anyway — depending on the session and the schedule, we may still be able to help.
Instructor
Wes Francis
Founder and lead instructor. Direct, professional instruction centred on responsible ownership, practical preparation and real-world application — with an honest read on whether a student is ready to carry.
About WesStraight answers on pricing
Cost depends on format, length and how many people are training. We quote after a short conversation rather than posting a number that won't match what you actually need.
(313) 329-9559FAQ
Questions we get from Michigan students.
Where does The Ammo Academy train?
We provide private instruction across Southeast Michigan, including Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Livingston counties. Range location is arranged as part of scheduling, based on where you are and what the session requires.
Do I need my own firearm to train?
No. New shooters frequently start without one, and that is often the better order — training first, purchase second, so you buy something that actually fits you. Tell us your situation when you reach out.
How is this different from a large CPL class?
Class size and pace. A large public class is built to move a room through the minimum efficiently. Private instruction is built around one student or one group, which means questions get answered, pace adjusts to you, and instruction targets what you specifically need.
What does training cost?
Pricing depends on the format, the length and the number of participants, so we quote it after a short conversation rather than posting a number that will not match what you actually need. Call or send a message and we will give you a straight answer.
I've never touched a firearm. Is that a problem?
It's the most common place we start, including for CPL students. Nothing in the session assumes you arrive with skills, and you won't be learning in front of an audience.
How do I know if I'm ready for a CPL class?
If you want the license and you're willing to put in the session, you're ready to start — inexperience isn't a barrier, because private instruction builds the fundamentals in. Tell us where you're at and we'll tell you plainly what your training will need to cover.
Start with a conversation
Tell us what you want to be able to do. We'll tell you honestly what that takes — including if the answer is that you should start somewhere else.
Sources & official resources
Last reviewed: August 2026
- Michigan State Police — Concealed Pistol Licensing
State firearms records and CPL program information
- Michigan Compiled Laws § 28.425j
Pistol safety training course requirements
Michigan CPL requirements are set by state law and administered through your county clerk. Confirm current requirements with the Michigan State Police and your county clerk before applying.
Educational information only. Not legal advice. Firearm laws change, and requirements vary by state, county and issuing authority. Verify current requirements with the issuing authority before you apply.
Not in Michigan?
We teach permit and carry law online, nationwide.
Twelve state permit programs and a library of short firearms courses — for students anywhere in the country.