About Us
Riverside Sporting Gear was started in 2006 to change the way guns are purchased and provide better firearms instruction. Because guns can be used for both recreational and competition purposes as well as self-defense, there needed to be a better option for comprehensive education and training. Riverside Sporting Gear was created to be that option.
Jon Thompson with Mike Seeklander. This was a contest during one of Mike's classes. Mike shot his firearm and the challenge was to get as close to Mikes shot as possible. Jon's shot went 2/3 into the hole Mike shot. You could just see the small outline of part of the Jon's bullet and the grease ring.
Jon Thompson, founder
With over 15 years of experience and certificates from the NRA, nationally recognized instructors such as John Farnum, Pine Technical College, and the Sonoran Desert Institute, Riverside Sporting Gear owner Jon Thompson takes pride in his extensive knowledge about firearms. Building further on his gunsmithing education and receiving certifications from ArmaLite, Glock, Smith & Wesson, and SIG Sauer, Jon has learned how guns work, from manufacturing to use. In addition, Jon has a master’s degree in Special Education, making him a vetted teacher and the best choice to learn the ins and outs of firearms.
A team of qualified professionals
Here to help you grow and develop in the shooting sports, Jon and his expert staff will provide you with a unique experience, whether you are purchasing a new firearm or trying out one of Riverside Sporting Gear’s many classes.
Offering instructor certification
Jon also encourages others to begin teaching their own classes by offering to certify you as a United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) instructor.
Certifications
- Building Shooters, Dustin Salomon, 4-1-2-2024
- NRA Refuse to be a Victim, Ed O' Carrol, 2/19/2024
- Optimizing the Red Dot, Edelweiss Concepts, 01-14-2024
- Handgun Ballistics, Edelweiss Concepts, 11-04-2023
- NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Basic Pistol, National Rifle Association, 2007
- Firearms Safety Instructor Certificate, State of Minnesota DNR Staff, State of Minnesota DNR, 01/07
- Armorer Armalite AR-15, Pat Raley, Armalite, 5/11
- Armorer S&W M+P, Keith Kalen, Smith & Wesson, 5-17
- Advanced Armorer Glock, Alan Ramsey, Glock, 8/16
- Armorer Sig Sauer, Dennis Carrol, Sig Sauer Academy, 4/10
- NRA Advanced Training - Personal Protection Outside the Home, Andrea Murphy NRA Master Training Counselor, Joyce Borchart and Brian Phillips, 06/07
- Intermediate Defensive Handgun, John Farnam, Defensive Training International, Inc., 08/07
- Adv Defensive Handgun and Shotgun, John Farnam & Len Breure, PhD, Defensive Training International, Inc., 05/08
- Chief Range Safety Officer, Bryan Phillips, National Rifle Association, 06/08
- Rifle and Shotgun Instructor, Bryan Phillips, National Rifle Association, 01/09
- Certified Affiliate Instructor, John Farnam, Urban Rifle Class Confronting Daily Threats, 6/9/17 6/ 10-11/2017
- Basic Operator AR-15 Platform, Steve Quill, Monticello Sportmens orig 5/09, 5/11
- Defensive Handgun Training, Don Larson, Front Line Firearms Training, 7/09
- Competitive Shooting, Ben Stoeger, IDPA Class Master Class Shooters, 8/09
- Adv Operator – AR 15, Steve Quill, Monticello Sportmen orig 9/10, 5/12
- Basic/Intermediate Handgun, John Farnam, Assisted in Instruction, 9/10
- Advanced Defensive Handgun, John Farnam, DTI Named Affiliated Instructor, 7/11
- Law Enforcement Master Instructor Dev Program Pistol, Rifle , Shotgun, Various Law Enforcement Trainers, International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, 5/12
- Minnesota Gun Law Education Mid-Minnesota Self Defense Inc. Jim Fleming 4-3-2021
- Beyond Advanced Techniques & Force on Force, John Farnam, DTI, assisted as an affiliated instructor, 7/12
- NRA Instructor Training, Bryan Phillips, Assisted in training instructor candidates, 8/12
- Tactical Shotgun Steve Quill Monticello Sportsmen 9/12
- IDPA Techniques, Michael Seeklander, Nationally renown trainer, author and former LEO, Air Marshal, 9/12
- Defensive Shooting, Robert Vogel, World Champion Shooter ISPC and IDPA, police officer, 9/12
- Gunsmith Diploma, SDI Faculty, Sonoran Desert Institute, 10/11
- Gunsmith Certificate Pine Technical College Faculty Pine Technical College 5/13
- Armed Citizens Rules of Engagement and MAG 40, Massad Ayoob, Armed Citizen’s Rules of Engagement MAG-20 Range, 8/12 & 6/13
- Bullet Proof Mind, Dr. David Grossman, Grossman and Associates, 11/13
- NRA Advanced Pistol Instructor, NRA Training Headquarters, NRA Headquarters, 11/13
- USCCA Certified Instructor, Michael Martin, United States Concealed Carry Association, 12/13 USCCA Certified Training Counselor, Michael Martin, USCCA, 9/16
- IDPA Competitor Since 2006 --Classified as Expert in Stock Service Pistol, Enhanced Service Pistol, Custom Defensive Pistol, Compact Carry Pistol, Back Up Gun and Pistol Caliber Carbine. (2020 ratings)
- Classified as Sharpshooter for Revolver and Carry Optics, by IDPA (2022 ratings)
- IDPA Safety Officer Instructor, Current 2024
- IDPA Chief Safety Officer/Match Director, Current 2024
- Sig Sauer Classic/P320 Armorer, T. Casper, Sig Sauer, 8/21-23/2017
- Certified LE Armorer AR-15, M. Foster, American Gunsmithing Inst., 10/31/2017
- Certified Firearms Appraiser, G. Kelly, American Gunsmithing Inst., 01/05/2018
- Countering the Mass Shooter, Threat M. Martin, USCCA, 01/09/2018
Testimonials
Took the Instructor course with Jon and would highly recommend! He was knowledgeable and kept the class interesting all the way throughout. With classes sizes kept small, it felt like I got more than enough time to interact on a personal level and left his class a better instructor. Thank you, Jon!
Submitted on Apr 24, 2021 by Christopher A.
Jon put on an awesome class. He was very good at communicating the material with the students. His years of experience show through his knowledge and presentation. I will recommend him to others for instruction.
Submitted on Apr 18, 2021 by Michael H.
Jon Thompson was an amazing instructor. The USCCA Certified Instructor's Course was very informative and I feel I've been provided with the tools to be a valued instructor for my students. I hope to bring the same amount of knowledge and professionalism to my course that Jon has provided. I learned so much and won't hesitate to go back and learn more from Jon. It really was a pleasure.
Thank you Jon,
- Clarence, 2021
I bought the DPMS mini SASS from you a little while back. I just had to tell you what an excellent firearm this is! After buying a scope and zeroing it (which itself took only about 40 rounds to get the group where I wanted it) the gun has been consistently reliable. Cold or warm, it seems to find the target accurately. Moreover, because of the way it is configured, my own bad habits (I have a tendency to pull down when I'm excited rather than just squeeze consistently) are minimized. This is the best gun I have ever fired, and the best part is that I own it! Your recommendation of this gun was spot on. And your care & cleaning instructions were incredibly valuable. I am telling everyone I know about your place, so I hope you are getting some new customers. I can't wait until deer season.
Gregory S.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
United States Army
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Over the years Jon has helped select handguns for my son, my wife and myself. My wife has small hands and Jon found an 9mm M&P that fit her hand perfectly.
Thanks Jon,
Rob N. Maple Grove, MN
“Jon Thompson is an outstanding instructor! He has a wealth of knowledge and knows how to transmit it effectively to his students. My 2-day USCCA Instructor Certification with him was packed with great information. It has helped to improve my teaching methods and content for my permit to carry classes. I highly recommend Jon!”
C. Albert 2019
“Jon provided an excellent learning and training environment which allowed me and my fellow student to excel. He is a master of the material but more importantly supplemented the class with additional insights as well as suggesting improvements to our presentation style. I would highly recommend Jon and can say you will get your money’s worth from his course. —Don Z.” 2019
I recently took the USCCA instructor course from Jon and I have to say, the quality of instruction was top notch! Jon was thorough while still keeping on schedule. He was patient with us as we were learning to be instructors and he provided insight and information that I am confident I would not have received elsewhere. I would highly recommend Jon for the USCCA instructor course as well as other training needs.
-Rebecca 2020
I took the USCCA Instructor Certification for Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals with Mr. Jon Thompson in August of 2020. Please let me emphasize that I cannot say enough positive things about Mr. Thompson’s character or his training. Mr. Thompson puts all his energy and focus into helping his students succeed. I am confident that Mr. Thompson will both meet and exceed student expectations on the topics of firearms and self-defense training. Consequently, I would highly recommend Mr. Thompson and Riverside Sporting Gear for your training needs. Keep up the great work!
Mike
Jon is a great instructor. He made accommodations for my schedule. Content was presented in a consistently professional manner. Jon had facilitated a class that I attended years back and have crossed paths with him at various competition events but, this is the first time I have been a student of Jon. Will definitely look to Jon for further instruction. Will be watching for his Countering the mass Shooter class. Well done, Jon. Thank you.
Submitted on Dec 13, 2020 by Craig H.
Thank God for Jon Thompson at Riverside in Elk River, Minnesota! He is a professional's professional! I have taken more classes in my life than I can count and have endured some horrible ones from crappy instructors-- but JON THOMPSON IS EXCEPTIONAL! There is absolutely NO QUESTION HE IS AN EXPERT IN THE VARIED CARRY TOPICS AND FIREARMS AND INSTRUCTING! Myself being a professional trainer with two decades of experience, I can whole-heartedly declare THE WORLD IS BLESSED TO HAVE JON THOMPSON AND HE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY AND THEN SOME!
Submitted on Feb 28, 2022 by Justin D.
Jon is a great trainer, coach and friend.
Submitted on Feb 20, 2022 by Eric P.
Jon is one of those guys with an extraordinary amount of knowledge and experience, his class gave me a vast amount of tools to help me become a better and more proficient instructor !
Submitted on Mar 20, 2021 by derek s.
The materials USCCA provides is very detailed and easy for all to understand whether you’re new to carrying or experienced. Our instructor Jon was very through and involved everyone in the class. He also made the student act like instructors and have them teach the PowerPoint as though we were teaching our students which helped us get a taste of instructing. Definitely recommend him to anyone needing training.
Submitted on Feb 21, 2021 by Cale S.
"Jon is a consummate professional and has perfected the art of defensive firearms instruction. It was a distinct honor and pleasure to learn from him and I look forward to attending future classes that he offers."
Best regards,
C. Hoivik 1-27-2021
I want to thank you for taking the time to help me find a target gun that fits me well. I didn't know there were so many differences in firearms. The Mark lll Hunter was perfect. It is a pleasure to shoot. The concern and support you gave me was a big factor for me when I decided to continue learning about firearms. You helped and continue to help me to be comfortable and safe while handling and shooting my firearm. The women's only class was just so great to build confidence. I will continue to come to you for training and anything else I need for my guns. Thanks again.
Andrea V. Cokato MN
Jon you deserve recognition for the passion you have for teaching people safe and responsible firearm ownership. You do a lot more for gun buyers than the average gun shop most of which try to sell what they happen to have on hand. When you recommend a firearm it’s only after assessing the potential firearm owners experience and knowledge. You look at the mechanics of how that firearm will fit the prospective owner’s hand and go as far as educating buyers on things like the proper grip and finger placement on the trigger. All of which is very much appreciated by my wife and me. I’m willing to bet the rest of your customers would agree with me. Buying the wrong firearm can be a costly and dangerous mistake.
Mark B. 2020
Recently I took the USCCA Instructors Course from Jon. Before taking the course I did some research looking for the best curriculum and a great instructor. I selected USCCA and Jon Thompson. After completing the course I'm happy to say I selected the right curriculum and found a great instructor and new friend. Jon's experience, professionalism, attention to detail, presentation materials, and subject knowledge makes him an excellent instructor. I'm confident anyone who takes any course from Jon will have a great experience.
Thank you, Jon!
Pat C. 2020
Jon,
Thank you for the excellent training this past weekend.
I feel confident in my understanding of the course material and am excited to train the USCCA curriculum for firearms carry permit eligibility.
You have prepared me to deliver course content that goes far beyond the ability to exercise our rights under the 2nd Amendment.
The pre-work, classroom presentations, discussion and the range instruction related to defensive shooting was informative, thought provoking and challenging.
I highly recommend you as a trainer and look forward to attending future classes offered by Riverside Sporting Gear.
Your instruction is sure to enhance my understanding and ability to be my very best as a firearms owner, a carry permit holder and an instructor of the USCCA Concealed Carry course.
Thanks again.
Respectfully,
S. Peterson 2020
Jon was very thorough and a true subject matter expert. We went through the material at a pace everyone was able to comprehend very well. I would recommend Jon as an instructor.
Submitted on Dec 12, 2020 by Gary M.
The class material was well presented and the discussion that Jon guided was thought provoking and engaging. I took this class two years ago and am pleased that I choose to take it a second time. I was able to reinforce what I had learned and have taught. Thank you to Jon and my classmates for the interaction and motivation to grow in my abilities and experience as an instructor.
Submitted on Feb 27, 2022 by Donwin P.
The training was very thorough and informative. I feel like the instructors covered every detail needed.
Submitted on Jan 23, 2022 by John R.