About Riverside Sporting Gear

Experience you expect, at prices you don't mind paying

Riverside Sporting Gear was started in 2006 to fundamentally change the way firearms are purchased and training is provided to those who wish to learn to shoot for both recreation and personal defense.

Before I started Riverside I found myself with very few options. It was hard to find knowledgeable people to help me with the purchase of a firearm.  When I did find a store I thought I could relie upon, I usually found the clerks had very limited knowledge and had no idea how to fit a firearm to me or, as I observed, to other customers.  How does it feel just doesn't cut it when your are spending hundreds of dollars on a firearm.

I also found that few clerks knew much about opportunities for classes taught by people who actually shoot firearms on a frequent basis or could help me find clubs to join to improve my skills.  So I decided that I would try to fill this void.

I began my education by acquiring a number of NRA instructor certifications.  This was a good first step.  It gave me a foundation but it was not enough.  So I took classes from nationally recognized instructors.  The primary being John Farnum and his wife Vicki.  During this time I also joined the International Defensive Pistol Association and began to compete.  I now compete year around trying to constantly build and improve my skills.

While the NRA and actual firearms skill training really helped, I also needed to have a clear understanding of how firearms worked. I felt that this was the next step I needed  in order to properly help my customers so I could  fit a firearm to them and teach them to properly use and maintain the firearm. 

To accomplish this I obtained a diploma in gunsmithing from an accredited school.  That school is Sonoran Desert Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona.  To obtain this diploma I spent over 10 months of study and completed 55 separate lessons representing 40 semester credits with an overall grade percentage of 99%.I refer to myself as a bench gunsmith.  I know my skills and my limitations.

I also began getting armorer certifications from manufacturers like ArmaLite,  Glock and Sig Sauer.  What better way to build on my gunsmithing education than to learn from the manufacturer themselves.

Finally, when you come to Riverside, you will receive a unique experience in the way you will select and purchase a firearm. My staff and I are here to help you grow and develop in the shooting sports.  I hope you will consider us for both training and firearms/supplies purchase.

Jon Thompson,  Owner,  Riverside Sporting Gear