Davey Defense LLC
John Davey
Owner/Instructor, Davey Defense LLC
Minnesota BCA Certified Firearms Instructor
Minnesota Permit to Carry. Online classroom. Live fire with John as your instructor. Plainspoken training.
Need help before registering?
Call or text John: 507-276-8484
Email John: [email protected]
General email: [email protected]
Permit Renewal Info
Renewing your Minnesota Permit to Carry? Start with the renewal information page.
Common Questions
Questions about age, cost, live fire, class details, or what to expect? Start with the FAQ page.
Instructor Gear FAQ
I get the same gear questions every week, sometimes before class and almost always after live fire.
This is a straightforward snapshot of what I personally carry and why.
It is not a sales pitch and it is not a universal prescription.
Gear has to fit your body, your lifestyle, and your willingness to train.
The goal is simple. A setup you will actually carry, and a plan you can actually maintain.
What handgun do you personally carry day to day?
I currently carry a Sig P365 variant.
Not because it is trendy, but because it fits my hands and disappears into daily life.
A gun that stays at home is useless.
Why that size instead of something bigger or smaller?
Full size guns are easier to shoot well but harder to live with.
Subcompacts are easy to carry but harder to control.
The middle ground works best for me.
Do you carry a red dot?
I currently carry iron sights only. Training and competition guns are a different story. Training solves most problems.
Do you carry a weapon light?
No, not on my daily carry gun.
That decision is based on how and where I live and work.
I teach both approaches.
Do you carry a flashlight?
Yes. A small handheld light is daily carry.
It solves more problems than a firearm ever will.
Do you carry a knife?
Yes. A folding knife every day. Some days you will see me carrying one in my pocket and a second one on my belt. Why? Why not? I like tools.
Bottom line: gear choices are always a balance between equipment and training.
John’s Gear Lists
People ask what I use or what I would start with. These lists are here to answer that. Nothing here is required for class.
About me
John Davey is a Minnesota BCA approved firearms instructor offering
Permit to Carry classes,
pistol safety training, and
live fire training
in Gibbon, Fairmont, and throughout Southern Minnesota.
I am a veteran, lifelong shooter, and NRA member.
My specialty is the art of the pistol and solid fundamentals.
Carrying is not a hobby. It is part of daily life.
Safety first. Safety always. No compromise.
Training philosophy
At Davey Defense we teach everyday people how to protect themselves.
No ego. No theatrics. Just real world fundamentals.
Whether you are here for a
Permit to Carry class,
Basic Pistol tune up,
or
one on one safety session,
the process is the same.
Mission
Teach solid fundamentals.
Treat people with respect.
Build long term trust.
Questions?
Reach out anytime through the
contact page
or email
[email protected].
Note: carrying a lethal self defense weapon is not for everyone.
Carry Gun Advice
My advice is to steer clear of compensated barrels on carry guns for most people.
Manufacturers seem to be pushing them lately, and they are not automatically bad. They can work. They can have a place. But for the average concealed carry owner, more training and more regular shooting will usually produce better results than adding a comp.
Good grip, good fundamentals, a clean draw stroke, and regular practice matter more than chasing hardware.
My short list for solid 9mm carry guns:
- Glock 43X
- SIG P365XL
- SIG P365 X-Macro
- S&W M&P Shield Plus
- S&W M&P Shield X
- S&W M&P Shield EZ
- Springfield Hellcat
All in 9mm.
Pick the one that fits your hand, your body, your budget, and your willingness to train.