The place for the combative and competitive application of firearms training and technology
Practical Performance
What is Practical Performance Training all about? It’s pretty simple actually. We are trying to put the best information we can about combative and competitive shooting, techniques, guns, gear, classes, and whatever else may interest you! We take away all the self absorbed, biased fluff you see out there in the shooting and training world and tell you what we think about a broad variety of topics related to shooting in both a combative and competitive aspect. You won’t see the ego trip or the “Well, 20 years ago I was …” crowd here. We value more what you can do RIGHT NOW, because that is all you can rely on!
Here’s what you will see from us: the best in what makes you and your equipment faster, more accurate, more reliable, and overall better prepared for whatever your purpose may be, whether it’s combative or competitive.
About AJ Zito
Gunsmith/Lead Instructor
A.J. is the founder, gunsmith, and lead instructor for Practical Performance. After leaving the U.S. Army in 2009, A.J. worked in the private security field as an executive protection specialist and instructor. After leaving the security and protection world, A.J. has been focused on the concept of “Performance Shooting” which blends concepts from both combative and competitive shooting disciplines. He holds a “Master” classification in USPSA Single Stack Division, as well as in multiple divisions of IDPA. In 2017, A.J. received an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Gunsmithing after three years of a full-time program in general to advanced gunsmithing, custom competition, carry, and guild quality firearms. With a passion for sharing knowledge, A.J. taught at a college for gunsmithing until 2022. A.J. brings a vast knowledge of firearms mechanics, instruction, combative and competitive concepts, and employment of firearms to the table.
About Seth Blair
Firearms Instructor
Seth is a former member of the U.S. Army, and has been working with A.J. since early in 2015 to develop his handgun, carbine, and precision rifle skills. Seth has a shooting background based in GSSF competition which has since branched over to both USPSA and IDPA. He also has an extensive background with the AK47 platform, including but not limited to the PKM, AK74, and some work with Death Valley Magazine and Rifle Dynamics. Seth was formerly a medic in the Idaho Army National Guard, deploying to Iraq in 2010-11 and was part of a convoy escort team. Seth currently serves as an armed security supervisor and primary trainer for a major university. Seth’s training resume includes Ken Hackathorn’s Advanced Handgun Program, U.S. Army Live Tissues Lab, DVM’s PKM Operator and Mobile Scout Courses, U.S. Army Combat Medical Course, as well as others. Seth is a Carry Optics Grand Master in USPSA. He is also an experienced instructor in the area of combat medicine, including TCCC and Combat Lifesaver.
