Saber Tactics

Saber Tactics operates out of the San Francisco Bay Area with two co-founders who bring decades of law enforcement credentials to their instruction. Nicholas Suslow spent 11 years as a full-time SWAT Team member with the San Francisco Police Department, handling equipment, intelligence, reconnaissance, and mission planning for critical incidents and high-risk search warrants. Ephraim Cheever brings 16 years across patrol, corrections, court security, and specialized response units—plus multiple black belts and martial arts instruction worldwide.

Both are certified firearms instructors across pistol, rifle, shotgun, less-lethal munitions, and tasers. This isn't theoretical training—these are people who've actually operated in lethal force situations.

• •Covert Concealed Carry (2 days, $600) – Designed for officers needing immediate access to a concealed firearm. Covers holster selection, rapid access, drawing under pressure, and accuracy from 3–50 yards with multiple targets. Requires 1,000 rounds of pistol ammo.
• •Patrol/Tactical Rifle (3 days, $800) – Semi-automatic rifle fundamentals, malfunctions, manipulations, breakdown, and firing. Meets legislative requirements for carrying a carbine or short-barreled rifle on duty. Covers PC 835(a) requirements. Needs 1,000 rounds rifle ammo + 200 rounds pistol.
• •Pistol Red Dot Sight (RDS) Transition (3 days, $800) – 24-hour course on deploying pistol-mounted red dot optics in high-stress situations. Covers AB392, SB 230, and PC 835 considerations. Requires 1,000 rounds.
• •Red Dot Sight Mounting & Instructor Courses – POST certified RDS mounting and instructor certifications.
• •Single Action (1911/2011) Transition – POST certified platform-specific training.
• •Concealed Carry Tactics Instructor – POST certified.
• •Women's Performance Pistol (8 hours) – Fundamentals-focused course for female officers using duty holsters with iron or red dot sights. 350 rounds required.
• •Tactical Low Light – POST certified night shooting instruction.

• •CCW Permit Training – California residents and non-residents. Meets state requirements for concealed carry permits.
• •Firearms 101: Pistol & Rifle/Shotgun – Beginner courses covering firearm types, safe handling, and when to use defensive force.
• •Fundamentals of Pistol Series – Multi-part progressive training.
• •Home Defense Series – Practical defense scenarios for residential protection.
• •Defensive Shotgun Series – Shotgun-specific fundamentals and tactics.
• •Pistol Red Dot Series – Civilian-focused red dot transition training.
• •Rifle Foundation Series – Rifle fundamentals from the ground up.
• •Introduction to Knife Defense – Hand-to-hand defensive skills.

"I have been a Law Enforcement firearms instructor for over 20 years and I have had the opportunity to attend various schools presented by private companies and L.E. agencies. I recently was able to attend a 2-day POST certified 1911/2011 course presented by Nick Suslow of SABER TACTICS. I can honestly say that this was one of the best classes that I have attended. Suslow's experience as Law Enforcement Officer for a major Bay Area agency showed in his ability to present the material not only in the classroom but also at the range." — HA, Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor

Most courses run 2–3 days and require students to bring their own firearms (9mm or larger for pistol courses), ammunition (typically 350–1,000 rounds depending on course), eye and ear protection (electronic recommended), and relevant magazines and carriers. Red dot-mounted firearms are highly recommended for applicable courses.

All law enforcement courses are POST certified—meaning they satisfy California Peace Officer Standards and Training requirements. Civilian CCW courses meet California legal requirements for permit applications.