540 Defense

540 Defense trains individuals and communities in defensive firearms, combatives, and traumatic medical emergency response. Located in North-Central West Virginia, they focus on real-world preparation—teaching decision-making under stress so students can fight effectively and provide emergency medical aid when it matters.

Firearms Instruction - Basic and Advanced Pistol courses (Prevail/Pistol 1, Persevere/Pistol 2) - Intro to Modern Handgun - Force-on-Force training (The Truth) - Self-defense and home-defense specific courses - Private firearms lessons ($50) - WV LEPSIS-approved courses for law enforcement

Combatives & Self-Defense - Edged weapons training - Kickboxing and hand-to-hand combat - MMA-based self-defense - Private lessons at Outlaw MMA in Fairmont ($50)

Medical Training - Intro to Tactical Medicine - Traumatic emergency medical care courses - Tourniquet and first-responder skills

Owner and lead instructor Mike Drescher brings 15 years of combat sports coaching and 7 years of firearms instruction. He's trained extensively with elite units—Delta Force, Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Russian Spetsnaz—and notable civilian instructors including Scott Jedlinski (Modern Samurai Project), Pat McNamara (TMACS), and John Lovell (Warrior Poet Society). He actively seeks advanced training and brings that knowledge directly to students.

Since February 2020, 540 Defense has trained officers from over 10 West Virginia agencies, including Marion County Sheriff's Department, Fairmont Police, and departments across the state.

They run courses for complete beginners ("person looking for information on how to safely handle their first firearm") through advanced students. Ladies-only intro classes are popular, and private instruction is available.

"Train to become your own first-responder, for you know not the hour..."