Our Instructors

Hello, I am David Maglio. I have been on this journey since 1975, quickly approaching my 5th decade of being a “Student of the Gun” with experience in Military, Law Enforcement, and Competition.

THE 870
It all started with a trap shooting event for kids. I was 10 yards old and my father bought me a Remington 870, lightweight, 20 gauge. I remember getting yelled at distinctly by the Instructor for keeping both eyes open when I was shooting. Being left handed, I was shooting the 870 left handed as well. I told the Instructor I could not see down the barrel with both eyes open. Afterwards, I enjoyed early Sunday morning duck hunts every fall until I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

THE PYTHON
In October of 1980, the addiction started. My father took me to the Police PPC League he was shooting on. My first rounds down range with a handgun was a 4 inch, Blue, Colt Python. My training was reading the poster on the wall that explained safety and marksmanship. Every Tuesday night, we would shoot a 50 round Course of Fire where rapid fire was 5 rounds in 20 seconds. Yes, we timed those shots with a sun dial. I was a teenager that did not know what I did not know.

THE M16-A1 AND 1911A1
Straight out of High School, I left for Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Some 43 years earlier, my maternal grandfather went to Bootcamp in San Diego also. We would be the only two Marines on both sides of the family.

I qualified as a Rifle Expert using a Vietnam era M16-A1. This is where I learned I was cross eye dominant. I enlisted in the Military Police field as went to MP School after Bootcamp Graduation. My introduction to the 1911A1 was more detailed than reading at safety poster. I shot Pistol Expert and was very pleased.

I was assigned to the Provost Marshal’s Office at Camp LeJeune, NC. At 19 years old, I started carrying a handgun.

In 1986 and 1987, I was aboard three different U.S. Navy Warships where I was issued a M16-A2 and a Beretta M9. I visited several countries in the Mediterranean and the East Coast of Africa.

I was Honorably Discharged as a Corporal with Third Award Rifle Expert and Third Award Pistol Expert. My unit at the Provost Marshal’s Office was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation. I received a Good Contact Medal and a Sea Service Ribbon with a Star.

SHERIFF
Six month after my discharge, I was hired at Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office. While in the Police Academy, I was “Top Gun” as High Shooter. I was the last Deputy to be issued a revolver before the semi-auto transition in 1992. The department went to Beretta 92FS pistols, the civilian designation for the Beretta M9. I was Top Gun at the annual qualifications for the department several times.

Once I was promoted Patrol Officer from the Jail, it was time to get serious about handgun training.

Lethal Force Institute (LFI)
In 1993, I was introduced into the civilian training world. Again, I did not know what I did not know, but I learned quickly. I met Massad Ayoob, the Director of LFI and a Police Captain, in New Hampshire. I took every class in the LFI curriculum and in 2002 I became a Staff Instructor.

International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA)
Several Instructors along the way encouraged me to test my training in competition. I began competing in IDPA. I started winning monthly matches which caused me to seek out more training. Each Division within IDPA has a Classification. Of course, I strived to become a Master Class Shooter. I was the first person in Wisconsin to become classified as a Master in Stock Service Pistol. The race was on the become a 4 Gun Master with I accomplished a short time later. IDPA added an additional Revolver Division which I shot Master for as well. This made me a 5 Gun Master though IDPA. I since have won several State and Regional Championship Matches.

MASSAD AYOOB GROUP (MAG)
In 2010, Massad Ayoob split from LFI and founded the Massad Ayoob Group. After a discussion with Massad, I was appointed a Senior Staff Instructor as well as the Instructor Course Program Director. Massad Ayoob has allowed me to develop new curriculum under the Massad Ayoob Group name. Teaching took over my time and competing in matches took a back seat in my schedule.

In March of 2015, I retired from being a cop and started teaching full time. I travel the country teaching from Anchorage to Miami, Texas to Minnesota, and California to New Hampshire. It has been extremely rewarding meeting the type of people that create life long bonds.

THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH
In 2019, TJ Sommer, the owner of the Highlands Sportsman’s Club, called me and offered me the dream job at the Best Place on Earth, the Highlands! I was put in charge of managing the Ranges at the Highlands, including teaching MAG Courses!

David Maglio

Owner / (Massad Ayoob Group) Senior Staff Instructor and Instructor Course Program Director

CERTIFICATIONS

• National Rifle Association (NRA)
  - Certified Instructor
  - Pistol
  - Shotgun
  - Rifle
  - Personal Protection Inside the Home
  - Personal Protection Outside the Home
  - Range Safety Officer
  - Distinguished Marksman Award
  - Pistol (Law Enforcement)

• Massad Ayoob Group (MAG)
  - Senior Staff Instructor
  - Instructor Course Program Director
  - Handgun
  - Shotgun
  - Rifle
  - Kubotan
  - Handgun Retention
  - Deadly Force Instructor
  - Quadruple Speed Qualification Record Holder
  - August 2004

• Defensive Training International (DTI)
  - Firearms Instructor
  - Handgun
  - Advanced Handgun

• Rangemaster Firearms Training Services
  - Instructor Development Course
  - Handgun
  - Shotgun
  - Advanced Instructor
  - Master Instructor
  - Person Pistolcraft Instructor
  - Combative Pistol
  - Intensive Pistol

• International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA)
  - Range Safety Officer
  - 4 Gun Master Award
  - 5 Gun Master Award
  - State Champion
  - Regional Champion

> Masad Ayoob
> Tom Givens
> John Farnum
> Marty Hayes
> Denny Reichard 
> Joseph Truncale
> Hershal Davis
> Chuck Haggard

“David Maglio performs his host & range-master duties in a polite and professional manner. He anticipates the needs of his guests. David Maglio truly excels as an instructor. I’ve taken MAG-20, MAG-30, and MAG-IC from him. David’s best subject was the “Trigger Cycle”. I look forward to his next class.” - KYLE T.