Chad is the most knowledgeable man I have ever met on this subject. 10 out 10! Rpker

Very very good source of information for anything AR related. Chad is precise, clear, thorough, and extremely knowledgeable. Please follow, like, whatever else you can do and watch all his videos on YouTube. I started a few weeks ago and can’t stop watching!

I learned more than I thought possible about this platform from Chad. Until you attend one of these classes you really don’t know what you don’t know.

I was one of the fortunate few to be able to attend Chad's School of the American Rifle this year. Before selecting his school I research several other options including one about an hour from my home in Colorado. After weeks of research I selected SOTAR primarily because of his unique style, experience, dedicated focus on the AR style sporting rifle, his willingness to experiment, and his whole system approach to the rifle as a system not just a series of parts. I was not disappointed while attending the course. Chad's hands on teaching 0style got you involved and kept you involved throughout the class. He actively solicited student participation and interaction, allowed students to try different techniques and tools. What impressed me the most, he never backed away from a "why? " question and was able to clearly and concisely explain his reason for the statement in question. He provided all the necessary tools and references to acquire all of the tools yourself. If you are looking for a good solid hands on school specific to the AR style sporting rifle Chad is your man and SOTAR is your school. Oh, and don't let the "long days" dissuade you. You will be so hands on you will never notice and I can assure you, you will be disappointed when the course ends and it is time to go home.

The knowledge and experience backing The School of the American Rifle is unmatched in the industry. I’m always amazed by Chad’s willingness to teach proper assembly techniques. Chad and Donna truly do care about what you do with the information they provide. They really are the best out there!

Incredible experience! A ‘must go’ for anyone trying to learn more in depth knowledge of the AR platform. The class was easy for someone of any ability level to follow along, but also included extreme attention to detail and tuning of fine skills for more advanced builders! Chad could not have been more friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful in this class. Great place to learn and be a part of a community! Check it out!!

Hello. Great videos. I’m trying to contact you to ask if I can send you a couple lowers. There’s no contact info on your website nor couldn’t find it here.

Straight correct information

Chad and Donna do more for the AR community than anyone. With the quality of knowledge they share for free, you'd better believe the classes are worth it.

I attended an armorer course in early December and had a great time. Chad is very knowledgeable and presents the information in a way thats easy to understand. I look forward to hopefully taking the master build course in the future.

Chad is awesome I would highly recommend them.

The learning experience available.

Despite a busy service and preparing for a national conference, Chad and Donna made extra time to take care of a project for me. Additionally, they were fast to respond, kind, patient, and understanding. I would absolutely recommend SOTAR to anyone with gunsmithing needs!

Coming from a QA background I can really appreciate the effort that gets put into these autopsies and physicals. As an AR enthusiast I can't thank Chad enough for putting the time into making and sharing the videos. I would not hesitate to send him any of my rifles for work. Probably the most unbiased reviews I've seen.

Amazing instruction on the American Rifle. If you are interested in learning how it functions, repair, modify to increase its reliability to make it better this is the school for you. I had brought a brand new rifle to the class I attended, and because the inspection, gauging that was done to it, I saved myself a costly malfunction or serious accident. I would definitely attend the school again. I would highly recommend anyone interested in the platform to attend if given the chance.

Great gauges and hair splitting dissection of one of history’s greatest rifles done by a very honest man (Chad) with a very supportive wife. RIGHT ON. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

Chad is a genius. His knowledge and ability to get it across is second to none.

The videos they provide are detailed and specific and are very helpful in determining whether your AR is likely to perform well or not.

Chad's expertise in all things AR allowed me to salvage a poorly machined Bushmaster lower receiver that was a gift for my son. I highly recommend anyone consider Chad Albrecht at SOTAR for any repair work that they might need.

Best knowledge source for aspiring builders

The honesty! And knowledge,

They did a great job on my BCG, I would send them more work in the future. Thank you for the great work you do for the AR community.

Chad Albrecht of the School of the American Rifle devotes a great amount of personal effort and interest sharing his endless knowledge of the AR platform with both his students and online AR enthusiasts. He is making an outstanding contribution to teaching his students and to the general enlightenment of other AR enthusiasts, online or other, willing to listen objectively to both his seasoned procedures and innovative original perspective in function diagnostics and build techniques. I can without a doubt recommend anyone from the novice, just looking to get their "feet wet" to the advanced builder, who's plateaued and needs a new perspective, to attend one of the courses provided by the School of the American Rifle. And for those individuals and professional agencies who may be looking to utilize his recently announced future AR inspection and reliability services, I would definitely "pull the trigger". Chad's professionalism and commitment to maintaining nothing short of the highest quality standards in his class instruction will undoubtedly transfer to his daily business operations. I personally look forward to his future posts and videos as well as hopefully attending his course again to add to my knowledge base and absorb what I can from his years of experience.

Two days on a calendar, three days based on hours in the shop, and more information on ARs than I've received in over 30 years as a gun carrier. The education Chad provides is so much more than the "how." He satisfies the "why" things are in an AR. It is obvious that Chad is a master gunsmith, but what makes the class so much more is his ability to explain the gauging process for all of the parts of the different AR variants, and he does it in a way that only someone who loves instructing others can do. There is no manufacturer, part, coating, or device that escapes his apparent need to test and verify before accepting use on a gun. I am a better end user now than before his class, because I have a better understanding of what makes the AR more reliable. Parts are made to specifications for a reason and Chad knows and explains those reasons. Excellent training.

Outstanding videos that give in-depth knowledge of the AR-15 components. Chad explains everything in detail. You will not find the wealth of information Chad gives about the AR-15 anywhere else...period. Chad shares a complete list of tools and techniques to successfully complete any tasks on your rifle. He also makes various tools that you are able to buy that are well worth the fair price he asks. He explains the benefits of tools that can be used to complete the same task and why some are better in certain situations than others. I can also say after being an Instructor for a good majority of my military career that Chad is a natural born teacher. Easy to understand and very thoroughly covers every detail. I cannot thank Chad enough for providing me the free information he has given me, allowing me to be a member of his SOTAR group, and being a person I consider a friend. I cannot wait until I can actually get to attend his class in person.

The amount of knowledge that Chad shares is amazing. I learn something new every video I watch. I really hope in near future I can take one of his classes. If you own an AR or plan on getting one I highly recommend watching the videos.

I have not taken a class, but Chad’s online content has been extremely educational. The information has been invaluable, and if you are interested in learning more about AR pattern rifles this is where you should start.

The videos this school puts out are amazingly detaield and easy to understand. Best instruction and educational videos on any weapons platform. Outstanding work! Hope I get to attend a class in person.

One of the single greatest sources of knowledge pertaining to the building and perfecting of ARs.

I had a basic understanding of AR’s but taking this class brought my knowledge to a new level. Awesome group as well for follow up questions.

Chad's YouTube videos have been instrumental in me understanding the mechanics of the AR platform. For casual shooters needing to diagnose a failure to feed, up to professional gunsmiths looking to streamline their workbench, SOTAR is the place for AR info

I haven’t had the pleasure of attending a class....yet. But I have learned a great deal just watching the videos. Very informative in an easy to follow manner.

If you want a straightforward, no BS guide to learning more about the AR platform, this is your guy.

Very Informative group. Helped me get my rifle running like it's supposed to. I highly recommend SOTAR to anyone interested in learning about the American rifle.

One of the most knowledgeable AR15 armorers, specialty gage and tool makers in the industry. Excellent instructional videos and and tools. If you want to learn about the Direct Impingement AR15 family of weapons then might as well go with the best. Piston rifles need not apply.

excellent source of information

The most fantastic source of information on the AR15, Chad loves to teach and does his best to help people out! I can't wait to take one of his classes!!

Instructor Chad & SOTAR is a breath of fresh air in crowded field of incompetence. His expertise and willingness to share his knowledge is exactly on point every time. No ego and no brand bias. Just the facts as they are measured & gaged and gages don’t lie. If you have the opportunity to take a class do not hesitate just book it and make it happen. You will never look at your blaster in the same way again. I appreciate the fact that SOTAR is willing & can teach this old dog new tricks. Bravo Zulu.

Chad has the best AR related page on Facebook! He has a wealth of knowledge and shares it in discussions and shows it in some great videos.

If you want the truth about direct impingement AR-15 systems this is the place to get it. There are no sacred cows or brands that are off limits. Chad tells the truth about any and all things he finds, the good and the bad. What’s more is some of the most respected manufacturers and builders believe in him. Some have actually taken problems (or potential problems) he’s found with their products and used that information to improve their products.

I haven't attended any classes....yet! all of the info he has shared publicly has greatly helped me become more knowledgeable with the ar15 platform! I can't wait to attend a class one day!

Outstanding videos and Chad has unlimited information.When you think you knew something bam Chad comes out with a video and your like "I didn't know that"

Extremely knowledgeable and thorough step by step autopsy and physicals. Chad's videos are a step above the rest relying on facts and the data before him (as he shows it to us) rather than conjecture or biased opinions. This isn't a group for brand bashing or brand promoting. What it is is a perfect platform for learning every minute detail regarding the AR-15 platform in its form and function.

Easily one of the most informed folks in the industry on AR. The scientific, clinic, no nonsense approach is easy to follow and understand, we respect Chad Albrecht and highly recommend SOTAR.

Really knowledgeable videos. Always pick up something new when I watch them.

This page really helps bring true unbiased knowledge to our lives, protecting not only our investments but also god forbid our lives. The notifications from this page are something i look forward to daily.

The more I learn from Chad the more I realize how much I don't know. If I have an issue, this is where my gun will go, if I need knowledge I'm watching a video, and if I want to be the go to for my friends and family I'm attending his class.

Chad is a national treasure. His videos and willingness to share info have helped me greatly.

Craftsmanship born of science and precision. Chad presents a solid approach to building, maintaining, and upgrading America's favorite rifle through the discipline of a machinist who cares not for your favorite brand loyalty but the ruthless result of what story the gauges tell. SOTAR is a rare breed where results still matter more than your perceptions, and it's wonderful for exactly that reason. Chad and those in the group with similar knowledge and dedication to quality are just icing on the cake.

Great videos, lots of solid knowledge on this page