Front Sight tips?

[Tack]

You will have a lot of information presented to you and learn a lot. Don't get stuck when you don't master a particular skill. Do your best and get back with the class. You'll do over and over, so try to keep up as best you can.

You will choose partners. I suggest you choose a stranger.

[Tripper]

I was there in January and they had recommended the various manuals and since there were none available they said see about getting copies made, is there anyone here that would scan and email to me? I wanted the handgun practice manual and the proshop had no manuals at all

[Tripper]

BTW I went with my son for the 4 day, if you can I would recommend making arrangements now for extending you 2 days to 4 days, if your using a cert see if you can arrange getting another one and see if they will accept it this late so u can both stay 4 days, they'll offer you the chance to buy an upgrade once your there too,
Take extra mags, and a spare pistol if you can, I used fingerless gloves and did not have abrasions from the constant manipulation like others. Electronic ears were a big pluss also, ice chest with your choices if lunch stuff and snacks from walmart is lots cheaper, I had a small pouch on my belt for the unloads and loose bullets, like a small shotshell pouch, held usually 50 bullets and my 4th magazine.

[Sheepdog1968]

Have fun most of all and keep an open mind.

A couple of things jump to my mind.

I got a "scarf" type thing to wear around my neck to keep the sun off of it beyond just sunscreen.

Also, I found sports tape to be a bit better than bandaids.

If you've never been there, they really are in the middle of nowhere (30 min or so drive to town). I point this out for lunch considerations. Either order lunch via Beach Cafe (somewhere on their website), or pack your own.

As for bringing your bullets up to the 25 yard line and loading. Many did it. I just want to point out that you should be careful and not load a similar looking box of ammo into yours. I know of one instance in a class I took where someone went to the wrong box behind the line and loaded 9 mm's into his 40 cal pistol. He did fire one shot and it didn't seem right before he noticed.

[Chief-7700]

The Mr. Piazza conman kool aid

Never saw any Kool Aid being offered.

[Lazy eye]

Drink your water even if you aren't thirsty. The arid climate will dehydrate you and you won't know it.

Take a backup gun for each of you, unless you don't mind having to rent one of theres if yours breaks.

The more mags the better, it will cut down on reloading times.

Do not take a SERPA style holster, they've recently banned them from lack of training.

Electronic ear muffs. They will be talking a lot and giving corrections, so this is important.

Outside of that, make sure you have fun. Front Sight does an excellent job at getting people safe training. However, don't stop here. Make sure you keep expanding your knowledge and exploring different styles until you fall into your own.

Where did you hear this? I only have the SERPA holsters and they didn't say anything about them when I was there. That was a while ago though.

[Rock6.3]

You are required to use factory new ammo, and it must be jacketed. No lead, no reloads.

Plan to arrive early every day (you can get some extra instruction time that way.
You need a jacket (concealment garment). Make sure it has pockets you can stash loose ammo in.
3 mags is the minimum I would take.
Pants need to be reasonably loose so you can easily shove mags into pockets upon demand.
Plan on reloading your mags (a lot!) while standing on the line and receiving instruction. If you are not shooting you should be loading magazines.
Everything you need to purchase onsite will be very expensive. Plan accordingly.

[locosway]

Where did you hear this? I only have the SERPA holsters and they didn't say anything about them when I was there. That was a while ago though.

When I was there doing their Instructor Development course a month ago I used a SERPA as well. However, just a couple weeks ago they had a ND, and apparently the person was using a SERPA. So, instead of properly teaching people how to draw their firearm from the holster before they present it, they decided to ban all SERPA style products.

It's on their website under the equipment section.

Everything you need to purchase onsite will be very expensive. Plan accordingly.

Yes, $50 Glock magazines... IMO they're really taking advantage of people with their retail pricing.

[Chief-7700]

Where did you hear this? I only have the SERPA holsters and they didn't say anything about them when I was there. That was a while ago though.

ATTENTION FRONT SIGHT HANDGUN STUDENTS:

April 15.2011

Front Sight no longer allows students or staff to use the Blackhawk Serpa holster (or similar designs) which have a retention device in the trigger guard.
industry wide, numerous injuries have been reported due to the incorrect use of this holster. For your continued safety, Front Sight has elected to ban the use of this style holster.

If you arrived today with a Serpa or similar holster, you have three choices:

1. Deactivate the retention device by removing it altogether or blacking it open. Front Sight staff will NOT do this for you.

2. Use a loaner holster from the Front Sight Pro Shop at no cost.

3. Purchase an alternate holster from the Front Sight Pro Shop.

The above notice was handed to me when we drove through the main gate at Front Sight on 04.15.2011

[c.j.]

Where did you hear this? I only have the SERPA holsters and they didn't say anything about them when I was there. That was a while ago though.

In the latest 'Welcome' page they have "We do not allow the Blackhawk Serpa holster or any holster of similar design with a trigger guard retention device."

I think this was after about 3 incidents in a row on their 'accident reports' page that all included Serpas with the trigger retention.

[locosway]

In the latest 'Welcome' page they have "We do not allow the Blackhawk Serpa holster or any holster of similar design with a trigger guard retention device."

I think this was after about 3 incidents in a row on their 'accident reports' page that all included Serpas with the trigger retention.

That's because they don't start with teaching you how to remove the weapon from the holster. At least they didn't in my class, but it was more advanced.

[Lazy eye]

Aw man, that's BS. I was as fast drawing from my SERPA as anyone with a straight holster. Now I have to buy another one just for FS.

[Sheepdog1968]

Where did you hear this? I only have the SERPA holsters and they didn't say anything about them when I was there. That was a while ago though.

I heard them say the same thing when I was there in March re SERPA holsters. I didn't have one so I didnt' pay much attention to the topic.

[Untamed1972]

dont speed on the way to class in the AM.....the Nv DPS luvs poppin speeders who ovverslept jammin' out ot FS from Pahrump.

Give yourself a solid 30min to get from Pahrump ot FS in the morning so set your alarm accordingly.

[locosway]

Aw man, that's BS. I was as fast drawing from my SERPA as anyone with a straight holster. Now I have to buy another one just for FS.

I just went with a Blackhawk! regular holster with passive retention.