Just got back from Front Sight

[Bert Gamble]

I just got home from the 4 day Defensive Handgun course at Front Sight.

It might just be the best money I have ever spent.

I am very new to handguns, (all guns actually) and did not know anything at the start. I learned all of the safety aspects which were mostly common sense, and then got into the meat of the course.

This is where the learning curve went verticle. I had never considered reloading before the magazine was empty or moving and checking they area while I was reloading. Controled pairs were also new to me. I did not know that the trigger could be "Reset" without letting it all the way out. Believe it or not, I had never even thought about what to do if there was a malfunction.

There was a 1 on 1 competition where you had to shoot a hostage taker and then 2 other targets farther away. I won the first two rounds and lost in the third becasue I hit the hostage. Still finished faster than my opponent, but hitting the hostage is a DQ.

Only 1 person out of my group of 40 graduated. No it wasn't me. I ended up with 66 points out of the 86 needed for a "Graduate" sticker on the certificate. That was tied for 7th place in the group. I was pretty pleased with that since I finished ahead of many long time shooters and repeat course attendees.

I know that I can graduate next time, since I will practice the skills I have learned and not get dinged on time as often. (I did not get any of the 8 malfunction clearing drills done on time, which cost me 24 points). Speed will come with practice.

I recommend this course to anyone who is looking for training. The instructors were friendly and very good at their job. They are also amazing shots.

[blackfalcon]

Great to hear that you had a good time. Just remember to practice what you learn as firearms training is a perishable skill.

[NorCal Einstein]

Thanks for the info! It's the feedback like this which makes me really anxious to get out there. Too bad I'm looking at September time frame to make it out for the 4-day handgun.

With the hot weather coming up in the next months, I'd rather not charbroil out there!

Glad to hear you had a great time though!

[Quiet]

If the cost of the course is keeping you from going...

... check the auctions sites (eBay, etc.), you can find Front Site 4 day traning certificates for around $100-200 a piece.

[NorCal Einstein]

I have a Diamond membership, probably going to turn out to be one of the best purchases I make in this lifetime.

My issue is more with scheduling...damn work!

[pc_load_letter]

Thanks for the post! Nice work at the class. I am also fairly new to shooting both handguns and carbine. My family in law enforcement has helped me tremendously but I am like a sponge for more info.

Can't decide between Frontsight or US Training here in so San Diego.

Can you comment on the non-training aspects of the trip? Hotel accomodations, location, surroundings, staff etc etc. I've just heard stories about things like the bathrooms still need to be built etc etc. Feel free to pm if you'd rather.

Thanks!

Mike

[CavTrooper]

Have you attended any other courses than frontsite? From what I understand, it may be to your benefit to explore other options before sticking with them for training.

[dieselpower]

Have you attended any other courses than frontsite? From what I understand, it may be to your benefit to explore other options before sticking with them for training.

I got no dog in this fight...

[barrym66]

Have you attended any other courses than frontsite? From what I understand, it may be to your benefit to explore other options before sticking with them for training.

Any good training is better than no training. For a new shooter, I think FS has the best curriculum and class structure. My wife has struggled through several NRA and local classes and instructors, it wasn't until I got her (and her best friend) to take the FS 2DDHG class last month that she actually felt confident and enjoyed herself (and learned well!).

IMHO, Front Sight's training is first class, and a heck of a bargain if you attend on one of the many $100-$200 certificates and deals that you can easily find.

I have attended several 'big name' schools, including Gunsite (1x), Front Sight (4x), as well as numerous local NRA and 'mobile training' (i.e. "we'll be doing a school at your neighborhood range") courses over the years. All have pluses and minuses, but for good basic to mid-level training with handguns, rifles, and shotguns, a Front Sight membership provides far more value than anything else out there. My FS membership cost was less than the one class I took at Gunsite, and I plan to go back for refresher training 1-2 times/year for as long as I can (and as FS is around!).

Arguing about the various 'big name' schools is like arguing about Ford vs. Chevy - Both are good, and both have fanboys that can't accept that any other car could ever be as good.

I will say that I don't agree with the FS insistence on stance and grip, as my skills have progressed I've changed to what works best for me (and I hear about it every time I go back). But I understand the reasons why.

[Chief-7700]

I just got home from the 4 day Defensive Handgun course at Front Sight.

It might just be the best money I have ever spent.

I am very new to handguns, (all guns actually) and did not know anything at the start. I learned all of the safety aspects which were mostly common sense, and then got into the meat of the course.

This is where the learning curve went verticle. I had never considered reloading before the magazine was empty or moving and checking they area while I was reloading. Controled pairs were also new to me. I did not know that the trigger could be "Reset" without letting it all the way out. Believe it or not, I had never even thought about what to do if there was a malfunction.

There was a 1 on 1 competition where you had to shoot a hostage taker and then 2 other targets farther away. I won the first two rounds and lost in the third becasue I hit the hostage. Still finished faster than my opponent, but hitting the hostage is a DQ.

Only 1 person out of my group of 40 graduated. No it wasn't me. I ended up with 66 points out of the 86 needed for a "Graduate" sticker on the certificate. That was tied for 7th place in the group. I was pretty pleased with that since I finished ahead of many long time shooters and repeat course attendees.

I know that I can graduate next time, since I will practice the skills I have learned and not get dinged on time as often. (I did not get any of the 8 malfunction clearing drills done on time, which cost me 24 points). Speed will come with practice.

I recommend this course to anyone who is looking for training. The instructors were friendly and very good at their job. They are also amazing shots.

Who was your Senior Range Master? I had Bill Monroe.
Man to Man shoot off won the first round with 3 shots, White, Red and Blue.
Second round won.
Third round forgot to make the .45ACP happy had to do an emergency reload due to slide lock lost by one second.
Final test shooting 18 points down! During the malfunction drills could not hear the commands since we we on R-12 and R-11, R-12 were running behind so they were shooting noise levels were unbelievable.
Told my better half about the class her rely was " So when are you taking me to Front Sight"? What gun do you want to shoot? " My Colt .45"
Will I go back to Front Sight? Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!
My group stayed at Saddle West, their morning and dinner meals were good as well as the carry out lunches.
I'm a Diamond First Family member.

[zinfull]

I went a few years ago and miss getting the seal of approval during the target shoot. 2 to the body and 1 to the head from holster timed, and my safety was on so I must one complete set. I was previously shooting just using the decocker and safety off. I was mad at myself because I should have been shooting using the safety. It also made me realize why people like the glock style safety. I now have a glock 30 as a carry.

jerry

[Bert Gamble]

My range master was Wyatt (I don't remember the last name). He was good and had a sense of humor.

As to the question about the non training things. The bathroom is done and air conditioned. There is a small trailer out front that serves breakfast and lunch. It is expensive, but decent food.

I stayed in Vegas because it was cheaper than Pahrump, but the drive was longer.

All of the instructors were very good. They were patient and I never felt like I was in a boot camp. The ones who did the lectures in the classroom were very good and I learned a lot from them.

The supposed hard sell for memberships was anything but a hard sell. There is a short presentation, but it is nothing like the stories I heard. There were some videos with the founder playing in the classroom during a couple of lunches, but he really wasn't creepy in them like he is on the website. I have no idea which one is the real Ignatius Piazza, but I hope it is the one in the videos at the school. If he came across like this more often, he would certainly be better thought of. Yes, I am one who thought he was creepy. Not so much now.

I am a Diamond memeber, and it is honestly the best money I have ever spent. I have not been to any other schools, so I have no other points of reference, but I enjoyed my time there very much.

[Southpaw45]

That sounded intresting and fun. Thanks for giving us a little bit on what goes on behind the walls of Front Sight.....

[NorCal Einstein]

Can you comment on the non-training aspects of the trip? Hotel accomodations, location, surroundings, staff etc etc. I've just heard stories about things like the bathrooms still need to be built etc etc. Feel free to pm if you'd rather.

Thanks!

Mike

I got a newsletter saying the restroom facilities are complete! Some pictures from the email I received.










And I'm guessing this is the food trailer Bert Gamble was talking about

[MrOrange]

Only 1 person out of my group of 40 graduated. No it wasn't me. I ended up with 66 points out of the 86 needed for a "Graduate" sticker on the certificate. That was tied for 7th place in the group. I was pretty pleased with that since I finished ahead of many long time shooters and repeat course attendees.

THAT boggles my mind!

It seems strange that "many long time shooters and repeat course attendees" couldn't meet the minimum requirements to graduate. Maybe they do that so people will have to come back again if they want their parchment?

I did not get any of the 8 malfunction clearing drills done on time, which cost me 24 points.

Was this eight separate ways to clear a malf, or eight times clearing one?

Personally I don't think that hitting the hostage with a graze should be a DQ, maybe knock some points off for a peripheral hit but don't fail the shooter unless the hostage dies. (Even then, that's what often happens in the real world, isn't it?)

Speaking of the TRW, slide-lock reloads shouldn't be considered a failure (outside of IPSC competition) since that's when you're going to reload when you're fighting for your life. Folks who have been in a dozen gunfights say they never were able to count their rounds, and only realized they had to reload when their revolvers went "click" or they saw their slide was locked back.

Although, I must concede to Front Sight, that is one first-class lookin' crapper.