*NEW* Front Sight Members Check-In Here!

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Piazza is at it again. Wants to jack up the prices again for private class fees, charge a yearly membership fee and now there's something called Platinum, which seems to have the same benefits and fees a Knight membership had, and wants to raise the fees for privates for the Knights from $100 to $400 day!

Seems like he's getting real desperate now. I'm sure it's not a real vote and is just doing this to make it look like we have a say, and then when he raises the fees he will say that the majority of members voted for it to keep Front Sight alive.

I've already started training elsewhere and this will probably be the tipping point for me. As I have mentioned over and over, their 4DDHG is probably one of the absolute best classes out there for a new shooter, someone who has never even touched a firearm before, or for the not so new shooter who has either need learned the fundamentals or wants/needs a refresher of the fundamentals. The Tactical Shotgun class is also fantastic. But given the ever increasing threats from Piazza, his erratic and insane, unhinged rants and business practices we've learned about and how he and Brad Ackman treat the employees, I've simply come to the conclusion that I'd rather not deal with that guy or that place moving forward unless there's some real and significant restructuring that involves his removal.

I'd be completely fine with forfeiting my membership if it meant him selling the business. The way I see it, if he retained ownership and kept the business and increased the fees I'd probably never go there again anyway, so if voting "No" meant he was out of the picture then my vote is definitely "No".

Here's an excerpt from his most recent email that was forwarded to me by a friend (apparently I was removed from their email list a while ago):

I only have a few days to make the decision so I need your truthful response IMMEDIATELY. The future of your membership with Front Sight as you have known it is at stake. This is not an exaggeration.

Here is what I am asking:

IF, through the bankruptcy, YOU RETAIN THE FOLLOWING MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

Your membership and ability to attend Front Sight firearms training courses, (but Front Sight Alaska courses, Empty Hand/ Edged Weapons courses, Child/Youth Safety courses, Ropes courses are removed)
All your TBD Memberships, but they are all converted to Patriot Memberships
All your TBD Certificates, but they are converted to 2Day/4Day Defensive Handgun, Tactical Shotgun, Practical Rifle certificates good for a student's first course only
All your Front Sight Credits, Patronage Points, Front Sight Bucks, and Front Sight Coins, but must use them for 50% toward any personal purchases in the pro shop, ammo bunker, armory, for food and beverage, background checks and memberships transfer fees (should you choose to pay a new member's transfer fee)
Your ability to will your membership, and your account assets, to a deserving heir on your passing
Receive credit for gun or gear bonuses from your purchases
If you are a Champion Club Member, you will be paid back over time
IF the company provides what is listed above, WILL YOU agree to move forward with Front Sight, as an active member of Front Sight by agreeing to pay the following:

Annual Membership Maintenance Fee of $500 for the Head of Household who wants to remain an active member of Front Sight
$100 Annual Membership Maintenance Fee for Spouse of Head of Household who wants to remain an active member
$100 Annual Membership Maintenance Fee for each Child of Head of Household under the age of 25, who want to remain active members
$100 per person, Daily Fee per course day attended
$100 per day per person Private Training Fee for Platinum Members and Platinum Guests (includes Daily Fee)
$400 per day, per person Private Training Fee for Knight Members and Knight Guests (includes Daily Fee)
$600 per day, per person Private Training Fee for Founder Members and Founder Guests (includes Daily Fee)
$800 per day, per person Private Training Fee for Legacy Members and Legacy Guests (includes Daily Fee)
$1,000 per day, per person Private Training Fee for Patriot Members and Patriot Guests (includes Daily Fee)
Front Sight needs a YES or NO answer IMMEDIATELY in order to make very difficult and extremely important decisions regarding the future of Front Sight.

Meaning, "YES Dr. Piazza, I understand that there will be new fees but I am willing to pay them to keep the above-mentioned member benefits; to keep Front Sight's employees employed; to keep Front Sight in business; and to continue to participate in Front Sight's purpose to restore the Second Amendment by positively changing the image of gun ownership, through training responsible citizens to levels that far exceed law enforcement and military standards."

Or "NO Dr. Piazza, I am not willing to support the changes you have listed above. I understand that without my support and the support of a significant number of the members to the changes proposed above, it is likely that Front Sight will have no option but to accept a purchase or equity participation offer that provides for very little, if any, benefit to members and will likely result in the termination of all memberships and member benefits."

I am sorry it has come to this. As you know, I have fought for over four years to protect your membership, your family members' memberships and Front Sight as a whole. As I stated above, our Chapter 11 Reorganization process is expensive, complicated, extremely fluid, and dangerously uncertain. However, it has now come down to a "YES" or "NO" from YOU and your fellow members that will dictate the future of Front Sight. Without your support and the support of a significant number of the members to the changes required, it is likely that Front Sight will have no option but to accept an offer that provides for very little, if any, benefit to members and will likely result in the termination of all memberships and member benefits.

As you must now understand, this is a simple request, but EXTREMELY important and I need to know your truthful answer IMMEDIATELY in order to make the proper decision.

Please complete the Simple, Secure "Yes" or "No" Form below. Please do it TODAY.

[Citizen_B]

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I'm out. I took a class this weekend. $225/day, was just within driving distance of where I live (could have also sprung for a hotel in the area to save some time) and got fantastic instruction. Also didnt get any crazy emails from the outfit 3x day, no email rants from the owner who seemed to either be off his meds or forgot to take them, and got great instruction.

Way cheaper when you factor in the fact that I didn't have to buy a plane ticket or drive 8+ hours each way, book a hotel, rent a car if I flew out there, etc. The cost and the fact that Piazza and Ackman treat their very hard-working employees like garbage means I'm pretty much done.

[beanz2]

If this is going to be the final fee structure*, FS will no longer hold the attraction it once did for me. Of course it gets cheaper the more classes you take a year, but the tipping point (when the costs of attending FS falls below that of pay-per-class schools) seems to be at two classes a year. Not too hard to attain, but add to that the unknown quality of the instructors, after the massive resignations with the latest Restructuring, and the need to pre-qualify for higher level classes every 2 years, the other schools now seem much more attractive.

What remains to be seen is which instructors stay and what their morale will be, but after seeing those behind the scene revelations, it’s hard to stay optimistic.

* PS: hoping this will not be the final fee structure, keeping in mind how in IP in the past had proposed one fee structure in the past and backed down seeing the reaction from students.

[xSlapshotx]

I'm out. I took a class this weekend. $225/day, was just within driving distance of where I live (could have also sprung for a hotel in the area to save some time) and got fantastic instruction. Also didnt get any crazy emails from the outfit 3x day, no email rants from the owner who seemed to either be off his meds or forgot to take them, and got great instruction.

Way cheaper when you factor in the fact that I didn't have to buy a plane ticket or drive 8+ hours each way, book a hotel, rent a car if I flew out there, etc. The cost and the fact that Piazza and Ackman treat their very hard-working employees like garbage means I'm pretty much done.

[damon1272]

I know TPC teaches out of Richmond Rod and Gun club a few times a year. Great class.

[Jerry1834]

Have to agree with Vinnie - better training elsewhere. I enjoyed the yearly trips out there and sometimes more than once. I did learn a lot in the early days and made me better. Now, I find the more advanced classes are a lot more fun to attend in Florida - Sig Sauer being one of them.

[dad4mnc]

I'm out. I took a class this weekend. $225/day, was just within driving distance of where I live (could have also sprung for a hotel in the area to save some time) and got fantastic instruction. Also didnt get any crazy emails from the outfit 3x day, no email rants from the owner who seemed to either be off his meds or forgot to take them, and got great instruction.

Way cheaper when you factor in the fact that I didn't have to buy a plane ticket or drive 8+ hours each way, book a hotel, rent a car if I flew out there, etc. The cost and the fact that Piazza and Ackman treat their very hard-working employees like garbage means I'm pretty much done.

Are you in the Bay Area? Modern Samurai Project gets to the Richmond Gun Club two-three times a year. Amazing instruction but you have to book early.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Could you share the name of the training outfit you went to? Because it looks like I won’t be going to FS any more. I’d love to train somewhere around NorCal and not drive to Nevada.

I would probably still go at the $100 a day scheme, but I’m not paying $500 a year maintenance AND a daily rate.

Direct Action Group (DAG)

They have classes in both Northern and Southern CA and travel around the country/world. They don't have that much left on their schedule for the rest of this year for civilians though but also said they can organize private classes for groups. I took Tactical Pistol I & II recently and really enjoyed it. A few things done differently than FS, others done the same. Class pace was much faster than a regular FS 4DDHG class, and maybe more like their skill builder, but also incorporated/taught things like casualty arm fire, casualty arm reloads, movement drills, stationary turns, kneeling fire, use of and shooting from cover and concealment, etc. Of course they also emphasized grip, stance, sight picture, sight alignment and trigger control throughout the entire course and constantly remind you to focus on these fundamentals.

I would say if you have a basic understanding of your handgun's manual of arms and have some very basic understanding of fundamentals and understanding of firearms safety you'd enjoy the class. If you're brand new to firearms, really haven't handled a firearm much and/or get nervous around firearms and/or don't understand basic firearms safety (like safely holstering and unholstering your firearm) the 4DDHG class at Front Sight would be a better recommendation, and this is where I really think the 4DDHG class really shines.

This was a tactical handgun class, not a defensive handgun class. They still allowed students to shoot from an IWB holster and/or shoot with a concealment garment if they wanted to, or no garment/concealment (keeping in mind it's a tactical class, not really a CCW/defensive class). They were very strict on safety (as they should be) and an ND bought you a one way ticket to go home early. They also require all students to wear body armor, but waived that requirement for the particular class I took because it was 110F+ on the range. Only the instructors and one student were wearing body armor. I'm tempted to buy a vest or a simple/low profile plate carrier for my next class with them. Weighing the pros and cons of both options (vest vs. plate carrier). I have no need, want or desire to attach anything to it aside from an IFAK and nothing else (interested in taking their Tactical Combat Casualty Care course next year which incorporates rendering care for the injured while also shooting), but could probably also attach an IFAK to my belt instead and save some money just getting a basic soft vest. They told us realistically all we need is Level II armor in a soft vest, but if we wanted to get a plate carrier with plates we could, but would be more expensive and overkill. There are a few companies out there that offer high-end refurbished police trade-ins that are in great shape (never shot obviously) and affordable. I just have to do more research and figure out what would be the best option for me since I'm going to take more classes with these guys. They do also rent soft vests for $10 day.

[xSlapshotx]

Thanks Vinnie!

I’m definitely going to be looking into more local classes.

[surferbum]

Does anyone have a link or copy of the list of insecured creditors (eg members)?

I listened to the June 23rd meeting for the creditors but this didn't help me.


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[NorthBay Shooter]

I have accounts for me and my wife and kids. They all got the yes or no email. I responded no with my kids email to see what happens. I am not going to respond with my email until I see how this plays out.

[eaglemike]

I'm thinking there might be some kind of deadline with regards to the BK. I've had quite a few emails yesterday and today of the yes or no variety.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I have a buddy who has received this email 7 times so far. I haven’t received one email from Piazza in months.

[Mezcalfud]

Iggy called me!