My Time at Front Sight Firearms Training Institute

I recently attended the 4-day defensive handgun training at Front Sight. I now feel more confident and knowledgeable about how to safely carry and positively use my gun. I know if I need to I can present my gun very quickly and safely.

The instructor to student ratio was initially 3-to-40, but dropped to 2-to-40 after the lead instructor informed us that we were doing well enough (due to a number of returning customers) that we lost an instructor to another range. Keep in mind that not all 40 students are "on the line" at once. The class is split into two relays of 20 each. The second relay acting as coaches for the first and vice-a-versa. The use of student-as-coach really helps cement what's being learned by reinforcing skills. You stand behind another student on the line and keep an eye on them for safety and to remind them of the skill being taught. It's a really good method. Interestingly, there were a large number of women. I'd guess women made up about a third of the entire class. There were lots of people taking lots of different courses (shotgun, AR-15, Uzi, handgun, et al.)

The instructors are always there to quickly correct problems and offer encouragement. It somehow means a lot to receive a compliment from these very accomplished teachers (and I don't use the word teacher lightly).

The 4-day course covered a lot of ground; proper sight picture, presentation technique, reholster technique, how to tell if you're trying to shoot too fast or too slow, how to read your hits (are they low? to the right? to the left?) and correct the gripping flaws that cause those hits, how to make a safe weapon, reloading tactically, emergency reloading, clearing malfunctions (types I, II, and III) under time, how to handle a target that doesn't stop, drawing from concealment under time, house clearing techniques and a hot walk through where you put rounds on targets, a night shoot, light techniques and discipline, competition against your range partners and against the other ranges. I'm sure I'm missing something, but I consider *all* of these highlights. Additionally, there aren't many places where you're allowed to do these things due to safety concerns.

There were a number of general all-student lectures. The best of these revolved around the usurpations against the 2nd Amendment. See previous blog posting.

In addition to the price of the course (you can go your first time for a very reasonable fee) other costs revolved around food, lodging, and ammo. They recommend 800-rounds for the 4-day course. I think I used up most of that. My buddy and I drove to FS from O.C. Cali. with lots more ammo than necessary. Other expenses may include a belt holster (paddles are not recommended due to possibility of shifting), tactical light (either hand-held or weapon rail), extra magazine (three recommended) and 10-hour days not including the drive.

I stayed in Vegas right off 160. It took about 40-minutes each morning to drive there. Pahrump, the other direction on 160 is only about 20-minutes. Didn't stay there due to getting free hotel in Vegas . . . plus better food choices. They do have a couple of microwaves where you eat lunch. Don't eat PB&J everyday like I did. No running water, no refrigerators, port-a-potties only with foot-pumped water for washing hands.

Highly recommended.

P.S. The links you see on the right were put there before I went to Front Sight. It was part of a deal Dr. Piazza had to get a free certificate for training. I am not in any way affiliated (other than recommending Front Sight by linking to them) with Front Sight. I am a very happy customer.