During practice prior to the 100-yard test, I scored all perfect hits from the kneeling position. But a howling, sandy wind came up with strong gusts during the actual test and I wobbled.

My failure recoveries were all procedurally perfect, but I completed most of them late.

Class size was 46. Most had AR15 carbines. There was a SCAR and a lever-action, both in .308.

I used an M&P 15-T with an Aimpoint. It started cleaned and lubricated, but as an experiment I never cleaned or lubricated it for the entire 600 rounds during four days of blowing sand. I had a second AR15 to switch to but never used it.

Besides the weather conditions, how would you rate the class in content and instruction?

Anything stand out you liked in particular or would rather do without?

I'm heading to FS in June with my son to take a 4day handgun class and have never been there before. Planning on taking the practical rifle class after that.

Any suggestions to make the event more rewarding would be appreciated.

Take goggles, I use .mil surplus with clear or tinted lenses.  If the wind kicks up it is nice not have as much dust in your eyes.

How old is your son?  I have seen parents there with their 13 year olds, on the line shooting.  I think parent and children under 18 are paired together.

For summer bring your favorite NON-alcoholic drink and stay hydrated.

I like boonie hat, or something to keep the sun off your neck a bit, add a Shemagh (https://www.amazon.com/Rothco-Shemagh-Tactical-Desert-Scarf/dp/B018MUOAL4) is nice  to wet down and warp around your neck keeps you cool and sun off of you.

Lock tight any screws on your holsters, mag carriers if you have those.  Those little buggers fall out or work loose.

Bring 5 mags per weapons platform, minimum.  You will have one in the weapon and at least one on your carrier.  The others can go in your pocket or a dump pouch.  Bring two beater beater mags as you will be dropping gear to the ground during emergency reloads, and possible type 3 malfunctions.  Label your mags, and gear.

Know you will drop about 50 rounds of ammo on the ground for malfunction clearances.  Pick up your mag, forget the ammo.

Bring or buy a roll of the blue shop paper towels, auto parts stores, to clean weapons with; it is bad form to mess up hotel towels with gun gunk.

Obey the speed limits on the public roads!!!  I have seen many people get tickets down there.  It is just a waste of time to get a ticket.

Cell phone reception sucks at Front Sight.

Electronic ear protection.  For long gun you may want foam earplugs under.  Extra batteries for your ears, sights, etc.

Knee pads are nice for long gun, not 100% needed for handgun.  I like pants that have the knee pad packets.

If you can bring an extra weapon.  It sucks to have one break on you, then miss class.  If you have extra parts and the knowledge great.  There is an armorer on sight, and rentals.

Ex and Current Mil (not just US Mil): Yes, not all

Ex and Current LEO: Yes, not all

Front Sight Students/I took a bunch of classes: Yes, not all.  One of Font Sight's mantras is, "Always a student, sometimes an instructor."

Front Sight uses a Student/Coach format also.  When you are not on the line shooting you are behind a shooter (no, you do not need to always be there, you can sit out, get ammo, restroom break, snack, shade, etc) watching for safety violations.  Violations: Pointing the weapon in the wrong direction (usually too far left or right during after action drills, or covering their body parts with the muzzle, or trigger finger on trigger when not appropriate).  The Range Master will demo what will be done, then everyone does it dry practice (no ammo in the weapon) several times on the line with their coach behind them; then you switch relays.  There will be several Instructors, and Line Coaches, and Rovers (Instructors that move from range to range as needed) on the range to monitor and reinforce also.  This allows everyone to see and do the next step of the skill set many times (people learn differently: some see it one and done; others need to see and do it many times; others have to take notes; I have met one person that draws comic books as a way to remember a skill set).

The introduction classes start everyone, no matter what a persons skill level is, at the same point.  You will have people in a class that are new to weapons handling (first firearm) to grizzled, hard of hearing, arthritic, life long shooters.

Yes, that is right.  Front Sight has dialed this in over the years.  The used to say 1,000 rounds.  You would go through about 800, this is when the classes were very small (less that 10).  As the classes grew in size moving the students and equipment took time.  Many students fly in, buy their ammo locally, then have to fly out.  Taking ammo is a pain when you fly.

Thanks for the information!

My son is 27, so the problem is going to be me keeping up with him.

A boonie hat with earmuff type electronic hearing protection won't work. We haven't invested in electronic ear plugs or behind the head wired muffs yet. The Shemagh is  good idea to use with the earmuffs. It's suppose to be 100F when we attend class there. We have mil spec goggles too.

Should be a fun 4 days. Really looking forward to it.

We can only pack 300 rounds each of 40 S&W on the plane (Southwest limit is 11lbs each) so we'll need to buy more there at the armory.

Front Sight requires Electronic ear pro for all students and staff.  They have rentals if you do not own them.

I wear my electronic ears under my Bonnie hat, or over a baseball cap.  A hat with a brim is required.  This helps keep brass from going between your safety glasses and eye.

There are many WalMarts in Vegas, and one in Pahrump (not  sure where you are staying), you can buy ammo at cheaper than at the range.  There is a BassPro at the Silverton Casino on your way to Pahrump/Front Sight also.

If you want to mess with your kid take him to the Chicken Ranch for dinner.

Did the 4 day last October and the 2 day skill builder in March.

We have electronic ears and extra batts. Thanks for the suggestion on ammunition from Wally world. Staying at the BW in Pahrump.

My son does like chicken LOL

One was ex LEO and two of them were ex Military. One of them did a tour in Afghanistan.

I rate the content and instruction as excellent. What I liked in particular was the strict enforcement of safety and the pace of instruction. There was nothing that I would rather have done without.

Suggestions: Protect your skin. Drink water. Get a good night's sleep. Soak up the extra lectures at noon and sometimes at night.

@Freeway

Thanks for the feedback. Looking forward to attending the class next weekend.