Posted: 3/9/2016 1:23:39 AM EDT
| I want to sign up for some classes soon, but want to know what to expect, i.e. do the instructors have a "bootcamp" mentality? On their website it states that no reloads are allowed. I emailed them and they responded by saying they have change their policy and allow factory reloads and aluminium case ammo. Has anyone taken ether of these rounds to a class recently? Thanks. |
| Haven't personally taken any of their courses but know of four different husband and wife combos that have. Firearms experience ranged from high level competition to absolute beginners. All four couples had nothing be totally positive comments. Said the range instructions were tailored to each shooter's experience. Everyone came away with greater skills and abilities. |
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Have taken the following courses from them:
4 day defensive handgun 2 day handgun skill builder 2 day advanced tactical handgun 4 day handgun master prep 2 day defensive rifle 4 day tactical rifle 4 day tactical shotgun 2 day advanced long gun tactics 2 day tactical scenarios 4 day uzi sub machine gun 4 day 4 weapon tactical 4 day rope and rappel 2 day empty hand defense 2 day edged weapon defense Plan on taking 4 weapon master prep The advertising is cheesy. It is not boot camp mentality. The staff is friendly and helpful. They ask to at least try weaver, they are required to teach weaver. Have had no issues shooting isosceles during classes. They teach using a 2 relay method. Every student is a shooter on relay 1 and a line coach on relay 2. Haven't had any issues using factory reloads in my own weapons. Rented weapons must be used with factory ammo purchased from them. I like their training and recommend it. |
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I've been going to FS for years. I've also trained with Gabe Suarez, Scott Reitz and Frank Proctor, so I have at least a little perspective.
FS, I think, does an excellent job with people who haven't had formal firearms training. They teach some "outdated" stuff - Weaver stance for instance - but nothing imo "that'll git ya kilt in the streetz". Staff is overwhelmingly personable. Their greatest weakness (again imo) isn't the marketing (which is truly annoying), but the unevenness of the instructor cadre, They run so many classes now that they have to have LOTS of instructors on staff. I believe it's hard for them to get people to move to Pahrump permanently, and they don't pay much, at least to start. So over the last two or three years I've seen a lot of instructors who have no experience or credentials beyond having taken FS classes. They still have some excellent instructors, but they also have some who are competent only to follow the class plan slavishly, and are easily lost if unusual questions or circumstances are presented. That said, I still believe their program is quite good for the untrained. The foundational skills I learned at FS have served me well with the more high-speed training. If it comes down to FS or no training at all, go to FS without hesitation. |
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This is good to hear, I purchased a 4 day handgun class about 5 or 6 years ago for a incredibly cheap price, it was like 79 buck, I plan to get out there this year. I had to block there emails it was ridiculous. I purchased a Lifetime Diamond membership for like $200 and haven't been there yet 
I, too, get spammed with emails. |
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The GF and I and a few other friends just took a 4-day defensive handgun course last weekend (Fri-Mon). As mentioned, the instructors are quite personable and focused on safety. I was told something like 600 students were attending the various classes being held that weekend, but each range is limited to 2x the number of shooting positions for a max of 44 students (22 target positions on the range). We had 43 in my class. Our range master was Terry Wong. We had Terry for this same class back in Oct 2014, and he's been instructing there since 2009, so he's been around a while. Factory reloads are fine. I've been running Miwall reloads, Freedom Munitions reloads and Bite the Bullet reloads there for the past few years without issue. |
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I just finished up the 4 day defensive handgun class followed by the one day CCW class. I took the class with my 33 y/o son and 3 co-workers. I've been shooting a handgun for a long time, used to do IHMSA silhouette shooting, but no formal training other than USMC aircrew handgun qualification (expert).
We had Marissa Peasnall as our range master and this young lady can shoot, she is also an exceptional instructor. There were some, from all appearances, first time shooters in the class as well as a guy who was a regional master shooter of some type who also won the class shoot off the final day. I met some really nice folks in the class and received exceptional value for my time and money. I'm going back for more in the future. I will, without hesitation, recommend the 4 day class. I started out Weaver stance a long time ago, so going back wasn't an issue. Give their method a shot 
Marissa sees everything, her suggestions were all spot on, I watched folks all around me increase their skill and accuracy. We had one of the higher number of Graduate and Distinguished Graduate counts than they usually have. Of the 39 in my class, we had 8 Distinguished Graduates (myself and a coworker included) and 12 Graduates (my son and two other co-workers). Usually only 10% of any class will make DG or Graduate level. This speaks highly to the level of instruction we received. All three of my co-workers had previously attended at least one of the 4 day defensive handgun classes where two of them had achieved Graduate level. There were 700 folks attending class this past week there and everything I saw indicated a smooth running machine. I already had my CCW, but none of the additional states so I took it with my son who didn't have his NV yet. I found the information given matched up with what I received in my CCW class put on by a local Reno, NV training group. |
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Quoted: I just finished up the 4 day defensive handgun class followed by the one day CCW class. I took the class with my 33 y/o son and 3 co-workers. I've been shooting a handgun for a long time, used to do IHMSA silhouette shooting, but no formal training other than USMC aircrew handgun qualification (expert). We had Marissa Peasnall as our range master and this young lady can shoot, she is also an exceptional instructor. There were some, from all appearances, first time shooters in the class as well as a guy who was a regional master shooter of some type who also won the class shoot off the final day. I met some really nice folks in the class and received exceptional value for my time and money. I'm going back for more in the future. Marissa sees everything, her suggestions were all spot on, I watched folks all around me increase their skill and accuracy. We had one of the higher number of Graduate and Distinguished Graduate counts than they usually have. Of the 39 in my class, we had 8 Distinguished Graduates (myself and a coworker included) and 12 Graduates (my son and two other co-workers). Usually only 10% of any class will make DG or Graduate level. This speaks highly to the level of instruction we received. All three of my co-workers had previously attended at least one of the 4 day defensive handgun classes where two of them had achieved Graduate level. Quoted: I just finished up the 4 day defensive handgun class followed by the one day CCW class. I took the class with my 33 y/o son and 3 co-workers. I've been shooting a handgun for a long time, used to do IHMSA silhouette shooting, but no formal training other than USMC aircrew handgun qualification (expert). We had Marissa Peasnall as our range master and this young lady can shoot, she is also an exceptional instructor. There were some, from all appearances, first time shooters in the class as well as a guy who was a regional master shooter of some type who also won the class shoot off the final day. I met some really nice folks in the class and received exceptional value for my time and money. I'm going back for more in the future. Marissa sees everything, her suggestions were all spot on, I watched folks all around me increase their skill and accuracy. We had one of the higher number of Graduate and Distinguished Graduate counts than they usually have. Of the 39 in my class, we had 8 Distinguished Graduates (myself and a coworker included) and 12 Graduates (my son and two other co-workers). Usually only 10% of any class will make DG or Graduate level. This speaks highly to the level of instruction we received. All three of my co-workers had previously attended at least one of the 4 day defensive handgun classes where two of them had achieved Graduate level. 13 DG's out of 41 people in my last class. Quoted: What was the situation with the supposed construction they were approved for? Any sign of buildings going up or just pushing dirt around? The graded area south of the canyon and ropes ares is larger than a few months ago, but no building going on yet. |
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The owner is a grade A douche, but I've taken two 4 day classes and those alone were worth more than I paid for my lifetime membership.
They will not check your ammo, but I personally saw someone KB a brand new FNX with a double charged .40 S&W round during a 4 day pistol class. IMO shoot factory... it isnt a massive amount of ammo and you'll have one less thing to worry about. They adopted a "range brass is ours" rule a while back but last time I was there it wasnt enforced. I walked away with nearly enough 1x fired brass to recoup what I'd shot. |
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I did the 4 day pistol and really enjoyed it.
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They teach some "outdated" stuff - Weaver stance for instance Quoted:
They teach some "outdated" stuff - Weaver stance for instance It is a way not the way... Quoted:
I started out Weaver stance a long time ago, so going back wasn't an issue. Give their method a shot When I went, I was shooting ISO only ok. Thinking it was THE way, I asked if I could shoot ISO instead of Weaver. They said yes but added 'why don't you try it our way and if nothing else you will have some different skills.' So I did... I fully embraced all their methods and suggestions. I shot this during the slow fire, 5 rnds - one hole. Had to get in front of the class and blah, blah... Plus I did well in the rest of the course. 
So I guess overall Weaver works better for me.... Don't discount it. ----------------------------------------------- Where have you guys been staying? I'm going back with my 2 sons that are turning 21 soon. Last time I stayed at the Best Western. Any place new / better to stay? We are avid car campers / backpackers. I was thinking about just hanging out in the desert by the main gate. Solar showers work pretty good! Anybody try that before? |
We stayed at the Saddle West this trip. The room was fine and the free breakfast buffet in the morning was really nice. Definitely give their box lunches a pass though 
There is the whole desert outside the front gate for dry camping. I had friends that stayed at one of the RV resorts and paid $16/night. Place had a pool, showers and utilities and they liked the place just fine. My hunting buddy couldn't make this trip, but we were initially planning on staying in his toy hauler off Front Sight Road. I've had the Night Shooting Class in July highly recommended to me as well. |