Posted: 9/21/2011 8:35:30 PM EDT
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Hey I'm looking at taking a pistol course somewhere and wonder what everyones thoughts on gunsite were. Is it worth the cost??? It is literally 35 minutes away from my college so I would definitely pony up the money if it is worth it. I've only heard good things so far.
Also what gear would I need you think? I have a Safariland and two blackhawk mag pouches for my FNP 45, what belt system would you suggest? I'm looking at the bianchi underbelt with loops and the duty belt to go with it, 2.5 inch. |
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There is allot of tradition at Gunsite even though it is no longer owned and operated by Col. Cooper (RIP). Some would argue that the modern technique as pioneered by the Col. has outlived its usefulness. I disagree but that is beside the point. What made Gunsite most notable was the depth and breadth of experience of the core instructor staff. Some of them are still there but there are allot of new faces. The facilities are top notch but IMO, the most practical reason for attending a class there is the proximity of the ranch to your school. Am I correct in assuming you are attending school in Chino Valley?
Not having to pay for lodging and being within a reasonable driving distance favors Gunsite insofar as you are concerned. There are other good schools and instructors in that area (Louis Awerbuck and Bill Jeans to name just two) but having trained there several times I'm confident you'll have a rewarding experience. Regarding gear, the best advice is to call (if you decide to enroll) and ask to talk to the instructor who will be teaching the course. This holds true for any course you'll ever attend. |
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Thanks for the reply,
I went by Gunsite today to ask about stuff. I knew it was expensive but after pricing it out, it just not viable for me to pay around a total of $2k for the course and ammo that I'll be using. Maybe after I get a steady job after college, but until then what are some courses for pistol under 800 dollars in this area? |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the reply, I went by Gunsite today to ask about stuff. I knew it was expensive but after pricing it out, it just not viable for me to pay around a total of $2k for the course and ammo that I'll be using. Maybe after I get a steady job after college, but until then what are some courses for pistol under 800 dollars in this area? Front Sight is selling four day defensive handgun courses for $69 today. It's a special offer. I have personally done it and highly suggest it for you and your situation. I have been in the college students shoes not all that long ago. BTW, are you a Riddler? ETA: Here's the Front Sight link: $69 Four Day Defensive Handgun Course |
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Thanks for the reply, I went by Gunsite today to ask about stuff. I knew it was expensive but after pricing it out, it just not viable for me to pay around a total of $2k for the course and ammo that I'll be using. Maybe after I get a steady job after college, but until then what are some courses for pistol under 800 dollars in this area? Front Sight is selling four day defensive handgun courses for $69 today. It's a special offer. I have personally done it and highly suggest it for you and your situation. I have been in the college students shoes not all that long ago. BTW, are you a Riddler? ETA: Here's the Front Sight link: $69 Four Day Defensive Handgun Course I am a Riddler, have you been to the ERAU campus?? And where do these courses take place? I'm assuming the Las Vegas facility? |
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The facility is just outside Pahrump, NV. 45 minutes from Vegas. Front sight has a deal with hotels to give discounted lodging. We stayed at Saddle West when we went. Rooms are fairly inexpensive. That $69 deal ends today I think. Read up on it. It's a hell of a deal! I felt it provided great training. You can buy the certificate and use it anytime. It doesn't expire.
I went to the OTHER aviation college, UND. Half my coworkers are Riddlers it seems though. I fly for a Grand Canyon tour company. |
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Thanks for the reply, I went by Gunsite today to ask about stuff. I knew it was expensive but after pricing it out, it just not viable for me to pay around a total of $2k for the course and ammo that I'll be using. Maybe after I get a steady job after college, but until then what are some courses for pistol under 800 dollars in this area? Front Sight is selling four day defensive handgun courses for $69 today. It's a special offer. I have personally done it and highly suggest it for you and your situation. I have been in the college students shoes not all that long ago. BTW, are you a Riddler? ETA: Here's the Front Sight link: $69 Four Day Defensive Handgun Course some sort of timeshare sales pitch included in that price? |
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some sort of timeshare sales pitch included in that price? Kind of. At the beginning and during one of the lunch breaks they talk about Front Sight memberships. However that is like 1 hour of the 40+ hours you are there. The training is good and is what its all about. The rest of the lunch time lectures are all about the mentality of using a handgun for protection and what happens if you use your handgun in self defense - like moral issues, legal issues, and such. I did it back in March as a "I bought this really cheap, so let's see what happens," kind of thing. Training was top notch and the price I think is low to get people in. Two reasons: first, get people to try it and they will want more. Second, they do a high volume of people. About 40 people in my class and there were I want to say about 10 classes. That was just the defensive handgun too. Rifle classes and shotgun classes and other stuff were happening too. I don't want to sound like a Front Sight fan boy, but more people need training. Front Sight offers great training at really affordable prices. Don't be like 99% of gun owners who buy a gun, shoot half a box of shells through it, think its ok to protect them, and then do nothing with it ever again thinking they will be proficient when something bad happens, i.e. break in, robbery, or disaster. |
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some sort of timeshare sales pitch included in that price? Kind of. At the beginning and during one of the lunch breaks they talk about Front Sight memberships. However that is like 1 hour of the 40+ hours you are there. The training is good and is what its all about. The rest of the lunch time lectures are all about the mentality of using a handgun for protection and what happens if you use your handgun in self defense - like moral issues, legal issues, and such. I did it back in March as a "I bought this really cheap, so let's see what happens," kind of thing. Training was top notch and the price I think is low to get people in. Two reasons: first, get people to try it and they will want more. Second, they do a high volume of people. About 40 people in my class and there were I want to say about 10 classes. That was just the defensive handgun too. Rifle classes and shotgun classes and other stuff were happening too. I don't want to sound like a Front Sight fan boy, but more people need training. Front Sight offers great training at really affordable prices. Don't be like 99% of gun owners who buy a gun, shoot half a box of shells through it, think its ok to protect them, and then do nothing with it ever again thinking they will be proficient when something bad happens, i.e. break in, robbery, or disaster. Just curious what other training you have taken to compare this to in order to decide this is "top notch" training? I am wondering what your frame of reference is. Thanks |
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Just curious what other training you have taken to compare this to in order to decide this is "top notch" training? I am wondering what your frame of reference is. Thanks I have taken some courses from more local people. I have also done other programs for rifle. A lot of the fundamentals carry over. I am also scheduled to take other pistol courses from other places. I am still new to the training arena. That doesn't mean I don't know good instruction when I see it. Everyone in the class improved. My shooting accuracy drastically improved. It was a great program that helped. Many people sing their praises. Are you saying Front Sight is bad? |
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Are you saying Front Sight is bad? Nope, I was asking what your frame of refrence is to judge and recomend the Front Sight program. I have never trained with Front Sight to judge wether they are good or bad. A lot of people rag on Front Sight. I think it's because of their marketing. Yea, it felt a little timeshare-ish at times. However, the training I felt was good and very professional. Enough said. |
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RE: Front Sight
Like any entity that experiences rapid growth and/or high volume business, Front Sight has experienced quality control issues from time to time. It is always good to hear that anyone in the firearms training business is having success at maintaining a high quality training product, especially an outfit committed to making training affordable and available to a large audience. |