Posted: 7/31/2007 12:21:53 PM EDT
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I know there's a lot of controversy about their various enclaves and religous beliefs, but has anyone taken any rifle training from them? I ask becuase I have access to one of their gift cetificates and was considering taking their 4 Day Select Fire M16 class www.frontsight.com/courses/M16-training-assault-rifle.asp I'll already be in LV during that time frame and my only OOP expense for the class is buying ammo from them (though I guess I should ask if they require that if I'm bringing my own guns). So would I be getting a decent course of instruction? I'm not an inexperienced shooter, but all of the previous training classes I have taken over the years were either handgun specific or focused on shotgun sports. |
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I have attended around a dozen classes at Front Sight and, with two minor exceptions (one relating only to a single fellow student) have had excellent - I mean excellent - training. I have not attended the M16 class but have heard good things about it from people who have taken it. I have taken the 4-day Practical Rifle class twice - which is basically a 4-day AR15 class - and it has been excellent both times. I understand that much of the curriculum is the same (stance, malfunctions, simulators, "canyons", etc. I think you would enjoy and benefit from the class. Although I am no fan of Scientology, the religion of the facility's owner just doesn't come into play at the classes. I have seen Dr. Piazza there twice - he was there once to film a segment for a marketing video and I saw him at the 4th of July celebration party. His religion didn't come up either time - although these were both brief conversations. I have emailed and telephoned him 4 or 5 times regarding course schedules, etc. He has always been responsive. His religion did not come up in any of those conversations, either. My religion also did not come up. My "religion" issue with Front Sight would be their religious-like belief in the Weaver stance and a near-religious belief in the .45 ACP cartridge. As their founder trained extensively at Gunsite, as did many of their early instructors, this is hardly surprising. Be aware that attending classes will come with a sales pitch and get you on the Front Sight marketing list. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but some people find the marketing materials a little overdone. They do sponsor this website, which I really appreciate. A lot of businesses in this industry only sponsor law-enforcement-only stuff or nothing at all, and I believe in supporting companies that sponsor 3-gun matches and websites like this one. |
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I too am a member of Front Sight and have loved my classes attended there. I have taken the 4 Day Pistol and 4 Day Tactical Rifle with my AR-15. Both classes were great for a general course. I have yet to attend their advanced level courses, so I cannot comment on those. I went there initially on a certificate like yours. I bought two off Ebay for my Father and I. They let me dry camp for free there as it was a sold out race weekend in Pahrump. Their facilities are air conditioned, their staff are helpful, and the owner is very responsive by email. I sat through their luncheon sales pitch... it's nothing like I read about. It was nothing like a time share lunch. I did NOT initially go there wanting to become a member... I have excellent local training available too. I got sold on buying a membership because of the staff, training, and value of a lifetime of training. No religion, no secret handshakes, none of that. But what I did find there were guys and gals like you and me with a common purpose... to learn the skill of firearms. I trained with young, old, men and women. But the best was training shoulder to shoulder with Marines just back in country from our war on terrorism. Go and find out what I did... you will NOT be disappointed. Unless of course, you have already learned all there is to know. Tim. |