Frontsight training? Good choice?

[Sid Post]

I'm looking at the Frontsight "Legacy lifetime membership" which can be purchased for $1995. I attended their 4 day defensive handgun course a couple of years ago and learned good skills but, overall I have mixed feelings. I felt like I was in a 4 day infomercial with all their advertising. The classes themselves didn't seem to have a good mix of students at the time with people who had never fired a handgun before to people that could have been instructors (with so many ranges, why they didn't group similar skill levels escapes me).

With the lack of good ranges I can train at near where I live, the thought of getting a lifetime training membership within a days drive with good instructors is attractive. I'm curious about the financial condition of Frontsight (will they be around after this economic downturn passes) and whether their training programs have improved with more experience.

I would be interested in anyone's training experiences recently at Frontsight.

Am I missing a better option? Other thoughts?

[bkb0000]

the training is relatively cheap and local (for me).. i've considered going to a class or two, just to see for myself. you can always chose to forget any shitty aspects, and take any good info. i don't think there's ever been a firearm course designed that's 100% cannon.

[John_Wayne777]

Am I missing a better option? Other thoughts?

I wouldn't hand Front Site a single penny.

With so many good training options out there on the market it makes no sense, in my opinion, to spend any money with suspect outfits like Front Site. Fraud and other accusations have been swirling around Ignatius Piazza for a very long time, and there have been a number of lawsuits and court cases.

When you're shelling out money to be at a training course and it feels like a damned infomercial or timeshare sales pitch, that should be a "clue". Chalk it up to a life experience and move on.

[bkb0000]

I'm looking at the Frontsight "Legacy lifetime membership" which can be purchased for $1995. I attended their 4 day defensive handgun course a couple of years ago and learned good skills but, overall I have mixed feelings. I felt like I was in a 4 day infomercial with all their advertising. The classes themselves didn't seem to have a good mix of students at the time with people who had never fired a handgun before to people that could have been instructors (with so many ranges, why they didn't group similar skill levels escapes me).

With the lack of good ranges I can train at near where I live, the thought of getting a lifetime training membership within a days drive with good instructors is attractive. I'm curious about the financial condition of Frontsight (will they be around after this economic downturn passes) and whether their training programs have improved with more experience.

I would be interested in anyone's training experiences recently at Frontsight.

Am I missing a better option? Other thoughts?

hmm.. perhaps i should read before i post- apparently i didn't read any of this. based on your previous experience, I'd say pass as well. where are you located? there's actually a number of really good facilities in the PNW, and even more respectable trainers that run courses out of local ranges.

http://www.oregonfirearmsacademy.com/
http://www.thunderranchinc.com/
i found this place while doing a search for another one in eastern WA, never heard of it, but submitted for your pleasure http://www.firearmsacademy.com/
couldn't find the one in eastern WA, but i've heard there's a really good facility out there somewhere that gets a lot of recognition.

[Matt P]

I am in Calif, and have enjoyed getting together with friends at Front Sight.

I feel for individuals using a White Cert. its a very good deal. I joined along with a friend through a legacy deal..Basically 2 for 1.
I have done about 6 courses there. All of them 4 days. The 2 Days just are not worth the time involvement.
The Instructors are generally very well regarded. Quite professional and have the passion for what they are instructing.

When we go, we will sometimes eat lunch in the big room, then roll out. We dont go to any more of the lectures. Once you have heard them, that was enough.
If there is some kind of lecture, or other aspect not happening on whatever range we are on, we usually skip that.
We also skip the night shoots.
We havent upgraded our memberships, and already feel we have gotten our value out of them.
I personally could care less of naishs (sp?) religion senses, and advertising practices.
As I said, many feel quite good about the quality of training. Yes, that is relative to what they have had. Most who have been there would keep going.

Its an option for training. Its not the first nor last.
Whats interesting is you have been, and were considering more.

My opinion on it is favorable. Of course it is, I joined. I have had a variety of other schools I have attended, so I have several to compare it with.

We like it because its super cheap to stay in Parumph (sp?), and as we always say..
" Its that Nevada way of life..Gambling, free booze, sleezy dens of scantily clad woman, and then some shooting during the day".

For as large as they are, and the amount of those who have attended multiple times, there must be some value in the place, that goes beyond thier promoting memberships.

I have personally never read an attendees accounting of the training that was horrible, or un-professional. Not that I am sure there may be some that exist, I just dont search for them. It wouldnt deter me anyways.

Some of the Instructors have become friends. Like Mark Hartwell, of Storm Tactical. Great guy, altho he longer works there I believe.

We love it, and will be going again in Feb for another one of the sub gun 4 days.
The key for those classes is running your own equip. and ammo. It saves big time.
Plus, they have the smallest class sizes, and usually just one instructor. mucho Fun.

[Sid Post]

Thanks Matt P! That is the sort of contrast to my one time experience I was looking for.

In the past I have been tempted by Blackwater training and people like Randy Cain which come highly regarded. However, when I add travel expenses to places back east, ~$2K doesn't seem to go very far. Places like Gunsite and ThunderRanch are attractive and are perhaps better options.

Frontsight has good instructors, though my time with them in the "intro" class was spread pretty thin. Large class sizes with a lot of people that were new to firearms probably accounts for some of my negative experience because I can skip the lectures now. Being located outside Las Vegas is good if I ever move because flights to Las Vegas are generally frequent and cheap.

[Littlelebowski]

I
We dont go to any more of the lectures. Once you have heard them, that was enough.
If there is some kind of lecture, or other aspect not happening on whatever range we are on, we usually skip that.

Do tell about the lectures.

[Shotdown]

I took the 4 day handgun course and I enjoyed it. I'd say try it out before you actually pay for a lifetime cert. You can find grey certificates on ebay for less. I can't afford Thunder Ranch and Gunsite so FS is a good alternative.

[John_Wayne777]

[SIZE="3"]Thanks Matt P! That is the sort of contrast to my one time experience I was looking for.

In the past I have been tempted by Blackwater training and people like Randy Cain which come highly regarded.

Larry Vickers and Magpul Dynamics find their way out west regularly. You should try to take a course with them.

[d90king]

I would vote no also... Not sure how, but I ended up on their email list and have read a few of their "tips"... Was not impressed in the least and they wont take me off the damn thing after I have asked more than once....

As others have stated, there are better options available for quality training. Vickers is one that I can recommend without hesitation.