I don't want to come off like an advertisement, but I want to recommend Frontsight to EVERYONE who owns a handgun and thinks they may use it in self-defense someday. Yes, even the experienced combat veterans can benefit from their handgun courses. I have been shooting IDPA for 6 months and I found it well worth the time and money.

I, too, was a bit wary of the heavy internet marketing. I am not sure the lifetime memberships and first family memberships are a good value unless you are within driving distance or can afford to travel to Vegas and take time off.

However, the training is the best I have seen...as good as US Training Center in Moyock, NC. In many ways it was better because I think their staff is better trained and tailored to average citizens. It is very competitive to get a job there....they truly only have the BEST people working there...both in terms of knowlege and skill, but also teaching. Out of our class of 40 students, everyone thought it was a great value, and many were talking about going back to gain more improvement. Many people signed up during the $69 promotion, like I did. That was a bargain, even when I include airfare and hotel and car rental.

They provide dryfire and live-fire shooting drills and there is a Frontsight Technique they teach you for grip, sighting, draw, low ready, malfunctions, etc. They worked us until our hands and arms were sore. The facilities were world-class. The lectures were jam-packed with great information on legal and ethical and practical issues around handgun ownership and use.

The best thing about the place is the Master-quality world-class staff there. Even IF the facilities were ordinary (they are extraordinary), I would go back again because of the staff.

My skills went from mediocre to excellent. I can put two rounds into the center mass at 7 meters from concealed draw in under 2 seconds and 10 meters under 2.6s. And, I can repeat that again and again. And, I can put one shot into the brain chamber from concealed draw in under 2 seconds at 5 meters.

They also forced us to do a tactical mag change after every set of shots, ensuring we checked for a mag every time before doing the mag change. They had us practice drawing from concealment over and over both dry and live. They also had us do live round malfunction solutions over and over until we could do them without thinking. They also had a small shoothouse for basic tactics, such as slicing the pie, approaching and opening a door, clearing rooms and doorways, shooting a hostagetaker, etc.

And, they maintained a safe training environment and never let up on the safety rules.

I may sound like an advertisement, but I have no incentive to give this rave review other than wanting everyone to be properly trained, and I think Frontsight meets and exceeds that goal. I think Frontsight is the real thing: Worldclass quality self-defense handgun combat training taught by phenomenally great teachers in a great facility.

My only complaints are:
1) The training facility is 45min from vegas and 30min from Pahrump, NV. Its really in the middle of nowhere. I stayed at the SaddleWest hotel in Pahrump... they have a special at $50/night includes breakfast...it was adequate. I would like to see a Frontsight facility on the east coast where I could drive to it.
2) They try to cram a lot of training into those four days, and its tough to keep up. If you go, be well-rested, properly dressed for the weather, well nourished and be early and on-time and have all your equipment ready, a GREAT OWB holster, and extra ammo.

They give a skills test at the end and based on your scoring you receive: Distinguished Graduate, Graduate, or Certificate of Completion. You must be a Distinguished Graduate to go into the advanced tactical and Combat Master courses. They also offer nighttime courses. Out of 40 students, I was the only Distinguished Graduate. About 50% of the class were Graduates and the rest got certificate of completion. For most people, that is probably fine, but the skills test is tough, and I was frankly suprised when I got Distinguished because I thought I didn't do well on the malfunctions tests. I attribute my success to their great training, plus the past six months of IDPA matches, my Cz75Shadow which is an accurate workhorse, and 147gr 9mm ammo.

And, I met a lot of great people: retired firefighter, an Army soldier, farmers, college student, power plant operator, retired military, a woman sport shooter, etc. And, it was a LOT of fun...we shot over 750 rounds over four days. And, we had a single-elimination steel plate competition....yeah, I won that too. Bottom line is that it was a lot of work, long hours, cold weather (cold hands and fingers), and it was a TON of fun!

I give them a 5-star rating...out of 5.
I am not sure I can afford to go back soon, but hoping one course next year.
I will be posting another string to talk about logistics of going....just in case anyone else goes.
I guarantee you will have a TON OF FUN taking this course as long as you dress for the weather and I KNOW you will be a better handgun operator when you complete this class.

CC
PICS!!!!!

Early Morning Outside Frontsight Gate

Instructors Helping with Grip and Stance

Handgun Combat Master Instructor Giving Lesson

My Classmates

Two Relays of 20 students per relay, total 40 students

Other Ranges

Lecture Room (Ahhh...Warm In Here!)

Classmates Practicing

2nd Relay Coaching Partners

Me Shooting

Steel Plate Man on Man Match with Hostage Plate Challenge

Me being presented "Big Dog" Trophy for Steel Plate Match

Doors for Tactical Practice

Frontsight Target

Practice for Skills Test

More Practice Drills

Takiing Malfunction Solutions Test

Taking Skills Test, Notice Heads turned back as a part of After-Action Drills

My Trusty Cz75Shadow