Any members of Front Sight?

[FireBirdDS]

I'm a new member at Front Sight Firearms Training Institute located out near Las Vegas. I'm trying to plan a trip out there in the next month or two for a few days to a week depending on what courses I decide to take.

I was wondering if there are any other Front Sight members on the forum who have been out there already and could give me tips for cheap, no frills plane tickets, hotel, rental car, etc.

 

[cedartop]

Here we go.

 

[HICKMAN]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubw5N8iVDHI[/ame]

 

[Steelman]

kayak.com - for cheap hotels, airfare and rental cars.


The general opinion of Front Site's membership structure is that it's a scam and to be avoided at all costs.

What enticed you to become a member there?

 

[FireBirdDS]

Okay, putting aside all the smartass replies I'm apparently going to incur... I have three other friends who all have memberships out there, who have been out there for courses (twice), and have had nothing but praise of the facilities, course structure, and staff.

 

[Hemingway]

Everybody bad mouths that place, and from what I've seen on TV, I haven't been impressed but I know a couple of squared away guys that have gone there several times and they are impressed with the training, so maybe there's something to it?

(Of course, firearms training is more fickle than the NY fashion scene when it comes to what is currently hot and I can't keep up with it all. Why, just the other day, I thought it was cutting edge to have a vertical foregrip on an M4 and now, it's only cool if you extend your support hand as far as you can on the foregrip and place your thumb on the top rail. Hoo-yah! Maybe Frontsight just doesn't score enough cool points. Maybe they need some vulgar morale patches, cordura murses and Oakley Gascans?)

 

[HICKMAN]

Okay, putting aside all the smartass replies I'm apparently going to incur... I have three other friends who all have memberships out there, who have been out there for courses (twice), and have had nothing but praise of the facilities, course structure, and staff.

we were just trying to gently get you to look into the place.

There are much better options with much better prices and much better trainers closer to home.


A quick search of "Front Sight Lawsuit" will reveal a little more.

 

[IndyGunSafety]

It is what it is. Donna and I are Diamond members, as are 2 of my other employees. I think Guy from TFT is also a member.

There are hotels on the south side of Vegas that provide a little Vegas atmosphere and are easier to get rooms at than the hotels near Front Sight. You'll have a little drive each morning. (:45 to an hour) trying to get a room near FS is tough. If you can weed through the BS advertising and such you will experience some decent training.

I'm waiting for the "Tactical Nuclear Bazooka" course, myself!

 

[Jtgarner]

It is what it is. Donna and I are Diamond members, as are 2 of my other employees. I think Guy from TFT is also a member.

There are hotels on the south side of Vegas that provide a little Vegas atmosphere and are easier to get rooms at than the hotels near Front Sight. You'll have a little drive each morning. (:45 to an hour) trying to get a room near FS is tough. If you can weed through the BS advertising and such you will experience some decent training.

I'm waiting for the "Tactical Nuclear Bazooka" course, myself!

I hope your word has some pull on here, I am getting tired of people bashing FS. I have taken a class out there, and I was extremely happy with the atmosphere, the training, and the facilities. I would like to go back if the opportunity ever arises again. I am not a lifetime member, but I am also a college student with a wife in Law School, so I don't have that kind of money laying around. No, they are not Magpul, and Yes, there are some quality training facilities that are a lot closer (and I would love to take a class with any or all of those places too), but if you have the money to go out there it is worth it. It was a great experience for my step dad and I, as we were paired up as each others shooting buddies there, so we try to continue the coaching at our home range to keep getting better. My step dad purchased a bunch of classes after we went out there, so there might be an opportunity for me to go again and I will.

 

[ray d]

I am an instructor with front sight PM me with any questions and I will try to answer them. As far as hotels go try staying in Pahrump A lot easier drive you are going to be tired after the long days. Ray Duensing

 

[gunbunnies]

You know some people just like to bash things... It's thier calling in life...

I haven't attended training at the Front Sight facility in Nevada as of yet, but it is on my list... Just like some of the other well known facilities throughout the country. I would like to point out, as long as there are Lawyers and companies that can be sued, there are gonna be lawsuits. If you have ever been in a court room you will realize that it is really theater at it's finest, the best actors win... has nothing to do with right or wrong...

Somebody is always upset about something, back to being a planet covered and inhabited by human beings, being human of course...

Now as to my experience with Front Sight Training... It's top knotch as to what I experienced taking a Front Sight based 2 day Defensive Pistol Course here locally in Indiana last weekend. There were no accidents that killed or injured anyone, the instruction was very well delivered and understood, the training wasn't about running around obstacles, rushing bad guy's and taking combat missions. It was plain and simple, how to defend myself with this pistol I picked to carry. How to present this pistol as fast and safely as I can and nuetralize a agressive individual. Now the best part of this class that I attended this last weekend was that it only cost me my time, and ammo to take this course. The instruction was completely free and this was put on by a Instructor from Front Sight with 5 more safety instructors on the range both days to help with individual instruction throughout each phase of the class. They even supplied all targets used by the class for free. So, at this point my hat is off to Front Sight and the individual instructors that offered up this class here locally in my State and for my benefit.

FireBirdDS, enjoy your training, and bring back your experience from Front Sight or any other training facility you attend... Hope to here a AAR after you return...

 

[JR50]

I agree with gunbunnies. Ray and his assistants did a wonderful job last weekend. Ray should get the credit he deserves. Thanks, again.
Ray, by the way, at the end of your course, you should pass a box or coffee can around for donations. Everything shouldn't come out of your pocket.

Front Sight is well worth the experience. It's first-rate training but once is enough for me. Cash flow problems can be a pain. There are very good instructors that contribute to INGO conversation, including those from ACT.

 

[sadclownwp]

I had fun at the Front Sight training course that Jammin, Gunnbunnies, JR50, and a handful of other members went to last week. I butted heads with a few of the instructors on a few things. but all and all it was good training, and i did learn a few things.

 

[Steelman]

I don't think the quality of the training is in question. The business practices of the owner have been less than exemplary. Run a real estate scam and suddenly people decline to patronize the other half of your business.

I still don't understand the benefit of the "memberships". Seems like it is in the same vein as a timeshare property. If you fly to Vegas 2 or 3 times a year for training, I could see it paying off.

 

[gunbunnies]

Well, You know I don't buy my peanut butter at the local Gun store. The membership idea was probably a good idea gone wrong as happens in business all the time. Heck, have you tryed one of these ultra economic hybrid cars out yet ? Save money, right.... It's my understanding that Front Sight doesn't offer the First Family membership anymore because it doesn't work. At the expense of running a facility like that, I don't see how you could just give away the farm anyway. I think the OP was asking where he could stay and then the posts after that were to the effect that he had made a very bad decision on getting trained at Front Sight. Again what atleast three INGO attendees found was that it was good training, atleast what was presented here this last weekend. Again, I goto a instructor for training, not my peanut butter.... I go to the local grocery store and get Jiffy for that...

 

[Steelman]

Well, You know I don't buy my peanut butter at the local Gun store. The membership idea was probably a good idea gone wrong as happens in business all the time. Heck, have you tryed one of these ultra economic hybrid cars out yet ? Save money, right.... It's my understanding that Front Sight doesn't offer the First Family membership anymore because it doesn't work. At the expense of running a facility like that, I don't see how you could just give away the farm anyway. I think the OP was asking where he could stay and then the posts after that were to the effect that he had made a very bad decision on getting trained at Front Sight. Again what atleast three INGO attendees found was that it was good training, atleast what was presented here this last weekend. Again, I goto a instructor for training, not my peanut butter.... I go to the local grocery store and get Jiffy for that...

English is your primary language??

Well, I go to the local grocery store and buy my peanut butter, too. I DON'T buy memberships for "spoon time" from an outfit in Las Vegas that has been charged with the RICO Act.


Simple as that.


I'm sure the peanut butter tastes great to a mouse. Right up until they realize that it's a trap!

 

[gunbunnies]

Ya, English was never my high point, got a public education, but it was good enough to let me be self employed for 30 years now and pays the bills...

I wouldn't buy a membership from them either, I would buy training from them though... I would also buy it from TDI, Gunsite, and many others. They all offer quality firearms training.

I have this thing about buying into grand plans.... from running my own businesses over the years and realizing that it costs money to run a facility and to make money which is what all of these training companies do. Sooo no I wouldn't buy in to a plan of such, I would buy the training that I am recieving for this said price now...

You can get charged with all types of stuff... and in the end in a court room you will be judged. Will you be judged fairly or according to the winners concepts, who knows... Go to the theater and find out. Just in case I wasn't clear, a theater in this text is a court room. I know this too from experience.

Buyer beware, is it peanut butter or is it something else, really isn't it up to you as a educated and thinking person to be able to make that decision when your looking to buy it... Don't believe some hype that the jar of peanut butter your buying is gonna last you for 30 years when you can pick it up in your hands and walk out the door with it, unless you don't eat all that much of the peanut butter from day to day...

Just saying,

Steelman, love sparing with you but really not trying to argue with you... Just put my .02 cents worth out there based on a discussion and gladly chat back and forth with you as long as you realize your gonna have some pre-decided concepts and attitudes on a subject, just as I will... We are human we have that fault....

Your field....

 

[ray d]

Glad you guys enjoyed the class.Hope to do alot more of them.Thanks for the feedback. Ray Duensing.

 

[noverusn]

personal experience

I'm a Front Sight Diamond member, and so is the rest of my family. I personally know 9 other lifetime members (of various membership levels) - 4 of which are current active duty military officers (1 Air Force, 1 Army, 1 Marine, and one Navy) (I am active duty Navy) and we'll ALL tell anyone who asks: Front Sight training is TOP NOTCH. We also didn't pay more than $1,200 for our lifetime memberships, some of which were as low as $466. Just depends what 'sale' is going at the time. Now, as far as the business end of things, that I'm not impressed with and I hope the founder gets someone else to run the business and he should just stick to advertising.

We all get past the "business part" within minutes of actually getting the training. they offer more courses than I can remember to post on, and a Diamond means one can attend any, for life. Just need to maintain a background check that good for a year (I think, might be 2) and that's a $50 fee.

I've been to the 4-day Defensive Handgun course 3 times now and it's been awesome every time. My friends have been also to the Tactical Rifle and Shotgun courses, and the 2-day Handgun Skill Builder (need to graduate from the 4-day course first) and they've had nothing but positive reviews on all of those courses as well. We all have various backgrounds with firearm experience, but suffice to say that we are 'above average' trained... And that was before we went to Front Sight were we all agree provides outstanding training.

Now, for the hotel part, Like Ray said, you'll want to stay in Pahrump - about 25 minute drive from the range, because the other option is Vegas and is more like 45 minutes. I certainly would not want to drive for 45 minutes after a long day at the range, and one will certainly not have any time/energy to do much in the evening in Vegas anyhow - so save some time and $$ by staying in Pahrump.

I happened to have stayed at the Saddle West Hotel/Casino each time as it's had the best rates/availability. It also offers a military discount, which is the same (or close to) the Front Sight Lifetime membership discount - just show your ID or membership card at check-in. They also have pre-made lunch boxes ($7 was last year's price) so you don't have to pack your own or buy from the "roach coach" that is on site. Front Sight really ought to look into more food options on site other than the coach - the lines get long, but the food was reported to be good.

Also, your Diamond membership gives you 40% off of anything in the pro shop, and that includes AMMO. So with that discount, the ammo is about as good a price as you'll find anywhere, including online, and will save you from having to run to Wal-Mart to buy it after flying there. you definitely won't be able to check as much ammo as you'll need (about 800 rounds for the 4-day handgun course)...

As for anyone bad-mouthing Front Sight - don't, unless you've actually been there. Until then you're just rumor mongering and bloviating. And if you've been there, I bet 99% of you won't have anything bad to say about the TRAINING.

Cheers

 

[Sam sr9]

Buy a lifetime membership for $200 and take all the classes for free for the rest of your life! Been to 5 classes so far and learned a lot in each one. Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to get good with firearms! Yes the marketing is over the top and the emails never stop but you don't have to buy anything just go there and train your butt off.