Training at Frontsight

I took the 4-day defensive handgun class and the 4-day select fire M-16 class. I thought they were both worthwhile and a lot of fun. The handgun class is really geared towards people who haven't done any serious training, so if you've already taken some multiple day classes with your handgun, it may seem pretty basic, but will still be great practice and lots of fun. If you want to improve your skills regarding safety, accuracy, drawing from concealment, taking headshots, making quick follow up shots, and clearing any kind of malfunction quickly I would highly recomend taking the class. It's also a good way to become very familiar with a new gun.

Do a forum search. I believe there have already been a lot of comments made about FS. Now, about the training...

I also took the 4DDH class and the 2-day tactical shotgun class. For my part, I found the training to be very good, if a bit dogmatic. Just add what you learn to your toolbox and carry on.

front sight has good training but is otherwise pretty shady. Look up all the court cases and settlements surrounding front sight.

Dr. Ignatius "Naish" Piazza (b. 1960) is the founder and director of the Front Sight Firearms Training Institute in Pahrump, Nevada. He lives near Santa Cruz, California.

Litigation
In 2002, he sued former Front Sight instructor Dean Gamburd for claims against his person. The case was apparently settled.

In 2002, he sued Diana Hsieh for claims against his person. The case was settled out of court.

In 2006, Piazza and Front Sight were sued in a class action by certain members of the "First Family", an exclusive membership to the Front Sight facility, for failing to deliver on expectations made when the memberships were purchased. A settlement has been proposed.


Scientology
Piazza has been associated with Scientology, and has reportedly reached the level of "Clear".

Keep it on topic

If I see any tendency at all for this to tilt into religion or personal bashing, I will shut it down.

I don't care if the bear is Catholic. I only care what he does in the woods.

Keep it on track.

My FFL has been to several pistol and rifle courses there, and was very impressed. He goes at least twice a year to something.

In 2002, he sued former Front Sight instructor Dean Gamburd for claims against his person. The case was apparently settled.

In 2002, he sued Diana Hsieh for claims against his person. The case was settled out of court.

In 2006, Piazza and Front Sight were sued in a class action by certain members of the "First Family", an exclusive membership to the Front Sight facility, for failing to deliver on expectations made when the memberships were purchased. A settlement has been proposed.

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Being sued doesn't mean guilt in all circumstances. I don't know anything about the guy, but you all need to know that thousands of ridiculous law suits are filed against businesses and business owners every day. Almost all are settled out of court just to save the legal expenses. Most of the time, the plaintiff is just trying to create a court record with an accusation designed to smudge somebody's reputation. It's a sham, but that's the way it is.

Again, I'M not defending Piazza. I'm just saying that there's no way to tell unless it went to court with evidence.

I have taken several classes at Front Sight and found them very good; professional, and well executed. It has always been worth the airfare and hotel costs I pay to attend as I am not local to NV.

There has been some web "controversy" regarding Piazza but I, personally, have seen no evidence of any issues while I was attending classes. (And I was actively looking).

You should be aware that Piazza is a very active marketer of his school. He sends out many, many emails and snail mail adverts with 'latest, greatest offers'. If you see it once it can be an interesting offer but it gets old very fast. JMHO.

In no way am I ever going to support a Scientology wacked out nut job!

I have worked part time as a rifle instructor for Front Sight's practical rifle courses, and have been a member for several years. I've taken numerous courses over the years, and have found over 95% of the stuff I learned (and taught) to be sound, universal and reasonable.

The catch with Front Sight is mainly that new-to-Front-Sight students can only attend the basic level courses, and the best stuff is kept at the higher levels. The reasoning for this is sound - they train so many people in the basic classes that really have never been trained before. But on occasion, there's a higher-speed person that gets bummed out that they're shunted into a beginner's level class, and they get turned off. Anyway, neither as a part time staff member, nor as a student have I ever heard anyone come across as less than professional. They work with what you bring, and they generally hit their goal of turning you into a better shooter. Some folks are already far beyond their basic classes, though, and if you're one of those, realize that it's an extra trip out there to show them that you have the skills to move on.

I would recommend Front Sight to anyone who lives close to Southern Nevada and has the funds for the class. If you're all the way across the country, there might be more economical training for you in your area, but it probably won't be as consistent as that offered at Front Sight.

FWIW

Meh...I'll stick with Gunsite.

Done both Defensive Handgun and Tactical Shotgun classes there - I keep trying to find time to go back. I have a buddy who has gone enough that the last time he did the handgun course with his weak side.... that is a real challenge.

Good methodical training that is no where close to being like a bootcamp.

Even if you only go once, with a certificate, you will learn more than you ever imagined. (Unless you have many hours at other schools) Combine the 4 day with 3 days in Vegas, and that cross-country trip just got better.... just don't think you will have time or energy to go during the class, because you won't.

Excellent training.

Ignore the sales pitch.

Buy 4-day certificates off of eBay for $100.

I know a couple of instructors there...very good training and well worth the time to invest into it.Its what YOU put into it and get out of it in return!

Excellent training.

Ignore the sales pitch.

Buy 4-day certificates off of eBay for $100.

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+ 1

I took their 4-Day Defensive Handgun course a couple months ago. The instructors where great. My wife is a new shooter and could have had a very frustrating week, but the instructors spent a lot of time with her and she had a great time. She wants to go back.

My shooting definitely improved a lot and I had a good time as well.

Excellent training, really top notch and friendly staff. NOT bootcamp style at all, just very professional.

Wretched marketing, just God-awful and it never ends once you're on their mailing list. Pages and pages of single-spaced, badly written direct marketing, "personal" phone calls with recorded pitches to "upgrade" and "exchange in abundance". Bleh.

Having said that, I'm a First Family member myself and find it very useful and worthwhile as long as you're there for the training. I've taken 4 Day Defensive Handgun twice.