$1200 Frontsight Membership....worth it?

[Stinkyshoe]

Until the 31st, Frontsight is offering a membership for about 8 different classes. It looks like a really good deal. It costs $1200. These classes can be retaken forever. There are 8 classes total (2 and 4 day handgun,rifle, shotgun, sub gun)

What are your thoughts of Frontsight as a school compared to other schools? Is the money better spent elsewhere? Do you have any suggestions for continuing training?

Thanks
Ss

 

[Rem700SD]

The main question I would ask is "how often will I use this membership?" How close do you live to the facility? Have you been there before? How likely/often will you go back, then factor it all in

 

[Fly320s]

Stinky,

I've been considering this, too. I think it is a good deal, especially if FS can stay in business long enough for you to cash in.

That's the problem, though. FS is being sued by some of it's members for not improving it's property as advertised. I don't know who will win, but the suit will certainly cost FS some money that could be spent elsewhere.

There are many threads here at THR about FS's training, marketing and Piazza's connection with Scientology. Jump into those, and then decide if the $1200 is worth it to you.

If you live near Pahrump, or can get there easily, I'd say it's a good deal. Even if you only get to attend two classes you still come out ahead compared to most training courses. But, if you look around on the internet, you can find FS training certificates for about $100. You can use those only once, but if that's all you want, then you're set.

 

[HankB]

If you do a search, there were some postings regarding Frontsight on these forums recently. Numerous lawsuits, allegations of shady land practices, etc.

Here's one of the threads: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=164834&highlight=Frontsight

If any of the allegations are proven in court, Frontsight may not be around much longer.

 

[pax]

From those who have attended FrontSight, I have rarely heard anything bad about the training.

www.frontsightlitigation.com has some stuff on it you might want to be aware of before you buy a membership, though.

pax

 

[kage genin]

The $1200 membership includes full-auto M16 as well. The prospect of taking multiple full-auto UZI and M16 classes for $1200 is appealing... hmm..

Although Front Sight is being hit by a lawsuit, I seriously doubt that however the lawsuit gets resolved that it will result in Front Sight going under.

The Piazza-scientology connection rumor comes from him attending one scientology thing where he paid money to undergo some scientology procedure. I don't know what it was, I'm not a scientologist and neither were any of the instructors I've met at Front Sight. Here, sadly, on The High Road there are those who won't hesitate to claim "Piazza is a scientologist" and Front Sight is therefore a scientology-recruiting center. I'd put more weight on opinions of those who have actually taken a class at Front Sight

 

[Double Maduro]

Thanks for this thread, I have been considering this myself.

The advertising is kind of hokey and used car style, leaves a bad taste. Kind of reminds me of the used car ads, "That's right everything we have is $11 down, thats $11 down and if you don't have the $11, we'll loan you the $11".

I have fired full auto and although it is fun, I don't anticipate having a need to do it again, besides one of the local ranges rents them.

I think that Piazza and his advertising are just too slick and pushy. Even if I lived close enough to go there all the time, I think I would pass.

DM

 

[Preacherman]

Reports from those who've trained there have been good. However, on the grounds of past problems and allegations of misconduct, I long ago decided that wherever my money was going, it wasn't going to Front Sight. YMMV.

 

[JohnKSa]

There have been a few long threads on THR and TFL about Frontsight. You might do a search using the 'frontsight' and 'membership' as keywords.

 

[F4GIB]

I've been to Gunsite, Thunder Ranch and FS. All are different.

IMHO, at $1200, the FS membership is a great buy.

You are getting what many paid 5 to 10 times that for.

The training is good and the opportunity to go shooting and visit Las Vegas is a good combination. Neither Piazza nor FS is perfect but at this price it doesn't make much difference.

 

[rock jock]

I agree with Preacherman. I don't plan to attend FS anytime this century. For those that are considering this, you need to look hard at the financial state of FS. Piazza is being sued and he has given no timeline for beginning construction on his big dream of a gun community. What does that tell you?

I have seen this type of fund-raising tactic used in the stock market by companies that are barely hanging on. It is always a last-ditch effort to raise the money they need to pay maturing debts. It is always a bad sign. Mind you, I'm not saying that this is the case with FS. I am simply pointing out the similarities.

 

[444]

I have been neck deep in most of the FS threads.
I will confine my one single post in this thread to answering your question:
Yes
I have taken five classes at Frontsight. I have taken classes elsewhere including four classes at Gunsite.
The membership at Frontsight is a STEAL.
I kick myself for not buying the GOLD membership back when it cost a fraction of what it does now: even if I had to finance it.
Everyone has had a conversation about: "If you could go back in time, knowing what you know now............". One of the things I would do, would be to buy a FS GOLD membership the second it became available.
I have not trained with every instuctor or at every school. But, out of the classes I have taken, I consider the classes I took at FS to be as good or better than any other that I have taken.
The problem with that membership you are considering is that it doesn't include the two day, skill builder classes. To me, these are the most valuable thing offered at FS.
If you research the price of a five day course at somewhere like Gunsite or Thunder Ranch, you will see that ONE class costs $1200 or close to it.
That membership is a bargin and a half.
The Frontsight facility is fantastic and has made steady progress since the first time I was there 3-5 years ago. IMO, the facility is great and possibly as good as any out there.

 

[GarrettJ]

I took them up on the free subgun class that they were offering 6 or 7 years ago. I would not hesitate to take another class from them.

Double Maduro noted that he can rent subguns at his local range. While that is a worthwile pastime, the classes teach you things that you may not always pick up on by yourself. The curriculum seemed based around a defensive handgun class adapted to subguns. That is fine. All of my subgun shooting since then has been recreational (which is fine by me), but the class still has solid value.

As noted, it has been a few years since I took the class, but I still use some of the skills that I learned there when shooting subgun competition.

 

[Pierre]

My wife and I went and visited Front Sight. It's a fantastic facility. That was 3 years ago....

There have been virutually no visible projects that I can see after viewing the "latest photos" at the website supporting the lawsuit.

I was pretty interested in the Silver or Platinum level, and almost secured financing for it.

I personally would be outraged if the claims made in the lawsuit are correct. The WHOLE point of making the investment was the resale value, and the ability to will the membership to family if desired.

The NEW $1200 Life Membership is a steal, but I figure I will wait to get it for only $399.95.... and I am sure all of the investors at the First Family level will be even more excited about this...

I didn't follow through based on the "funny feeling" that I got... Musta been sixth sense.

Send the next bullet worth dodging any time... I am getting better with age!

 

[larry_minn]

If I lived halfway close I would have a membership. I looked at memberships a decade ago. IMO the folks sueing don't have a leg to stand on. Like any (investment) you take your chances. They got their value.

 

[rrr06]

I attended 4 day handgun course earlier this year and it was terrific.

Too bad about the lawsuit. FS has done a lot of good in the media and firearms, I hope this bad media doesn't hurt that too much.

I recently got the $1200 membership. In my opinion $1200 is a steal.

Lawsuits take a long time to play out so I plan to go at least once a month just in case, but even if I take just one classs it's worth it. It's worth the travel expense.

The training is top notch. Anyone who claims you hear about religion or anything other than training, the 2nd amendment, staying legal hasn't been there.

 

[George Hill]

I would rather take my classes and spend my money with an organization that is a bit less shady. For the money, plus cost of travel, there are long standing and well respected, controversy free groups and schools.