Firearm Academy Seattle (FAS) Training?

[orygunmike]

Hey folks.....

I'm looking to get my first taste of professional training with my handgun. The FAS is only 1.5 hours and I'm looking for feeback from folks who have experience with FAS training.

My ojectives, in order of priority are:
1. Establish good fundamentals such that I can improve my shooting skills
2. Become involved in shooting sports (e.g. IPSC)
3. Obtain an Oregon Concealed Weapon Permint..

I'm not a newbie, but have never received training and want to do so before all my bad habits become permanent *G*

Any other recommendations people have for good training on fundamentals is appreciated.

 

[Josh]

IMHO, there is no better training facility in the area.

At the price vs. quality of instruction, there may be no better school in the country.

FAS II is an ideal place for a shooter with some experience to begin.

Pax will probably weigh in soon.

She's your go to gal for all things FAS.

Good shooting,

Josh

 

[orygunmike]

FAS-1 vs FAS-2

Hey Josh..

thanks for the reply!

Have you taken the FAS-1 and/or FAS-2? I like the idea of taking their Free course on Saturday..and then FAS-1 on Sunday..and for $95 total...it seems like a low cost way to be introduced to the facility and training.

I was wondering whether FAS-1 (Intro to Concealed Carry) would fit the bill and meet my needs for heavy emphasis on fundamentals. Your thoughts on this?

I should send an email to FAS and ask them..but would enjoy some non-biased feedback.

I don't know Pax...but will look forward to hearing from her too.

cheers.

 

[pax]

orygunmike,

If you're looking for an unbiased source, I may not be the person to talk to, because I'm not shy about telling people how much I like FAS. At this moment, I'm a very frequent volunteer as an RO and assistant instructor, and am working through their instructor-development program. Marty and Gila are near neighbors and are both good personal friends of mine. But I'm not on their payroll, and it's not as if anyone is paying me to like them.

You'll find a list of various things I've written about FAS at http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?postid=508146#post508146. Since that was written, I've taken a few more classes from them and several classes from travelling instructors. Plus, I've been helping with their women's study group program, which has turned out to be more fun than I'd bargained for.

About FAS-1. I think it is an excellent value, and provides a good foundation in the basics. It is intended for the very beginning shooter, and moves slowly through the material.

Day One of FAS-1 is the free handgun safety seminar (incidentally, they are very low-key about selling the next class up, so don't worry about getting trapped with a high pressure sales job. It ain't like that, honest.) The free seminar is a great way to check out the teaching style and facilities at FAS and decide if it's somewhere you want to spend your money, time, and effort. If it's not, all you've lost is a day and some ammo.

In the safety seminar, we work through safety issues and the moral and legal considerations governing the use of deadly force in the morning, and then move to the range for the afternoon. (Depending on a whole bunch of variables, your handgun safety seminar will probably run about 15-20 people or so; FAS-1 will likely have around 8-10 people in it. Don't quote me on that! Those are the numbers I've seen when I've been up there, not a guarantee...)

FAS-1 itself is spent almost entirely on the range, and covers shooting basics in a lot more depth.

If you are not a very beginning shooter, you might enjoy FAS-2 a little more. It also covers shooting basics, but moves a little more quickly through the material.

Either way, Gila is very approachable and it is her voice that will answer the phone when you call them. Ask her which one she recommends for you. She'll walk you through your choices and answer any questions you have.

pax

 

[garrettwc]

If you're looking for an unbiased source, I may not be the person to talk to, because I'm not shy about telling people how much I like FAS.

Biased perhaps, but your detailed accounts both here and at Armed Citizen forum are as informative as any gun magazine.

I've never met Marty, but we have some mutual acquaintances that speak highly of him. If I were a newbie looking for a good class FAS would definitely be on my short list.

By the way pax, did you ever get your master's ticket on FAS-4? This time last year you were wearing the finish off your gun practicing.

 

[pax]

*laugh* You would have to ask that.

I did really well on the last match, so well that Marty and Gila both gave me grief about not coming back and testing for the master's paper yet. Um, let's just say that I shoot really, really well ... except when it matters to me. (And yeah, I'm aware that's not a good thing. I'm still working on that aspect, believe me.)

pax

 

[garrettwc]

Hey I serve best as an instigator.

Good luck and keep practicing. Your day will come.

 

[Josh]

I've taken FAS II and I'm going back next month for the retention class.
Your $95 weekend plan sounds like a great way to spend a couple days getting a feel for the school.

I'd advise going this year as I hear the're having to raise the tuition prices a little next year. Something about needing to actually pay bills or something like that.

Yeah, go check 'em out. You may get to meet Pax in person. That's worth your $95 right there.

Take care,

Josh

 

[A Johnston]

I recently took FAS-3 and while there were some principles and methods taught that I didn’t agree with the class was well worth the money and very informational. No doubt I learned something. I’ll definitely be returning for some other classes to include more advanced pistol and rifle schools and I would recommend FAS to any shooter who wants to improve their skills and knowledge about fighting.

 

[Bobarino]

i've only taken the safety seminar so far. as soon as time allows, i'll be back there for FAS-2. Marty and Gila were wonderful. they are nice and relaxed and appoachable, easy to talk to. i can't comment on their other courses yet obviously, but i was impressed with the stucture of the lessons and the degree of safety taught and observed be all. i'd definately recommend them based on my limited experience.

Bobby

 

[Tim51]

Orygunmike,
I highly recommend FAS. I just took my first ever formal defensive training from them on June 5-6. It was the handgun seminar and FAS-1. I too am not a newbie and have shot recreationally (non-competitive) for the past 10 years and am familiar with firearms. Since you are not a newbie, the safety seminar will be rudimentary for you, but I still found the information valuable. Especially the laws regarding concealed carry in WA/OR and the fundementals of shooting.

FAS-1 was just what I was looking for in a class. It builds upon what is learned in the Safety Seminar and stresses the shooting fundementals. It also exposes the student to working with a holster. You spend a lot of time practicing drawing and reholstering. Once they feel everyone has that down, you move on to shooting drills where you draw from the holster. Eventually, you end up doing the shooting drills with the weapon concealed.

After taking this class, I am now confident that I can safely and effectively deploy my weapon from concealment if necessary, which is my main reason for taking this class.

For me, taking the class just wet my appetite for future training. I am already planning on taking FAS-2 in October.

Tim