Firearms Academy of Seattle Two Thumbs Up!

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LBTRS

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I wanted to share another outstanding experience at the Firearms Academy of Seattle (FAS) last week. I attended a six day course of instruction that consisted of three separate classes all rolled into a week long instructional period. The week culminated with a qualification test for Master/Expert/Non-Qualification rating with the defensive handgun. The three classes that made up the week were Survival Tactics for Armed Encounters (FAS-3), Advanced Handgun Skills (FAS-4) and Advanced Survival Tactics (FAS-5).

If you like to shoot the defensive handgun these are the classes to take. They recommend you bring 1200 rounds of ammo to the class but I ended up using just short of 2000 rounds. The extra rounds were mainly due to team competitions that we performed with half the class competing against the other half of the class for bragging rights. This was great fun and a welcome break from the rigorous and serious training we had spent days working on. These classes are non-stop shooting/tactical classes and you’ll have a gun in your hand the entire time. Almost no time is spent in the class room other then at lunch and the end of the day for lectures. The entire day is spent on the range learning with the gun in your hand. I much prefer this method for firearms training.

The topics covered are way too many to list here but I can not believe we covered as much as we did and practiced the techniques over and over again in a week long class. This class is not for the light at heart as the material is presented, practiced, critiqued and coached for improvement at a very fast pace. The real beauty of the class is that the material is presented in a way that builds on what you have learned in prior exercises. I kept finding myself saying to myself “oh, this is what we learned yesterday” as I had to use previously learned skills to solve new challenges in the class.

Marty Hayes (The President of FAS) was my instructor and he was assisted by too very talented shooters Don and Kathy. Marty is a first rate person and an outstanding instructor. I have an instructional background and Marty is a master at teaching and coaching students through complex problems. I could not believe the level of increase in each student’s skill in this week long class. I have attended firearms training in the past from other organizations and never noticed an increase in my skill level like I did during my week spent with Marty Hayes. He also has an outstanding training facility with multiple ranges for every imaginable shooting/tactical training scenario.

I can’t say enough great things about Marty and Gila Hayes and the outstanding training provided at FAS. I had such a great time and learned so much I’m currently building my training schedule with them for next year. Advanced Shotgun and Rifle classes are in my future.

I’m happy to report that I was able to obtain my FAS Handgun Master Ranking under the direction and coaching of Mr. Hayes. I highly recommend FAS if you’re looking to develop your shooting skills to the highest level while also having a great time with a fabulous group of people.

Ray T.
 
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How much was the class? And can you post a link. I am planning on moving to Seattle next year and want to take some classes while I go for my CCW. I know they arent needed but it would probably ease my nerves. No CCW here in IL so I have to get used to it.
 
Gatman,

The prices are listed on the web site depending on which class you're interested in. The class I took was the FAS-345 combo class. Here is the FAS website and I'm sure you'll enjoy any training you take with them.

The Firearms Academy of Seattle, Inc.

Ray
 
My $0.02 worth:

I unconditionally recommend Marty and Gila Hayes at the Firearms Academy of Seattle. I've worked with them for years and found them to be exemplary instructors; I've have featured and will feature them again on SHOOTING GALLERY. They are two of the best!

If you live up there in Latte-World, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this great resource!

Michael B
 
I had the privilege of taking several classes from Mr. Hayes back when FAS was still in Seattle, and he was giving classes at the indoor ranges in Mountlake Terrace and Everett. Some of those classes were taught in conjunction with Mr. Ayoob. Although I have not yet been to their new setup in Centralia, I endorse Mr. Hayes as a fine teacher.
 
I plan on taking some of their classes once I have the $$$. From what LBTRS and Pax have had to say, it sounds awesome!

:D
 
Have never met Marty but always read his posts and his Gun Rag articles. He's one of the few with the Mojo to be open mined and know that there someting to be4 learned from the various well established Guest Instructors he often hosts at his School. He's always the voice of moderation on the Web Gun BB when guys get into so & so's latest and greatest tech. is better than anything ever developed before {to overemphasize} A Wise Man I beleive!
 
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