Front Sight Institute?

[DeadLiver]

I recently started receiving emails from Front Sight, advertising their training programs. Has anybody here had experience with their programs? I can't find any threads about them via the search engine and their advertising makes me kind of wary and faintly wierded out. Especially when the founder, Dr. Piazza has christened himself "The Millionaire Patriot".

Secondly, can anybody reccomend a good training program that's preferably within a few hours drive from Provo UT that doesn't cost thousands of dollars? I need to at least get a basic defensive pistol class under my belt, but I have no idea where I should get the training, especially on my budget as a student, head of a young family, and Wal Mart employee. Thanks for the advice?

 

[Frank Ettin]

I've never been to Front Sight but know people who have. They seem to have gotten some good training there.

My personal favorite is Gunsite, but that's near Prescott, Arizona and is pricey.

Massad Ayoob's LFI-1 (http://www.ayoob.com/ ) is a great class, and his fees are reasonable. He travels, but he doesn't appear to have a class scheduled near you in the immediate future. However, check back when he has his 2010 schedule up.

Another possibility it that there may be a local NRA certified instructor. If he teaches NRA Basic Handgun, Personal Protection Inside the Home and Personal Protection Outside the Home, the three classes together will give you a good foundation. And the cost would probably be reasonable. Check http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx .

 

[2000Yards]

I've taken practical shotgun and practical rifle courses at Front Sight. Their advertising tactics come off as very used-car salesmanish, and they do try to soft-sell you on long-term memberships while you are there. However, the instructors that I've worked with are excellent, they do a good job of teaching you not only some basic mechanics of shooting, but they also instill in you an understanding of some of the legal implications of a SD shooting, what to do and what to expect, and also lectures on alertness and awareness.

You can often find people with tickets, or passes for front sight courses that are much less than the advertised rates. Check with the school as well, they may give discounts for first-time attendees.

 

[TDR911]

I have not been there but do a google search on Utah firearms training and some do come up. Here is 1 link. http://utahfirearmstraining.com/ He seems like he has a very good class selection and prices are reasonable. If you go let us know as to your experience.

Check the neighboring states as well.

Also go to NRA range program. There are a lot of good instructors out there.

 

[rbernie]

You can always use Google to search the site:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=460267
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=412231
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=370586
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=331974
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=271731
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=244155
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=209274
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=164834
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=104040
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=86604

 

[DeadLiver]

Thanks Bernie...I was using the site's search function. Forgot about using google to search within a site, thanks for the reminder.

 

[slim76]

I haven't been in the Provo area since I moved in 2001. I used to go to Rangemaster's in Springville, UT which is fairly close. He had a live-fire scenario system there (shooting at video on neoprene screen that registered your hits) I forget what it is called. You might want to check with them as they would probably know about any training in the area.

 

[Pweller]

Since you are on a budget, you might just try a local gun store or local range. Here in Tucson, we have a nice local gunstore with a range and classrooms. It's a modest setup, but is everything you need, and the prices are very reasonable. You might start out with a CCW type course, and go from there. My CCW class instructor was a retired LEO, so the information was good and he had some real-world experience. I think the 8 hour class was only $60 or so.

Travelling out of state gets expensive quickly, once you add up the cost of the class, travel, a hotel, plus eating out. I'm sure it would be worthwhile if you are an advanced student, but if you want basic knowledge it's probably easiest to start locally.

I suspect if you call a few local gun shops you will find something close by and reasonably priced.

 

[lobo9er]

i have never been. i have been to there website however and know i can't afford to go.

 

[mljdeckard]

The FBMG guys are on hiatus, but they should be opening a shop of some sort soon, maybe in Lehi. Impact in Ogden and the Wasatch Shooter's Club in Fruit Heights have a lot of competition and training events.

Guess where me and my dad go? South tip of Utah Lake.

 

[mljdeckard]

I have also mused and asked......various people, what's preventing us from having such a school here in Utah. It's almost as if they think you have to have a Clint Smith on retainer to have credibility. I think there's PLENTY of talent here, and we could certainly hire some, and plenty of area too. Think out in Tooele county somewhere, not too far from the Miller speed park, in some foothills. Just sayin'.

 

[444]

I have taken 17 classes at Frontsight. FWIW I have also taken four classes at Gunsite.
The training at Frontsight was first rate in my opinion (otherwise I wouldn't have gone back).

As far as the cost of the class, you can get into your first class very inexpensively. On the order of $100. Of course you also have to have ammo, a good holster, lodging, food, travel.................
Since I live very close to their facility, that stuff isn't an issue for me (other than ammo).

If you take their pistol class, you will absolutely amaze yourself at the end of the last day. I have taken that class four times (I think) and I was amazed at the end of every class even knowing what to expect. You are so tuned up that you can't believe yourself. Of course that goes away after a few days since you arn't training at the level after you leave (probably).

 

[possum]

the option is always there to host a course. get in contact with the instructor(s) that you would like to train under. they will tell you what they need for a class to be hosetd at your location. and most schools will give the host a free slot in the class. just make sure you have a range and a few people that want to do it, the more people the less it will cost normally.

 

[luzyfuerza]

DeadLiver, you need to hook up with the Utah Polite Society crowd (http://www.utahpolitesociety.org/) They shoot the first Saturday of each month at the PMAA range in Parley's Canyon. The shooters that run this group are competent, patient trainers, and inventive stage designers. They'll expose you to great tools for the cost of ammo and a range fee.

Plus, its a lot of fun!

 

[JMusic]

I believe there are schools that match Front Sight. But there are other school that are top Notch, I'm a point shooter. I think its as accurate and twice the speed. Take both and CAR. and (Point shooting is the king. 7 yids in'. . You should try this first. Learn from elbow up elbow down, Learn how to get into positions. There's people on this site will say its worthless. Once one with a pistol has this technique you have incredible speed so your ahead ahead of the curve. See if he's serious or not.



Jim