I recently attended Front Sight, Nevada for a two day Defensive Handgun class for my first ever formal training.
First, some background information on me. I CCW daily and compete in IDPA once a month. I’ve worked up to Expert class (usually Top 5 overall for the match) shooting the 1911 platform in the traditional .45 ACP. It hasn’t been easy, but I feel I shoot decent for learning everything on my own. I’m always buried in a book reading about techniques or at the range trying new ideas. I usually shoot approximately 1-2k rounds of .45. Never mind the other pistol/rifle/shotgun ammo I burn through. It’s fair to say, I do a bit of shooting.
I was offered a free class at Front Sight and of course I jumped at the opportunity. I chose Defensive Handgun as I figured it would be the most beneficial due to my CCW.
My first observation: Front Sight is a compound. A four mile private drive leads to a small fence and gate which opens to the student parking lot. The facility is located about 15 miles East of Pahrump and approximately 38 miles West of Las Vegas, NV on 550 acres. There is no signage in Pahrump or on any billboards en route to the school. A very small sign is posted at the beginning of the private road that leads to the school. It is REALLY in the middle of nowhere.
Yes, this thermometer on the way down there really says 113 degrees. It was hotter for the two days of the class.
DAY ONE
My shooting partner and I show up and sign in, get our weapons and ammunition inspected and retire to a large “tent†for the welcome briefing and instructor introduction.
So far everything is very professional. The instructors are clearly identifiable in uniforms, and the facility has a sense of seriousness about it. Good, this is very serious training.
Finally our class meets up at our range. We’re on the seventh range of about 12-15 on the upper portion of the facility. It’s approximately 65 yards long with large berms on three sides. Twenty-six students and 7 instructors fill out our little bit of shade in the Nevada desert. The range facilities appear immaculately maintained. Cold water was supplied as it should be. Dehydration is an ever-present threat.
The class breakout was as follows:
22 Male
4 Female
The majority of students were Caucasian in the 35-45 age range. I find this typical of the gun-owning community. There were 6-8 students under 30 years of age. By far, the majority of students were using the 1911 and Glock. A few SIGS, HKs and one Ruger were also observed. There was only one revolver, a Smith 686, and it was rented from Front Sight for the class. As far as the instructors go, 1911s were the gun of choice with Glocks coming in second. Oddly enough, the gun choices of the instructors mirrored the gun choices of the students: 1911s first and tactical plastic second. (It’s fairly obvious where I stand on this one).
Our range. The area in the shade is where most of our instruction was accomplished.
The instructors seemed very knowledgeable and more than willing to help. The class started with basic gun handling. Grip, stance, sight picture, sight alignment, etc… This specific class was more geared towards the new shooter and CCW person than I had anticipated. I was extremely bored with the lectures and drills on the range, but I kept an open mind and crossed my fingers for some actual shooting drills. We learned about our dominant eye and how a correct grip should feel on the gun. It was very basic yet very important for a solid shooting skills foundation. We broke for lunch and had a few lectures then returned to the range for more instruction and drills. More of the same type “from low ready†drills and we briefly started practicing malfunction and reloading drills.
I must have chamber checked my weapon a billion times. To perform a live-fire drill, you present your weapon, chamber check, mag check, insert mag, rack slide, chamber check, remove mag and check it, then re-insert. Unloading the weapon was the same routine but in reverse. Lots and lots of chamber checking. I can’t really blame them, safety is paramount, but I had never done that much chamber checking in my life.
We also learned after-action drills. The theory behind these is that you don’t want to stay in the same spot you just shot from. It’s good advice and something that I will have to practice to ensure it becomes a natural response. You engage the threat, sidestep, do a quick look for other threats, re-evaluate your threat (is he really down for good?), then scan about 30* to either side of your position. Safe the weapon and holster. I had never done these before and it was difficult to get into the habit of performing them but after the first day, it was fairly automatic.
We learned the tactical reload (same as in IDPA) and the emergency reload (basic slide-lock reload). The tactical reload that they taught was very different from what I discovered on my own. This is difficult to describe without pictures, but I’m going to attempt it.
Tactical Reload: Lull in the action, you move to cover while beginning the reload. Grab spare magazine between pointer finger and thumb, tip of pointer finger on the first cartridge. Withdraw magazine from pouch while extending ring and pinkie fingers. Partially eject partial magazine into the palm of your support hand. Roll the weapon forward, pushing magazine mouth towards the back of your hand while closing ring and pinkie finger. Your hand now has the fresh full mag between pointer and thumb pointing towards mag well and partial mag between middle and ring or ring and pinkie (your preference). Insert new mag, seat it with palm of hand and stow partial mag in pocket.
The lectures from DAY ONE included:
Moral and Ethical Decisions with Use of Deadly Force—Good lecture but immediately following lunch is not a good idea…there were more than a few people falling asleep (me included).
Here is where I become brutally honest. I did not want to return the second day. I did not feel that my shooting or techniques were making any type of improvement.
First of all, I do not like the Weaver stance. It is very uncomfortable for me. I prefer the modified-Weaver….but I always revert to the Isosceles once the lead starts flying. I was constantly told to bring my support hand elbow down to facilitate the Weaver. I finally pulled the instructor aside and confided that I didn’t like shooting the Weaver and preferred the Isosceles. She responded, “Ed, all we ask is that you try it our way for the duration of the class…see if it makes a difference.†Well, I am trying to not be stubborn and I continue attempting it. Weaver cannot be the best stance for EVERYONE.
I also had issue with the comment that we should always close our off-side eyes. There is no way I will even attempt to do that. The way I figure it, in a SD situation, you want as much vision as possible. Why would you want to voluntarily close one eye when this is probably the one time you really want it? So we’re wearing sunglasses and they can’t see if both eyes are open or not…I continue with two eyes open and nobody is the wiser. Problem solved.
Ahh, the tactical reload. What can I say? I hated it. Admittedly, I am going to practice it next time I go to the range, but so far I am not enamored by this specific technique to accomplish it. We will see…..
DAY TWO
First thing is first: how to avoid a gunfight. These lectures were very informational and enlightening. The criminal and civil liabilities lecture was something that every gun owner should get. If you have a gun for self-defense, CCW or home defense, you should know what you’re getting into as far as the legal aftermath if you have to actually use your weapon. It was so informative I wish it was incorporated into basic CCW classes. It’s that important.
Color Code of Mental Awareness
Problems 2 and 3: Criminal and Civil Liabilities
After the lectures, we had range activities until we broke for lunch. We were taught how to present the weapon from a holster and did a ton of drills to get the muscle memory going.
I was a lot happier on the second day as we actually started putting more rounds downrange.
A pic of several of the ranges at the Front Sight facility.
After lunch, we did a small skill evaluation and put together everything we had learned.
Presentation of the weapon, controlled pairs, after-action drills, malf drills, failure to stop drills etc. Now this is getting fun.
We did this for a few more hours while we ran individuals through a simulator. If you’ve ever shot an elaborate IDPA match that simulated a home invasion, this is nearly identical. You’re standing in a room with several windows and a door on one end of the building. There is a gentleman outside and behind the structure banging and yelling at you simulating a crazed guy trying to break into your domicile….the door opens and threats appear. You engage with controlled pairs as necessary from about 5 yards.
I thought I had performed admirably not shooting the repairman with the drill that looked like a handgun or the child hostage with a knife to his throat. Remember those after-action drills? Yup, neither did I. I went straight into competition mode and shot everything as I was supposed to then holstered and wondered when I was going to be able to shoot the next stage. Shall we talk about muscle memory?
OVERALL IMPRESSION
If I would have paid the $600 dollar fee for this class, I would have been highly disappointed.
But…any formal training is good and I’m glad I went. I may be stubborn but I’m willing to listen and try new techniques even if I’m voicing my displeasure the entire time.
It did take me a day to realize that this was DEFENSIVE PISTOL rather than competition shooting or plinking with friends. True defensive pistol is a whole different ball of wax and I think that is why I was so displeased after the first day of class.
There was some good and bad, but overall, I know I came back much more informed about using the gun on my side.
JUST FOR FUN
I was heading to work the day after returning and had to remove my Kel-Tec from my waistband before I approached the main gate at the military base I’m assigned to. I presented my weapon, chamber checked, removed the mag, chamber checked and went to put the gun away…I stopped for a second and did another quick chamber check just to be sure. I’ll be darned. I never used to do that many chamber checks…..I immediately phoned my shooting partner that I had attended the class with.
My comment to him, “You won’t believe it…I just chamber checked my gun three times just to be sure….that training sticks with you, whether you believe it or not.†He just chuckled.
We also stopped over in Las Vegas for the obligatory full auto shoot. Forty dollars and you're handed an MP5 and 50 rounds which lasts about 2 minutes.
Enjoy.
Ed
First, some background information on me. I CCW daily and compete in IDPA once a month. I’ve worked up to Expert class (usually Top 5 overall for the match) shooting the 1911 platform in the traditional .45 ACP. It hasn’t been easy, but I feel I shoot decent for learning everything on my own. I’m always buried in a book reading about techniques or at the range trying new ideas. I usually shoot approximately 1-2k rounds of .45. Never mind the other pistol/rifle/shotgun ammo I burn through. It’s fair to say, I do a bit of shooting.
I was offered a free class at Front Sight and of course I jumped at the opportunity. I chose Defensive Handgun as I figured it would be the most beneficial due to my CCW.
My first observation: Front Sight is a compound. A four mile private drive leads to a small fence and gate which opens to the student parking lot. The facility is located about 15 miles East of Pahrump and approximately 38 miles West of Las Vegas, NV on 550 acres. There is no signage in Pahrump or on any billboards en route to the school. A very small sign is posted at the beginning of the private road that leads to the school. It is REALLY in the middle of nowhere.
Yes, this thermometer on the way down there really says 113 degrees. It was hotter for the two days of the class.
DAY ONE
My shooting partner and I show up and sign in, get our weapons and ammunition inspected and retire to a large “tent†for the welcome briefing and instructor introduction.
So far everything is very professional. The instructors are clearly identifiable in uniforms, and the facility has a sense of seriousness about it. Good, this is very serious training.
Finally our class meets up at our range. We’re on the seventh range of about 12-15 on the upper portion of the facility. It’s approximately 65 yards long with large berms on three sides. Twenty-six students and 7 instructors fill out our little bit of shade in the Nevada desert. The range facilities appear immaculately maintained. Cold water was supplied as it should be. Dehydration is an ever-present threat.
The class breakout was as follows:
22 Male
4 Female
The majority of students were Caucasian in the 35-45 age range. I find this typical of the gun-owning community. There were 6-8 students under 30 years of age. By far, the majority of students were using the 1911 and Glock. A few SIGS, HKs and one Ruger were also observed. There was only one revolver, a Smith 686, and it was rented from Front Sight for the class. As far as the instructors go, 1911s were the gun of choice with Glocks coming in second. Oddly enough, the gun choices of the instructors mirrored the gun choices of the students: 1911s first and tactical plastic second. (It’s fairly obvious where I stand on this one).
Our range. The area in the shade is where most of our instruction was accomplished.
The instructors seemed very knowledgeable and more than willing to help. The class started with basic gun handling. Grip, stance, sight picture, sight alignment, etc… This specific class was more geared towards the new shooter and CCW person than I had anticipated. I was extremely bored with the lectures and drills on the range, but I kept an open mind and crossed my fingers for some actual shooting drills. We learned about our dominant eye and how a correct grip should feel on the gun. It was very basic yet very important for a solid shooting skills foundation. We broke for lunch and had a few lectures then returned to the range for more instruction and drills. More of the same type “from low ready†drills and we briefly started practicing malfunction and reloading drills.
I must have chamber checked my weapon a billion times. To perform a live-fire drill, you present your weapon, chamber check, mag check, insert mag, rack slide, chamber check, remove mag and check it, then re-insert. Unloading the weapon was the same routine but in reverse. Lots and lots of chamber checking. I can’t really blame them, safety is paramount, but I had never done that much chamber checking in my life.
We also learned after-action drills. The theory behind these is that you don’t want to stay in the same spot you just shot from. It’s good advice and something that I will have to practice to ensure it becomes a natural response. You engage the threat, sidestep, do a quick look for other threats, re-evaluate your threat (is he really down for good?), then scan about 30* to either side of your position. Safe the weapon and holster. I had never done these before and it was difficult to get into the habit of performing them but after the first day, it was fairly automatic.
We learned the tactical reload (same as in IDPA) and the emergency reload (basic slide-lock reload). The tactical reload that they taught was very different from what I discovered on my own. This is difficult to describe without pictures, but I’m going to attempt it.
Tactical Reload: Lull in the action, you move to cover while beginning the reload. Grab spare magazine between pointer finger and thumb, tip of pointer finger on the first cartridge. Withdraw magazine from pouch while extending ring and pinkie fingers. Partially eject partial magazine into the palm of your support hand. Roll the weapon forward, pushing magazine mouth towards the back of your hand while closing ring and pinkie finger. Your hand now has the fresh full mag between pointer and thumb pointing towards mag well and partial mag between middle and ring or ring and pinkie (your preference). Insert new mag, seat it with palm of hand and stow partial mag in pocket.
The lectures from DAY ONE included:
Moral and Ethical Decisions with Use of Deadly Force—Good lecture but immediately following lunch is not a good idea…there were more than a few people falling asleep (me included).
Here is where I become brutally honest. I did not want to return the second day. I did not feel that my shooting or techniques were making any type of improvement.
First of all, I do not like the Weaver stance. It is very uncomfortable for me. I prefer the modified-Weaver….but I always revert to the Isosceles once the lead starts flying. I was constantly told to bring my support hand elbow down to facilitate the Weaver. I finally pulled the instructor aside and confided that I didn’t like shooting the Weaver and preferred the Isosceles. She responded, “Ed, all we ask is that you try it our way for the duration of the class…see if it makes a difference.†Well, I am trying to not be stubborn and I continue attempting it. Weaver cannot be the best stance for EVERYONE.
I also had issue with the comment that we should always close our off-side eyes. There is no way I will even attempt to do that. The way I figure it, in a SD situation, you want as much vision as possible. Why would you want to voluntarily close one eye when this is probably the one time you really want it? So we’re wearing sunglasses and they can’t see if both eyes are open or not…I continue with two eyes open and nobody is the wiser. Problem solved.
Ahh, the tactical reload. What can I say? I hated it. Admittedly, I am going to practice it next time I go to the range, but so far I am not enamored by this specific technique to accomplish it. We will see…..
DAY TWO
First thing is first: how to avoid a gunfight. These lectures were very informational and enlightening. The criminal and civil liabilities lecture was something that every gun owner should get. If you have a gun for self-defense, CCW or home defense, you should know what you’re getting into as far as the legal aftermath if you have to actually use your weapon. It was so informative I wish it was incorporated into basic CCW classes. It’s that important.
Color Code of Mental Awareness
Problems 2 and 3: Criminal and Civil Liabilities
After the lectures, we had range activities until we broke for lunch. We were taught how to present the weapon from a holster and did a ton of drills to get the muscle memory going.
I was a lot happier on the second day as we actually started putting more rounds downrange.
A pic of several of the ranges at the Front Sight facility.
After lunch, we did a small skill evaluation and put together everything we had learned.
Presentation of the weapon, controlled pairs, after-action drills, malf drills, failure to stop drills etc. Now this is getting fun.
We did this for a few more hours while we ran individuals through a simulator. If you’ve ever shot an elaborate IDPA match that simulated a home invasion, this is nearly identical. You’re standing in a room with several windows and a door on one end of the building. There is a gentleman outside and behind the structure banging and yelling at you simulating a crazed guy trying to break into your domicile….the door opens and threats appear. You engage with controlled pairs as necessary from about 5 yards. I thought I had performed admirably not shooting the repairman with the drill that looked like a handgun or the child hostage with a knife to his throat. Remember those after-action drills? Yup, neither did I. I went straight into competition mode and shot everything as I was supposed to then holstered and wondered when I was going to be able to shoot the next stage. Shall we talk about muscle memory?
OVERALL IMPRESSION
If I would have paid the $600 dollar fee for this class, I would have been highly disappointed.
But…any formal training is good and I’m glad I went. I may be stubborn but I’m willing to listen and try new techniques even if I’m voicing my displeasure the entire time.
It did take me a day to realize that this was DEFENSIVE PISTOL rather than competition shooting or plinking with friends. True defensive pistol is a whole different ball of wax and I think that is why I was so displeased after the first day of class.
There was some good and bad, but overall, I know I came back much more informed about using the gun on my side.
JUST FOR FUN
I was heading to work the day after returning and had to remove my Kel-Tec from my waistband before I approached the main gate at the military base I’m assigned to. I presented my weapon, chamber checked, removed the mag, chamber checked and went to put the gun away…I stopped for a second and did another quick chamber check just to be sure. I’ll be darned. I never used to do that many chamber checks…..I immediately phoned my shooting partner that I had attended the class with.
My comment to him, “You won’t believe it…I just chamber checked my gun three times just to be sure….that training sticks with you, whether you believe it or not.†He just chuckled.
We also stopped over in Las Vegas for the obligatory full auto shoot. Forty dollars and you're handed an MP5 and 50 rounds which lasts about 2 minutes.
Enjoy.
Ed
