Posted: 12/8/2008 12:23:22 PM EDT
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Well, I went ahead and did it today. After thinking about it now for ages, I went ahead and signed up my 1911 and I for the practical handgun class at Front Sight. If everything works out according to plan, I'll be going in the middle of March.
Has anyone else attended a class there? If so, what did you think? |
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In before the $hitstorm.
I've been there twice for pistol training. Those classes were good. Sort of weird cult like sales pitch on their memberships, "Buy now and we'll throw in some steak knives..." The general consensus is that they are scientologists though they deny it. The f$cked thing is that as a trainer there you are not allowed to train outside of Front sight within all the neighboring states and not allowed to share the tactics and techniques. |
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I've attended several training courses there, and I plan to return in the spring. I am not a member of Front Sight nor am I an instructor, so I cannot comment on any restrictions placed on Front Sight instructors.
I have found the training there nothing short of outstanding. Good facilities and excellent instructors. You can obtain certificates that allow you to attend courses there at a large discount, and for the money the training cannot be beat. Yes, during your lunch break - which is basically the only break you get during the day as you're either shooting, dry firing, or watching the instructors teach the next step you'll be performing all day long - they give OPTIONAL talks detailing their membership and future plans. Again, these talks are optional. Frankly, I got in my car, went to a remote part of the site and took a power nap because the days are so jam packed. Of all the times I've been there, I've never once heard any sort of religion mentioned save the religion of safe gun handling. Never, not by anyone. I've read all the stories and all the forum posts, but never have I heard word one about anything other than shooting from anyone there. As I mentioned, there is no down time during a course. As such I always plan on staying in beautiful downtown Pahrump  to cut the travel time. You can pre-order your ammo from the Wally World there and they'll hold it for you, which will save you a pile of money. Nexcare tape liberally applied to your shooting hand will be your best friend.
HTH Mike |
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I thought about Front Sight and then found out about Valhalla Training Center in Colorado. The actually facility is by far the best in the country. They recently changed how they do business and no longer cater the general public I think. But the head instructor, Rob Pincus now has his own training company called I.C.E. He is an extremely good instructor and an all around nice guy. He teaches all over the world. Here is a video of some stuff you will do at Valhalla:
http://www.valhallashootingclub.com/index.html Here is a couple more videos of Rob and the ideas behind what he teaches: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=1322226816 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HfNiD6gh-4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL2jQVq4kJU&feature=related |
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I have been to both Front Sight and Valhalla.
As far as I know, Valhalla is no more, unless you have the big bucks for a private membership (?$65,000?). I was impressed with Pincus' training, and it is still available but not at Valhalla (unless something has changed in the last month or two). He is teaching his method at ranges around the country, so check his websiteI.C.E. training. Front Sight is owned by "Dr" (chiropractor) Ignatius Piazza. I think he got sued over selling the land around the range with the promise that it will all be developed into a luxury shooting community. Some folks paid big bucks (10s to 100s of thousands), but they never developed any of it. Rumor has it that he is a scientologist as well. HOWEVER, there was no scientology pitch when I went, and really only low key offers made during the course to buy memberships. I am the first to get up and leave when there is a high pressure sales pitch, but I was not at all bothered by Front Sight. I took the carbine course, so I can't comment specifically on the pistol course, but all of our lunch breaks were together, and as stated above, this was the only time they made a pitch. Have fun, bring a good attitude, sunscreen, and a water bottle! |