2-Day Select Fire M-16

What were your reasons for taking this specific course?

M-16's are not legal in California; I wanted to have an opportunity to shoot a full-auto weapon.

General Comments

I completely loved this course! It was so much fun.

The basic structure of this course was very similar to a 2-Day Defensive Handgun course. Because there were no prerequisites for this course, the instructors had to go through all of the basic instructions, just like on a 4-Day Defensive Handgun Course. We were able to shoot quite a bit on the first day, in spite of the extra instructions. The range master would go over a basic procedure, and then we would all go practice whatever we had just learned on the range. There were three malfunction drills that we learned and practiced, and the range master taught us to do a tactical reload between each shot, which was very similar to the handgun courses that I have taken. Also, we learned how to switch the gun selector from safety, fire, and auto with just our thumbs and the two safest ways to sling the M-16 over our shoulders.

I had better control and aim with the M-16 than I did with a handgun, which I found surprising. I had an easier time shooting one and two shot bursts while on full auto than most of the guys in my class, as well. That is the reason that I only went through about 380 rounds.

They also taught us how to shoot from different positions, i.e. prone, seated, kneeling, as well as standing. Because it was only a 2-day course, we weren't able to shoot from those positions as much.

In this course, we were able to go through a live-fire tactical simulator like the shoot house used during the defensive handgun courses, but better! We ran through dirt, hiding behind bushes, shooting in a canyon at various targets including [targets with silhouettes of] men with hostages hiding behind other bushes and bends in the road. We also shot from quite a distance at the targets during the simulation. There were many more targets in this simulation than in the handgun course, and we actually worked our way through the canyon and shot at the targets as we went through it.

Approximately how many people attended this course?

There were 12 students; and by the second day, there were only 10 students. We had one range master and one line coach, but I got a lot of personal attention from the instructors. Because of the extra personal instruction, I feel more comfortable with and feel like I learned more about the M-16 than my handgun.

Do you have any tips for first-time students of this course?

Everything is provided for you in the course; but if you don't want to transport unused ammo home with you, use all 500 rounds provided to you on the first day because the Pro Shop won't take them back and refund the difference. I ended up giving 120 rounds to a student staying the extra two days to complete the 4-Day Select Fire M-16 course.

Would you suggest this course to others?

Yes! I really suggest that women not be afraid to take this course and just do it. I really enjoyed myself and found that shooting the M-16 was easier for me than shooting my handgun. I went by myself and had a blast!

How did you get there?

I flew from CA.

Where did you stay?

I stayed at the Best Western.

How did you handle the ammo situation?

Everything was provided by Front Sight. On the first day, they brought us 500 rounds of ammunition; and then 200 more, on the second day, if you needed more. The range master held our driver's licenses until the evening, when we paid for the ammunition we used at the Pro Shop.

How did you handle the lunch situation?

I ordered my lunches from the Beach Café.

Do you have any dinner suggestions?

I ate at Wulfy's in Pahrump. I really like their Black and Bleu Burger, which was a bleu cheese burger with bacon.

What other courses do you plan on taking in the future?

2-Day Edged Weapons

What other classes have you taken at Front Sight?

4-Day Defensive Handgun
4-Night Defensive Handgun
2-Day Empty Hand Defense
2-Day Handgun Skill Builder