4-Day Defensive Handgun

How many Times have you taken this course?

This was my first course at Front Sight.

What were your reasons for taking this specific course?

I wanted to improve on the skills I already had from numerous Navy training courses.

It was my first course at Front Sight, therefore I believed that there was a good chance I could learn something new.

General Thoughts on the course?

I liked it very much. The instructors were very helpful, and patient.

I attended the course with my son, niece, sister, and mother.

My son was a distinguished graduate. At the time of the course, he had only been shooting for about three months. This is a testament to the excellent instruction at Front Sight.

Before the course, my niece had never shot a gun– ever. She shot a .45 cal Glock. She is 5'-5" and weighs about 120.

During the man on man competition on day four, she made it through the first two rounds of competition before being eliminated. Once again, great instruction!

My sister spent five years in the Army, and shot Expert then. She told me after the course, that she learned more in four days at Front Sight than she did in five years in the Army.

My mother is 70, 5'-2", and weighs about 130. She rented a Glock 9mm. She had a difficult time racking the weapon at first due to lack of strength in her hands. The armorer/gunsmith on-site was able to attach a handle to the slide with which she could hook with two fingers and rack the weapon. She was able to finish the course and shot very well.

I am fifty years old. I was trained in the Navy for Colt 45, M9, M14, M16, M500, M60, and M2HB. I qualified expert on a couple of them.

I received training for CQC, Basic and Advanced Armed Security, and VBSS.

The level of detailed instruction at Front Sight is at or above any of these formal training courses.

Did you go through the shoot house? What were your thoughts about it?

Yes. I enjoyed it, and I believe it to be one of the most powerful portions of the course itself. I would recommend that more time in the shoot house for each student be incorporated into the curriculum. Perhaps, one time at the beginning or mid-way, and then once more at the end of the course. This is real world – this is what we are preparing for.

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

Listen to and follow the instructions and recommendations from the instructors VERY closely. They provide very good tips for efficient weapons handling and operation.

The often say, “Just try it”. I wish that I had followed their advice earlier in the course.

How would you improve this course?

I would recommend a scenario indoors, which provides for the opportunity to teach “low light” conditions.

In my experience in the Navy, most bad events will occur in low light.

Would you suggest this course to others?

Absolutely YES. I will bring my daughter with me next time.

How did you get there?

We flew into Las Vegas, and rented a car. It was very easy.

How did you handle the ammo situation?

My son and I shipped 1000 rounds ahead of time, and then brought another 200 with us in our luggage. We also purchased more on site when it looked like we needed it. My mother, sister and niece all purchased their ammo on site.

How did you handle the lunch situation?

We chose to brown bag it for lunch. My niece purchased her lunch a couple of times from the lunch wagon on site. She liked it.

Do you have any dinner suggestions?

Several places are good. We ate Mexican (El Jefe), Asian, fast food, and home-cooked meals. Our hotel room included some accommodation for cooking meals.

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

I want to take the defensive handgun course again, and my son and I both want to take the shotgun and long gun courses.