In The Beginning
Front Sight Training Institute has become the Premier Firearms Training facility in the entire nation. Over the past twenty years, it has developed from a ten student class in Bakersfield, Ca. to a 550-acre facility that trains more people in one week than all other training schools in the US teach in a whole year, combined.
I have seen this for myself. I spent five days there last November for the Four-Day Defensive Handgun Course. I have been carrying a handgun and shooting for most of my adult life, starting with Jr. ROTC in high school (something I don’t see anymore in Calif.). This was my first visit to a training facility since being in the US Army back in 1967. I can say with complete conviction that this was the experience of a lifetime. I look forward to going back as often as I can. And with a lifetime membership, the only thing keeping me away is time.
My first visit to Front Sight Firearms Training Institute was just to ask questions and get a tour of the place. I was so impressed that I purchased a lifetime membership one week later. Then I scheduled my training for that November.
There were a few things I had to get before the course, like hearing protection and eye protection, and a new holster. The holster I was using didn’t fit the requirements of Front Sight; they were not satisfied with the safety of what I had. Like all training schools and larger reputable organizations, there are certain suggestions and then there are requirements. This is all pretty normal.
I arrived the night before my course started so I could set up my camp for the week. I brought my 5th wheel and parked in a piece of BLM property just outside the gate to Front Sight. I wanted to be ready since the training began at 7:00 the next morning. Check-in was at 6:30. I had to get my gun, holster, ammo, and other gear inspected before the class.
A typical classroom and range at the start of training. There are six of these classes and they are all full every day.
These pictures were taken on a random visit to Front Sight in October of 2015.
The first two pictures are day 3 and 4 of the 4-day defensive handgun course done at the larger range.
These 2 days are mostly shooting.The next picture is where the check-in begins at 6:30 am on the first day.
Classes started in the big auditorium where all new students were gathered together for the safety part of training and some rules of the ranges. Anywhere you go you have rules to be followed and here it is most important to follow all of them. During lunch breaks, there were always optional lectures in the auditorium covering the legal aspects of carrying a gun for defense. They also covered a lot of the moral and psychological effects of a defensive shooting. When you have to shoot someone for whatever reason, it will change your life.
A Big List Of Courses
I can’t give you a description of all the courses in this review, but here is a list of the courses that are available at Front Sight Firearms Training Institute. Just click on one of the courses to get a full description. As you can see, they offer almost any defensive course you could possibly need. They even include courses for the professional.
Firearms Training
Front Sight Courses > All Courses
Firearms Training
Handgun Course Selection
2 Day Defensive Handgun
4 Day Defensive Handgun
1 Day 30 State Concealed Weapon Permit
2 Day Handgun Skill Builder
2 Day Tactical Handgun
2 Day Handgun Combat Master Prep®
4 Day Handgun Combat Master Prep®
4 Day Advanced Integrated Handgun
(Night) 2 Day Defensive Handgun
(Night) 4 Day Defensive Handgun
(Night) 2 Day Handgun Skill Builder
(Night) 2 Day Tactical Handgun
Shotgun Course Selection
2 Day Tactical Shotgun
4 Day Tactical Shotgun
2 Day Shotgun Skill Builder
(Night) 2 Day Tactical Shotgun
(Night) 4 Day Tactical Shotgun
(Night) 2 Day Shotgun Skill Builder
Rifle Course Selection
2 Day Practical Rifle
4 Day Practical Rifle
2 Day Rifle Skill Builder
4 Day Precision Rifle 1
4 Day Precision Rifle 2
(Night) 2 Day Practical Rifle
(Night) 4 Day Practical Rifle
(Night) 2 Day Rifle Skill Builder
Auto Weapons Course Selection
2 Day Uzi Submachine Gun
4 Day Uzi Submachine Gun
2 Day Select Fire M16
4 Day Select Fire M16
(Night) 2 Day Uzi Submachine Gun
(Night) 4 Day Uzi Submachine Gun
(Night) 2 Day Select Fire M16
(Night) 4 Day Select Fire M16
Special Course Selection
2 Day Tactical Scenarios (Combined Handgun, Shotgun, and Rifle)
2 Day Advanced Long Gun Tactics
4 Day Four Weapon Tactical
4 Day Four Weapons Combat Master Prep®
Armorer Course Selection
1 Day Armorer’s Course – 1911 Pistol
1 Day Armorer’s Course – Glock Pistol
1 Day Armorer’s Course – Springfield XD Pistol
1 Day Armorer’s Course – AR15 Rifle
Rope & Rappel
Rope & Rappel Classes
2 Day Rope & Rappel
4 Day Rope & Rappel
2 Day Rope & Rappel Skill Builder
Martial Arts Training
Martial Arts Course Selection
2 Day Empty Hand Defense
2 Day Empty Hand Defense (Night)
2 Day Edged Weapons
2 Day Edged Weapons (Night)
4 Day Advanced Martial Arts
Family Safe Forever
Family Safe Forever™ Course Selection
2 Day Children’s and Youth Safety
2 Day Children’s and Youth Safety (Night)
4 Day Children’s and Youth Achievement Camp
4 Day Children’s and Youth Achievement Camp (Night)
Instructor Development Course Selection
4-Day Front Sight Instructor Development Course
5-Day Front Sight Instructor Development Course
Private Course Selection
Private Training
Defensive Driving
Celebrity Training (Contact our Corporate Office for more information – 1-800-987-7719)
The videos tell the story really well. There is so much to say and see at Front Sight Training Institute, it’s amazing that they can pack this much great experience and training into one place.
This kind of training can be really expensive, and at Front Sight, if you pay the full retail price, it is. This training is usually $500.00 per day for the group courses. Private training goes much higher. However, there are discounts available if you know where to look.
Special Discounted Courses And Memberships Available
I have access to special rates for training courses, gun and equipment rentals, and lifetime memberships. I’m not allowed by Front Sight to advertise these discounts openly, so if you are interested in going out to get some of the best training available anywhere in the country, just email me at [email protected]. I can send you more details on how to get this training at a greatly reduced cost.
Don’t let distance stand in your way either. Folks from all over the country are coming to Front Sight every week. In the class with me were people from Alaska, Wisconsin, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and London (yes, the one across The Pond).
I can’t say enough about the excellence of instruction at Front Sight Training Institute. I will be going back again, and again, and again. This is absolutely the finest training I have ever had.
Please give your thoughts in the comments box below. I will reply as soon as possible. Thanks for visiting and come again anytime.
