2-Day Advanced Tactical Handgun

How many times have you taken this course?

I like to take this course twice a year, so I've probably taken it about a dozen times. And, I enjoy it every time!

I started going to Front Sight about 9 years ago when I first purchased my membership. I wasn't sure how the membership was really going to work, and I really wanted to get my money's worth. I started out going once every month taking many of the other courses, and I really enjoyed them. I kept that up for the first couple of years, and then I slowed down on my attendance after I felt like I had gotten my money's worth. It's really the most cost-effective way for someone to start his or her beginner's training and get into the intermediate training. Since then, I've graduated into traveling around the country and training at other schools, but I still go out to Front Sight regularly. Honestly, anyone who will pay to go out to Front Sight for a course, it will pay for itself many times over. You will not find another school with the high level of training at such a cost effective price as Front Sight.

What were your reasons for taking this specific course?

When people ask me about the 4-Day Defensive Handgun Course, I tell them that this class is going to teach you marksmanship and gun handling. The advanced courses are going to teach you how to survive a gunfight. That's the reason that I feel the need to take the advanced handgun courses.

General Comments

This class usually starts off at the beginning of the first day with the instructors going over some advanced techniques, such as shooting from different prone positions or shooting from kneeling and different responses like shooting from the rear, support side, or firing side. Then the second half of the first day and basically the entire second day, you just rotate from different scenarios. They'll have setup maybe one day shooting from different positions. Then, another day shooting at a moving target, or shooting out of a car, or going through a building. You'll do that the second half of the first day and the first half of the second day. Then, the second half of the last day is usually air soft force on force. You'll go through different types of scenarios in which you'll be the "good guy" or the "bad guy", and you'll be able to see how the techniques actually work out. It's a pretty good system that they have set up; I really like how they do it.

There are a lot of other things that they'll go over with you, such as the Tueller Drill or the 21-foot rule. You'll also learn some retention techniques to teach you how to hold on to your gun when someone is trying to take it. There are a few other techniques like that will also incorporate a little bit of empty hand defense.

The one thing that is very nice about the advanced tactics is that it is different every time. They stick to the same format; but if you go this month and then again next month, there will be different scenarios, depending on which range master is running the course.

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

It depends who is running the particular course, but generally they will have you go through one of the simulators. Usually, they will incorporate a scenario along with it. For instance, they will tell you and your partner that your car just broke down and you need to use the phone here. Then, you'll just react to whatever is going on inside with the targets. The scenarios range from a shoot house to a car or to something with moving targets.

How would you improve this course?

I think that there is always room for improvement on any course. In my opinion and experience, they do a pretty good job of critiquing what they want to change and fine tune. In fact, I think that this particular course is the best course that Front Sight has to offer; because it's fun, and it changes enough that you're always going to get something out of it.

Would you suggest this course to others?

Yes, I would. I'd say that everyone across the board, whether you are a good shooter or not, needs to take the 4-Day Defensive Handgun Course. Then, from there, move on and take an advanced course. [Editor's note: This is, in fact, a requirement of Front Sight. You cannot take the advanced courses without having graduated from the beginner courses.]

How did you get there?

I drove from my home in California, which is about 4 hours away.

Where did you stay?

I usually stay at the Best Western in Pahrump, and they treat me pretty well there. I've also stayed at the Silverton in Vegas. The drive was only about 45 minutes as opposed to the 15 to 20 minute drive from Pahrump, so it wasn't too bad.

Did you go with family or friends? If so, what did they think about the course?

I usually train with my daughter, and she loves this course. We really enjoy taking it together. I would recommend taking it with your spouse, family member, coworker, or whoever you carry with often; because what you can do is work out all of the communication kinks and learn how your partner will react in certain situations. If you're in law enforcement, then I would recommend that you take this course with your partner. If you're in security, bring along a coworker. I think that it's a great way for family members to bond while they talk about self-defense and scenarios.