Front Sight

Firearms Training Institute

This Wiki page is to provide general and detailed information of things a person will need to know when attending a class at Front Sight.
Some of this is basic requirements, and other info is based from experience of already attending classes.

Front Sight General Web Resources:

Front Sight Home Page
Front Sight Class Registration Site - MyFrontSight (account login required)
Front Sight Course Schedule
Front Sight Official FAQ

Map of Location (Google Maps)

Front Sight Course Registration:

Manual Form

If you have not been before, are using a certificate, or applying for a course manually, then use: Course Application Form (.pdf)

Online Registration

If you have been before, have a MyFrontSight login, or have a Lifetime Membership, then use electronic course registration: Front Sight Class Registration Site - MyFrontSight (account login required)

Required Gear for Class: (Unless you are renting)

Required:

Basic Gear Requirements

Hand Gun and minimum 3 magazines - the more mags the better

Gun Holster – No retention features and must cover the trigger guard when holstered. Retention features (Level 3) are like “thumb buttons or drives”, “flip straps” or other mechanism that requires a manipulation or action to remove the gun from the holster (Serpa Holsters for example). Passive Retention holsters are the norm and sometimes called level 1 or level 2 passive and are allowed and most popular.

Magazine pouch to hold at least 2 magazines on your belt (extra mages in your pockets)

Electronic Hearing Protection

Wrap Around Eye Protection. Does not need to be safety or ballistic but ones that will fit flush around eyes so that flying objects can’t get through into eye area. Most regular sun glasses of a wraparound style will work just fine.

Hat with brim (baseball style)

Ammo

You will need around 500-600 rounds for the 4 day defensive handgun class. You can get away with less ammo by “dry fire” during some practice drills but we go to shoot and so I want to shoot! Front Sight has ammo requirements and they will inspect ammo you bring from home. Basically no reloads, no steal etc. You can check ammo requirements on their web site here: Ammo Requirements.

You can purchase ammo on Front Sight premises from their partner Stockpile Defense. You can preorder or pick up daily what you need on site. You can also get ammo from offsite Stockpile Defense in Pahrump.

Ammo Supply Warehouse who are great to do business with. You can pre-order and give them a heads up to pick up time and swing by on way to the hotel to pick up. They are local in town (Pahrump).

If you want to purchase ammo and bring it down (only if you are driving--as you cannot fly with large amounts of ammo), another good supplier is Freedom Munitions . They are mail-order, and have good prices. If you sign up for their email list, they run online deals constantly for 5% off certain calibers and sometimes free shipping. Make sure you purchase "New" ammo from them rather than "Reman" as Front Sight does not allow "Remanufactured" ammo to be used.

Recomendations:

Handgun Selection

Any hand gun will do but I would recommend KISS (keeping it simple). Glocks, M&Ps and XDs are simple in that they don’t have thumb safeties and/or decockers. The less manipulation needed to load, unload, chamber check and mag check as well as moving parts to clear malfunctions the better especially since these will be repetitive tasks. The students with the most band aids and tape on their fingers are those with thumb safeties and decockers-just saying I also suggest a 9mm or 40cal to avoid recoil fatigue and cut down on the ammo cost.

Holsters

Holsters are personal preference, but here is an example of good holsters that work:
BladeTech - Very nice, and modular, giving you many options that you can add later.
Fobus - Affordable and good bang for the buck.
* note: Many holsters are made specific for a type of gun. Most manufactures will make models for the handful of popular gun models, but when ordering, make sure it is specific for the type of gun you have. The difference is they are polymer, and are molded to exact fit each gun type/model for perfect fitment.

Double Magazine Pouch/holder

Here is an example of a double magazine pouch (will hold 2 magazines): Note that the double magazine pouch will come in either “single stack” or “double stack” which refers to the magazine not the pouch. Springfield’s, Glocks, M&P’s are double stack and 1911’s, Sigs and others are single stack.
MagTech Revolution
Fobus

Eye Protection

Wrap around sunglasses can be used as eye protection (plastic or polycarbonate lenses). Make sure there are no large gaps around the edges for good protection. However, depending on time of year, many classes can go until after sunset and into low light. Sunglasses might be too dark for the last couple hours of class and you may want an actual pair of shooting glasses to switch to. Many of these help clarity and increase contrast in low light.
Good Recommendation: Remington Radians

Electronic Hearing Protection

All of the required gear can be rented from Front Sight if needed/wanted. The Electronic Ears rent for $10 per day but you can get them for around $20 to $40 on Amazon (search electronic hearing protection) and at local sporting goods so they are cheaper to own than to rent. These are cheap and reliable = Caldwell Low Profile E-Max Electronic Ear Muffs

Magazine Loader

Although not required this universal magazine loader will be your best friend and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ONE period! Attach this loader to a small carabiner and clip to your belt loop. (Make sure it is for 9mm – 45cal.)
Lula Magazine Loader

Other Recomendations:

These recommendations are not as critical and optional, but based on experience.

Belts

You will want a strong durable belt of about 1- 1 ½ inch wide. You belt will take a beating carry fully loaded guns and ammo all day. Although any belt will work as long as it is tough enough for the added weight and a tactical belt is often preferred and will last forever. My favorite is Uncle Mike’s Instructor Belt and again get bigger than you would normally wear. When you add all your gear on your belt it will add at least a couple 2-3 inches to your waistline but you will want a long enough tail (left over wrap) to secure tightly and loop back through a loop or two.

Tactical Pants

You will want loose fitting comfortable pants and you can never have enough pockets. You don’t not need special clothing but since everyone asks me for recommendations I will include it here. Any pant will do (shorts are allowed as well weather dependent) but I prefer tactical pants. You will need a sturdy belt so belt loops that will take up to 1 ½ inch belt works best. I buy all my tactical pants (best prices) at LA Police Gear . The 5.11 Taclite Pro are my favorites but a bit pricy. The LA gear brand are great pants. Flaps on the back/rear pockets can be a pain as you are also sticking mags and gear in them with one hand and under speed. You can also use a knife to scratch down any Velcro closure pads so you are not scratching up your knuckles all day. You may want pants up next size as you want them LOOSE fitting.

Gloves

It is not unusual during constant manipulation of your weapon all day long to wear a blister or two on your hand and depending on the weapon which may have some rougher components than others to get a snag/cut or two. First aid tape and Band-Aids are provided to protect areas that have become tender. I carry an inexpensive pair of flexible fingerless gloves that I can wear if my hands get sore. You want a tight flexible fit so that they don’t get in the way but add a layer of protection. Something like these Tactical Airsoft Gloves are fine. You can use any full glove as well. The inexpensive mechanics gloves sold at Home Depot or Harbor Freight work well and are cheap-no need for expensive. As long as they fit well, and are not too bulky, so they allow fitting into the trigger guard and good finger dexterity.

Traveling & Lodging:

Firearm Transport

ALL GUNS must be secured (locked) for vehicle transportation and storage by law. This means your gun needs to be in a locked case/box or have a trigger lock or have a cable lock on it PERIOD! (Unless you have a CCW for BOTH California and Nevada). It must require a key or combination to load and/or fire the gun and ammo cannot be in the same locked container as your weapon. If you go by airline there are special rules and too many to list so just ask me.
Here is the TSA Rules for Tranporting Firearms
A blog with 10 Tips for flying with guns
And it is also recommended to check with the specific airline that you will be flying on, as many may have specific procedures or other rules that you will need to know specific for that airline.

Hotel

To make Hotel reservations at the Saddle West Hotel (Front Sight partner hotel) you MUST call them at 1-800-433-3987 to make reservations to get Fright Sight discount. Let them know if you are a Front Sight Student attending a class or if you are a Front Sight Member (lifetime membership) as the discounts are different. You will need to make a deposit at time of reservation for the first night stay which is refundable if you cancel 48 hours prior. (hotel info). I usually recommend the Deluxe room over the standard to get a fridge and hairdryer and a few others common room amenities not available in the Standard.

Location of Saddle West Hotel is: Here (Google Map)

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