In November 2006, After Action.net attended its first course at Front Sight in Pahrump, Nevada: the four-day Defensive Handgun course. This is how the first day unfolded.
Check-in
- Arrive early: staff at the gate greeted each car and gave directions; students parked near the central classroom.
- Bring: a pistol, magazine pouch, ID and a box of factory ammunition.
- Sign in: each student was assigned a classroom and range, and wrote their name twice on white tape, once for the front and once for the back, usually on a hat. Being called by name helped instructors, classmates and safety on the line.
- Gear inspection: holsters and magazine pouches were checked; damaged or unsuitable gear could be rented or bought at the pro shop.
- Weapons inspection: an instructor checked each pistol for function, safety and cleanliness.
- The whole process was painless and made sure every student started with safe equipment.
Before class
- The pro shop stocked hard-to-find holsters, lights, magazines, ammunition, training materials and rental gear at normal retail prices, with a discount for members.
- Welcome assembly: instructor introductions, the schedule for the coming days, liability waivers, and a welcome package with lecture handouts.
On the range
- Handgun classes used ranges near the classroom; shotgun, rifle and submachine gun classes used longer ranges farther out.
- Class size: 38 students on 20 lanes, paired up as each other’s coaches. Large enough to be practical, small enough to hear commands (with electronic hearing protection) and stay safe.
- Covered firing line: classes run in any weather. It rained once, briefly, and nobody noticed.
- First steps: safety, procedures and range commands, then the safe draw and how to set up for dry practice.
- Rest of the day: practice drills and lectures until just before dark. Most students stayed in Pahrump, and the homework was dry practice.
Takeaways
- Read the school’s check-in instructions before you arrive; it makes the first morning smooth.
- Name tape on your hat is a simple idea worth copying at any class.
- Peer coaching keeps you engaged even when you are not shooting.
- Continue with Front Sight Training and Front Sight Training Lectures.
Originally published on After Action.net on November 28, 2006. Rebuilt from the archived report; the original photos were not preserved. See every class in the Training Log, or share your own training experience.
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