Suggestions for FS First-Timers
Class size is typically 40-ish.
If you like to shoot a LOT, by all means take their 4 Day Defensive handgun course.
Much of what they teach is based on safety and proper sight picture. You cannot hit anything if you're not on the front sight. They make this out to be habit ! Almost every shooting relay they remind the students - "HARD FOCUS ON THE FRONT SIGHT"
As dyl said - Plenty of repetition.
Much of the training is draw from holster so you will start to get comfortable with this drill.
They also teach malfunction drills. Trust me, you WILL have malfs and their training gives you a basis on how to handle them. I shoot bowling pins competitively and now when I have a malf, it is simply instinctive to TAP, RACK, SHOOT again. In fact, several in the club have commented on how well/quickly I handle any malf. And you will be tested on malfs. Practice them either at home or in the hotel room after class.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - SEMI-AUTO. My sister took her wheel gun the first time and afterwards said that she should have taken her Semi. If you have a 9 and a 45, it's your choice as to which one to shoot. I don't mind getting beat by 600-800 rounds of 230 grain 45s but it does wear on you after several days. The 40, from what little I've shot them, will also wear on you. The 9 will drop or turn their steel targets, which you will be shooting on day 4. They have a neat man-on-man challenge competition to put at least a little pressure on you while you're trying NOT to kill the hostage. I won't say any more about that.
MANDATORY - AT LEAST one extra magazine. And you must have a mag pouch for your support-side hip.
I suggest you wear pants that have pockets loose enough for easy access to your spare boolits. And you will be placing your spent mags in one of your support-side pockets so be prepared for that procedure in their reload drills. Flaps covering pockets look neat but are a pain when you're trying to get into the pocket for boolits or putting mags away, expecially when you're in a hurry !
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - some spare parts, like firing pin, extractor, cleaning rags/solvent/OIL/cleaning brush.... Just saying. Some rudimentary tools to facilitate fixing/cleaning your guns. And take these with you to the range.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - sun block, wide brim hat (if you have "in-ear" hearing protection (don't forget sunblock on your ears). The sun WILL burn you so you should protect your neck and hands and legs if you wear shorts.
Water bottles - buy at WalMart, which is about a mile beyond Saddle West Hotel/Casino. FS is about 20 miles from Saddle.
Some sort of good/decent range bag. Comfortable shoes/boots - standing ALL day.
Lunch cooler/bag (go to the local WalMart each evening and from their deli, prep your next day lunch (the lunches offered thru FS are just ok. You'll see).
The sand/dolomite dust is terrible so be prepared to shower every evening. Rinse out your nasal passages, too.
You will be dog tired at the end of each day so you won't want to go partying/gambling. Use the evenings to dry practice, clean your guns and review your notes.
Al Thompson says - go to other training when you can, so you get different perspectives. I agree with that. FS gives you plenty of entry-level (and repetitive) training while personal training by other professionals will start to polish what you have gotten as your basics.
You're paired up with a partner and once my partner got taken to another range since she wasn't able to handle the turning targets we were shooting. Since I didn't have a partner I asked if I could shoot both sides of the relay and was told that if I had enough ammo. I ended up shooting about 1000 rounds while the others shot their 600. As the week goes on, your skills improve markedly, no matter what your skill level is.
FYI, they have all the ammo you will need there on site and their prices are as good if not better than you can find anywhere else. And you won't have to carry it while you travel there.
I've been there 5 times and plan to go back plenty more times. If you're interested, I have several life memberships I can offer at a great price.
I also take my smart fone with me and after each relay, we go out to check and tape the target, so I TAKE A PIC OF IT TO TRACK MY PROGRESS. (hint, hint)