Thread: Insights vs. Firearms Academy of Seattle vs Others

Looking for defensive handgun training. My search has led me to Insights and Firearms Academy of Seattle (FAS). Are there others to consider?

I've also heard there's a recession going on. I was thinking there would be more trainers and better prices.

Thanks,
Jake

I'm interested in this too, as I'm taking an insights course soon.

I can't speak for Insights, but I HIGHLY recommend FAS. Even without the occasional guest instructors such as Mas Ayoob, Marty and Gila Hayes run a superb school. Good people, great staff, and a sound curriculum with well-written and executed courses.

I'm a firearms instructor myself (LE, for a good size department and have done a good bit of training on the taxpayers' dime) with substantial military (retired) firearms training, but I like to go to private training as often as I can afford it, to keep as current as possible with all the different training out there (and to have fun and shoot lots); I can tell you that the curriculum and the staff at FAS is second to none. I've sent my wife through two handgun courses there, and she's gonna do a carbine course in the near future.

Next year, I've GOT to get down to Thunder Ranch in Oregon and train with Clint Smith. Looking forward to meeting the guy; his writings are great, and if you've seen him on the TV gun shows, you know he's got a ton of common sense, a great sense of humor and a very personable teaching style ....

If you are up for a bit more of a drive you should also consider Oregon Firearms Academy, who also happen to be a sponsor here. I have had a couple courses at FAS, one at OFA, and a couple others in different parts of the country. OFA stacks up very nicely. I did enjoy FAS too and I'm sure you would be happy with it, so I'm certainly not discouraging trying them, but OFA has a very personal touch that FAS is lacking in, in my opinion. FAS has a wider variety of ranges, which can be handy depending on the course you are taking.

Those are the three schools I would recommend.

Here's another vote for FAS. I've taken their 5 day defensive handgun class and can't recommend them enough. A good way to check them out is to attend one of their handgun safety seminars, only $50 for almost a full day, and get a feel for the place before plunking down the big bucks for their regular classes.

I did fas and loved it. defensive handgun two days 500rd and lots of good info.

I've done the handgun trio at FAS -- defensive handgun, tactical, and advanced tactical. I thought they were great and hope to take their defensive shotgun and some rifle courses soon.

The Insights courses are excellent - I've done one handgun course and several acquaintances have done handgun and rifle courses there and everyone was very positive on the course content and the instructors.

FAS looks interesting but the location is inconvenient for me - over three hours of driving for each day of instruction.

Haven't been to Insights yet, although I'd like to. Have been to F.A.S. a few years ago for I think three courses. But after discovering O.F.A. a few years ago, I look to train with them first when I get my time off each year. And if Clint Smith recommends them, they have got to be doing something right! Actually, they have helped teach courses at Thunder Ranch and are a link on Clint's website.

For me, planning time off, travel, and A.T.F. permits takes a lot of putting together. Before the beginning of the year I start looking at who has what to offer and I always check O.F.A. first. And for you guys who think a couple of hours drive is too much, I drive nine hours each way. Yes, nine hours. And even for the two days courses it is worth it. I do try to mix a course or two into my vacation picks so it helps if we are already going to the coast or something, but it is still worth the effort if we aren't. Did the Glock course at O.F.A. in April and learned, or re-learned a few things, and I've already been to Glock for the armourer and instructor courses as I'm an instructor for my company.

They put on a safe, well put together courses, that are constantly being upgraded and revamped to current training. Wish I could get to Carbine coming up, but I couldn't get the time off. And you will have a laugh too. Goods folks all around.

So don't forget O.F.A. when you are looking at courses. And for staying overnight, there is a Travelodge not ten minutes from O.F.A. that gives you a break on the price.

Peter

Haven't heard anything bad about FAS. Haven't heard anything about insight. Have trained at both Thunder Ranch and O.F.A. Both were excellent. I would go back to Thunder Ranch anytime I could, but it is more expensive. The crew at OFA does a great job as well. I do wish they had a bigger range, though.

INSIGHTS INDOOR FACILITY IS GOOD [SQUARE RANGE] STAFF IS GREAT.THEY DO CLASSES AT A PLACE TO SHOOT IN PORTLAND ALSO.DONE EVERYTHING O.F.A. HAS AND THEY ARE THE MOST HOMELIKE FACILITY[COOKHOUSE UNDER A PINE GROVE WHEN YOU DO
LONG OR NIGHT CLASSES.TOP NOTCH STUFF. AS FAR AS THE BEST GOES,IT HAS TO BE F.A.S. MULTIPLE RANGES ,MOVERS,360DEGREE RANGES,DARK HOUSES,LONG RANGE TOWER FOR LONG RANGE RIFLE.I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE THE 21ST 3 GUN MASTER THERE.
STARTING AT OFA AND DOING MORE ADVANCED STUFF ATFAS MIGHT FIT YOUR NEEDS.THE COOL PART OF GOING TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IS SORTING THROUGH THE THINGS YOU LEARN ,TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE.WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU .MOST OF ALL
HAVE FUN.

The best shooters in the world are separated from the rest by factors of fundamental mastery, time spent practicing and ammo sent downrange. Fundamentals are no secret, every decent outfit has them and across the board they are nearly identical. The shooting community perpetuates itself through repeat clients and newcomers, not through innovations or secret sauce. You train in order to learn how to practice, you then practice in order to gain proficiency. I have not trained at Insights of FAS but I have trained at OFA. I'd recommend them strongly so as to gain the fundamentals, lock them in and go away with something to practice. The fighting aspect of the game is somewhat separate and there are in fact small distinctions relative to any one organization or the other. Yet even in terms of fighting, the fundamentals-train-practice-proficiency thing is evident and with a handgun really doesn't vary that much org to org. OFA supplies the fundamentals at a totally reasonable price and in an affable environment. After that it's entirely up to you.

The best fighters in the world train in many different aspects of self defense . From situational awareness,knife use,disarms,retention,shoot no shoot,use of illumination,open hand strikes to gain time to access your weapon,getting off the line of attack,etc..
Basic firearms skills are but a small portion of self defense.After going through 4 or 5 classes,take a look at some of the guest instuctors at OFA and FAS;John Fanham and his wife gave a super class at OFA.Lots of stuff to practice.
Thanks for your service to all my brother vets out there.GOD BLESS AMERICA.