This is a very special course, and it is being kept small to enhance the quality of the experience.

Class will be held at LMOLLC's new offices in Henderson, Nevada, about seven miles from the Las Vegas Strip. Click here for a list of local accomodations.

This is an LMOLLC-sponsored class on the M249 / Minimi series of weapons, attendees who go through the class receive certification as Operator-Maintenance on these weapons from Rusty Spitzer. Read his background below, please.

The purpose of the class is to fully explore the technical and historical roots of the M249 / Minimi system of firearms, how to operate them, how to maintain them, how to clean them and how to safely fire them. What we want the attendees to walk away with is a complete understanding of where these systems came from, how they operate, how to spot problems and fix malfunctions, do minor field repairs, properly fire them for accuracy and for the longevity of the systems. We want you to have a quality experience, so we are getting the best possible instructor to lead this class.

Instructor - Rusty Spitzer, FNMI's head trainer on small arms systems, with 20 years experience. (Rusty is not acting in a capacity for FNMI in this class, he is working on his own with wholehearted permission of FNMI). Rusty trains the trainers, he trains the head armorers. He has operated hundreds of classes on these systems, and is in charge of certifying armorers and operator trainers on these systems. It would be difficult to find someone more qualified to give instruction in this type of classroom environment.

Assistant Instructor - Dan Shea, Owner, Long Mountain Outfitters LLC, General Manager and Technical Editor, Small Arms Review magazine. Dan is working this class as a private individual with Long Mountain Outfitters sponsoring the class, not in any capacity with Small Arms Review. Dan has 30 years experience with all types of machine guns, is one of the most prolific Class 3 dealers in the US. He has sold many belt fed machine guns to US Government agencies including the M249, MK46, M240B, M60, and M2HB, and has worked in a capacity as a factory certified armorer on the M249 and other systems. As an assistant to this class, Dan will work with individuals during the initial phases to help them with Rusty's instructions.

The LMOLLC Working Reference Collection will be drawn from for any examples of items needed for training or emphasis in the classroom. This Reference Collection is located at the same site as the class. It is also possible to take some rare pieces out for live fire after the training session at the range as a special treat.

LMOLLC will provide the facility and weapons for training, you may bring your own registered M249 or Minimi but must provide ATF registration before coming. After our experience in other classes, it is almost recommended that if you own one of these firearms, that you bring it along so that you can learn to spot and correct any deficiencies in older, used weapons.

Class size is limited to 10-12 people. Students will partner with another student on the assigned weapon, or, if they bring their own, may work solo.

Day one will be half on historical technical development of the system, using examples of related firearms such as the M60 series & the Stoner 63, etc. Second half will be a technical operator's course on disassembly, delving into problem areas and how to spot them.

Day two will be partially on disassembly and troubleshooting, then to live fire where each student will fire 500 rounds of ammunition under supervision, learning firing techniques for accuracy and longevity of the firearm. Proper lubrication and field inspection procedures will be taught. We will then return to class and do a proper cleaning and inspection of the weapons. Proper tool use will be taught.

Qualifications: you must be a US Citizen, have no felonies, a clean record, and you must have references to get into this class. There will be a background check performed by a Law Enforcement agency. If you are known to the instructors, that helps too.

No alcoholic beverages will be tolerated at any time during this class, and the instructors reserve the right to remove any person who causes disturbances to the other attendees.

Cost of class: $1500 (USD) firearms, ammunition and lunches are provided. We will give a list of potential hotels in the area, feel free to stay where you like.

These classes are unique and very difficult to put on properly. The attendees are kept to a small number on purpose to ensure a quality experience for those involved.

Contact: Dan Shea
Long Mountain Outfitters LLC
631 N. Stephanie St #560
Henderson, NV 89014
Tel: 702-564-0948
Fax: 702-558-1728
classes@longmountain.com

Payment in full must be received, you can send a check, or use Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.