Going to be up at Sig academy for three days for a class, staying at Exeter Inn....two of us, both SWAT medics taking a bullets and bandages class. What should we expect? Any suggestions for good meals in the area? any tips from those that have been would be appreciated...thanks in advance.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cgode,

Bring lots of money for the pro shop!

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
Bring lots of money for the pro shop!

hmmm....yeah, I have a healthy disposable amount in the gun safe in my truck....I had been eyeballing a P229 Legion....one of those just may lighten that account a little....

Here's a very good write-up about taking classes at Sig Academy:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...1105858/m/7390086444

Bullets & Bandages is an excellent class. I attended that one a couple of years ago. You'll be really good at applying a tourniquet by the time you leave.

I've stayed at Exeter Inn many times, it's a nice quaint little hotel and the on-site restaurant is pretty good.

goodycoles has good bbq http://goodycoles.com/

tuckaway is good there could be a wait to be seated http://www.thetuckaway.com/

Brown's Lobster Pound for steamers its BYOB http://brownslobsterpound.com/index.php

Lobster Boat Restaurant is good http://www.lobsterboatrestaurant.com/

Along with the places listed above.

Lexie's Joint for very good, inexpensive burgers for dinner.
Thirsty Moose Tap House for dinner.
Telly's Restaurant & Pizzeria for dinner.

You used to be able to order lunch from Hammersmith Sandwich Company through the Academy during the week. Unfortunately, they closed up for good today from what I understand.

For lunch, there is a Subway, Wendy's, Burger King and McD's within about 10 minutes. Up near the 125/101 interchange or closer. I would do fast food since whenever I've done one of the two BBQ places local to the area, I'm always rushed eating and getting back to class. (Good food but service can be slow.)

quote:

Originally posted by side_shot:
goodycoles has good bbq http://goodycoles.com/

tuckaway is good there could be There is ALWAYS a wait to be seated! http://www.thetuckaway.com/

FIFY!

If you go to the Tuckaway, just sit at the bar....You'll definitely get seats MUCH quicker that way, and the service/ambiance is no different compared to anywhere else in the restaurant!

The Tuckaway is VERY popular with the the locals. Whenever we eat there (typically with my wife and 14 YO son), we're easily seated at the bar within 10 minutes or so! I just do a walk around, determine where the next available seats are, and enjoy a beverage/watch the game on one of the large screen TV's while I wait!

FYI - The alternative is potentially a 45+ minute wait along with the 40+ other people waiting inside and outside the lobby area of the restaurant! My wife usually gets on the list while I head to the bar area. She, along w/ my son sit out with the masses, and I text her when I've secured seats. I've never waited more than 15 minutes....And we've never NOT sat at the bar!

Downtown Portsmouth is cool place to visit with plenty of bars and restaurants.

I'd pack a lunch, personally. We've packed every time and it just saves time and money.

With the sandwich delivery option gone, sadly, I'd definitely pack. Never ordered the sandwiches, but they were monstrous in size. Is Hammersmith's closed for good, or just the season?

Bullets and bandages is on our list of classes to take, probably the next one. Definitely interested in hearing your after action report!

Be sure to stop in at Kittery Trading Post. They have a phenomenal selection of new and used firearms. It is about 25 minutes from Exeter.

I also strongly recommend The Tuckaway as well as Telly’s, The Holy Grail and the Railpenny Tavern. The last 3 are within 5 minutes of the Academy.

What kind of food do you like? There are lots of good restaurants in the area.

lots of good information and recommendations here....thanks gentlemen! A nice steak dinner one night is in order and we are going to visit our assistant chief who left our department and took a chiefs job in maine not far up the coast. A stop at Kittery trading post is in the plan.
Both of us attending this class are career firefighters and medics of many years, we were hand picked 10 years ago by the regional tactical team and are honored to be embedded with them. Our goal has always been to be on top of our game and although we have extensive experience we aren’t arrogant enough to know we will learn some new stuff with this class that will benefit our team. That’s the goal...keep our guys safe and have as much fun along the way as possible.....besides, the overtime isn’t anything to sneeze at
Oat Action Man....I’ll post a review of the class, it sounds pretty good so far

For a steakhouse , check out The Library in Portsmouth. Demeters is supposed to be good but I have no first hand knowledge.

thank you green highlander...appreciate the local knowledge!!

there is a hidden gem in kittery La Casita https://lacasitaonthecircle.com/ its cuban rice and beans and more its take out only i recommend this for anyone going up or down 95

https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-casita-kittery

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hmmm....yeah, I have a healthy disposable amount in the gun safe in my truck....I had been eyeballing a P229 Legion....one of those just may lighten that account a little.... Big Grin

Yeah, I had a nice little stash in my gun safe, until my grandson showed/gave it to my wife!!! Still pisses me off. Anywho, started rebuilding it.

quote:

Originally posted by Oat_Action_Man:
Is Hammersmith's closed for good, or just the season?

Done for good from what their Facebook post says...
https://www.facebook.com/hammersmithsandwichco/

Although you can definitely pack a lunch - and that makes sense if you're local - I just find it too inconvenient when staying at the hotel. Maybe bring leftovers from the night before and leave it in the fridge near Classroom 9 and the original indoor range, or bring a cooler with ice. I'd just head to Subway.

No suggestions for dining, looks like you got plenty of those! One thing I recall from taking some courses there in the fall was it gets cold and windy on the outdoor ranges. More so than I expected. Be sure to take some extra layers to stay warm.

The Academy is also a great place to try out some SIG firearms, too. They have everything there. Take advantage of that if you have the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Elk Hunter:

quote:

hmmm....yeah, I have a healthy disposable amount in the gun safe in my truck....I had been eyeballing a P229 Legion....one of those just may lighten that account a little.... Big Grin

Yeah, I had a nice little stash in my gun safe, until my grandson showed/gave it to my wife!!!


Still pisses me off. Anywho, started rebuilding it.

Oh honey, I was saving it for a nice birthday present for you.... but you’re right, never mind.

Good luck, hope you learn and enjoy both.

We considered classes there, but thought they were more geared to instruct professionals instead of guys like myself and my son. So, we opted for Gunsite.

If you are a pro, like it sounds you are, you should be in for a real treat. The pro shops are expensive but stocked well.

quote:

Originally posted by Aquabird:


We considered classes there, but thought they were more geared to instruct professionals instead of guys like myself and my son. So, we opted for Gunsite

I think your wrong here....while Sig Academy certainly has many classes for pros I also see just as many classes for the average shooter and their pistol 101 class is geared for folks that don’t even own a pistol or have one and are completely new. They are strong supporters of the shooting sports and appear to be high quality instructors and have a lot to offer all skill sets....don’t sell yourself short aquabird...just because some get paid to shoot doesn’t mean shit....you and your son would get a lot out of any class and I applaud you for seeking to improve your skill level. Everyone starts off with the basics.