Those cheaper AR brands are OK for plinking every know and then. But try to put a couple thousand rounds thru one in a couple of days. Something will usually break. If you have to take a cheap AR to one of these courses bring a back up or make sure they have loners to use.
As far as the transition. Sweeping the weapon out of the way is nice. More then likely if your wearing a lot of gear and move around after transition. The AR is going to swing back to the front anyway.
For future schools. If you found a class and Instructor you liked. Stick with it, Just attend the same School again. Just push yourself harder. There really aren't a whole lot of ways to do it. Advanced training is just doing the Basics better. I know I don't push myself as hard alone as I do in a class. Heck, here at home I can just sit down if I get tired
