The Gunsite Experience
I recently had the privilege to attend the Defensive Pistol class (also known
as "250") at the world-famous Gunsite Academy, Inc. near Paulden, Arizona.
You might ask, "Since when is it a privilege to give your hard-earned money
to attend firearm training?"
Read on to learn why I considered it such a privilege.
Gunsite Academy, Inc. was founded by Col. "Jeff" Cooper. Over the years,
it has grown to be regarded as the best gunfighting school in the USA, and
arguably, the world when it comes to availability to private citizens. It
seems that no matter what other school or training one may attend, the
basics of that school and training have been modeled after Col. Cooper's
writings, philosophy, and training methods.
Although the Colonel is gone, his legacy lives on via the continued training
available at his academy.
During the 5-day intensive class, it was cold, it was windy, and it was
sometimes wet...but, in the overall, it was the best firearm training I have
ever had.
The 250 course description says:
"...Defensive Pistol is the cornerstone of Gunsite class offerings. This
course will teach you to control your immediate environment. You’ll
learn marksmanship, gun-handling, and combat mindset, the
elements of the Combat Triad. Defensive Pistol will give you five
solid days of range work, lectures and intense simulators (including
low light). Through our systematic and dynamic methodology you
will achieve competence and great new skills. You will emerge a
stronger, more alert person, conditioned to respond instantly to any
threat. You will be prepared to prevail in an armed encounter."
What the course description doesn't say is that the Rangemasters and
Coaches are absolutely the most topnotch I've ever encountered. They are
experienced...they are knowledgeable...they are professional...they are
patient...they are understanding...they are at the top of their game...they
encourage...and, they don't just stand in front of you and cause sound to
come out of their mouths -- they communicate. They truly want every
student -- no matter what their prior experience level -- to learn how to
really handle a pistol, how to defend themselves, loved ones, and other
types of innocent victims in high-stress situations.
I didn't realize until the class was half over that three of the instructional
team had never met or worked together until that class. I was amazed...the
interaction among the instructors was such that it was totally seamless --
it was as if they had all worked together for years.
I can highly recommend the 250 class to anyone considering adopting a
firearm into a personal self defense plan. You will come away better
prepared, more confident, and more aware of your capabilities. Even if you
consider yourself an "Expert" class shooter, you will benefit from this
program.
At the graduation ceremony, one of my fellow students stated that during
the self-introductions the first day, he said that he had been shooting
about 10 years. He then said that after the conclusion of the class, he
realizes that he's only been shooting a week. That, my friends, is about the
best testament anyone can give to the excellence Gunsite has to offer.
As for me, I'm sending in my check to hold a slot in the next level of
training, the Intermediate Defensive Pistol class, in September. And, after
that, the Advanced Defensive Pistol and then the Advanced Tactics classes.
So...you might ask, what will you learn in those intermediate and advanced
classes? Well...I encourage you to click on the raven logo at the top of this
page to find out!
as "250") at the world-famous Gunsite Academy, Inc. near Paulden, Arizona.
You might ask, "Since when is it a privilege to give your hard-earned money
to attend firearm training?"
Read on to learn why I considered it such a privilege.
Gunsite Academy, Inc. was founded by Col. "Jeff" Cooper. Over the years,
it has grown to be regarded as the best gunfighting school in the USA, and
arguably, the world when it comes to availability to private citizens. It
seems that no matter what other school or training one may attend, the
basics of that school and training have been modeled after Col. Cooper's
writings, philosophy, and training methods.
Although the Colonel is gone, his legacy lives on via the continued training
available at his academy.
During the 5-day intensive class, it was cold, it was windy, and it was
sometimes wet...but, in the overall, it was the best firearm training I have
ever had.
The 250 course description says:
"...Defensive Pistol is the cornerstone of Gunsite class offerings. This
course will teach you to control your immediate environment. You’ll
learn marksmanship, gun-handling, and combat mindset, the
elements of the Combat Triad. Defensive Pistol will give you five
solid days of range work, lectures and intense simulators (including
low light). Through our systematic and dynamic methodology you
will achieve competence and great new skills. You will emerge a
stronger, more alert person, conditioned to respond instantly to any
threat. You will be prepared to prevail in an armed encounter."
What the course description doesn't say is that the Rangemasters and
Coaches are absolutely the most topnotch I've ever encountered. They are
experienced...they are knowledgeable...they are professional...they are
patient...they are understanding...they are at the top of their game...they
encourage...and, they don't just stand in front of you and cause sound to
come out of their mouths -- they communicate. They truly want every
student -- no matter what their prior experience level -- to learn how to
really handle a pistol, how to defend themselves, loved ones, and other
types of innocent victims in high-stress situations.
I didn't realize until the class was half over that three of the instructional
team had never met or worked together until that class. I was amazed...the
interaction among the instructors was such that it was totally seamless --
it was as if they had all worked together for years.
I can highly recommend the 250 class to anyone considering adopting a
firearm into a personal self defense plan. You will come away better
prepared, more confident, and more aware of your capabilities. Even if you
consider yourself an "Expert" class shooter, you will benefit from this
program.
At the graduation ceremony, one of my fellow students stated that during
the self-introductions the first day, he said that he had been shooting
about 10 years. He then said that after the conclusion of the class, he
realizes that he's only been shooting a week. That, my friends, is about the
best testament anyone can give to the excellence Gunsite has to offer.
As for me, I'm sending in my check to hold a slot in the next level of
training, the Intermediate Defensive Pistol class, in September. And, after
that, the Advanced Defensive Pistol and then the Advanced Tactics classes.
So...you might ask, what will you learn in those intermediate and advanced
classes? Well...I encourage you to click on the raven logo at the top of this
page to find out!
| All text (other than quotes), images, and graphics specifically relating to WYOR.com on this web site are copyrighted by Michael R. Grimler, Firearms Instructor, 2012 All Rights Reserved - Violators will be prosecuted. The "Gunsite" graphic and the Raven Logo are used with permission from Gunsite Academy, Inc. |
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