Gunsite 250, budgeting the $2000+

Jim Watson said:

That sounds interesting. "Little bullets" are easy. Tell us about "better."

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Don't feed the troll.

Jim Watson said:

From Gunsite FAQ
"If you’re an experienced shooter, DON’T PRACTICE SHOOTING before coming to school. You may only succeed in further imprinting bad habits. At the end of their 250 class, some people with no prior experience in shooting prevail over those who consider themselves long-term shooters. How do you think they did that?"



That sounds interesting. "Little bullets" are easy. Tell us about "better."

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Take the Cooper model, put it on a hip ranch with nice amenities and ranges, staff it with well trained, vetted, mostly-female instructors and work from neophyte gun owners and interested liberal young adults (preferably from the big cities) in modules, training from airguns and 22s up to centerfire calibers, then add in drills, and help them understand why and how to carry and be a responsible owner. Then everyone goes home with gifts from our corporate sponsors (Taurus and Sentrysafe?), completed CHL applications and an interest in shooting. Basically it’s Gunsite for millennials, without the average Internet Gun People to get in the way of good marketing.

The Liberal said:

Take the Cooper model, put it on a hip ranch with nice amenities and ranges, staff it with well trained, vetted, mostly-female instructors and work from neophyte gun owners and interested liberal young adults (preferably from the big cities) in modules, training from airguns and 22s up to centerfire calibers, then add in drills, and help them understand why and how to carry and be a responsible owner. Then everyone goes home with gifts from our corporate sponsors (Taurus and Sentrysafe?), completed CHL applications and an interest in shooting. Basically it’s Gunsite for millennials, without the average Internet Gun People to get in the way of good marketing.

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So do it then

Elkins

If you haven’t attended the school I’m curious how you can have an opinion of the quality of the satellite courses.

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Because while I may never become half the man Jeff Cooper was, I understand what it is he strived for.

I also possess an understanding of how the school has benefitted so many by reading their personal accounts of their time there. As stated earlier, it has been a subject of easy and interesting study of mine for over 7 years.

Cooper wasn’t sent here by the Lord to redeem our sins. You’re defending him like he was the head of the Church.

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I would appear that way and for that I have no other explanation except to say there will always be a few things in life that simply make sense and without ever questioning it. Good things.

Sure, he was human, even seemingly pompous at times. But when one reads his many years of monthly missives, one can appreciate his sense of humor, his wisdom and his ethics. And for many, his academy is akin to church.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Frank just said it best, and that is why I can with confidence post what I feel about the quality of instruction there and anywhere bearing the Gunsite name.

Doc7, I did the 250 and 499 years ago, during the days Col. Cooper was routinely out on the ranges. I'd already been shooting recreationally, and had been in LE for several years, before attending classes at Gunsite. I was pretty comfortable in my ability beforehand, but did learn and build skill at Gunsite. I don't think many shooters would regret having trained at Gunsite. Money well spent, IMHO...

The Liberal said:

Take the Cooper model, put it on a hip ranch with nice amenities and ranges, staff it with well trained, vetted, mostly-female instructors and work from neophyte gun owners and interested liberal young adults (preferably from the big cities) in modules, training from airguns and 22s up to centerfire calibers, then add in drills, and help them understand why and how to carry and be a responsible owner. Then everyone goes home with gifts from our corporate sponsors (Taurus and Sentrysafe?), completed CHL applications and an interest in shooting. Basically it’s Gunsite for millennials, without the average Internet Gun People to get in the way of good marketing.

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Better add free WiFi, a Starbucks, participation trophies, and a couple “Safe Spaces” or you’re doomed for failure.

While I agree that the "Gunsite Experience" is a very fine thing, the same people are teaching at other ranges. If the choice is Gunsite Offsite or No Gunsite, take the class. You can make the Pilgrimage to Paulden for the 350. Or the 250. I have heard people to say they took the same class every year and felt they were still learning.

I had a class at another well regarded facility and it was great.
I also had a class at a club range taught by a well regarded instructor. The props and gadgets and permanently installed target arrays weren't there, but the quality of instruction was just as good.

The Liberal said:

Take the Cooper model, put it on a hip ranch with nice amenities and ranges, staff it with well trained, vetted, mostly-female instructors and work from neophyte gun owners and interested liberal young adults (preferably from the big cities) in modules, training from airguns and 22s up to centerfire calibers, then add in drills, and help them understand why and how to carry and be a responsible owner. Then everyone goes home with gifts from our corporate sponsors (Taurus and Sentrysafe?), completed CHL applications and an interest in shooting. Basically it’s Gunsite for millennials, without the average Internet Gun People to get in the way of good marketing.

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Buzznrose said:

Better add free WiFi, a Starbucks, participation trophies, and a couple “Safe Spaces” or you’re doomed for failure.

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I think it could work. There are sufficient "Guntry Clubs" opening up to support such a programme. And yes, they do have wifi, coffee and juice bars, and certificates of completion.

200Apples said:

Because while I may never become half the man Jeff Cooper was, I understand what it is he strived for.

I also possess an understanding of how the school has benefitted so many by reading their personal accounts of their time there. As stated earlier, it has been a subject of easy and interesting study of mine for over 7 years.





I would appear that way and for that I have no other explanation except to say there will always be a few things in life that simply make sense and without ever questioning it. Good things.

Sure, he was human, even seemingly pompous at times. But when one reads his many years of monthly missives, one can appreciate his sense of humor, his wisdom and his ethics. And for many, his academy is akin to church.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Frank just said it best, and that is why I can with confidence post what I feel about the quality of instruction there and anywhere bearing the Gunsite name.

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Sorry for the belated response, I’ve been occupied.

Every single poll of the greatest rock guitarists lists Jimi Hendrix at the top. Every single one. They all point out how he virtually invented the technique of the modern rock guitar and opine that what he did changed the face of music forever. And I agree. But I will also tell you that I haven’t listened to a Hendrix record in probably 30 years, and I didn’t enjoy it all that much when I did. While Hendrix was an amazing player, he was a terrible singer and a not particularly talented songwriter. He has simply been eclipsed by those that followed.

I feel the same way about Cooper. While I appreciate his historical contributions, my most persistent memories of him are the grumpy old curmudgeonly columns he used to write in the back of gunrags. Particularly memorable is how he derided anyone who chose to use a DA/SA auto. Cooper was one of those people who in addition to not being able to accept the validity of a differing opinion seemed unable to even acknowledge that other opinions existed. That may not actually be true, but that is certainly the impression left by his writings. Cooper did a great job of parlaying having shot some guys with a 45 in WWII into a career and indeed an industry, and I commend him for advancing modern pistolcraft. But, like Hendrix he has been eclipsed.

This is not to say that Gunsite wouldn’t be a fabulous learning experience, especially for someone like me, but it doesn’t rise to the level of mythology. It may well be the best gun fighting school on the planet, but it isn’t being taught by Mars himself. Cooper was just a man, and based on his writing probably not a particularly affable one.