Going to Gunsite! Any tips?

[Series 70]

After many years of wanting, I'm finally making the trip to Gunsite for the 250 Pistol class in September. I'm interested in any advice from people who have been through the course. Things to bring that most people don't seem to think of, things to not bring, things to watch out for.

I've been shooting for over 30 years and practice the Modern Technique, but I want to let the pros spot and fix any bad habits.

 

[FMF Doc]

Take of you wedding band. I had blisters from where it pinched the webbing between my fingers.
Bring a hat, it will keep the brass from hitting you in the face on the way down if you fire from "alternate" positions.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
If you want to get the most out of it, forget what you think you know, and be open to learning. They are not the only game in town, but they have been around for a while. A lot of the theory and doctrine taught in other places was developed there.

 

[Series 70]

Thanks for the wedding band tip. I would not have thought of that.

I am very open to learning - I know I have 30 years worth of bad habits to correct, so I had better be.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Just off the top of my head, a quick 16 things

To make it a better experience:
1. Stay in a hotel in Prescott Valley instead of Prescott - the drive is slightly longer, but it is all freeway and you don't have to drive across town.
2. You don't need to bring a water bottle, they'll provide one and there is a jug and gatorade to refill it with.
3. Do bring, ibuprofen, fabric bandages and liquid skin.
4. Don't order the same thing for lunch every day...you have to order for the whole week on the first day
5. Leave for class early and pay attention to the speed limits. They are camera enforced and change suddenly
6. When you're off the paved part of the road, don't follow the car in front too closely...unless you really don't mind dust covering your car. I wouldn't take a Porsche 911, Ferrari or Lambo on that road at all
7. Bring extra money, you'll end up spending it at the Pro Shop
8. The Smithy is very good and very fast...don't wait for the last day if you want something done

To make it a better shooting experience:
1. Buy your Frangible ammo there
2. I'd ship your ammo or buy it there...1200rds weigh a lot
3. Bring knee pads that are easy to get on and off...I got mine at Lowes
4. There is no such thing as too many magazines...and the wise person brings an UpLula loader...I had access to 15
5. Wear a long sleeve cotton shirt...it is actually cooler and better protection
6. A Kydex holster will work better than a leather one...you'll be doing a lot of presentations
7. Bring a good flashlight
8. If your pistol has aggressive grips (G10, aluminum), I'd suggest either changing them or at least bringing a less aggressive spare set...you'll understand why, by the second day

 

[kcshooter]

I've not taken the 250 but have taken the 150.

fabric bandages and liquid skin.

Also sticky-backed moleskin, cut a few strips about 3/4" x 2" and keep them with you, when a blister starts, wrap it. Keep a few bandaids in your pocket.

I recommend polypro sock liners and good socks.

Also, I'd consider a boonie hat if you are even remotely sunburn prone. Ball caps dont do a thing for your ears and neck.

Bring a bandana or two for each day.

 

[9mmepiphany]

If you bring a boonie hat it is a good idea to bring in-ear plugs, otherwise you'll just have to fold the sides up

This is me (nearer the camera) during the Man Vs. Man shoot-off qualifications...why yes, I am color co-ordinated

Almost forgot to add, if you don't already have them, get electronic muffs to be able to hear when your squad is off the line

 

[onibaba]

Mole Skin for blisters

It was suggested to me by a friend / gunsite instructor to bring mole skin. You will blister especially if you have any checkering. Even if you don't the by the third day it will be rough on the hands.

But the tip here is not to put it on your hands. Place it on the various parts of the gun that tend to hurt you. That way no one will know you wussed out. In my class it was a reason to mess with you. (I had a loud mouth New Yorker as the main instructor. Plus my friend whom was from New York also, made for a lot of verbal clowning around.)

If you are already familiar with modern pistol technique (the presentation of the pistol) you'll be in good shape. If you have no experience at all, familiarize yourself a head of time.

You will have fun. Good luck. And welcome to the family...

 

[Frank Ettin]

After many years of wanting, I'm finally making the trip to Gunsite for the 250 Pistol class in September...

Wow! Good for you and congratulations. I think you'll be in for a great time.

I know that 9mmepiphany was there not too long ago, and he's pretty much nailed it for you. Let me reinforce the recommendation for fabric bandages and moleskin and less aggressive grips. You will be doing a lot of presentations, and your hands will get a work out. And sturdy and comfortable shoes/boots are also a must.

I was there last for 350 (Intermediate Handgun) in May of 2011 and wrote this article on the experience.

 

[NOLAEMT]

I went last year and what everyone has had to say is spot on.

1. Advil. take it at the beginning of the day, you'll thank me by lunch.
2. hydrate and sunscreen, including spf lip balm. sunburnt lips suck.
3. many magazines and mag holders. I had 4 mags on my belt by the end of the week for my 1911. double stack guns can get by with two i think.
4. make sure you bring a well working gun. a couple people in my class fought their weapons all week, one guy even ended up buying a new 1911 because his was causing him so much trouble. (at least that was a good excuse to the wife to come home with a colt gunsite 1911 )

Their isn't any running or anything, but you will be on your feet for 8 hours a day, if your not used to that, you might want to spend some time walking ahead of time, I know some people in my class were complaining their legs and feet were aching by the end of the week.

 

[NOLAEMT]

P.S.

If you don't want to be made fun of (not that it really matters) show up to class the first day with a fully loaded and holstered firearm. I went with my father and he chose not to carry his first day and got some silly remarks.

 

[Frank Ettin]

Their isn't any running or anything, but you will be on your feet for 8 hours a day,...

Also, please be advised that the Prescott/Chino Valley area is about 5,000 feet. If you live near sea-level, it wouldn't hurt to get to Prescott a few days early, if you can manage it, to begin to get acclimated to the altitude.

 

[kcshooter]

make sure you bring a well working gun.

If you can, bring a second gun as close to the first as possible. If you can bring one exactly like it, do it.
I wouldn't go from a 1911 to a Beretta, but I brought a commander 1911 to backup the gov't 1911. A G19 to back up a G17, etc.

I think that was in the 'to bring' list but I'm not sure.


And for the sunblock, get something NON-GREASY! Something that absorbs into the skin completely, or you will be covered in a layer of grit and dirt.

 

[Series 70]

Thanks for all the great tips. Please keep them coming; my packing list is growing.

In answer to a few questions/comments, I plan to ship my firearms so I don't have to deal with the airlines/TSA in that regard. My primary will be a Kimber Compact CDP (my regular carry piece), backup a Colt Gov't. I have 6 mags for the Kimber (probably getting two more before I go) and 10 or so for the Colt.

I bought the ammo package from Gunsite, so no worries about that.

 

[Johannes_Paulsen]

@Series_70: I'm signed up for the same class. I'm going to bring my Glock 17, with a Glock 19 as a backup. (Yeah, I know, sacrilege to not bring a 1911. But it is what I carry.) See you there!

@9mmepiphany: Thanks for the suggestion on the UpLula loader - I'd never heard of that one before, but I might pick one up in the remaining time.

 

[Leanwolf]

SERIES 70 - "I plan to ship my firearms so I don't have to deal with the airlines/TSA in that regard."

I suggest you ship them early enough so if they do not arrive before you get there, you can begin trying to solve the problem before you leave home.

Sometimes, as we all know, things get "lost" or "sidetracked" by interstate carriers. It would not be a lot of fun for you to arrive at Gunsite ... and your firearms did not.

Have a good time.

L.W.

 

[Balrog]

What kind of people attend Gunsite?
Is it mostly military and LEO, or just regular gun enthusiasts?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Mostly just regular shooters who want to improve their skills.

Gunsite is the last of the Big 3 Shooting Schools that is still operating

 

[rhodco]

9mmepiphany, that photo shows a very good grip and stance. Nice choice of weapon also. I'm jealous

Just wondering about your glasses... I have to look through mine to focus on the target, then look over them to focus on the sights. I can do it very quickly, but it is sometimes cumbersome to look through, then over, then through, etc. Do you have any trouble with focus on the near or far objects when shooting?

 

[Trebor]

"Gunsite is the last of the Big 3 Shooting Schools that is still operating "

What were the other two "Big three" schools from that era?

I could make a couple guesses, but might not be thinking of the same schools.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Ray Chapman's Chapman Academy in LA and Masaad Ayoob's LFI (Lethal Force Institude) in NH

One of Ray's friends is trying to re-open the Academy, but I haven't heard anything more yet.

Ayoob now lives in FL and does most of his instructing on a traveling basis

Were your guesses close?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Do you have any trouble with focus on the near or far objects when shooting?

I do the same thing you are doing. I have no-line tri-focals and can't look through the correct section to focus on the front sight. I've found I shoot a lot better looking over my glasses or just wearing non-prescription shooting glasses...plus it keeps me from being tempted to look over the sights

I'm going to have glasses made up, just for shooting, with the right eye set for the front sight and the left for distance

 

[kcshooter]

One of Ray's friend is trying to re-open the Academy, but I haven't heard anything more yet.

I'm rooting for him. They are starting classes this fall, and if all goes well I am considering taking the Advanced Pistol sometime next year.

Because it's only a couple hours away from me, I was fortunate enough to go to Chapman before they closed when Ray died.

I'm going to have glasses made up, just for shooting, with the right eye set for the front sight and the left for distance

A good friend of mine just had this done. He said it took a couple weeks to get used to but he's really happy with the results after that.
My shooting glasses are set up with a 30" focus in the right eye. (I have no idea what it means). It was a recommendation by a shooting buddy and trainer who's opinions I value. It's worked well with me, but I'm not at the bifocal stage (yet).

 

[9mmepiphany]

I figure if contact wearers can do it, I should be able to

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I do the same thing you are doing. I have no-line tri-focals and can't look through the correct section to focus on the front sight. I've found I shoot a lot better looking over my glasses or just wearing non-prescription shooting glasses...plus it keeps me from being tempted to look over the sights

I'm going to have glasses made up, just for shooting, with the right eye set for the front sight and the left for distance

I'm not quite at this stage with my eyes. I had heard that for bifocals, for firearms
Shooting one should get a pair made with the lenses upside down as that would make it easier to focus on weapon sights.

 

[hso]

One thing I've been told to do before every class I've taken is to make sure the ammo you're going to use works reliably in the firearm you're taking. That would seem to be obvious, but people actually bring guns they've never shot to a course or bring ammo they've never shot. Make sure what your shooting and shooting it out of are both familiar "friends".