I am a major believer in fighting the assumed knowledge trap. We are welcoming millions of new gun owners into our ranks. We need to help them have the best experience possible. I realize I recently fell prey to my own version of assumed knowledge. I beat the “get training” drum pretty hard. One place that I always direct people to is Gunsite Academy. One day, I was on my soapbox when someone asked me what Gunsite was. I realized that people just coming to firearms may not know. So, I will remedy that today.
Gunsite – The Oldest School in the United States
It sits in the gently rolling terrain of central Arizona. Covering over 3200 acres, it has 27 ranges and indoor and outdoor simulators. All are balanced in a sea of pinyons and low brush. It is also one of the most prestigious shooting schools in the world. Founded in 1976 by the visionary Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Cooper, Gunsite has grown to become one of the most respected and successful shooting schools in history. It was originally known as the American Pistol Institute. In December of 1999, Gunsite was purchased by Buz Mills, himself a graduate of the Cooper-run Gunsite. Mills made crucial improvements, including expanding the acreage, adding new ranges, upgrading access roads, and more. At that point, it became known as Gunsite Academy. Since then, it has enjoyed a resurgence of success and prestige.
Gunsite has trained a spectrum of students. They range from civilians getting the fundamentals of marksmanship to foreign military personnel seeking advanced weapons training. In addition, it has been a go-to school for serious law enforcement training for decades. Gunsite continues to develop modern courses based on changing times and threats. Gunsite has also been a draw for celebrities and dignitaries over the years. While many choose to embrace the anonymity that Gunsite professionally provides, some are quick to share their experiences. Some of the more well-known students include Joe Mantegna, Katie Pavlich, Tom Selleck, and even King Abdullah of Jordan.
49 Years of Excellence
While the early days of the American Pistol Institute were handgun-centric, the modern Gunsite Academy is a diverse gold mine of training opportunities. Still a core component of its training, various handgun courses populate the Gunsite catalog. Ranging from the beginner “250 Pistol” class to the “499 Advanced Pistol” class, these are in many ways the cornerstone of Gunsite. Yet they are just a part of a spectrum of training. Classes include multiple levels of carbine, shotgun, and extreme long-range rifle training. You’ll also find unique courses such as Active Shooter/Terrorist Response for civilians, Defensive Vehicle Tactics Training, and Disaster Preparedness Tactics, to name a few.
One of the most critical people at the helm is Ken Campbell, the Chief Operating Officer of Gunsite. Ken has been with Gunsite for over 30 years and brings 35 years of real-world experience with him. Visiting with Ken allows you to see what the essence of Gunsite is. It is a school with a perfect balance of serious training and enjoyable experiences. The facility itself is spectacular. It is a beautiful location just west of Paulden, Arizona, about 20 miles north of Prescott in the high Sonoran Desert. Surrounded by rolling hills at 5,000 feet, it is brushed by the western sun. With wide-open landscapes, it will make any visitor pause.
Over 3200 Acres
The ranges themselves are woven into the landscape and manage to mix shooting with nature. Gunsite has various ranges purpose-built for its class offerings. These include outdoor and indoor simulators, a 2000 meter-distance rifle range, and various steel ranges for specific purposes. Furthermore, most of the target arrays move, turn, run, pop up, or appear and disappear.
One thing that has set Gunsite apart from other schools is its complete approach to training. Gunsite’s goal is to do more than just teach the mechanics of shooting. They also develop the proper mindset for utilizing its training. A general statement from Gunsite says it well: “Here, we teach marksmanship—how to hit what you aim at. However, Gunsite goes beyond this simple discipline to include the principles of gun handling and mindset.
What is Gunsite – A Place to Master Your Skills
To say that Gunsite is unique is an understatement. It is a place where you will be immersed in training designed to save your life. Simultaneously, you will be having the time of your life with newfound friends. Consequently, countless lifelong friendships have been launched on the ranges. People of like minds get to share a unique training opportunity.
The instructors are very carefully chosen. They are all highly trained men and women who have “been there, done that.” Furthermore, they have a military or law enforcement background. Many also have a high degree of experience and training in their field. Many have been with Gunsite since Jeff Cooper was the lead instructor. They are active and retired Marine Corps, Special Forces, Navy, Army, and Air Force personnel from Operation Enduring Freedom, Vietnam, and law enforcement agencies nationwide. It is rare, if not impossible, to find a cadre assembled with such a deep background in their specific specialties.
For Today and Beyond
In the gun world, Gunsite is sometimes seen as “The old timer” that teaches antiquated techniques and philosophies. As an active professional in the gun world for over 35 years, I can assure you that this is not the case. While it’s true that if you are looking for “entertrainment” things like hanging upside down to shoot, or incorporating back flips, this may not be your place. But if you want to learn how to fight with a gun and master your shooting skills, there is no better place.
For more information, visit gunsite.com
