1775 (136 yrs prior to 1911)
This month on the 19th it all began in the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
LtCol. Francis Smith and 700 British Regulars, were given secret orders, to
confiscate the colonist’s arms in Concord.
The colonists knew the British were coming through adept intelligence-gathering. Thus they were prepared for the action. The opening rounds were fired as the sun was rising
over Lexington. Our guys were outnumbered and “advanced to the rear, leaving the British Regulars free to proceed to Concord. As the Brits approached the Old North
Bridge in Concord, 500 of the colonials guys attacked again, defeating three companies of soldiers of the finest army on the planet. The Brits retreated towards Boston under
continuous fire from our guys. Thus beginning the Siege of Boston, 236 years
ago this month.
The score was KIA: US 49, UK 73, WIA: US 39, UK 174, MIA: US 5, UK 53. That’s a good showing for a bunch of redneck farmers out for the first time.
CENTENNIAL 250 PISTOL (100 YRS AFTER 1911)
Wow, what a week here on the ranch! For our first Centennial 250 Pistol Class we had 75 clients, 15 instructors (almost all of whom are qualified RM’s), 5 guests from Colt, the Director of the National Firearms Museum, the President of Novak’s, folks from the Outdoor Channel, Tom Gresham from the Guntalk radio show, people from NRA publications, Guns and Ammo, Harris Publications, Soldier of Fortune Magazine, Wall Street Journal, and local media. We’re proud to mention that we had nary a negative comment in the course critiques.
Months of preparations that went into this effort by the staff. Thanks to all!
In the Centennial 250 Pistol class we offer our standard 250 syllabus with several added lectures on the history of the THE PISTOL, its development, John M. Browning and his many accomplishments (and patents) on equipment still in use today. General Keys of Colt joined us and donated a Tier II Gold Engraved Centennial 1911 pistol
to the class. We raffled it off for $20/ ticket and Al Mills of Anchorage AK
took it home. The proceeds of the raffle went to the NRA Foundation. We are
all most grateful to General Keys and Colt for their generous contribution.
Charly Pulit of Novak’s was on hand all week providing support to all, as
well as offering his presentation on the care and cleaning of the 1911.
On Thursday night we had a class BBQ before the low light exercise.
We also had our regular 250 Class shoot-off, with the award of the sterling silver Raven pin to the winner in each section. Then we had a special Shoot-off between the top students in each of the three sections for the Grand Champion. The winner of this contest received a solid gold “E” ticket raven. We got it all done with few if any bottlenecks and
descended on Mrs. Cooper for lemonade and brownies at 1600 Friday.
MY HAT IS OFF TO ALL OF OUR GUNSITE STAFF BOTH FULL TIME AND ADJUNCT FOR ALL YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS. THANK YOU!!
The good news is WE ARE GOING TO DO IT ALL AGAIN on September 26, 2011. If you would like to take advantage of the final Centennial 250 Pistol class offering you must act now. We already have one full section and are well on the way filling the second one.
Let us remind you that if you take the Centennial 250 Pistol Class in September you are eligible to stay over the following weekend and shoot the Gunsite Alumni Shoot pistol match. There is a fantastic steak dinner on Friday that is donated by Ron Walter of the “Knuckleheads”, and a weekend of shooting and good fellowship.
POLITICS
We see budget battles in an increasing number of states across the upper mid-west
spreading across the east coast to FL. YEAH!!! The folks in DC are threatening a government shutdown. I say, “Shut her Down”! My wallet is safe when they
are not in session. BHO numbers are headed down and our fortunes are headed
up. Get out there and let your folks know what you want, support your
candidates however you can – even a $5 donation is a help to our guys. Get organized nowfor the 2012 race. You can bet they are gonna be hard at it.
PREMIER TRAINING WEATHER
This month begins the best of the best training weather here on the ranch.
When you see the Phoenix temperature on the national weather just subtract
15 to 20 degrees and you have our weather. Another positive aspect is
Rattlesnakes. So far we have seen 3 this spring and look to beat the ’09 record
of 42. The weather all across the country is improving and this is a perfect
opportunity to take a new shooter out to the range. Show them
how we do it, just for the fun of it. If we all take a couple out for a day
we will win converts. We will also sharpen our own skills.
PISTOL WORK
We have 2 full 250 classes and an almost full 350 class here on the ranch
this month as well as Sheriff Campbell’s IN offsite class, which is almost full as well. We still have some openings in May and several in June and July for both 250 and 350
as well as Lady’s Pistol in May. Girls, come out for the LP1 and dump “him” in
a 250 or 350 that week. I guarantee your man will not mind too much. Come on out to the “Arid-Zone”, (as it was once called) of our wild west and join us for some
realistic, intensive training with the world’s greatest instructors.
SPORT UTILITY RIFLE
Sheriff Campbell still has some room in his “off-site” 123 class in IN, middle of the month. It is the second best SUR training in the world with the same world-class instructors.
SHOTGUN
Here, this month, THE world-class serious shotgun class is just about full. Bring lots of ammo and sleep before you get here. You’re going to love it. There is nothing like hearing the action of an 870 being worked in the dark!!!
NRA ANNUAL MEETING
We are going to be in Pittsburg April 29, 30 and May 1 for the Annual
Meeting of Members of your National Rifle Association of America. I would
urge all of you within and without striking distance to get there and
participate in the exhibits, meetings, seminars, fund raising, voting,
eating, visiting, and spreading of sea stories. We are expecting 70,000
patriots (rugged individuals all) to show support for our Second Amendment rights and support of the WORLDS OLDEST AND LARGEST CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION. Go to www.nra.org for all the fine details and previews of events.
One last item:
PATRIOT DAY APRIL 18!!
April 18th is an excellent reason to raise a glass to toast USA, and remember our
Forefathers’ great work at Lexington and Concord that morning 236 years ago
this month.
John Jay 1774: “When a nation, led to greatness by the hand of Liberty, and
possessed of all the glory that heroism, munificence, and humanity can
bestow, descends to the ungrateful task of forging chains for her friends
and children, and instead of giving support to freedom, turns advocate to
slavery and oppression, there is reason to suspect she has either ceased to
be virtuous, or been extremely negligent in the appointment of her rulers”.
John Jay was the first Chief Justice of the USA. He was right back then and
he is certainly correct today. Just look where we are.
Only the best of the best to you and yours this spring. I hope to see you
here again on the ranch and at the Annual NRA meeting in Pittsburg. Remember
we offer special classes for 1 to 100 and we will offer them all over the USA. Just
call!
Again, take a youngster shooting. God Bless you and may all your travels be
safe.
Buz