The Dog Days of Summer
Time to grab a cup of coffee, soda or other appropriate beverage as this may be a long newsletter. Lots to discuss.
Too many folks see the Phoenix weather forecast and think it is Gunsite. (Remember it isn’t even a weather advisory day until it is 110 degrees there.) The Prescott area has always been an escape for the rest of Arizona as it is almost always 15 degrees cooler. Also, as a Midwesterner, humidity of 10% or less is wonderful. God’s cooling system works here. Get a wet kerchief around your neck and it evaporates, cooling you off. The bigger problem is keeping fluid intake up with the evaporation from your body. So, don’t let the threat of warm weather deter you from classes in August.
Let’s get the elephant out of the room. Yes, we banned all variants of Sig 320 pistols from Gunsite classes. Safety has always been paramount. With the issues we continue to see (and yes, we have read Sig’s responses.), we cannot assume the responsibility nor liability. (The term is vicarious liability.) Sig has been a long-time industry partner of Gunsite and will continue to be. We are confident that they will work to resolve any issues forthwith. If you only have Sig 320 platforms as your pistols, we suggest you look to our rental pistols and equipment. If your in a financial bind, contact me at Ken@gunsite.com and we can work something out for you to use along with some of our other industry partners. Enough said here. We aren’t Sig haters, just looking to protect our Gunsite Family.
We continue to plan for “Gunsite – The First 50 Years.” The 2026 Calendar is on-line, and we have already added classes. The print edition will be out just prior to GAS 2025. (Who will be in the photos?)
There will be 50th Anniversary pistols, carbines and rifles. Stay tuned for details as we work out the sordid details with our partners. To quote Doc Holliday in Tombstone, there will be some “very cosmopolitan” 50th Anniversary jewelry as well. Further, the Gunsite Label Bourbon with Granite Mountain Distillery is underway along with Gunsite label cigars.
How about special pricing or opportunities for classes? We will soon be announcing a “Bring-a-Buddy” or “Gunsite Family and Friends” special. That is, bring someone who has never attended Gunsite and get 50% discount on one of the two classes. It will be during specific months. You need not be in the same class (i.e. – 250/350), but it needs to be the same week. Who do you want to share your Gunsite experience with?
Looking for a Carbine Class or AK Class but don’t have the respective weapon system? For a few of the 223 and AK classes, you will be offered a special price for a class/battle ready Ruger 556 Carbine or a (used) AK variant. Prices will soon be announced as well as the dates of the classes. Get your Carbine/AK from the Pro Shop and take it straight to class.
Another opportunity will be our “Frequent Flier” Program. (I still like to call it “Recidivists” from my prior career.) This program will look to the number of five (5) day classes you have attended and successfully completed since October 1, 1999. For five (5) classes, you will receive a 5% discount off class with a Pro Shop Gift Card, ten (10) classes receives 10%, fifteen (15) classes receive 15% and maxing out at 20% for twenty (20) classes. Details are still being sorted out, but plan accordingly and stand by. (Not valid for the Youth Classes and as they are already heavily discounted and a few specialty classes.)
For the Cooper Classic in May, look for a special deal for the class and the 50th Anniversary Gunsite Service Pistol . . .
There will be more to come so stand by . . .
First week of August is the Vets 250 and Vets 223 later in the month. Our great instructors donate their time and travel, and we donate the class to overseas veterans of the Global War on Terror. They always fill. We look forward to seeing these great Americans.
Have you and your family, friend spouse had 250 Pistol and want more? The Advanced Team Tactics for Two is in August. This was one of the most rewarding and eye-opening classes for my wife Shari and I to take together. How will you respond when something goes bump in the night?
Pistol Mounted Optics (PMO) continue to increase in our classes. (Probably 65% or more.) The 350 PMO class increases distance, decreases time and is more challenging. Put your PMO to hard work.
Looking for something closer to home? Royal Range in Nashville TN has the 250 Pistol the week of August 25. It is always low humidity, sunny and 70 degrees in their indoor ranges and indoor shoot house. Gunsite instructors lead the classes, welcoming you to the Gunsite Family.
The inaugural Gunsite Performance Center (GPC) 101 and 202 classes are complete. Evaluations were strong and we look forward to more. The new GPC website nears completion. It has all the details as to what it is and why it is. Looking to focus on speed and accuracy and the methodology of how to do that? Look to GPC classes. More to come.
September brings in cooler temperatures and more 250 Pistol, Tactical Concealed Carry Pistol, 270 General Rifle, 223 Carbine, 250 PMO, 556 Advanced Carbine and the double 250/double 350 immediately preceding the Gunsite Alumni Shoot (GAS).
September is also bringing the “Armed and Elegant” Fashion Show sponsored by Gunsite Academy, The Gunsite Chapter of Armed Women of America and Granite Mountain Distillery. Saturday September 20 from 1100-1400 will be AWA ladies strutting their stuff with concealed carry clothing, holsters, etc. from the Gunsite Pro Shop while you enjoy light food and hors d’ oeuvres and adult beverages from Granite Mountain Distillery. (If you don’t know, Gunsite Rangemaster Chris Currie is the Distiller for Granite Mountain and his bride Sheryl is the General Manger.) Profits from the event, and $1 from every drink benefit the North Arizona VA Health Care System and Women Veterans. Tickets are $50 and are available from a link in the Newsletter or by going to the Gunsite webpage. We hope to make this an annual event. Limit of 100 tickets to be sold, so don’t delay so you can attend “An event full of fashion, function and fierce empowerment.” Armed & Elegant Fashion Show Tickets
GAS planning is near complete. Stages are set, meals are planned, and volunteers are being solicited. One change this year is the “Steak Fry” location. The Friday night Steak Fry began 20+ years ago with the late Gunsite Rangemaster Mike Hughes, me and about a dozen of the infamous “Knuckleheads.” We had finished a private class with them and decided to throw some steaks on the grill in the campground. Needless to say, it has grown to 250 or so folks with steaks, baked potatoes and all the “fixins,” with proceeds to the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation. This year, we move the Steak Fry from the Campground to the parking lot by the classroom. The tent, tables, chairs, etc. will already be in place, the locations for the grills are set, and we are ready! Watch your emails for a message from Rikki to sign up. Seats are limited, so don’t delay. It is a grand beginning to our “social engagement slightly interrupted by gunfire.”
Whew . . . Enough for this issue. But, always the reminder that the world can be a dangerous place. Keep your head on a swivel, go armed whenever possible, train with your family. YOU ARE YOUR FIRST RESPONDER.
When are you coming (back) to Gunsite?
Ken
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