With Thanksgiving upon us, many Gunsite family members will be travelling throughout the Republic for family festivities. We recognize the state of the world and the threats by our enemies to strike the homeland. As a result, we try to travel prepared. (Read: Armed!) We also need to remember that your Mental Awareness is something you can always improve upon. (Recall your Mindset Lecture and the Color Code. If not, time to re-read Principles of Personal Defense.) It would be incumbent upon you to review the laws of where you are travelling (and those states you transit through) to … [Read more...]
Left Handed Pistol Manipulation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48gZVz03lGc … [Read more...]
Gunsite Welcomes Eric Ingersoll on Staff
Eric is a retired Lieutenant with the Stockton Ca Police Department. During his career as an officer he worked the Street Crimes Unit, Traffic Unit, and the Problem Oriented Policing Team. His duties included Department FBI Terrorism Liaison Coordinator, FBI and ATF Task Force coordinator, Mobile Field Force Commander and Narcotics, Vice, and Gang Unit Commander. Eric was also a SWAT Officer, SWAT Sniper, SWAT Sergeant, and SWAT Commander. Eric is an instructor for pistol and carbine. … [Read more...]
Gun Sales Set Record for Sixth Month in a Row
AP BY: Stephen Gutowski Follow @@StephenGutowski November 4, 2015 10:30 am The Federal Bureau of Investigation processed a record number of background checks in the month of October, indicating that gun sales were at an all time high for the sixth month in a row. The FBI’s National Instant Background Check System processed 1,976,759 firearms related checks in October. That is a 373,290 increase in checks over last year and a new record for the month. It also makes October the sixth consecutive month to see arecord number of checks. Since every purchase of a new gun in the United … [Read more...]
Fear the Donga
This article contributed by Bob Owens of Bearing Arms. It’s relatively easy to build up a false sense of confidence in your defensive firearm skills on a square range shooting at stationary targets from a fixed position. Things get a bit more interesting, however, when we start incorporating movement, and encountering targets hidden in rugged real-world terrain. At the Gunsite Academy 350 Intermediate Pistol course we had the opportunity to put our skills to the test not just on square range, but in indoor simulators both during the day and at night, in force-on-force training against … [Read more...]
Back to Gunfighter School – 350 Pistol
This article posted on the Bearing Arms website by Bob Owens. Gunsite Academy has been dubbed the “Harvard of Handguns,” and with good reason. Founded by Col. Jeff Cooper as the American Pistol Institute in 1976 to teach the Modern Technique of the Pistol, this shooting school in the high desert outside Paulden, Arizona is home to a cadre of incredibly-talented firearms instructors. Gunsite teaches everyone from first-time shooters, to hard-core competitors, to law enforcement and military special operations forces… and even royalty. Gunsite’s signature course is 250 Pistol, which for … [Read more...]
Experts Pick Concealed Carry Weapon of Choice
Tactical-Life chose Gunsite's President Buz Mills as one of their experts weighing in on their concealed carry weapon of choice and it's setup. Buz Mills Affiliation: Gunsite Academy Position: Owner and CEO CCW Of Choice: .45 ACP 1911, G19 9mm Modifications: Novak sights Ammo: Remington Golden Saber Holster: C. Rusty Sherrick horsehide leather Why? I work and travel a lot. I carry that which is readily available in the environment in which I have to work. I am comfortable with both calibers and both weapons. Both will get the job done if you will. To see more expert … [Read more...]
NSSF First Shots Sweepstakes
Gunsite is sponsoring the NSSF FirstShots Sweepstakes and we are the GRAND PRIZE - a $6,000 package! Grand Prize: Gunsite Academy Handgun Training Prize Package for one (1) person Click here to sign up today! Package includes: 5 days defensive pistol training at Gunsite Academy (for one (1) person) 6 nights standard lodging Reimbursement of roundtrip coach airfare, economy rental car, and meals Firearms and equipment rental Ammunition American Tactical Imports $150 Gift Card Jason Winnie Leathergoods 1911 Holster BLACKHAWK! Range Bag Hornady Gift Assortment – … [Read more...]
October Newsletter
Fall is well upon us in the High Desert at Gunsite. We know that because the mornings are wonderfully cool, the days are bright, the sunsets are beautiful and we have completed another Gunsite Alumni Shoot (GAS)! What a great week it was preceding GAS: The “Knuckleheads” (An affectionate term for a raucous group of Gunsite alumni, some with 30 classes under their belts.) taking a special designed class for them were here for Pistol and Shotgun (heavily laden with simulators); a Long Range Rifle Tutorial for a great group of Hoosiers; and a 250 and 350 pistol class all helped us warm up … [Read more...]
Death in the Office
Force on Force training at Gunsite. There are over 100 million Americans gun owners, and of those, there are almost 13 million with concealed carry permits. Many others practice open carry, and/or live in a state where permitting is not required. While not everyone who has the option to carry a firearm with them in their daily lives opts to do so all the time for a wide range of reasons, it is probably reasonable to suggest that on any given day there are probably at least a million lawfully-armed citizens walking down our streets with a firearm in their possession. To continue reading … [Read more...]
In Remembrance of Our Founder Col Jeff Cooper
On September 25, 2006 the world-renowned firearms expert Jeff Cooper, founder of Gunsite Academy in October 1976 passed away. Jeff Cooper was 86 and had been battling several health problems. To this day his presence at Gunsite is everywhere and his doctrine is upheld. Born on May 10, 1920, in Los Angeles, as John Dean Cooper, Cooper who always went by "Jeff" earned a master's degree in history and taught history. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II as well as in Southeast Asia and Korea. In the 1960s, he organized a group called the Bear Valley Gunslingers and … [Read more...]
Taking Cover
Practicing at the range is one thing. Training to prevail in a life-or-death struggle is another thing entirely. One tactic that distinguishes the two is the use of cover; specifically getting to and properly using cover. Sheriff Jim Wilson and Richard Mann run through some drills incorporating cover into a training regimen at Gunsite Academy. See the video at Shooting Illustrated.com … [Read more...]
Stripping, Lubricating and Reassembling a 1911 Pistol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55by_AO2MOs This was taken by Gunblast.com. It is a very good video of our Instructor Cory Trap stripping, lubricating and reassembling a 1911 pistol. … [Read more...]
Developing a Defensive Mindset
In case you aren’t familiar with the late Col. John Dean “Jeff” Cooper—which probably means you’re new to defensive shooting—allow me to introduce you. Born in 1920, Cooper earned a political science degree from Stanford before receiving a commission from the United States Marine Corps, and he fought in the Pacific in World War II and later in Korea before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Cooper went on to earn his master’s degree and taught high school and college classes before he opened American Pistol Institute (API), now known as Gunsite, one of the nation’s top training destinations for … [Read more...]
Gunsite Instructor – 2015 World Police Fire Games
Gunsite Instructor Jarod Baugh added to the medal count for Team USA at the 2015 World Police and Fire Games in Fairfax Virginia. Baugh earned a Gold medal in 3D Archery Traditional, a Silver in Field Archery and a Bronze in Target Archery. He also competed in Police Action Pistol and was pleased with my performance at 45 YOA. I finished 6th out of 124 police officers from around the world. Third in USA police officers, just behind two young LAPD officers from their Shooting Team. … [Read more...]
The Picture … The Men … The Story
Story by Elden Carl (Second from the left.) There were five pistoleros who are credited with developing the modern technique of the combat pistol. Jeff Cooper, practical pistol shooting’s founder and driving force, arrived first in the mid 1950’s followed closely by Jack Weaver. I arrived on the scene in 1960, with Thell Reed and Ray Chapman joining the fray the following year. By the end of 1961 all of the important techniques of the craft had been developed. At a later time I will discuss the developmental process that led to the modern technique of the pistol, but for now I’d like to … [Read more...]
July Gunsmith Corner
Last week a crazy idiot attacked a theatre full of innocent law abiding people who were simply doing something they had every right to be doing in a place they had every right to be. He killed two and injured several others before he killed himself when confronted by police. Why is this in the Gunsmith Corner? Because that was my hometown, my Police Department, and even the theatre that my wife I went to when we went to the movies. Interesting that even in a very gun friendly state like Louisiana the theatre was a firearms free zone. The most important lesson that I ever learned working … [Read more...]
Jeff Cooper’s Gunsite Gargantuan Gossip
The editorial staff of the Southwest Pistol League magazine has come up with a curious debate about what may be the purpose of the Southwest Pistol League. Well, I do not know what the purpose is now, but I do know what it was when the league was founded, because I founded it. The purpose of the league, when founded, was to discover, by means of open, unrestricted, diversified competition with the heavy-duty sidearm, just what weapons, what tactics, what principles and what general equipment would serve best in a fight. I remember that on one occasion the late, great John Plähn exclaimed … [Read more...]
Sheep or Sheepdog
Miss Edwards, I read of your student activity regarding the proposed memorial to Colonel Greg Boyington, USMC and a Medal of Honor winner. I suspect you will receive many angry emails from conservative people like me. You may be too young to appreciate fully the sacrifices of generations of servicemen and servicewomen, on whose shoulders you and your fellow students stand. I forgive you for the untutored ways of youth and your naiveté. It may be that you are simply a sheep. There’s no dishonor in being a sheep, as long as you know and accept what you are. William J. Bennett, in a … [Read more...]
July Newsletter
So many good sources come to mind to consider for an Independence Day Newsletter: Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan and more. But with pondering, it came to me that my best consideration of topic and source was here at Gunsite last week. As the United States celebrates our 239th birthday, honoring life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, what should we look to as a source of excitement and hope for the future? Does it come from the writings and wisdom of our founding fathers, from review of our Constitution, from reading Teddy Roosevelt? That answer was on the Gunsite … [Read more...]
Have Pistol, Will Defend
When offered the chance to attend three days of self-defense and handgun training at the world-famous Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona, I said “Yes!” enthusiastically, and not just because it sounded like a cool experience. While I’ve hunted with rifles and shotguns for many years, and have had some formal rifle training, my time using handguns has been relatively minimal. In fact, like a lot of gun owners, I’d never had any actual handgun or self-defense training before this event. So I accepted the invitation to spend three days at Gunsite, attend the training, and get a good deal of … [Read more...]
Nighthawk chosen to build 1911 pistol
Nighthawk’s signature pistols are designed to meet the no-nonsense requirements of the late Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper — a Marine veteran, shooting innovator, college professor and editor at Guns & Ammo. Cooper passed away in 2006 at the age of 86. Cooper opened the American Pistol Institute in Arizona near Prescott in 1976. The 2,000-acre, year-round facility now is called Gunsite Academy. It trains thousands each year, including civilians, law enforcement and special forces personnel. It offers courses in basic firearms use, close quarters combat and long range rifle shooting. Guns & … [Read more...]
Excerpts From Jeff Cooper’s Gargantuan Gunsite Gossip 2
Of course not all pundits are our enemies. Joe Sobran is a strong warrior on our side. Consider the following, extracted from his column appearing on 12 December in the Washington Times. “Because the state can no longer protect us from crime, it wants to take away from us the means of protecting ourselves. This is the logic of gun control.” RELATED STORY: Jeff Cooper’s 4 Levels of Situational Awareness So law-abiding citizens are left at a disadvantage—caught between a criminal class that disdains the law and a ruling class that disdains the Constitution. That is beautifully put and, … [Read more...]
Gunsite, your destination as a serious shooter
Posted: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 11:19 pm By LARRY CASE "Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." Col. Jeff Cooper I am going to repeat something that you have heard me say before, what a wonderful country we live in! I need to say that at the beginning of this talk with you because even though the United States of America has a lot of problems right now, it is still the greatest nation on earth. I would not even be talking to you about this subject if we were not in the land of the free. I had the privilege of attending a … [Read more...]
March Newsletter
Spring seems to be slow in arrival in much of the Republic. It has been a beautiful February in the High Desert at Gunsite. We have had Basic Pistol (250), Shotgun (260), Shotgun Advanced Tactical Problems (SATP), and General Rifle (270) classes so far, with much more to come. When is your next trip to Gunsite? Are you planning your summer yet? We believe we offer a family opportunity that is unmatched anywhere: Our 250 Basic Pistol for young Americans alongside a 250 Pistol class for adults! Have you been looking for the Summer Camp your “Teen” will love and learn life long and … [Read more...]
Introducing the Gunsmith Corner
Welcome to the Gunsmith Corner!! This is something that I had all intentions of doing since I bought the gunsmith concession here at Gunsite 2 1/2 years ago and here I am finally getting to it. This month I would just like to introduce myself and tell you a little about what we offer here. My name is Mike Moore. I am a Rangemaster at Gunsite for almost all of the classes we offer. I started gunsmithing full time when I was 19 years old and have been doing so either full or part time since. The part time was during my career as a police officer during which time I served as department … [Read more...]
Gunsite or Gunsight? – The Rest of the Story
Why is it Gunsite and not Gunsight? This question comes up from time-to-time. While we thought we knew the answer, the best source was just down the drive, living in The Sconce . . . . . . Janelle Cooper was happy to confirm what was suspected. As Lt. Col. Cooper was a well educated man (Bachelor of Science, 1941, Stanford and Masters in History from University of Southern California, Riverside), words and grammar meant things to him. (Not to mention Mrs. Cooper’s degree in Letters (Literature) from Stanford in 1942.) Simply put, Gunsite is a location, not a thing. That is, a gun … [Read more...]
Vote Owen Buz Mills for NRA Board of Directors
Hello, I am Owen Buz Mills I was 17 years old when I first took the oath to protect and defend our constitution and our country from all enemies foreign and domestic. Now almost ½ a century later, I am still dedicated to this task. I am honored to stand for re-election to the Board of Directors of the NRA for the third time.. I need your support to win this seat. Tell friends and fellow NRA members to get out the vote for me. Look for your ballot in the February issue of your NRA publication. I desire this honor not for self aggrandizement but to assist our executive staff … [Read more...]
February Newsletter
From the desk of Ken Campbell A crisp February greeting from the high desert of Arizona and the Gunsite Ranch. Classes are underway for the 2015 season with a 250, Edged Weapons and Long Range Rifle in the rear-view mirror. Folks seem to think we are hot in the summer (like Phoenix) and cold in the winter (like Flagstaff). Neither are really true. The folks from Phoenix come to Prescott to escape the heat in the summer and the folks in the high elevation of AZ come to us in the winter. So . . . . Don’t let those classes scheduled in Spring and Summer fool you. Often times the … [Read more...]
Gunsite Battle Rifle Course
by Robert Shimizu Anticipation. Coffee steams in my cup as the dawn sky ranges from gray to purple, resolving in a magenta line on the mountain horizon backed by an azure blue. It’s morning in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. As I roll north to Gunsite’s Battle Rifle class, the sun warms the prairie as antelope bed down. Gunsite’s Battle Rifle is a study of the .30 caliber semi-automatic Main Battle Rifle, and its proper employment in armed conflict. Compared to the 5.56x45 round, the 7.62x51 NATO round packs a heavier punch, offers greater effective range, is less prone to drifting … [Read more...]
Vote Joe DeBergalis for NRA Board of Directors
Joe is a NRA Benefactor Life Member who is serving in his second term as a NRA Board Member. He has dedicated himself to the protection of our rights to defend, use, collect and compete with the firearms of our choosing. As an active NRA Board Member, Joe was nominated by the Nominating Committee to run this election cycle. He is currently assigned as Chairman of the NRA’s Education and Training Committee and Vice Chair of Action Shooting. He is a member of the Executive, Finance, Law Enforcement, Legislative Affairs and Sport Shooting Committees. Formerly, he vice-chaired the NRA’s … [Read more...]
