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...]
September Newsletter
This was copied from a social media site I follow attributed to a fellow Sheriff in Illinois. It claims that it is in the Sheriff’s handwriting and is posted on the door so all his staff members can see as they come and go from the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff: Well said sir and please pardon me for sharing it with all. However, it is wise, sage and sound advice; not only for those brothers and sisters in public safety, but for all good Americans. We have lost too many of our brave law enforcement Officers in the Republic. It seems that miscreants in our society have publicly declared … [Read more...]
September Gunsmith Corner
Hunting season is upon us. It is time to get those rifles and shotguns and muzzleloaders ready to go. There are some things that really should be done early whether it is the hunt of a lifetime or a normal hunting season. Rifles should be cleaned. Action screws checked for proper torque. Scope mounts checked. One thing often overlooked is to make sure your sling swivel studs are tight. These often become loose and as the rifle gets bounced around they eventually strip out the hole and there goes the rifle. I’m sure everyone has heard of that mysterious cold bore shot being different than … [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...]
5 New Courses for 2016
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Executive Offices August 2015 Gunsite Ranch Paulden AZ GUNSITE ACADEMY ANNOUNCES 5 EXCITING NEW COURSES FOR 2016! It seems like every day the headlines read: Active shooter! Terrorist alert! Home invasion! Natural disaster! Stories about riots, carjacking, armed robbery etc. are at the top of the news feeds. These types of things are happening all across our country with more and more frequency. The odds are increasing that each of us may face any one of these incidents on any given day. Gunsite Academy, the world’s premier and longest … [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...]
August Newsletter
July has come and gone . . . . . Many of the young Americans are already headed back to school. Where did the summer go? We know where two (2) weeks of the summer went: Our two (2) Youth 250 “Summer Camp” courses were grand events! Having these young Americans here was outstanding. At Gunsite, Summer continues with the (recently updated) Team Tactics for Two, Defensive Three Gun, 250 Pistol, several media events, the Tennessee Close Quarters Pistol and Tutorials. Whew . . . . While the Gunsite Instructors and Staff are teaching these courses, their devious minds are also putting the … [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...]
June Newsletter
As we tell the students on Monday morning as their Gunsite class begins, “blink and it will be Friday.” That seems to be what has happened here in May. We blinked and Mother’s Day, Jeff Cooper’s Birthday, The Yavapai Friends of the NRA Banquet, Armed Forces Day, John Wayne’s birthday and Memorial Day has passed us by. Not to mention 250 and 350 pistol classes, 223 Carbine, Edged Weapons, Close Quarters Pistol, Defensive 3 Gun, Defensive Vehicle Tactics, many tutorials and several media events happened. Whew . . . . . We start all over again in June with 250, 350 and 499 pistol, 223 … [Read more...]
May Newsletter
Garland Texas . . . . . Are you ready when the fight comes to your community? It appears that Garland Texas was exercising their God given rights to express themselves when alleged Jihadists “took offense” and appeared with rifles and other weapons and equipment to stop the exercise of Constitutional Rights. Fortunately, Garland was prepared and took the fight to the miscreants. While an unarmed security guard was injured, a police officer returned fire with his pistol and stopped the thugs in their tracks. The best art displayed at this art event was the chalk outline of the evil-doers … [Read more...]
May Newsletter
Garland Texas . . . . . Are you ready when the fight comes to your community? It appears that Garland Texas was exercising their God given rights to express themselves when alleged Jihadists “took offense” and appeared with rifles and other weapons and equipment to stop the exercise of Constitutional Rights. Fortunately, Garland was prepared and took the fight to the miscreants. While an unarmed security guard was injured, a police officer returned fire with his pistol and stopped the thugs in their tracks. The best art displayed at this art event was the chalk outline of the … [Read more...]
April Newsletter
Spring has finally arrived throughout the Republic. While the winter at the Gunsite Ranch was wet, it was mild. March was very warm. The weather beginning of April is perfect. The sun block is in full use on the ranges. Spring at Gunsite means more classes as many find Spring Break can be best spent learning a life-saving skill. Have you begun to consider your Spring Break for 2016 yet? Consider taking the monies spent on beaches and adult beverages and think of the high desert and a life changing and life-saving epiphany at Gunsite. Memories can be made with your young adults that … [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...]
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...]
February Newsletter
Dear Gunsite Family member: Welcome to February, 2011. We hope that your January was outstanding, and that you are prepared to exceed your efforts in the coming month of February. It is worth mentioning that on this date in 2010, President Obama introduced a record-breaking budget of 3.8 trillion dollars, bringing our deficit to1.6 trillion dollars. After the mid-term election of last November, we are encouraged to hear news from the House that efforts are underway to trim spending. We are further encouraged to see that Federal Judge Roger Vinson has ruled that “Obamacare’s” central … [Read more...]
