Christmas 2025
Where has November gone? How is it nearing mid-December? Where did 2025 go?
(Let me warn you – I have found several notable quotes for this Newsletter. Forewarned is forearmed.)
It has been another grand year at the Gunsite Ranch. Near record student numbers, the new construction continues with the three (3) story Conex Tower on Woodfill Range, the new Mess Deck, near completion of the new warehouse and maintenance barn, the old Mess Deck dismantled and prepped for shade cover on the Dozier Bays on South, Hanneken and North Range . . . I think I know where 2025 went!
“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” Steve Jobs
The staff are great folks who work hard every day to make all these things happen as well as the countless number of classes and student interactions. One of my favorite parts of the day is mingling with the students in the Mess Deck during lunch. So many friendships . . .
George Washington’s favorite saying was “many mickles make a muckle.” It was an old Scottish proverb that illustrates a truth we all know: things add up. Even little ones. Even at the pace of one per day.
Gunsite officially begins our 50th year of business. As far as we know, no others can say 50 years training and teaching good people. (Military and law enforcement can, but our bread and butter are “earth people.”) As we leap into our 50th year, our mantra is not “Gunsite 1976-2026.” That is an epitaph. Instead, it is “Gunsite – The First 50 Years!” We are forging ahead with more capital projects in the windshield beyond our many 50th Anniversary celebrations. Stay tuned!
“The one who plants the trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” Rabindranath Tagore
“People who said it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.” George Bernard Shaw
We finish our classes this week with a busy 223 Carbine alongside Gunsite Senior Fellow and legendary gun scribe Dick Williams and his group of “Irregulars.” He and scribe Mike Detty put together another writer’s romp here featuring some secret things forthcoming from Lipsey’s (NDA signed, but this one will cost me money!), Ransom Rest, Simply Rugged Leather and more along with the shooting with Lew Gosnell and Aimee Grant.
Our monthly meeting with the Gunsite Chapter of Armed Women of America (AWA) is Saturday. If you don’t know about AWA, there are chapters in your area! (Well, not as cool as the Gunsite Chapter, always instructed by Gunsite Staff, but it is very worthwhile and affordable training. Near forty (40) ladies will gather 0730 Saturday morning to work with Jim Owens, Dave Bahde, Lew Gosnell, Guy Coursey, Mario Marchman, Joe Avila, Bill Halvorsen and Dan Bilodeau. (These instructors donate their Saturday morning to train the AWA members.) We follow up with their annual Christmas gathering at the Campbell house.
We close out the Gunsite year with the annual staff Christmas Party at the beautiful home of Buz and Sonja Mills. The beauty of the home and the delicious food (by Liz Sosa (The Gunsite Catering Person) is only exceeded by the fellowship and company.
Remember, it is not too late to look at the specials in the Gunsite Pro Shop for Christmas Gifts. Gunsite Your favorite persons are not hard to buy for! Look to the Pro Shop or gift certificates for training! Gift Certificates – Gunsite Academy There are many special and limited classes available in 2026 including carbines/AKs for your 223/AK class, the Bring-a-Buddy program, and details on the new Gunsite Guild. 2026 Featured & Limited Courses – Gunsite Academy
Snowbirds! We return to The Villages north of Orlando at Shooters World February 18-20, 2026 for a three (3) day 150 Pistol. If you are already there, time to get off the golf course and into the beautiful indoor range for outstanding training. (Rumor is that I may get to come in off the bench and teach!)
If you are headed to Orlando in July, we offer another 150 Pistol at Shooters World in Orlando, a very short distance from Universal Studios. Don’t worry about the heat, humidity and summer rains . . . It is always sunny and 70 degrees in their indoor ranges. And the night shoot is done in daytime!
As we close out the year, we are grateful to all the Gunsite Family for making their first or untold number of visits to Gunsite. It makes us so proud when we have so many returning clients, the stories about how we positively changed their lives and especially when they allow us the honor to train those most important people in their lives.
Offer prayers to those who support us on the holiday including our medical, law enforcement, military and more. They miss many gatherings to keep us healthy, safe, and warm.
Have a blessed Christmas and Hannukah, take some time to relax, unwind and celebrate the reason.
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Charles Dickens
Blessings to all,
Ken
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