250 Defensive Pistol

“Bring-a-Buddy” Promotion – bring your family/FRIEND to a Gunsite course and get 50% off their tuition… Click HERE for more details.

This class is “The Gunsite Experience” and was first presented in October 1976 by Colonel Jeff Cooper.

Regardless of your age, gender or experience, completing the 250 Class will change your life! You will be well grounded in the ‘Modern Technique of the Pistol’, including marksmanship, gun handling and mindset.

The 250 includes five solid days of range work, lectures, low light/night shooting with flashlight techniques and intensive indoor and outdoor live fire simulators. Red dot sights are welcome. Completion of the 250 course is a prerequisite for many other courses as this is where our core doctrinal principles are ingrained.

“DAY ZERO” – If you’re new to shooting on a line or drawing from a holster, then the Day Zero one day course will help you prepare for the next five days. Day Zero is a course offered to the prospective 250 student the day before your 250 Pistol Class begins. It is designed for the novice or new gun owner who lacks knowledge or experience in gun handling and marksmanship.

We have found our first training day in the 250 Pistol Class goes by very quickly and may be overwhelming to the new gun owner. So, we took the 250 Monday morning class and turned it into a separate full day on Sunday, the day before, so you’re fully prepared for the next morning.

A discount is offered to students who take a Day Zero class prior to their 250 class. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.gunsite.com/classes/day-zero/

Gunsite Academy, Paulden Arizona

Duration: 5 Days

Prerequisite: None

Cost: $2,135.00

Ammunition Required:
1,000 rounds of ball ammo, 50 rounds of frangible for simulators

Class Application

250 Defensive Pistol

May 25, 2026 - May 29, 2026
June 8, 2026 - June 12, 2026
July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026
Bring-a-Buddy promotional class
August 3, 2026 - August 7, 2026
Bring-a-Buddy promotional class
August 31, 2026 - September 4, 2026
Bring-a-Buddy promotional class
September 28, 2026 - October 2, 2026
October 26, 2026 - October 30, 2026
November 30, 2026 - December 4, 2026
Bring-a-Buddy promotional class

General Requirements:
Class Requirements

What to Bring to Gunsite Academy:
What to bring videos

Class Application

LinkedIn
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Class Date*
Name*
(as you would like it to appear on your graduation certificate)
First Middle Last
*
I certify that I have completed a Gunsite Pistol course.
Name Tag - First Name
(If different than above)
Include in the Class Roster?

YES, Please include me

NO, Please do not
Gunsite Graduate?*

New Student

Previous Graduate
T-Shirt Size*
(includes free T-Shirt)
Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email

(All communications for this class will be sent here and is kept confidential)
Secondary Email

Gunsite Newsletter?
Subscribe to the Gunsite Newsletter
Mailing Address*
Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

(In accordance with ITAR regulations, only US Citizens are accepted to participate in Gunsite courses unless prior arrangements are approved by Gunsite.)
How did you hear about Gunsite?
Main Phone #*
Alternate phone #
Occupation*
Employer
Date of Birth*
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Gender*

Male

Female
Dominant Hand*

Right

Left
First Responder/ Military (past or present)?*

Yes (thank you)

No
Primary Firearm for Class (required)
Make*
Model*
Caliber*
Rental?
I am interested in renting firearms / mags
Rental Packages Available
Transition Firearm (if needed)
Transition firearms are required in shotgun, carbine and battle rifle classes only.
Make
Model
Caliber
Ammunition Packages
I would like to order an ammo pack
Includes all required Ball & Frangible (if applicable)
Ammunition Packages
Bringing a Guest?

No Thanks

I would like to buy Guest meals ($40 per guest)
(Includes lunch and dinner)
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Guests
Number of Guests*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Guest Meals Total
Guest Name(s)*
Gunsite Campground?

I would like to reserve an RV Site ($45/night+tax)

I would like to reserve a Tent Site ($25/night+tax)

No Thanks
Arrival Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Departure Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Would you like to join us for the FRIDAY NIGHT STEAK FRY?

Yes ($30/pp)

No Thanks
When: 6pm Friday, the day before GAS Where: At the Big Tent BYOB & BYOC (Bring Your Own Cigar!)
Student Name
First Name*
Last Name*
City
State
Guest Name
First Name
Last Name
City
State
Comments
Payment Terms:
A deposit of 1/3 (tuition only) is due within 10 days of applying. All remaining balances are due on or before 14 days prior to the first day of class.

Cancellation Policy:
If you cancel a reservation more than 14 days prior to start of class, your deposit is fully refundable or transferable to another class of your choice. If you cancel less than 14 days before your class, One-third (1/3) of your class tuition is non-transferable and non-refundable. Any amount over this 1/3 is fully transferable or refundable (with the exception of GAS) if you cannot make the class for any reason. All GAS reservations cancelled less than 30 days prior are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Read the full policy here.

Credential Policy:
Gunsite Academy, Inc. requires applicants to supply certain documentation prior to participation in training. Acceptance of credential documents is at the sole discretion of Gunsite. Applicant verifies that all credential documentation is true and correct.

Gunsite reserves the right to deny training to anyone for any reason. If an application is not accepted, all deposits will be promptly refunded in full… Read the full policy here.
By submitting this application, I understand and agree:

That the credentials enclosed meet the requirements as outlined by Gunsite Academy, Inc., and that I must positively identify myself as the same person certified in the credentials for enrollment.

That Gunsite Academy, Inc.’s operation depends upon the careful control of deadly weapons by each participant; therefore I understand that my instruction may be terminated at any time during the course if my conduct is not deemed satisfactory at the discretion of the staff.

That I will abide meticulously by any and all safety procedures required at Gunsite, and that I agree to sign a statement releasing Gunsite Academy, Inc. from any injury I may sustain during the training program.

I will be at least 18 years of age at the time of class OR will be accompanied by my parent or guardian.

Conditions*
I Understand and Agree.

Gunsite Academy, Paulden Arizona

Duration: 5 Days

Prerequisite: None

Cost: $2,135.00

Ammunition Required:
1,000 rounds of ball ammo, 50 rounds of frangible for simulators

Class Application

250 Defensive Pistol

May 25, 2026 - May 29, 2026
June 8, 2026 - June 12, 2026
July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026
Bring-a-Buddy promotional class
August 3, 2026 - August 7, 2026
Bring-a-Buddy promotional class
August 31, 2026 - September 4, 2026
Bring-a-Buddy promotional class
September 28, 2026 - October 2, 2026
October 26, 2026 - October 30, 2026
November 30, 2026 - December 4, 2026
Bring-a-Buddy promotional class

General Requirements:
Class Requirements

What to Bring to Gunsite Academy:
What to bring videos

Order a Gunsite Calendar

Optional Ammo Packs Available:

9mm: $296

.40cal: $494

.45ACP: $541

.38 spl: $527

(All ammo is factory loads. As ammunition prices are volatile at this time ammo pricing may vary.)

Pistol Rentals Available:

- Beretta 92FS 9mm

- Glock 17 9mm

- Glock 19 9mm

- Glock 45 9mm

- Gunsite Glock 45 w/ Optic 9mm

- HK VP9A1 w/Optic 9mm

- SIG Sauer P226 9mm

- Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm

- Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 9mm

- Smith & Wesson M&P CORE 9mm

- Smith & Wesson M&P CORE w/ Optic 9mm

- Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ 9mm

- Stoeger STR-95 Combat w/ Optic 9mm

- Stoeger STR-9F Combat w/ Optic 9mm

- Stoeger STR-9MC w/ Optic 9mm

- Colt 1911 Govt 45ACP

- Glock 21 45ACP

- Smith & Wesson M&P 45ACP

- Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ 38SPL

- Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ .380

*Handguns-$35/day, with Red-dot optic-$45/day. Payable on the last day of class and include: magazines, holster and mag pouch. Rental fees (minus the cleaning fee) are waived if a purchase of a like gun is made in the Pro Shop during your class. (some restrictions apply)

Rental Magazines Available:

- Glock 17 High-Cap Mags 9mm

- Glock 19 High-Cap Mags 9mm

- Springfield XD High-Cap Mags 9mm

- Springfield XD High-Cap Mags 40SW

- Springfield XD High-Cap Mags 45ACP

*Magazines-$25/week. Payable on the last day of class and includes 4 magazines.

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250 Defensive Pistol

“Bring-a-Buddy” Promotion – bring your family/FRIEND to a Gunsite course and get 50% off their tuition… Click HERE for more details.

Location Offered

Class Details

Upcoming Dates

250 Defensive Pistol

Requirements

Video Gallery

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Class Application

Primary Firearm for Class (required)

Transition Firearm (if needed)

Student Name

Guest Name

Location Offered

Class Details

Upcoming Dates

250 Defensive Pistol

Requirements

Optional

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Photo Gallery

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GUNSITE ACADEMY, INC.

250 Defensive Pistol

“Bring-a-Buddy” Promotion – bring your family/FRIEND to a Gunsite course and get 50% off their tuition… Click HERE for more details.

Location Offered

Class Details

Upcoming Dates

250 Defensive Pistol

Requirements

Video Gallery

Photo Gallery

Class Application

Primary Firearm for Class (required)

Transition Firearm (if needed)

Student Name

Guest Name

Location Offered

Class Details

Upcoming Dates

250 Defensive Pistol

Requirements

Optional

Video Gallery

Photo Gallery

Similar Classes Available

Get Our Newsletters

About Gunsite

Testimonials

GUNSITE ACADEMY, INC.