thoughts on going to Gunsite?

[mag360]

Looks like I could take a few days off work and do a gunsite 250 class in 2014, has anyone gone? If you haven't gone what have you heard? Other classes you've liked better?

It sho is 'spensive is my only thought right now.

[fiddletown]

I heartily recommend Gunsite. I've been for three classes: 250 (in 2002); 270, General Rifle (2006); and 350, Intermediate Handgun (in 2011).

Gunsite offers first class, professional instructors, an excellent facility and a high level of camaraderie.

I wrote this article about my 350 class.

[hermosabeach]

Mag360

Gunsight is one of the best schools.

Before I would say to go, I would need to ask about your experience shooting from the holster and other classes that you have taken??

As an example, Scotty Reitz has a great program with a ton of moving and or flying targets. If you don't have the basics mastered, his class will help you develop bad habits.

If you have a good solid platform now- then go!!!!

If not take other cheaper courses to get the basics down solid.
Front sight is great for getting the basics down and getting a shooter up to a level where Gunsight can help you advance.

[fiddletown]

...Gunsight is one of the best schools.

Before I would say to go, I would need to ask about your experience shooting from the holster and other classes that you have taken??...

...If you have a good solid platform now- then go!!!!...

Actually, Gunsite 250 is an excellent class for a very wide range of students. It can be profitably taken someone with no experience or by someone with considerable experience. It starts at a basic level and assumes no prior experience.

When I took 250 our class included a college student with almost no previous shooting experience, several veteran LEOs and a serving Marine officer.

I would not hesitate recommending Gunsite 250 to someone with no, or little, experience. I would not hesitate recommending Gunsite 250 to someone who has never drawn a pistol from a holster.

[diverwcw]

I'm going to put in a plug for Front Sight. Admittedly, I've never been to Gunsight and I was looking at going a couple of years ago. I was figuring the total trip was gonna cost me close to $3K - All expenses figured in, class, ammo lodging, food, etc.

Instead, I bought a training certificate from Front Sight, then bought a membership. Since then I've been to Front Sight 7 times.

[9mmepiphany]

Just don't fly there.

Too soon

[9mmepiphany]

I'm going to put in a plug for Front Sight. Admittedly, I've never been to Gunsight and I was looking at going a couple of years ago.

I will say that if you go to Front Sight first, you'll only be out ~$1k and you'll have something to compare the instruction against when you go to Gunsite.

The Big 3 in training schools used to be Gunsite, Chapman Academy and Lethal Force Institute. They are were the top ranked schools that everyone wanted on their resume. I think the current Top 3 are Gunsite, Thunder Ranch and (Bill) Rogers Shooting School

[LeadSlinger585]

Looks like I could take a few days off work and do a gunsite 250 class in 2014, has anyone gone? If you haven't gone what have you heard? Other classes you've liked better?

It sho is 'spensive is my only thought right now.

I'm curious what your end goal is. Have fun shooting? Improved handgun accuracy/weapons manipulation? Self defense techniques?

I can't help but feel like Gunsite is like owning a Rolex. Overpriced and not really all that special in it's basic function.

[9mmepiphany]

I don't know about comparing it to a Rolex...which really is overpriced when you compare it to expensive watches.

I'd compare Gunsite to attending a 4 year college. Not everyone needs to go, but it will offer things you just won't get at other facilities. Some folks are fine with a Community College, some with High School and some with less than that.

I'd heard about all the things Fiddletown mentioned above "Gunsite offers first class, professional instructors, an excellent facility and a high level of camaraderie. " and wasn't completely sold how it could really be that different...until I attended Gunsite 250 for myself. (2010)

I'm not even a believer in their philosophy and still got a lot out of it...plus the Night Shoot, Shoot House and Jungle Lane were a lot of fun

[tacticalcity]

Go for it. I have not yet been to this school, but I have been to many others, including Front Sight (more than once). The courses where you travel to them and spend 8 hours a day for 4 or more days in a row shooting are the best. You'll get the most out of them and make the greatest leap in ability. Not to mention it is a heck of a fun way to spend a vacation. Nothing else like it.

I use the 1-2 day local schools as refresher courses to sharpen existing skills and the big name schools for making big leaps in ability.

FYI, I got my first Front Sight training certificate for free as a birthday gift some 17 years ago and the follow-up certificates through special offers and even ebay sales. The first time student certificate is cheaper than the returning student certificate. Both are drastically lower than the official price of the course. The most I paid so far is $250 (not including travel expenses and ammo).

[tacticalcity]

Too soon

OK, clearly I missed something? Somebody have a TSA incident or something while traveling to Arizona?

I've always had great experiences checking my guns when traveling by air. So I am missing the joke?

[LeadSlinger585]

OK, clearly I missed something? Somebody have a TSA incident or something while traveling to Arizona?

I've always had great experiences checking my guns when traveling by air. So I am missing the joke?

Some students attending a Gunsite class flew there and crashed on Gunsite property. There's a thread about it somewhere here.

[tacticalcity]

That sucks. Yeah, too soon...and still statistically safer than driving.