Gunsite Bound

[travDMH]

After years of scheduling issues I have finally registered for Gunsite's 250 course. I am only in AZ till May as I am graduating college and lucked out with the course perfectly coinciding with my Spring Break.

Anybody have any tips for me? What should I expect? Should I prepare or work on anything? Any info would be appreciated!

Thank all

[TactiCool]

I've never been to gunsite, so I don't really know how they do things, but my instructor always paid more attention to the execution of transitions, shooting with the weak hand, drawing the pistol quickly without covering parts of the body, etc. insofar as pistol skills are concerned.

I'm not sure if room clearing, entries, fighting out of a vehicle, etc. is part of their curriculum, but my instructor tells us to only practice with reaction drills and shooting with the weak hand when we are not training with him. Hope you enjoy it and congrats on graduation.

[bluemonday]

I've done two pistol courses there: 250 and Advanced Tactics.

You can expect to have a lot of fun, learning, and a chance to meet like minded people. It's great!

The first 3 days (and one night) are the most intense. The last two days are a much slower pace.

Tips:



Make sure you continually hydrate and avoid alcohol for at least the first two days to adjust to the high desert and elevation.
Make sure your gun and mags (preferably unmodified) are totally reliable with the ammo you intend to use.
Make sure your belt, holster, mag pouch system is good quality and works for you.
Bring a good tactical flashlight (SureFire, Inforce, etc.) with a belt clip.
Wear appropriate clothing (good shoes, cap). You may want to consider long pants and long sleeve shirts the first two days when they go over various improvised shooting positions such as kneeling and prone.
Strongly recommend you bring electronic ear muffs hearing protection so you can easily hear commands and what the instructors are saying when they coach you on the line, etc. Also, clear wrap around eye protection.
Plan your hotel and meals to make them as easy and convenient as possible since you're out in the middle of nowhere.
Since the course is all about learning fundamentals, techniques, self defense, etc. I would avoid focusing too much on the tools (gun type, caliber, mods, etc.) and avoid experimenting with any new tools or mods. Not the place or time to experiment with tools; rather it's the time to experiment and learn technique.

Hope this helps. Enjoy!

[threefeathers]

Tell Ed Stock hello from me.

[travDMH]

I've done two pistol courses there: 250 and Advanced Tactics.

You can expect to have a lot of fun, learning, and a chance to meet like minded people. It's great!

The first 3 days (and one night) are the most intense. The last two days are a much slower pace.

Tips:



Make sure you continually hydrate and avoid alcohol for at least the first two days to adjust to the high desert and elevation.
Make sure your gun and mags (preferably unmodified) are totally reliable with the ammo you intend to use.
Make sure your belt, holster, mag pouch system is good quality and works for you.
Bring a good tactical flashlight (SureFire, Inforce, etc.) with a belt clip.
Wear appropriate clothing (good shoes, cap). You may want to consider long pants and long sleeve shirts the first two days when they go over various improvised shooting positions such as kneeling and prone.
Strongly recommend you bring electronic ear muffs hearing protection so you can easily hear commands and what the instructors are saying when they coach you on the line, etc. Also, clear wrap around eye protection.
Plan your hotel and meals to make them as easy and convenient as possible since you're out in the middle of nowhere.
Since the course is all about learning fundamentals, techniques, self defense, etc. I would avoid focusing too much on the tools (gun type, caliber, mods, etc.) and avoid experimenting with any new tools or mods. Not the place or time to experiment with tools; rather it's the time to experiment and learn technique.

Hope this helps. Enjoy!


Wow great info, thanks!

I bought my father a Foursevens light for his birthday, guess I'll be having him ship that to me for a week.


What about knee/elbow pads and shooting gloves? Will I be needing those?

[bluemonday]

Wow great info, thanks!

What about knee/elbow pads and shooting gloves? Will I be needing those?

Unless you have a pre-existing elbow/knee problem, I don't think you need pads for the 250 course.

Personally, I reserve pads for long gun courses.

[travDMH]

Unless you have a pre-existing elbow/knee problem, I don't think you need pads for the 250 course.

Personally, I reserve pads for long gun courses.

I see, thanks. An email sent from GS had them on the item list. I went out and bought some gloves just because they're good to have. My others are all worn out anyway