Review of the 250 Pistol Class in April 2021

This is my 19th year in law enforcement. As a California police officer in a smaller city, I’m currently assigned to patrol and field training officer duties along the California/USA – Mexico border. As a collateral duty, I am assigned as a department Range Master and work as a police academy firearms instructor. During the past few years, violence along the border has been escalating, the political climate has been volatile, and due to hate speech against law enforcement, a few have declared a violent “war” against police officers. As a firearms instructor, my knowledge, skills, and abilities, are rarely criticized by fellow staff. To maintain, sharpen my skills, and better protect my community if the need ever arises, I began the search for firearms instruction from a reputable training facility. I found Gunsite and began researching their instructors on the bio page. I was impressed. Gunsite instructors have real-world experience that includes law enforcement, military, or both. Many are published writers in gun or tactical magazines as well as being featured on training videos. My instructors were Freddie Blish, Verlin Rector, and John Hutchison — all the best of the best! On the first day of the 250 Pistol Class — all the way to the fifth day, I feel I received value for the amount I paid for the course. The instructors helped me discover old, but bad habits and correct “training scars” developed over 21 years. If you have never fired a gun before, I recommend this course for you because you haven’t yet developed “bad habits.” Several of my fellow students were beginner shooters and at the end of the course, they have earned their way to me feeling comfortable bringing them with me during a potential deadly encounter. Those of you who are firearms instructors, or who have attended many hours of firearms training as I have, you will still find this course beneficial and valuable. For experienced shooters, if you feel this course might be a “beginning” course, that is far from the truth. The course is a fundamental course that will reinforce your skills or help you develop new abilities. And, the Gunsite qualification standard is high and those who are in for the challenge, must put plenty of effort into the course or become defeated. Last, the 250 Pistol Class is not a “shooting” class. Yes, you will shoot, but the greater skill is the gunfighting skills your instructors will show you. You will be challenged to learn "The Modern Technique": Mindset, Gun Handling, and Marksmanship. In the end, I am sure you will agree with me — Gunsite is not just a firearms school — Gunsite is a community of good people, good people with guns. Everyone out here is approachable and very friendly. I bear testament that this school really offers “The Gunsite Experience.” Hope to see you all soon!

Shaun Edward Sundahl, 250 Defensive Pistol Class, April 19-23, 2021, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

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