Gunsite February Newsletter

Ground Hog Day and SHOT Show Review and More!

The Gunsite crew is back safe, sound and no SHOT Show crud. We were worn out upon returning to the Gunsite Ranch, but healthy. Over 55,000 industry professionals attended with a record number of exhibitors. (2,600 companies displaying products and services,821,000 net square feet.)  I know my Fit-Bit said I walked a little over 43 miles. (Bourbon is really a pharmaceutical)

It was grand seeing so many Gunsite Family members, many wearing the Gunsite shirts, hats, and pins. And if you did not have a pin on, you probably did before you got out of our grasp. Much good business was conducted, some to be announced soon, some next year and some for the 50th Anniversary in 2026. (How is that for a teaser?)

Lever guns were a hot item. Gunsite has been a supporter of lever rifles for many years. Col. Cooper had the “Brooklyn Special” customized in the Gunsmithy in a variety of calibers. (Mine is .444Marlin, but most were the venerable 30-30.) We have also been offering a Lever Gun-Pistol class annually for about five (5) years here at Gunsite, (https://www.gunsite.com/classes/defensive-lever-gun-handgun/).

Bond Arms, Marlin, Aero Precision, Smith & Wesson, and more are making the traditional lever guns and tactical versions with rails, “red dot” optics and more. (Bond Arms uses an AR platform magazine.)  One of the advantages of the lever gun is the lack of an “evil profile” of a black gun. Too many just dislike the Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) because of its appearance. When they see a lever gun, they think of cowboys. They apparently have not watched Gus in Lonesome Dove fighting the Comanches.

It was also good to see political office holders such as IN Attorney General Todd Rokita, IN State Treasurer Daniel Elliott, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and more. Look to Guns Magazine Podcasts as Gunsite Family Member Brent Wheat interviewed several of these folks as well as many more. He got to the bottom of the barrel and Gunsite Range Master and American Cop Editor Erick Gelhaus, and I closed out the show with him on Friday afternoon. (https://gunsmagazine.com/category/videos/)

Classes start back tomorrow starting with a 150 Pistol and Carbine Range Day and 556 Advanced Carbine. The rest of the month includes 250 Pistol, 270 General Rifle, the Advanced 1911Build Course, Tactical Concealed Carry Pistol Seasoned Citizen 250, Nashville250 Pistol at Royal Range, 260 Shotgun, 350 Pistol, and numerous private tutorials. We are also hosting long-time gun writer Dick Williams and the “Gunsite Irregulars” for their usual three days of a variety of guns and training.

One of the unusual classes upcoming is the Safari Prep-Suppressed Rifle Course with Mossberg and other sponsors. This should prove to be interesting. I’ll give a first-hand report on social media.

Construction has slowed due to the weather and is awaiting Yavapai County approval for the changes in our zoning. (We are near to exceeding the allowed student numbers!)  But if you have not been to Gunsite in a year or so, you will not recognize the campus.

The NRA Great American Outdoor Show is in Harrisburg PA next week. Buz Mills, Shari LeGate and I will be there visiting for a few days. Hope to see Gunsite Family wearing their Gunsite gear.(Friday and Saturday).

Enough for today other than the reminder to keep yourself in Yellow as you go about.

And . . . “When are you coming(back) to Gunsite!”

Ken

To read the newsletter in it’s entirety, visit:

http://mailchi.mp/gunsite/february-2024-gunsite-newsletter-611393