Apologies for the tardiness of our monthly newsletter but saying it has been a whirlwind of work here is not accurate. More like a Midwest tornado. Grab a coffee or beverage, as this one is a bit longer than usual.
The young and lovely Mrs. Campbell and I returned from our Caribbean Cruise (although if you followed on social media, I did do some work from the back of the boat. OK, the bar, smoking cigars, but doing work emails and some other writing.) Back a week and Shari (Campbell), Shari (LeGate), Buz and I were off to NRA for almost a week. Grand to be back in my old area of operations. Shari LeGate, in full Director of Marketing mode, kept dragging me away from old friends and students I was visiting with so we could keep our scheduled appointments.
We sealed our arrangements with Colt to begin production of the Colt Gunsite Combat Commander. If all goes as planned, we hope to have them in the (new) Pro Shop this Fall. We also met with several other industry partners and will have more to share in forthcoming months.
Back another week and we were headed to Atlanta for three days for the Firearms Industry Conference. This is 300+ Firearms Industry professionals meeting to discuss FFL Technology, FFL Compliance and Firearm Law and Finance put on by Orchid and William Mullen. It had excellent seminars relating directly to our business. Apparently, everyone else they asked said “No” and I was asked to be their keynote address, speaking on “Make Ready for Life and Business.” I did not get the “crooked cane” and drug off the stage and many attendants came to visit after the speech and throughout the conference. Thanks to Leland Nichols for the opportunity.
While all that was going on, the construction projects at Gunsite continue. The new Instructor Bunkhouse should be completed within 45 days (Well, we are on contractor time . . .) and the new Office and Pro Shop shortly thereafter. The trusses were delivered for the new Restrooms and shower. You will not recognize the campus.
If you come to classes in the next month or so, you might be delayed a few minutes as we repave Gunsite Road. We have done repairs the last few years, but time for a major upgrade.
Our industry partner and friends with Gun Stories have been here all week filming their next season. Their star (Well, besides our own Cory Trapp) Joe Mantegna returned for filming. We had a wonderful dinner with Joe and the producers. What a wonderful group of people. Watch for their 2024 season.
Also this week was the Jeff Cooper Memorial 250 Pistol Class. Long-time Gunsite Instructors Dave Harris (RM), Jerry McCown and Mario Marchman assisted by the youngster instructor Jerry Parsley had a grand time with all 1911 pistols, leather gear and no optics. (“When ships were made of wood and men were made of iron.”) Lindy Cooper Wisdom attended lunch with them on Thursday and entertained all with stories of Jeff and Janelle. Of course, the Sconce tour with tea, lemonade and brownies was a big hit. This class will be back the week of May 10, 2024, so if it sounds interesting, get ready to register!
Speaking of 2024, the calendar went to the printer for its first draft this week. It takes about 5-6 iterations for all parties involved to proofread the final document. (Who will be in the calendar photos in 2024?) Watch early July for the 2024 calendar to be posted.
The “Traveling Raven Contest” continues. With all the aforementioned work going on, I simply have not had time to review all the photos and do a “Google Maps” distance. So, if you want to send your hat, tat, shirt, etc. and something that shows your location to me, there is still some time to win the prize!
The Glock Shooting Sports Foundation Match is this weekend under the supervision of RM Lew Gosnell. Next week is Defensive 3 Gun, Ladies’ Pistol 1 and 2, 123 Basic Carbine, Stoeger/Benelli will be here for a media event, and Davidson’s will also be filming with Leupold. Later in May is the Indiana 160 Shotgun with Pete Feeney and Brian DeKind at the Lebanon Police Range, Precision Rifle, the ever popular All Steel Pistol Range Day, 270 Rifle, 350 Pistol, and Nashville 250 at the beautiful Royal Range and more.
The debut of the new Advanced Tactical Pistol Problems/Simulators is May 22. This is a 3-day class with all simulators of some sort. Many have asked for it, so here it is. It will be offered again the week following GAS.
GAS Match! October 7 is not that far away! The prizes (guns and more) continue to accrue. We will have a couple of rifles from the late John Gannaway estate. (John was an early Gunsite Instructor, friend of Jeff Cooper and master of the heavy rifles.) These rifles will be auctioned off with proceeds benefitting the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation. Over 150 contestants have registered. We close registration at 250, so it might be wise to get registered soonest.
June roars in with 270 Rifle, 350 Intermediate Pistol, the Nashville 250, 223 Carbine, Church Defense, 556 Advanced Carbine, the Alaska Close Quarters Pistol and Edged Weapons (Dave Hartman and John Hutchison), Hollywood Weapons is back filming, BRAVE Carbine, Nashville CQP, Active Shooter, 150 Pistol, Seasoned Citizen CQP and more. Whew . . . .
Needless to say, the Gunsite staff continues to work hard to make your Gunsite epiphany the absolute best experience we can.
Remember that we can tailor a private class for you and your friends, family, and co-workers. Contact Training Director Dave Hartman (Hartman@gunsite.com) to discuss the sordid details.
As always . . .“When are you coming (back) to Gunsite!
DVC,
Ken Campbell
