Gunsite Testimonials

Some of the thousand testimonials we have received are below. Please scan through them to understand just how pleases clients are with our training

Name*
Email*
Title*
Your Comments*
What class did you take?
Class
Where did you take the class?
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Testimonials

Gunsite’s Nashville Simulator Class

Nashville Close Quarters Pistol, Pat Y., Royal Range, Nashville TN.

I attended Gunsite’s Nashville Simulator class at Royal Range July 24 – 26. I understand it was the first of its kind. This was an exceptional class – which is not only my assessment – but that of each of my classmates. I have taken many handgun classes many times, including close-quarters defense, active shooter, and vehicle defense. The tactics behind decision-making in those classes has been of great value, but never really put to the test. In the Nashville Simulator class several unique...

Read Full Review »

Nashville Simunitions Class

, Tim A., Nashville, TN

Landen and I just took Nashville Simulations three day class at Royal Range and I wanted to give some feedback. Overall the course was about 1/3 square range and 2/3 shoot house. Ron ran us through drills that prepared us for “close encounters of the dangerous kind” ie. retention shooting, charging bad guys, retreating bad guys, shooting multiple targets at different ranges while moving/ reloading. While this was going on we rotated into the shoot house with different scenarios that Jeff setup....

Read Full Review »

What to Expect at Gunsite – Ladies Edition

250 Defensive Pistol Class, Sharon Williams, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

My family and I just returned from our first 250 class. It was an amazing experience that we had looked forward to and planned for over a year. Purchasing the gear needed for the class, deciding on our lodging, and what we would eat was the easy part. The harder part was trying to figure out what to wear and what to expect for my teenage daughter and me. Some ladies shoot regularly and have a full wardrobe of pants with pockets, shooting shirts, and are comfortable wearing a holster and mag...

Read Full Review »

For this lesson, I will be forever grateful.

223 Defensive Carbine, Dan W., Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

The Right to Keep and Bear Firearms is a Constitutional Right not to be challenged or taken away by any well intended ‘Do-gooders’. This is a lesson that we all live by as Free Citizens of Our Republic. I always learn a Life Lesson whenever I attend a class at Gunsite Academy. I never know what it will be until a few days after I return to my daily life. The Life Lesson that I learned this session is Teamwork. This is a Life Skill that most individuals never learn. Will I ever use these tactics...

Read Full Review »

Amazing class

350 Intermediate Pistol Class, Charles Keeran, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

I finished up the brand new senior citizen 350 class on handguns known as SC350. This is the first class offered for senior citizen pistol training at the intermediate level. The class was well laid out and used the building block approach to refresh our memories from the SC250 and 250 class that we had all attended. Pete and Jerry did an outstanding job of bringing us up to speed again and then started adding new things for us to learn and interspersed the learning with some fun events that put...

Read Full Review »

Application of Principles learned in BRAVE Class

Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters 2, Watson T., Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

Hey guys…An unfortunate run-in with a good outcome. I’ll try to keep this short. Flew to San Antonio for Thanksgiving weekend with my wife Deb and 85-year old neighbor Jeanne. Jeanne is family, i.e. think “Watson’s Mom”, as mine is long passed. Jeanne’s strong, but at 85 is “brittle”. When we’re out, I generally have an arm on her for safety. Had a great time. Last full day, Saturday, ladies wanted to go for a walk around downtown after a late breakfast. Lot’s of upbeat people,...

Read Full Review »

Excellent 350 Intermediate Pistol Class & GAS

350 Intermediate Pistol Class, David C., Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

It’s 0430 hrs on Sunday morning after the GAS match I am moved to send you some thoughts about this past week. You opened my 350 class by saying that Gunsite’s strengths come from its instructors. I didn’t fully understand the weight of that statement until the week had passed. These are some thoughts. Joe Knapp has a “ command presence “ that examples leadership , caliber, and character that is rarely found today. It is obvious as soon as he begins to speak and in the way he carries himself....

Read Full Review »

Testimonial (from the old days)

250 Defensive Pistol Class, Adobe Walls, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

This is a testimonial. I attended the 250 course in December 1977 and it changed my life, went back in 78. I still use the same Series 70 1911 with the WWI hammer - perfect for dry fire. What's different? I now carry two reload mags, not one. What's the same? Well, I'm 67yrs old now, and I could change, sure. I could. But last year I taught my 26yr old son - who was interested in 1911s - how to shoot at a local Appleseed range. After 10 weekend sessions, and after buying him a dern gunbelt for...

Read Full Review »

Active Shooter / Terrorist Response – 2017

Direct Response To Active Shooter, Scott D., Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

The day I'm writing this review, uniformed police officers entered my client's office building to "escort" someone off the premises for reasons unknown. The incident was resolved quitely, but would you have known what to do if it had started as an active shooter situation instead? My family and I took the Active Shooter / Terrorist Response course in 2017 and it was hands-down the best class at Gunsite. In Active Shooter we learned if, how, and when we should move towards the sound of gunfire in...

Read Full Review »

B.R.A.V.E (2017)

BRAVE – Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters, Scott D., Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

Marksmanship, gun handling, and mindset - the combat triad. In 250 and 350 my family and I focused intently on the first two, but we only scratched the surface on developing a combat mindset. Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters (BRAVE) is the first of Gunsite's tactical courses and one in which you will learn how to THINK with a gun in your hand. I took BRAVE in 2017 because it covered all the bases - defense against street crimes, vehicle defense, and home defense. BRAVE teaches...

Read Full Review »

B.R.A.V.E 2 (2019)

Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters 2, Scott D., Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

The continuation of the tactical series at Gunsite, BRAVE 2 dives even deeper into the nuts and bolts of armed problem-solving. We started with a one-day spin-up on the square range before moving on to extended techniques for street, vehicle, and home defense. Old favorites like the Mary Catherine drill were re-introduced but with the added complexity of engaging from behind cover / concealment. Movement in defilade was emphasized throughout the course, and as the training progressed we switched...

Read Full Review »

Superb Training Experience

Church Defense, J. D. Paul, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

I attended the Church Defense course this past June. It was extremely valuable, covering numerous issues associated with church defense, analyzing past incidents as to what worked and what did not. The marksmanship drills prepared the students for the more stressful and higher fidelity incident drills incorporating frangible and simunition rounds. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable, professional and above all, safe. I took copious notes and feel much better prepared for the possibility...

Read Full Review »

BRAVE Class Review

BRAVE – Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters, Mike M, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

If you don't have time to read more, please just know that this is a fantastic class! Sign up! BRAVE offers a wonderful blend of several skill sets: identifying pre-attack indicators, close quarters fighting, vehicle defense, home defense, movement, post-fight actions, first aid and others. Best of all, the course is taught by highly experienced "street cops." They know many of the tricks used by thugs and they teach you how to detect and deal with these threats. I have attended many Gunsite...

Read Full Review »

I tell everyone,Gunsite is the Harvard of shooting schools.

BRAVE – Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters, Thomas Newcomb, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

I have been to classes all over the country. Several of the most famous.I tell everyone,Gunsite is the Harvard of shooting schools. If you think you are ever going to have to use your weapon to defend yourself, you better go to Gunsite. Great intructor etc....

Read Full Review »

Retired Engineer/Manager

Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters 2, Dr. Richard A. (Dick) Martin, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

This will be a brief review, but please believe how much I care about Gunsite, the instructors, and the staff. About me...I have a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and am 75 years old and retired obviously. I have worked in engineering and management at NASA (6 years) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (30 years). I was a Reserve Police Officer in Los Alamos for 6 years. I regularly shoot pistol competition, shotgun, and rifle and have given some instruction. My nine (9) courses at Gunsite taken...

Read Full Review »

The culmination of your training is B.R.A.V.E. 2! Best course I ever took!

Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters 2, Watson Tranter, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend a number of Gunsite classes over the years, including pistol, shotgun, carbine, and other specialty classes. Without exception, the training I've received has been excellent. Unfortunately, violence on the streets has little to do with the "square range". How will a violent encounter present itself? Do you have the situational awareness to recognize it as it develops? Can you avoid? Escape? Diffuse? Do you have a "less-than-lethal"...

Read Full Review »

B.R.A.V.E. Class

BRAVE – Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters, Ray Sirianne, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

In addition to numerous Gunsite pistol and carbine classes, I've taken the Citizen Response to Active Shooter class - which was the inaugural class that evolved into the BRAVE class - as well as the BRAVE class itself. Both classes were run by Bob Whaley and assisted by great luminaries like Jay Tuttle and Steve Hendricks. There was so much great practical instruction packed into both classes that stepped up my everyday situational awareness to the point where I live constantly in Condition...

Read Full Review »

Church Defense Class is relevant and challenging

Church Defense, Terry Phipps, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

I am a leader on my church security team and when the Church Defense class was introduced I knew I wanted to attend. I have taken the 250, 350 and 223 classes and knew the course would be well planned and have excellent instructors. Lew, Mike and Scott did a fantastic job in conducting the class. There were beginners as well as seasoned shooters and everyone had a challenging week. Lots of shooting, relevant scenarios and simulator stages kept us on our toes. I would encourage anyone involved in...

Read Full Review »

Best Education You Can Get

250 Defensive Pistol Class, R. Hyman, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

My father went to Gunsite Academy 43 years ago as a Deputy Sheriff out of Atlanta, GA. I can still remember him telling me about the school. 43 years later I finally made the journey myself and Gunsite did not disappoint! They tell you up front that their intention is not to meet any expectations you have of their school, but to exceed them, and that is exactly what they do. I went to Gunsite because I carry daily. Everywhere I go with the exception of work (I work on a Military Base). As a...

Read Full Review »

Gunsite Academy

250 Defensive Pistol Class, Berry381, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

I attended Gunsite for the VETS250 class. What a great experience! The instructors were everything you would expect from a top shooting facility and more. Each instructor was approachable and always engaged with the students to provide coaching and correction. After just a week, I know I am a better shooter with.a bagful of new techniques and skills. The facility is amazing. The square ranges have plenty of room for all students, the simulation houses and outdoor ranges were challenging and fun....

Read Full Review »

Unforgettable Experience

350 Intermediate Pistol Class, Annonymous, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

Wonderful location, serious training for all levels of experience on the use of firearms. From the novice to the professional operator, Gunsite provides the facilities, the instructors and the safe environment required to build on your self defense skills as well as professional training for the advanced and for our brave warriors. Family friendly, kids enjoy themselves to no end while learning responsibility and self control. For the 3 gunners out there, this place is a must in order to round...

Read Full Review »

An amazing experience

250 Defensive Pistol Class, Coach M, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

Gunsite Academy offers a wide rage of classes across several variations of firearms. I have now taken three different courses and each experience has been better than the last. The facilities are top notch, the instructors are the best around. You will not find a better curriculum or instruction for learning the techniques and tactics involved in safe and effective firearms use. If you own a firearm, this is the first and only place you should go to learn how to use it. Simply an amazing...

Read Full Review »

An experience of a lifetime.

250 Defensive Pistol Class, Bill H., Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

At Gunsite they call it "The Gunsite Experience" Founded by the late Col Jeff Cooper, Gunsite has long been on my bucket list. So often with things long anticipated, they fail to deliver. At Gunsite they deliver above and beyond expectation. The Staff and Instructors are experienced, knowledgeable and effective. Instruction delivers building blocks for both a mindset and skill set to effectively protect yourself and your loved ones. During the week those building blocks coalesce to form a solid...

Read Full Review »

Ladies Pistol 1 & 2

Ladies Pistol 2 Day, Lona Smeltzer, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

I cannot say enough wonderful things about my personal experience at Gunsite Academy I recently attended the Ladies 150/250 Pistol class in May of 2019, and I must say it was life changing. Not only was I taught in an extremely safe and professional environment I felt as if I were in a family with three brothers (John, Jarrod and Chris) each teaching me something from their level of expertise (Military/LE). In the beginning I was concerned about special treatment since this was an all woman’s...

Read Full Review »

A lady in the BRAVE Class

BRAVE – Ballistic Response Against Violent Encounters, Annonymous, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

Gunsite has changed my life so much. I was incredibly afraid to shoot prior to my 250 class. Along with many other things, the Brave course has taught me that I need to do more to become comfortable and confident. Jay was good to drive that message home and it is resonating with me. It is funny how you know that you are missing something, but aren’t sure what it was until someone points it out. One other thing that I believe worth mentioning is something that I heard several times from various...

Read Full Review »

A Hiker’s view of the 250 Pistol Class

250 Defensive Pistol Class, Annonymous, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

I attended the 250 Pistol Class last May, and found the training to be extremely valuable. You may remember me being the guy who does a lot of hiking and photography I hiked/climbed over 100 miles / 50,000 feet last summer and found my configuration worked very well. The training I received at Gunsite definitely contributed to my ability to safely and confidently carry my pistol. I also believe my skill level and confidence was noticeable by other hikers I encountered while hiking. I always...

Read Full Review »

A Week at Gunsite Academy

250 Defensive Pistol Class, Annonymous, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cm0mmFxURI...

Read Full Review »

A Rural Arizona School Superintendent’s Experience at Gunsite Academy

250 Defensive Pistol Class, Angela Jangula, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

Dear Gunsite Family, My name is Angela Jangula and I am the superintendent at Cañon Elementary School District #50 in Black Canyon City, Arizona. I believe I have one of the most important jobs in the world that involves our most precious cargo…kids. Cañon is a small, rural school and it often takes law enforcement, fire departments, and other individuals at least 15-20 minutes (minimum) to respond on campus to an emergency call. This is nobody’s fault, just a reality of rural schools....

Read Full Review »

Did You Know…

Tactical Concealed Carry Pistol, Gary Kermott, Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

Did you know that the Concealed Carry Pistol class is a new class this year? Did you know it took over a year of planning to put together the syllabus for this class? I didn't know this until I took the class on Sept. 17-21, 2018. The class is a combination of 250, 350, close quarters pistol, vehicle defense, night shooting, and so much more. I wanted to start carrying concealed but felt uneasy and unprepared to do so even though I had taken the 250 pistol class. This class was enormously...

Read Full Review »

The Gunsite Experience Through The Eyes Of A Long Term Shooter

250 Defensive Pistol Class, Rick D., Gunsite, Paulden, AZ

I took my first Gunsite Class when I was 71 years old. I had been shooting all types of firearms for more than 50 years by then and participated in various shooting sports with Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun. I carried a legally concealed weapon on and off for 30 years in various states as a civilian but never in any official capacity. I also was a certified Rifle and Pistol NRA Instructor and trained many Boy Scouts in firearm use and safety. I took the basic 250 Pistol Class basically to spend some...

Read Full Review »

« Previous Page

Gunsite offers firearm training to elite military personnel, law enforcement officers and free citizens of the US. We knowledgeable Americans take our rights very seriously, and the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States guarantees each citizen the right to keep and bear arms. However, with each right comes an equal responsibility to discharge that right effectively, legally, safely and within the bounds of morality. Rights demand responsibility. Owning a piano does not make one a pianist any more than owning a handgun makes one a good shooter. Only an effective, safe and authoritative program of study can guarantee that in a moment of danger YOU will act to protect yourself, your loved ones or the ones you are sworn to with self defense firearms training skills.