50 years ago, the legendary Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper stepped into the gently rolling terrain of central Arizona. He planted his flag and established one of the most respected and successful shooting schools in history. A history that is still being written as Gunsite celebrates its 50th anniversary, and it looks to the future.
50 Years – Looking Back on Five Decades
John Dean “Jeff” Cooper founded what was initially the American Pistol Institute in 1976. He established it with the intent of teaching a shooting method called the Modern Technique. Cooper was much more than just a gun aficionado. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford and a master’s degree in history from the University of California, Riverdale. Cooper received a commission in the United States Marine Corps in September of 1941 and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
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He also served in the Korean War, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He would later teach history at the college level. Cooper is credited with several firearms doctrines, including the four firearms safety rules and the color-coded awareness system. Col. Cooper is also a prolific writer, having penned columns for countless magazines and several successful books. One of his most popular books shared his passion for not only topics such as hunting and firearms, but also for the fundamental principles of being an upstanding person. To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth is as much a look at Col. Cooper as it is a great source of information and stories. Col. Cooper died at his home on the afternoon of Monday, September 25, 2006, at the age of 86.
American Pistol Institute
In 1992, the American Pistol Institute became Gunsite Training Center. Then, in December of 1999, Gunsite was purchased by Buz Mills, himself a graduate of the Cooper-run Gunsite. Mr. Mills made some crucial improvements, including expanding the acreage, adding new ranges, upgrading roads, and more. At that point, it became known as Gunsite Academy and has since enjoyed a resurgence of success and prestige. Gunsite has trained a spectrum of students, from civilians learning the fundamentals of marksmanship to foreign military personnel seeking advanced weapons training.
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It has been a go-to school for serious law enforcement training for decades and continues to develop modern courses that adapt to changing times and threats. Gunsite has also been a draw for celebrities and dignitaries over the years. While many choose to embrace the anonymity that Gunsite professionally provides, some are quick to share their experiences. Some of the more well-known students include Joe Mantegna, Katie Pavlich, Tom Selleck, and even King Abdullah of Jordan.
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More Than Handgun
While the early days of the American Pistol Institute were obviously handgun-centric, the modern Gunsite Academy is a diverse gold mine of training opportunities. A variety of handgun courses remains a core component of their training, and they populate their schedule. Ranging from the beginner “250-Pistol Class” to their “499-Advanced Pistol Class,” these are in many ways the cornerstone of Gunsite, yet they are just a part of a spectrum of training. Classes include multiple levels of carbine, shotgun, and extreme long-range rifle. They also include unique courses such as Active Shooter / Terrorist Response for civilians, Defensive Vehicle Tactics Training, and Disaster Preparedness Tactics, to name a few. Along with their publicly listed courses, Gunsite hosts countless private training events each year.
Ken Campbell
At the day-to-day helm is Ken Campbell. As the CEO of Gunsite, Ken has been instrumental in much of the company’s success and growth. Ken began teaching at Gunsite in 1992 and brings 35 years of real-world experience.
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The facility itself is spectacular. Sitting just west of Paulden, Arizona, about twenty miles north of Prescott, in the high Sonoran Desert, it is a beautiful location. Surrounded by rolling hills at 5000 feet, it is brushed by the western sun with wide-open landscapes that will bring pause to any visitor. The ranges themselves are woven into the landscape and manage to mix a shooting school with a nature experience. They have a variety of different ranges, purpose-built for their class offerings.
Complete Training
One of the things that has set Gunsite apart from other schools is its complete approach to training. Their goal is to do more than just teach the mechanics of shooting; rather, to develop the proper mindset for utilizing their training. A general statement from Gunsite says it well, “Here, we teach marksmanship – how to hit what you aim at. However, Gunsite goes beyond this simple discipline to include principles of gun handling and mindset. This we call the Combat Triad. We offer multiple levels of instruction in handguns, carbines, shotguns, bolt-action rifles, and precision rifles. Each discipline is informed by the Combat Triad. The instructors at Gunsite have served in Law Enforcement, the military, or both. Each Instructor is fully imbued with the doctrine and tradition of our school.”
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The instructors at Gunsite are very carefully chosen. They are all highly trained men and women who have been there, done that. They have a background in the military or law enforcement, or a high degree of experience and training in their field. Many have been with Gunsite since Jeff Cooper was the lead instructor. They are active and retired Marines, Special Forces, Navy, Army, and Air Force from Enduring Freedom, Vietnam, and Law Enforcement agencies around the country.
Gunsite at 50 Years
It is rare, if not impossible, to find an assembled cadre with such a deep background in their specific specialties. It is because of this commitment to excellence that Gunsite has enjoyed 50 years of success. Mix in an exceptional administrative element, and it is easy to understand why Gunsite is seen as the pinnacle of shooting schools.
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For more information, visit Gunsite.
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