Gunsite’s response to “What in the world is being taught out there?”

We read with interest the recent blog post by Jeffrey Denning about “GunSite” (sic).  The author writes based on what he has heard, read on our Facebook page, and a brief conversation with our training director, and yet without attending a single course at Gunsite.  He asks:  “What in the world is being taught out there?”

You need to know, as Paul Harvey used to say:  “The rest of the story.”

Gunsite was founded in 1976 by retired Marine Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper.  Cooper will forever be remembered for the strides he made in firearms training (The Modern Technique) that are still in use today throughout the world by reputable trainers, law enforcement, military and “regular earth people.”

The author espouses that we are using the same techniques as used during the 1970’s.  We do continue to use and teach continually proven shooting techniques with pistols, carbines, rifles, shotguns and long range rifles.  Saying we have been stagnant is far from the truth.  The Modern Technique has evolved during the last near forty (40) years, based upon reports from the battlefield (in country and out) as to what works and why.  We have never been, and never will be “The gun of the month club” nor “the technique of the week group.”  We use what we believe keeps good people alive, based upon on-going and regular field reports and the real world experiences of the current and retired military and law enforcement staff members.

The author takes issue with the Weaver Stance (He refers to the “modified Weaver” and a grip method.)

We learned the Weaver Stance from the man who coined the phrase:  Jeff Cooper.  There are many “bastardized” versions and descriptions of the Weaver Stance about the shooting world.  If one looks at the attached photo of Col. Cooper in the Weaver Stance from many years ago, one does not see the bladed stance often described by those not knowing. Further, the photo in the Guns.com article has two (2) Gunsite instructors demonstrating the Weaver Stance in a Gunsite 250 Basic Pistol Course.  (Note there is no excessive blading of the shooter’s body as complained about by the author.)

Rather, one starts in a simple “boxers stance” (Same as one has used with a bow, rifle, shotgun, etc. for many, many years) with the feet shoulder width apart, strong side foot back a bit, toes toward the target, with center of gravity a bit forward.  The strong side arm pushes (about 60% pressure) and the support side arm, bent as is comfortable and as works for the shooter, downward, offering isometric tension as the shooter pulls back (about 40% pressure.)  This stance allows your body and physics to help control the perceived recoil of the weapon, regardless of your upper body strength. It is modified as need be dependent upon your shape, size and equipment load.

This stance is untold years old.  (How did the Roman Centurion stand and hold his shield and Gladius in battle?)  Simply put, it is a balanced fighting stance.

Proper trigger control, sight picture and sight alignment and proper follow through on both have always been a crucial part of our lesson plans as well.  It is a foundation of marksmanship.

Having said that, if one chooses to pay tuition to attend Gunsite (or any other reputable school) and chooses to not try the methods that we believe work in combat with citizens, law enforcement and military throughout the world: That is their choice.  We won’t force you to use any method as long as you are safe.
But . . . . What did you give us the time and money for?

I have attended other reputable training schools in my 35 years of training and always tried the other methods, keeping an open mind.  However, the Weaver Stance (A Fighting Stance) is what continues to work for me and what we believe to be the  largest group of folks in the greatest variety of circumstances.

We hope this description of what we offer at Gunsite helps clear up these misconceptions.  New students, regardless of their experience level, are always welcome to visit us in the high desert of Arizona at the Gunsite Ranch to learn The Modern Technique.  Please visit us at www.gunsite.com, on Facebook, or simply call at 928-636-4565.

Very Respectfully Yours,

Ken Campbell
Chief Operating Officer
Gunsite Academy, Inc.

About the author:

Sheriff (Ret.) Ken Campbell is the Chief Operating Officer at Gunsite Academy. Ken has been teaching at Gunsite since 1992 in the Pistol, Carbine, Rifle and Shotgun courses. He’s had over 35 years of experience at the Boone County Indiana Sheriff’s Office in Central Indiana when he retired in 2014. His duties have included: Special Response Team (SWAT) Team Commander, K-9 Handler, Crash Reconstructionist, Hazardous Materials Technician, Reserve Unit Commander, Shift Supervisor, Enforcement Division Captain, Firearms Instructor and Armorer, and two (2) terms as the elected Sheriff.