Gunfyter
Member
My brother and I have decided to attend one of the better known firearms schools next year and are looking at Gunsite and Thunder Ranch. If you've been to either or both and would care to share your experiences, please do so.
Gunsite vs Thunder Ranch
- Thread starter Gunfyter
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bamawrx
Member
I don't think you would be sorry with either. I have been to several schools including TR and while different they have all been worth while. You will probably find that you will benefit from attending both schools over time.
I chose to go to Gunsite for a few different reasons that probably won't help you in your decision process: first of all, I had heard about Gunsite and Jeff Cooper since I was a young kid. It was definitely the first gun school I had ever heard of. Second, it is an easy drive from my house. Third, I met several people who had been to Gunsite and at least one Gunsite instructor on-line and was able to ask them questions about it, so I wasn't going in blind.
I have now been there four times and have taken Basic and Advanced Carbine, Basic Handgun, and Basic Shotgun. Obviously I had a great time and highly recommend the place. I wish I could go back several times each year.
I was going to go to Thunder Ranch this year, but had an issue with them that really turned me off and I probably will not try that school. Over the years, I have heard some things about TR that doesn't appeal to me personally, but that doesn't make it a bad place. I am sure it is everything it is cracked up to be and I am not trying to put it down: it just doesn't appeal to me. I am absolutely sure that you won't be sorry going to either place and I am equally sure that you will have a great time at either.
There are a number of shools and classes out there that are terrific. There are also ways to take classes that are cheaper than going to one of the major schools.
I have now been there four times and have taken Basic and Advanced Carbine, Basic Handgun, and Basic Shotgun. Obviously I had a great time and highly recommend the place. I wish I could go back several times each year.
I was going to go to Thunder Ranch this year, but had an issue with them that really turned me off and I probably will not try that school. Over the years, I have heard some things about TR that doesn't appeal to me personally, but that doesn't make it a bad place. I am sure it is everything it is cracked up to be and I am not trying to put it down: it just doesn't appeal to me. I am absolutely sure that you won't be sorry going to either place and I am equally sure that you will have a great time at either.
There are a number of shools and classes out there that are terrific. There are also ways to take classes that are cheaper than going to one of the major schools.
Smoke
Member
Once again I must promote this place
Best training I have ever received (Done TR, not done GS) Greg is a hoot and the best all around defense oriented trainer I've had the plesure of meeting.
Smoke
Best training I have ever received (Done TR, not done GS) Greg is a hoot and the best all around defense oriented trainer I've had the plesure of meeting.
Smoke
El Tejon
Member
So, basic handgun or what?
Been to both. The lineage of the doctrine is very similar. Clint Smith quit the Allen County Sheriff's Department to become Cooper's ramrod at API, got hurt and went to work for HK then later TR.
You will learn a great deal at either. What is it that you are looking for???
You can find my write ups of classes at TR here at THR and at TFL (I tried to do different classes--rifle, carbine, shotgun, pistol). My alias at TFL is KSFreeman (it's somehow tied to my name but since I'm a supersecret operator fauxninja of death I refuse to tell you who I am).
THR's Doc, my good friend who I met at TR, has a thread about TROreygun. Might want to check it out.
Been to both. The lineage of the doctrine is very similar. Clint Smith quit the Allen County Sheriff's Department to become Cooper's ramrod at API, got hurt and went to work for HK then later TR.
You will learn a great deal at either. What is it that you are looking for???
You can find my write ups of classes at TR here at THR and at TFL (I tried to do different classes--rifle, carbine, shotgun, pistol). My alias at TFL is KSFreeman (it's somehow tied to my name but since I'm a supersecret operator fauxninja of death I refuse to tell you who I am).
THR's Doc, my good friend who I met at TR, has a thread about TROreygun. Might want to check it out. DelayedReaction
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Are there any good schools on the eastern shore area, say MD/VA? I'm looking for a good beginner pistol course with concealed carry.
I've taken Gunsite's 250, 250-C, 350 and 499. I also wanted to go to TR, but it never fell into place. (Gunsite's closer, anyway.) Blackwater is an excellent school, as is The Rogers School near Atlanta. They remain on my "To do" list of training vendors.
A lot of the instructors used by the "name" schools also offer their own training classes at various locations around the country. Look over the training offerings over at 1911Forum.com's Training board and search for the web pages of the trainers most frequently mentioned. (There's a reason.) I recall a lot of classes being offered up your way this year.
I've trained with Randy Cain twice. His "Basic Handgun" is extremely good. I learned something new each time and, more importantly, how much I DIDN'T know.
I can also recommend Tom Givens and Jim Higginbotham. (Rangemaster out of Memphis, TN.)
Good Luck!!
A lot of the instructors used by the "name" schools also offer their own training classes at various locations around the country. Look over the training offerings over at 1911Forum.com's Training board and search for the web pages of the trainers most frequently mentioned. (There's a reason.) I recall a lot of classes being offered up your way this year.
I've trained with Randy Cain twice. His "Basic Handgun" is extremely good. I learned something new each time and, more importantly, how much I DIDN'T know.
I can also recommend Tom Givens and Jim Higginbotham. (Rangemaster out of Memphis, TN.)
Good Luck!!
Gunfyter
Member
Hey guys, thanks for all of the excellent replies and advice. We aren't rookies, we've attended two different sessions with ComTac, Tactical Pistol 100 and 200. For whatever reason, ComTac seems to have gone the way of the dinosauer so we're looking to expand our horizons. I'll look uo the threads that you mentioned. Again, thanks.
Otherguy Overby
member
East Coasting
You could try: http://www.blackwaterusa.com/
I've not been there, but people have said good things about Blackwater.
Now if:
Blackwater
P.O. Box 1029
Moyock, NC 27958
Is not far enough east for you:
Blackwater USA has recently opened two new offices. The Baghdad and Amman Jordan offices are open now.
Post a review, eh?
You could try: http://www.blackwaterusa.com/
I've not been there, but people have said good things about Blackwater.
Now if:
Blackwater
P.O. Box 1029
Moyock, NC 27958
Is not far enough east for you:
Blackwater USA has recently opened two new offices. The Baghdad and Amman Jordan offices are open now.
Post a review, eh?
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