Thinking about Thunder Ranch

[BerettaNut92]

My mama so tactical, she only use Thunder Ranch dressing on da salad.

I have 2 full days of shotgun training and 4 days of formal handgun training but realize I am in need of rifle training.

I can either take a local carbine class or go to some place like Gunsite or Thunder Ranch.

What I am thinking of doing is taking a local carbine class, and while nothing is wrong with them, it would be fun to take a week long road trip rifle class that is considered to be the bestest of the bestest.

Any experiences at TR or Gunsite?

I want to, as KSFreeperson would say, walk the earf and go to skul.

 

[El Tejon]

Both API and TR are great places, Skunk. I can recommend several different places. We are fortunate to have many excellent instructors in this country.

Sounds like you are doing it right. Going to skul before you go to skul by getting some background.

But why the carbine first? If you were in a fight, wouldn't you more likely respond with a pistol than a carbine.

Good luck, brasshopper.

 

[BerettaNut92]

But why the carbine first? If you were in a fight, wouldn't you more likely respond with a pistol than a carbine.

Cuz I already have a couple days of handgun instruction but zero rifle instruction...What's API?

 

[Soap]

API=American Pistol Institute, now known as Gunsite.

 

[Denny Hansen]

Been to both schools, both are excellent. Gunsite is now offering a 3-day carbine that's a little less expensive and may be an option if time is a factor.

OTOH, Clint and Heidi will be moving to Oregon, (not immediate future) and you might want to attend Thunder Ranch under the man who made it famous while you can.

Denny

PS El Tejon=Kirk?

 

[BerettaNut92]

Arizona IS closer to Socal....

Thought about Gunsite but will consider TR, too. ARe they moving shop to Oregon, or is he leaving?

 

[Archer]

Have been to Gunsite. Have friends who have been to Thunder Ranch. Both places are excellent.

For you, here are some things to consider, none of which have anything to do with the quality of each facility;

-Gunsite is a 7 or 8 hour road trip for you (I10 to I40). Thunder Ranch is likely a plane trip. Think about the logistics of flying with your guns (forget the ammo). On the other hand there are prime hunting opportunities around TR if you are so inclined.

-Gunsite has relative civilization within a short distance. (Defined as a Taco Bell within 15 minutes). Unless you like the Bates Motel (I have stayed there) or the Gunsite Lodge ranchhouse style accomodations you'll want to stay in Prescott- 30 minutes minimum at the end of the day (10 of which is Gunsite's access road). Prescott is a reasonably large town with many lodging options. Gunsite also has a nice campground.

-Thunder Ranch has on site cabins- but the nearest grocery shopping is 40 MILES away. Hotels are on the order of an hour out. If I were going to TR I would definitely do the cabin thing.


Just a few thoughts.

 

[Soap]

Denny,

Check out El Tejon's "www" link

 

[mpthole]

Skunk:

I took Urban Rifle at Thunder Ranch a while back. Can't say enough good things about it. Sad to hear that Clint may be stepping down or moving the operation. He's a truly excellent instructor.

If you have any specific questions, pm or e-mail me.

 

[Slotback]

Denny:
Are Clint and Heidi talking about selling the operation, or are they looking to retirement?

As to the nearest store being 40 miles away, do what I do-drive faster

 

[BerettaNut92]

How much individual attention is there at TR? Will they spot a mistake I am subconciously making and correct me, or assume I'll get by and learn on my own? Is the teaching style more assembly line, like a nominally interactive lecture, or will they hold up class for a slower student, etc.?

 

[mpthole]

Skunk:

The instructor ratio (IIRC) was about 1:5 or 1:4. Several mistakes that I was making were caught by the instructors and I was corrected - this is while there are 22-24 some students on the firing line making an awful lot of racket! I believe that if an instructor sees a mistake, he'll correct you on it and not assume you'll learn it on your own. Especially if he sees you make it more than once.

Sometimes, the instructor ration is 1:1. Like when you're doing Thunderville, the Tower or the Terminator.

Not sure what you mean by assemly line style vs lecture... For the 5-day Urban Rifle class, the first half of the first day is strictly lecture. From that point on its 95% range time. When they are ready to begin instruction on a new technique/method, the instructors will have everyone do one of three things: 1) Completely unload; 2) Safety on and sling it; 3) Lay the rifle on the ground at your shooting position. At this point all students form a semi-circle around the instructor and he then demonstrates the next lesson. This takes all of 5 minutes usually.

I don't know if they'd hold up the entire class for a slower student or not. Probably would just spend a little more one-on-one time and have the other instructors pick up the slack on the other students. I don't remember at any time during my class thinking, "Oh man, why can't this person get it already!?!" However, I do remember Clint sitting next to me while I was in the prone position giving me some specific pointers ... its not like I wasn't hitting the target ... but more in good rifleman technique (breathing, trigger control, sight alignment and picture, body position).

Hope that helps!

 

[MPFreeman]

El Tejon = Artist formly known as KSFreeman

 

[El Tejon]

Matt, quit blowing my cover. It's just not tactical.

BTW, what's so sacred about your house in the `burbs of Indy? Was there something religious about the woods/dairy farm that your subdivision is on?

 

[MPFreeman]

El Tejon Hombre libre

your cover is blown....fall back to assualt position bravo immediately...you've been comprimised....abort mission....repeat abort mission.


The sacred lair is "sagrado casa semental enorme" formerly known as "sin valor tierra glaciar aplanar"


This coming from the hombre punching his keyboard in "alto casa el tejon"

 

[El Tejon]

That's Alcazar del Tejon, Bolio. This is America, you learn Spanish like the rest of us, young man.

 

[MPFreeman]

afligido