The best pistol training courses provide classroom instruction, plenty of range time, and personal coaching.

Let's suppose for just a moment that you have recently completed your concealed-carry licensing class. You spent a few hours in a classroom, mainly going over your state's pertinent laws, and you spent a few more hours on the shooting range, banging away at a rather large target--primarily demonstrating that you could do that without shooting yourself.

Now let's fast-forward a couple of weeks to a dark, restaurant parking lot, where three armed thugs are intent on taking your money, your car, your lady friend, and your life. Wouldn't that be a terrible time to realize that you really needed more training in order to adequately protect you and yours? When you think about it, only a fool would try to fly an airplane without first taking lessons. Trying to play the piano without lessons could also be life threatening, depending upon the temperament of your family and neighbors. Fortunately, there is good defensive training available, if the individual will only take advantage of it. And it could save your life--literally.

I have sung the praises of the Gunsite Academy from time to time in the pages of Shooting Times. Located in northern Arizona near the town of Paulden, Gunsite was founded in the mid-1970s by Col. Jeff Cooper, the father of the "Modern Technique of the Pistol." Owen "Buz" Mills, the current owner, is dedicated to continuing the tradition begun by Col. Cooper and to providing realistic, practical defensive training for military, law enforcement, and honest citizens.

Now, while I have recommended Gunsite to a number of my shooting friends and attended several seminars there, the fact is that I had never taken one of its classes. We have an old Southernism down this way that goes, "You'd better put your money where your mouth is." With that in mind, a few months ago I attended the week-long Gunsite No. 250 Defensive Pistol class, and I thought I might tell you a little about it. Trying to avoid sounding like "My Week At Camp" by Little Jimmy Wilson, I figured you would benefit by taking a look at some of the philosophies of this great class and give you an idea of what you can expect from it and similar training courses.

Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas
Gunsite is founded on the philosophy of "Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas" (accuracy, power, and speed). It is the combination of these three skills, in equal parts, that allows the individual to survive a deadly attack. In October of 1999, Col. Cooper wrote, "The mission of Gunsite Academy is to provide good people with the skills by which they may conduct themselves as responsible citizens of a free republic." To attain this goal, the Gunsite instructors teach the Combat Triad--a three-part plan that balances gunhandling, practical marksmanship, and mind-set.