Gunsite in Indiana

[Biohazard]

FYI
The following is from Sheriff Ken Campbell, Boone County, Indiana. I have no affiliation other than having attended training in Boone County previously.



Gunsite 150 Course in Lebanon IN May 15-17, 2009 and September 11-13, 2009

Boone County Sheriff Department is proud to again host Gunsite Academy Inc. for a Three (3) Day 150 Level Pistol Course. (This is a derivative of the 250 course without the famous indoor and outdoor simulators.)

If you have often wondered about taking a course at Gunsite but were timid to spend the time and money necessary to travel to Arizona, this is an opportunity to experience Gunsite near your home.

The course is $469 for the three days. Plan on shooting approximately 800 rounds, including the night shoot. The course is IN LETB Certified (read: POST Certified for IN).

Registration information and additional Gunsite information is available at: Gunsite: Home

 

[lawrra]

The flyer shows $650 as the cost for the course.

 

[Biohazard]

Hmmmm......good question. I have an e-mail out to the affable sheriff and will post as soon as he, or his AI, responds.

Here is his contact info if there are further questions.

Sheriff Ken P. Campbell
Boone Co. Sheriff's Office
1905 Indianapolis Avenue
Lebanon, IN 46052
(765)482-1412

He is as down-to-earth as they come. A genuine good guy.

 

[Biohazard]

Per Gunsite, it will be the price listed on the flier - $650.



Sheriff Campbell is not in control of the pricing on this.

 

[esrice]

Highly recommended course!

 

[slow1911s]

$650 for a three day course? Someone had better justify that.

 

[IndyGunworks]

$650 for a three day course? Someone had better justify that.

this is comparable to other HIGH END courses, if not a better deal.... provided that the instruction is the same as you would get from blackwater or rifles only or the other such PROFFESIONAL dedicated training facilities this is not a bad price...

before i get hammered i dont know if this training is on par with the ones i quoted but i have heard that it is.

 

[shooter521]

$650 for a three day course? Someone had better justify that.

No doubt!

A brief survey:
EAG 3-Day Carbine is $575
Magpul 3-Day Carbine 1 is $500
Vickers 3-Day Pistol/Carbine is $600
Awerbuck/YFA 3-day any discipline is $550 to $625 (depending on time of sign-up)
Thunder Ranch 3-day is $880
Suarez 2-day courses are $400
TigerSwan 3-day pistol/carbine is $750
DTI 3-Day Urban Rifle is $525
VTAC 2-Day Carbine 1.5 is $400
Tactical Response 2-Day Fighting Rifle is $400

 

[Boilers]

I've heard that gunsite training videos are floating around the torrent web. So, one could conceivably check out the type of training beforehand.

 

[slow1911s]

I was confusing two-day rates with three-day. I thought most 3-days avg $450.

 

[Biohazard]

I've heard that gunsite training videos are floating around the torrent web. So, one could conceivably check out the type of training beforehand.

I've seen the videos and I've been in classes that Ken has taught.

Trying to compare the 2 are like comparing a 1975 AMC Pacer and a 2009 BMW 550i. Ken is not in the videos.

One other thing to consider is that with the bigger schools, they have a pool of instructors. You never know who you will get. Some are good, some not so much. Ken Campbell is a known quantity to many people on this forum.

It is pricey, no doubt. And again, Ken is not in control of the cost on this. It's a Gunsite course. I get the sense a big part of the cost is the name "Gunsite."

Ken also does an Introduction To Defensive Pistol class that is considerably less than the Gunsite course.

As another option, Louis Awerbuck will be here in August. Actually, most of the month of August. There is another thread with more info.

 

[shooter521]

I get the sense a big part of the cost is the name "Gunsite."

DINGDINGDINGDING! We have a winner!

Not knocking Ken at all on this, as I realize he is beholden to Gunsite policy WRT pricing. Personally, I'd sooner take EAG's Pistol 2 course in July, Awerbuck in August, or Ken's own intro course in the fall.

 

[rhino]

Gunsite prices have always been on the high end of the spectrum (like Thunder Ranch). I think they can almost justify it for classes at their fixed facility because of the cool things they have like the shoot houses, etc. For a three day class offsite (like at Boone Co.), $650 is a little salty.

Still, many of the in-demand instructors charge around $200 per student per day. Some charge a little more. The DTI classes with John Farnam are $525 for two days. Is that too much? Probably, but I'm going to one this weekend and I'm not going to complain about it. If you break it down to an hourly rate or half hour rate, it's comparable to what you could pay for piano lessons locally, and a lot less than you'd pay for piano lessons from Van Cliburn.

I suppose the lessons are worth what people will pay for them.

I know from experience than Ken's classes are excellent. In my opinion he's a better instructor than some of the "big names" he brings to Boone County. Are they worth $650? I can' say. Has it affected my choice to patronize Gunsite offsite courses in the future? Absolutely. I really like Ken and his services, but it's not worth $650 to me, especially when Louis Awerbuck (who is THE Man) is about $100 less for three days.

Of course, the products are similar, but not the same. If you want the Gunsite experience and you can't afford the time and money to go there, $650 for three days may not be such a bad deal.

 

[longbarrel]

Per Gunsite, it will be the price listed on the flier - $650.



Sheriff Campbell is not in control of the pricing on this.

'where does a guy get 800 rounds of ammo?

 

[Biohazard]

Check the ammo thread. There are a few good leads of online stores that have ammo in stock. Or you can get back ordered and when it comes in, then sign up for a course.

 

[Srtsi4wd]

I bring this up because of Boilers comment.

For those that are torrent savvy:

x_DontTreadOnMe_x - TPB

Many an excellent document and video is available to those that want it.

...if one were so inclined.

 

[G17_shooter]

...Louis Awerbuck (who is THE Man) is about $100 less for three days.

Any more information on this class?

 

[esrice]

Any more information on this class?

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...earms_academy_boone_county_august_2009_a.html

 

[pftraining_in]

I attended the Gunsite pistol class two years ago. The instructors were Sheriff Campbell and Jay Tuttle. Great class and the instruction was top notch. If you have never experienced a night shoot, this is an excellent opportunity.

$650 is a chunk of change, but it is still cheaper than a trip to AZ.

When I attended, the cost of the class included some swag and a year membership to the NRA, which is never a bad thing.

 

[clt46910]

Training from the top people has never been cheap. They have experience and knowledge. You want cheap, buy a couple boxes of ammo and teach yourself. See where that knowledge gets you.

Or join one of the special forces and let Uncle Sam pay for it.