The Gunsite Alumni Shoot, often referred to simply as the GAS match, took place Saturday, October 3, and was the official celebration of Gunsite’s 50th anniversary.
And the turnout was exactly what you’d expect for Gunsite, which has been setting student attendance records year after year for a decade.
There were 370 shooters who participated and another 150 volunteers, plus vendors and some special guests. This put the total close to 600, making this Gunsite’s largest event.
Among those in attendance were a number of industry people there for the match. At one point, I turned around to find Tom Gresham standing right next to me. Since I had one of the most respected and best-known members of the firearm media in front of me, I asked him what makes this event so significant that he’d travel to Arizona and forgo his usual Sunday live radio broadcast to attend.
He explained it this way: “For a half a century, Gunsite has been the centerpiece for the growth of concealed carry, of firearms made for concealed carry, and for training throughout the country,”
“Jeff Cooper saw something when no one else did, and it's been continued all the way up to Buz Mills, and now it has grown to a point where it's hardly even recognizable.”
That’s true.
For those who haven’t been to Gunsite in the last couple of years, there have been major changes. Buz Mills, Gunsite’s owner, and Ken Campbell, its CEO, have overseen a dramatic investment in the expansion of the facilities.
All of which was done in an effort to accommodate the constant influx of new and returning students, the need for more classes and classrooms, and, of course, their cadre of instructors.
But this was the annual match for alumni, so there was a competition.
As Ken Campbell says, quoting the late Jeff Cooper, the Gunsite Alumni Shoot is best described as “a social gathering briefly interrupted by gunfire.”
That was particularly true this year.
Shooters came from across the country to attend—and compete—during the anniversary celebration.
Naturally, there was a prize table.
A long prize table. Very long, in fact, thanks to the generous support of several longtime industry partners that recognize the important role Gunsite has within the industry.
But when not out on the range competing, everyone was socializing. When it comes to food at matches, the bar is usually set pretty low, but for this event, Gunsite rolled out the grills for both lunch and dinner.
Any event this big requires a podium and a microphone, and it was up to Ken Campbell to play emcee. Having served in elective office—sheriff—he’s no stranger to speaking in front of large crowds.
In addition to shooting, eating, and jawboning, the one thing every Gunsite student and visitor knows is there is shopping. The Gunsite Pro Shop is described as the most dangerous place on Gunsite’s 3,000+ acres. That’s because of the damage it can do to your bank account.
The Pro Shop wasn't the only place one could spend their life savings. Gunsite brought in several vendors, all of which were either local or had local representatives.
If you missed the Gunsite Alumni Shoot, you missed a great time. If you have never been to Gunsite, well, I'll leave it to Tom Gresham to explain why now's the time to visit.
“There will only be one 50th anniversary at Gunsite, and it’s a privilege to be here. With more than 20 million people licensed to carry guns today, and maybe another 20 or 30 million who can do it in constitutional carry states, Gunsite remains the center point and the example for everyone.
"So, what it really means is that if you have not been here, you owe it to yourself to come out here at least once in your lifetime.”
– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network