Where to train this year: MAG40 vs Gun Site 250 Revolver

[Paul_H]

I'm in a bit of a quandary trying to decide where to spend my training money this year. I can either attend MAG40 relatively locally or fly out to AZ and take the Pistol 250 Revolver class.

I took MAG40 8 years ago with a pistol but would like to take again now that I've shifted back to carrying a revolver and using one for my home defense. Also want the refresher in what to do in the aftermath of a shooting. The Gun Site 250 Revolver class also looks great and I'm having a hard time deciding.

Looking for any words of wisdom or folks that have done both that could shed some pros/cons? Not looking for someone to make my decision for me, but maybe point out something I have not considered yet. For other background I've trained for many years at Sig Academy when a group of us were still able to setup a week of private pistol classes, so have had a fair amount of pistol training, but nothing revolver specific.

Here's what I can think of.
MAG40:
Pros: I can drive and it's half the cost all in of Gun Site. I know what to expect from the class. Would really like the legal refresher.
Cons: I took it 8 years ago and it seems to be offered on a regular basis in the Northeast, so probably will have an opportunity to take it again next year.

Gun Site:
Pros: Never taken it. Week of specifically focused Revolver training.
Cons: Twice the cost of MAG40. Have to fly. Not sure if it will be offered again next year. Other than revolver specific handling, not sure what I'll learn above/beyond what I've seen at Sig Academy.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[rbmac52]

I've not been to either course, so I can't offer a recommendation on one over the other, however...

I would go local, if I were you. Arizona will be hot as a pistol for the next five months. Additionally, if Mas is one of the instructors at the MAG 40 class, you can't go wrong there. And while cost isn't everything, with air fare and a rental car, you're looking at a much larger expenditure going to Gunsite, not to mention that the tuition cost is already nearly twice that of the MAG40 school.

Have fun and learn lots!

 

[Biggfoot44]

For the Legal aspects , MAG40 is unique.

While the shooting generally is secondary to the legal and strategy aspects , Mas is very versed in the Art of the Revolver , and will be glad to give you extra insights .

May he live long and prosper , but Mas is getting up into his mid 70's , while Gunsite has a cadre of instructors .

 

[Paul_H]

Thanks for the thoughts. While the cost is not a driving factor, the older I get the more important that legal component seems to become for me.....

 

[Rodan]

One of the best things you can do in training is to diversify your instruction. My recommendation would be to take the class you haven't taken before if that's an option.

And Gunsite is at ~4500ft... it will be plenty warm here for the summer, but not Phoenix hot.

 

[Paul_H]

I had not considered diversity in my equation. I agree that getting new perspectives, thoughts, ideas, and techniques would be a good. New food for thought.

Thank you!

 

[Birdhunter6]

MAG40 is a great experience. I've done it and suggest it to others first when they ask advice on training. Legal aspects of self defense as covered NOWHERE else.

On the other hand a Gun Site class would be a bucket list experience for any serious shooter.

If the $$s are doable I would probably opt for Arizona and do the MAG40 refresher later. My cousin and I are considering Gun Site's "Seasoned Citizen" class...

 

[326MOD10]

I am taking MAG20 in August and considering the Gunsite course next year.

I have found in researching that Gunsite offers courses away from AZ at some locations. I saw both the 250 course and a 3 day 150 course offered at alternate sights.

Down side is you don't get the full Gunsite experience. Upside travel could be easier and the instruction should still be top notch.

 

[Echo40]

Gunsite seems to have more bragging rights, assuming that matters to you.

That being said, contrary to popular belief, just training there does not in fact make your arguments any more valid, ergo name dropping it will not turn around an argument which you're already losing. Just thought I'd point that out since unfortunately my sole experience with those who trained at Gunsite is their strange tendency to name drop it when they begin to lose an argument.

So yeah, what I'm trying to say is, go with MAG40. It's got "40" in the name, so I'm inclined to like it, and so far I haven't met any pretentious MAG40 students.

 

[Paul_H]

I have noticed that a subset of the folks who have trained at Gun Site, Front Site, and Thunder Ranch, have been know to name drop on occasion. To be honest I tend to avoid silly gun arguments in general. I'm generally looking for the best training for my dollar and in many cases I've found local folks that were top notch and provided what I felt was quality training at a reasonable prices.

Gun Site is a bit of bucket list place. But, after some more thought I think I'll go with MAG40 for a couple of reasons. First, the Gun Site course bumps into the same weekend as my 25th wedding anniversary. My wonderful wife lets me train anytime I want, including anniversary weekends, but his one I feel I need to spend with her. Second, the cost of a rental car is just ridiculous and I'm not paying over $1k to rent a car for a week, just won't do it. Finally, if I do MAG40 in PA, driving distance for me, I'll get to hang out with an old high school friend that I was very close to back in the day, and at my age that's getting more priceless than any training I could pay for.

Maybe next year I'll pickup the Gun Site class.

 

[Paul_H]

My wonderful bride, there might be a reason we've been married 25 years and been together since high school, has insisted that since we are not actually going away until October, and that even though our anniversary is the end of August, that I still go to Gunsite for the 250 Revolver class that I've wanted to take for a while. Yup, she's a keeper.

Airfare has been booked, hotels arranged, and tuition paid. Luckily I used to travel a lot for work, so airfare is all paid for with miles and hotel is with points. Only real out of pocket expenses are class tuition plus the ammo package, and that rotten rental car expense, which still burns me, but not much I can do about it.

Spoke with the training coordinator at Gunsite and will be bringing my 686 SSR 4" as my primary gun, and my 66 combat 2.75" as a backup. Only "bad" part about that is different holsters and speed loaders, but it I'll make due. Unfortunately, both are new and both had to go back to S&W the same week for warranty repair. S&W quote 3-5 weeks for repair, so should leave plenty of time to get them back, and if not I still have 686+ and an M&P R8 that I could press into service for class if I had to.