I must admit that I've got a few miles on me. I've grown a bit of a paunch, my body parts don't work quite as well anymore, and my hair is turning gray, what's left of it. Some would call me old and others middle aged. AARP keeps trying to get me to join, which I won't, but that's another story. I've enjoyed shooting for nearly 50 years and have shot locally at pistol matches where I've beaten some and been beaten by others. So I guess you could say that I'm an experienced handgunner.

Gunsite ranges are very well maintained and equipped. Under instructor supervision, half the class practices shooting techniques just learned, while the other half reloads and watches. Learning is constant, whether on the line or behind it.

Nevertheless, I wanted to improve my skills and wondered if a basic defensive pistol class like the one at Gunsite Academy would help. Or was it just for beginners? I decided to find out.

GETTING STARTED
The Arizona high desert would warm into the 70s by afternoon, but this early October Monday morning was chilly. Sixteen students met in the classroom and began to get acquainted while sipping coffee and waiting for class to begin. We were professionals, business people and blue- and white-collar workers ranging in age from 20-something to mid-60s, but everyone had a strong interest in self-defense and guns, so there was immediate camaraderie.

Schedules are important at Gunsite because there is a lot to learn in five days, so it was not long before the head instructor and range master for our group, Bill Halvorsen, convened class. The first item covered was safety. Accidents at Gunsite are very rare, and signs emphasizing the four basic safety rules hang everywhere.

Entering a room is dangerous because it could be filled with bad guys. There is no time limit, but you can't wait forever if someone's life is in danger.

Next, gun-handling basics like the press-check for determining if a pistol is loaded, the basic draw and various types of holsters were discussed, although a strong-side belt holster was required for the class. Most students brought a 1911-style pistol in .45 ACP, but .40 S&W and 9mm chamberings were also present, as were Glocks and a double-action SIG.

By mid-morning we were on the range, where we spent about 90 percent of our time. Instruction began by the numbers, first raising the gun from the ready position and then dry firing. This was pretty easy so far, but I had already picked up a few good ways to improve my technique. No one, young or old, was having trouble keeping up.

Bill Halvorsen and our two other instructors, Eric Olds and Larry Landers, were excellent teachers with years of experience and strong backgrounds in law enforcement and the military. They knew how to teach and push students to improve, but they did it with respect, giving us our money's worth and more.

On the outdoor simulator, students practice using cover and concealment while shooting the "bad guy" pepper poppers.

Quality and consistency of training are paramount at Gunsite, so no matter who a student might get as an instructor, the lesson plan and material taught are the same. Even though we were all enjoying the experience, the skills taught here save lives, so the instructors take it seriously and teach accordingly.

Range work continued throughout the afternoon of the first day. Ideas and techniques, some of which were new to me, were introduced and practiced by the numbers with unloaded guns until everyone did them correctly. Then we loaded up and practiced live fire, again repeating the movements many times, striving for proper form and not worrying about speed--that was to come later. Our instructors told us that by Friday we would all be able to draw and fire two shots into the center of a target at seven yards in 11?2 seconds. I have never been that fast, and I found the prediction a little astounding, especially for some of my classmates who were obviously not very experienced with handguns.