The Designated Marksman course at Thunder Ranch trains you to achieve first-round hits and rapid follow-ups on small targets at unknown distances under mentally and physically demanding conditions. This four-day course is the pinnacle for precision shooters and professional end users, evolving from our extensive experience with Counter Sniper and Sniper/Observer courses. This is a rifleman’s class, focused on getting…
Team Tactics with Vehicle Block is a three-day course designed around the realities of navigating and responding to threats in and around vehicles and structures. Recognizing that we often find ourselves inside structures, transitioning between them, or mobile in vehicles, this course addresses active threat resolution in these scenarios, whether you are alone, with a partner, or in a small…
The Defensive Handgun Red Dot course at Thunder Ranch offers advanced training for those looking to leverage Red Dot Sights (RDS) on their handguns. RDS provide rapid target acquisition, accommodate changing eyesight, and extend the effective range of your handgun beyond traditional distances. Students will engage targets from 0 to 100 yards, learning to use their pistols in various lighting…
Building on the foundation established in Defensive Handgun 1, the Defensive Handgun 2 (DH2) course delves deeper into advanced skills and tactics necessary for defensive handgun use. This course addresses more complex timing and tactical challenges, preparing you for high-pressure scenarios where precision and quick decision-making are crucial. DH2 includes grounded and injury drills, pushing you to adapt to various…
Thunder Ranch's High Intensity Training (HIT) is the ultimate advanced tactical course, designed exclusively for graduates of previous TR or ITC courses. This demanding program requires participants to be in peak physical condition as they face a series of rigorous challenges that test their mental and physical endurance to the limit. You will be tired, sore, and bruised, but through…
Building on the foundation established in Defensive Handgun 1, the Defensive Handgun 2 (DH2) course delves deeper into advanced skills and tactics necessary for defensive handgun use. This course addresses more complex timing and tactical challenges, preparing you for high-pressure scenarios where precision and quick decision-making are crucial. DH2 includes grounded and injury drills, pushing you to adapt to various…
Owning a handgun is one thing; knowing how to use it effectively in a defensive situation is another. The Defensive Handgun 1 (DH1) course equips you with essential skills for safe and effective handgun operation. This course covers the fundamentals of gun safety, drawing, loading, and managing malfunctions. In addition to these basic skills, DH1 delves into advanced techniques such…
You’ve got a rifle—now learn how to use it effectively with the Urban Rifle 1 course at Thunder Ranch. A rifle is only as valuable as the skill of its owner. This course helps you understand what accessories are necessary and which are not, grounded in the school’s principles of logic and knowledge. Since its creation in 1983, this course…
Thunder Ranch’s Mid-Range Rifle course extends your shooting capabilities from 100 to 700 yards, with a primary focus on Danger Close distances of 0-300 yards. This course is designed to help you achieve first-round hits at extended ranges, enhancing your understanding and proficiency with your rifle and scope combination. Throughout the course, you’ll be introduced to team spotting, learning how…
UPR combines the best aspects of Urban Rifle and Precision Rifle, maintaining the robust rifle platform of Urban Rifle while upholding a higher standard of precision and impact responsibility. This innovative approach elevates the shooter's experience, transitioning them from executing marksmanship in controlled range settings to mastering field-expedient and practical applications. Through realistic building facades and dynamic cover movements, UPR…
Thunder Ranch’s Advanced 1911 Diagnostic Course is a specialized 2-day class aimed at providing in-depth knowledge of the 1911 pistol’s operation and how to properly fit essential reliability components. Led by Jason Burton, a renowned 1911 builder from Heirloom Precision, and long-time Thunder Ranch instructor, this course also includes a lecture by Clint Smith on effective handgun use. Day 1:…
Perfect Storm is a unique, advanced course offered by Thunder Ranch, featuring the expertise of Thunder Ranch’s Senior Staff alongside the legendary Rob Leatham, arguably the greatest pistol shooter ever, and Jason Burton, a world-class 1911 builder and longtime Thunder Ranch instructor. This course combines foundational principles with advanced shooting skills, focusing on their application in defensive environments. The course…
