The 2-Day Defensive Handgun course at Thunder Ranch is designed to provide comprehensive training for those seeking to effectively use their handguns for personal defense. While many people own handguns, this course addresses the fundamental skills necessary for their safe and efficient use, including gun safety, drawing, loading, and handling malfunctions. Beyond the basics, the course covers advanced skills such…
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…
The 2-Day Defensive Handgun course at Thunder Ranch is designed to provide comprehensive training for those seeking to effectively use their handguns for personal defense. While many people own handguns, this course addresses the fundamental skills necessary for their safe and efficient use, including gun safety, drawing, loading, and handling malfunctions. Beyond the basics, the course covers advanced skills such…
Thunder Ranch’s Defensive Shotgun course is a comprehensive training program designed to showcase the effectiveness of shotguns in personal defense. Previously a hit at our Texas facility, this course addresses the often overlooked potential of shotguns when used correctly. Participants will learn critical skills such as safety, operation, load selection, reloading techniques, malfunction handling, and deployment strategies. The course also…
Defensive Handgun Low Light at Thunder Ranch is an advanced course parallel to DH1 and DH2, with a special emphasis on using handguns in conjunction with handheld and weapon-mounted lights. This course is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and tools to effectively employ your handgun in low, altered, or failing light conditions, which are common in real-world…
You’ve got a rifle—now learn how to use it effectively with the Urban Rifle course. Since its creation in 1983, this course has been the benchmark for personal defensive training with rifles, often imitated but never matched. Urban Rifle is the flagship course of Thunder Ranch’s doctrine. This class covers multiple spectrums of the rifle, from the setup to effective…
The Hunt at Thunder Ranch is designed for those eager to learn or refine the fundamentals of hunting North American big game, with a special focus on Mule Deer-sized animals. This comprehensive course covers all aspects of hunting, from personal gear choices and appropriate firearms to strategies for locating game and caring for your harvest after the shot. Participants will…
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 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…
Thunder Ranch’s Defensive Handgun course in Stoneboro, PA, is a two-day intensive designed to teach effective handgun use for personal defense. While owning a handgun is common, knowing how to use it properly in defensive situations is crucial. This course addresses core skills such as gun safety, drawing, loading, and malfunction handling, along with more complex defensive techniques. You will…
Griffin Arms is hosting a Thunder Ranch Urban Rifle course  in Stoneboro, PA. Created in 1983 this course is still the one most copied but not duplicated by other institutions. Urban rifle is the cornerstone of the personal defensive doctrine of this school and has been since the schools inception. Very simply, this is the way to defend yourself with…
