Fireworks

by Jeff Cooper

Gunsite was founded in 1976 by Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, author, columnist, professor, WW II and Korean War combat veteran. Col. Cooper intended Gunsite to be the vehicle for spreading the Modern Technique of the Pistol, which he created during his years in Big Bear Lake, CA.Jeff Cooper built the facility which was known then as the American Pistol Institute (API), just west of Paulden, Arizona, north of Prescott AZ. Cooper began teaching pistol, shotgun and rifle classes to both law enforcement and military personnel, as well as civilians, and did on-site training for individuals and groups from around the world. He was known for his advocacy of large caliber handguns, especially the Colt 1911 and the .45 ACP cartridge. Jeff passed away September 25, 2006 at the age of 86. Janelle passed away July 28th, 2019. Gunsite Academy is now the curator of Jeff's library and their home is a museum. Gunsite 250 graduates still visit the sconce after graduation on Friday. Cooper's modern technique defines pragmatic use of the pistol for personal protection. The modern technique emphasizes two-handed shooting using the Weaver stance, competing with and eventually supplanting the once-prevalent one-handed shooting. The five elements of the modern technique A large caliber pistol, preferably a semi-auto The Weaver stance The draw stroke The flash sight picture The compressed surprise trigger break Cooper was the first one to define and stress the Four Basic Rules of Firearms Safety All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.) Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. This is the Golden Rule. Identify your target, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified. Here is a link to an article written in 1993 by Finn Aagaard that appeared in the NRA Publication American Rifleman called 'Jeff The Man Behind The Modern Technique'

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2021

About the author

John Dean "Jeff" Cooper was recognized as the father of what is commonly known as the Modern Technique of handgun shooting, and one of the 20th century's foremost international experts on the use and history of small arms.

Cooper was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II he served in the Pacific on the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), and then was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, resigning his commission as Lieutenant Colonel in 1956. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from Stanford University and, in the mid-1960s, a master's degree in history from the University of California, Riverside.

In 1976, Cooper founded the American Pistol Institute (API) in Paulden, Arizona (later the Gunsite Training Center). Cooper began teaching shotgun and rifle classes to law enforcement and military personnel as well as civilians and did on-site training for individuals and groups from around the world.

Cooper died at his home on the afternoon of Monday, September 25, 2006 at the age of 86

Reviews

[John Tremblay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

Very enjoyable. A good compilation of Cooper's writings. Consider them to be essentially short stories and essays, covering a variety of subjects.