Rifle/gear questions for prospective students - Sniper Knowledge Database

bwang1624 · #1 11-18-2009, 11:35 PM

Hi everyone, I have had my eyes set on going to both sniper/cs and SPR courses for quite some time now, although uncertainty about many things has kept me back. For starters, I would like to ask those with firsthand experience here for an honest assessment of what the courses are like, and what sort of gear will serve me well so that I can prepare.

These are questions that I haven't been able to find answers for on the website, so perhaps this thread could serve as the foundation of a running FAQ that others like me may refer to in the future.

1. In once sentence, summarize your experience at GPS, please specify which course(s) you took.

2. What rifle/scope/ammo/clothes/gear/food etc did you bring/use, and if you had known better, what would you have used/brought/bought?

3. In general terms, what sort of budget should the prospective student be looking to set aside in order to attend a course?

4. Any advice, recommendations, lessons learned the hard way?

These should yield very interesting and practical answers... Thanks to everyone in advance. -Brian

RamZar · #2 11-19-2009, 06:12 PM

Stay tuned. I'll post an objective first-hand report next week. I just finished day 4 of the 5-day Sniper/Counter Sniper course. This is the bread and butter course.

scar · #3 11-19-2009, 08:11 PM

I'm excited to read this report, I wanted to write one after i did the courses but never got around to it.

Pyle · #4 11-19-2009, 08:22 PM

hey ramzar since you are there think you could inquire about the sniper, counter sniper, instructor course running back to back in oh say feb-april 2011?

DrCanuck · #5 11-19-2009, 09:33 PM

If you are thinking of going I would highly recommend doing all three at the same time. I personally got the most out of doing the instructor course (not to say that I didn't profit from the other courses). Your intent may not be to become an instructor, but you don't know what you don't know until you have to teach it. Truly confirmed in my mind what I really did know and what I needed to work on. Definitely worth it.

As for gear ... you can bring a bunch of Gucci kit but the best thing to bring with you is an open focused mind (the rest can be solved with duct tape, bungee cables, and paracord).

RamZar · #6 11-19-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyle

hey ramzar since you are there think you could inquire about the sniper, counter sniper, instructor course running back to back in oh say feb-april 2011?

I'll ask tomorrow but from what I've monitored on the Sniper School website they have the "Sniper/Counter Sniper" and "Advanced Sniper" classes at least once a month except for some of the HOT Summer months. I'll inquire if it doesn't slip my mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrCanuck

If you are thinking of going I would highly recommend doing all three at the same time. I personally got the most out of doing the instructor course (not to say that I didn't profit from the other courses). Your intent may not be to become an instructor, but you don't know what you don't know until you have to teach it. Truly confirmed in my mind what I really did know and what I needed to work on. Definitely worth it.

This is generally true (I used to teach at the university) but unfortunately it takes a lot of time. I live in Los Angeles so it's not that far driving. Another reason I didn't take them all including the "Instructor Development" class in a row is that I wanted to get a "flavor" of what this school entailed. I'm very impressed. Suffice it to say that it's about the fundamentals but to me all those small details amount to an eye-opening experience. Like one of the instructors was saying and I'm paraphrasing: "Even the advanced classes is doing the same fundamentals faster and more accurately". The instructors for the class this week (Nathan Hahn and Rob Pettorsson) are experienced, direct, polite, patient, fun, knowledgeable, helpful and attentive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrCanuck

As for gear ... you can bring a bunch of Gucci kit but the best thing to bring with you is an open focused mind (the rest can be solved with duct tape, bungee cables, and paracord).

I've been amazed how the instructors have helped fix, tune and enhance students' equipment even the ones not purchased from the Sniper School. I purchased mine and in front of the class and as part of the first day of instruction they show you EXACTLY how to put it all together. Other students had ammo exchanged, scope bases enhanced to add quite a few more MOA to the scope, barrel shortened, sand socks made, internal magazines expanded, etc. You really become ONE with your rifle even when you're having equipment problems. Great bunch of guys and great course material. Of course, the drills and evolutions thereof are eye-opening. More later...

DrCanuck · #7 11-19-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamZar

You really become ONE with your rifle even when you're having equipment problems. ...

I think RamZar’s comments were probably more helpful then my short winded Gucci response. To clarify / be of more help to you ... it is about your relationship with the rifle. All the rest is pretty much ruck filler. Outside of bringing your rifle / ammo, a pen and note pad to collect data is the most important. As a word of advice note down all the data you can get, every shot, and be as detailed as possible. A lot of people get wrapped up in gear. Focus on the rifle and your data log book and you will get the most out of your experience.

The guys will teach you how to create camouflage with little to no gear at hand (veg is the edge, remember this it is important). You don't (nor won't) need a Chewbacca suite.
A good 3 day assault pack and sling are helpful as they do a bunch of off the bag and alternate shooting position work (at least when I was there).

Hope this was more helpful.

Pyle · #8 11-20-2009, 07:09 AM

do they sell the log books there? been lookin for some but kinda(ok more like really) a touchy feely buyer you cant really tell much from a pic in a mag/catalog

RamZar · #9 11-20-2009, 07:30 AM

No. A small sturdy notebook and a pen will do quite nicely.

DrCanuck · #10 11-20-2009, 12:00 PM

A note pad allows greater flexibility to make notes then the preset forms in most data log books. I use a water resistant note pad that doesn't run when I am out in the rain and snow but that’s about as fancy as mine gets. Pens are good, always bring a back up pencil in your kit.