The Gunsite Alumni Shoot -- GAS 2026

The Cooper Cup

On 3 October 2026 I participated in the Gunsite Alumni Shoot or GAS for 2026. Gunsite holds the GAS every year in the fall for graduates of a handgun class lasting three days or more. GAS stages are set in simulators and on square ranges with scenarios similar to problems students face in the Gunsite 250 class.
 

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Jeff Cooper's founding of American Pistol Institute/Gunsite and the GAS was the largest that Gunsite has ever hosted with 333 registered participants. There were nine stages plus the Cooper Cup with eight of the nine stages using steel targets. The modified School Drill and the Cooper Cup used paper targets.
 

The GAS only has three divisions:

-- Master Class: Prior GAS or Cooper Cup winners

-- General Class: All Shooters younger than 65 years of age except Master Class

-- Senior: Shooters 65 years of age or older

Given that the targets were steel for most stages, the match generally flowed very quickly. Once participants completed their first stage with their assigned squad, they were free to go to any stage they wished. Gunsite provided vehicles pulling trailers that ran consistently throughout the day between stages so participants could move around the facility.

When friends asked me how I well I performed in the match, I said “Great, and. . . terrible.” I placed 28th overall on one stage and 134th on another with a final place of 15th in the Senior Division out of ninety-five participants (81st overall). I was tied with several other individuals for 5th place in the Cooper Cup for the Senior Division out of thirty-six senior shooters who shot the Cooper Cup. Many match shooters skipped the Cooper Cup which is optional for match participants.

For most shooters, the Cooper Cup is by far the most challenging stage with forty shots at targets from three to twenty-five yards as follows:

-- 3 yards, 1 head shot, one second, repeat five times

-- 7 yards, 1 head shot, 1.5 seconds, repeat five times

-- 10 yards, 2 body shots, two seconds, repeat five times

-- 15 yards, 2 body shots-reload-2 body shots, six seconds, repeat three times

-- 25 yards, 2 body shots, four seconds, repeat four times

Cooper Cup scoring must be within the designated head and body scoring areas with the full diameter of the bullet inside the scoring area. Bullets touching a line are scored as misses.

After the shooting concluded, Gunsite hosted a post-match dinner and award presentation. A good time was had by all. If you have taken a Gunsite pistol class and qualify for the GAS attendance, I highly recommend it.